Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                                                                  EXECUTION COPY

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                                 $1,150,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                           dated as of July, 25, 2000

                                      among

                             R.J. TOWER CORPORATION,

                 CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF R.J. TOWER CORPORATION,

                             BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

                            as Administrative Agent,

                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,

                              as Syndication Agent,

                                       and

                  THE OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PARTY HERETO

                                   Arranged By

                         BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES, LLC
                            AND CHASE SECURITIES, LLC
                 as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers

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<PAGE>   2
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section                                                                                       Page
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<S>          <C>                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE I    DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION.....................................................1
   1.1       Certain Defined Terms..............................................................1
   1.2       Other Interpretive Provisions.....................................................33
   1.3       Accounting Matters................................................................35
   1.4       Currency Equivalents Generally....................................................35

ARTICLE II   THE CREDITS.......................................................................36
   2.1       Commitments.......................................................................36
   2.2       Loan Accounts and Notes...........................................................36
   2.3       Procedure for Borrowing...........................................................37
   2.4       Conversion and Continuation Elections.............................................38
   2.5       Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments.......................40
   2.6       Optional Prepayments..............................................................40
   2.7       Repayment.........................................................................40
   2.8       Interest..........................................................................41
   2.9       Commitment Fees...................................................................42
   2.10      Computation of Fees and Interest..................................................42
   2.11      Payments by Credit Parties........................................................43
   2.12      Payments by the Lenders to the Administrative Agent...............................44
   2.13      Sharing of Payments, etc..........................................................44
   2.14      Swingline Loans...................................................................45
   2.15      Letters of Credit.................................................................48
   2.16      Utilization of Commitments in Offshore Currencies.................................57
   2.17      Guaranty..........................................................................59
   2.18      Joint and Several Nature of Loans.................................................59
   2.19      Appointment of Borrower Representative............................................60

ARTICLE III  TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY............................................60
   3.1       Taxes.............................................................................60
   3.2       Illegality........................................................................62
   3.3       Increased Costs and Reduction of Return...........................................63
   3.4       Funding Losses....................................................................63
   3.5       Inability to Determine Rates......................................................64
   3.6       Reserves on Offshore Rate Loans...................................................65
   3.7       Exchange Controls.................................................................65
   3.8       Certificates of Lending Party.....................................................65
   3.9       Substitution of Lenders...........................................................65
   3.10      Withholding Tax...................................................................66
   3.11      Survival..........................................................................67
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<S>          <C>                                                                              <C>
ARTICLE IV   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT AND SUBSEQUENT...............................................68
   4.1       Conditions of Effectiveness.......................................................68
   4.2       First Borrowing by each Eligible Borrower.........................................70
   4.3       Conditions to All Credit Extensions and Continuations/Conversions.................71

ARTICLE V    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................................71
   5.1       Corporate Existence and Power.....................................................71
   5.2       Corporate Authorization; No Contravention.........................................72
   5.3       Governmental Authorization........................................................72
   5.4       Binding Effect....................................................................72
   5.5       Litigation........................................................................73
   5.6       No Default........................................................................73
   5.7       ERISA Compliance..................................................................73
   5.8       Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations...............................................74
   5.9       Title to Properties...............................................................74
   5.10      Taxes.............................................................................74
   5.11      Financial Condition...............................................................74
   5.12      Environmental Matters.............................................................75
   5.13      Regulated Entities................................................................76
   5.14      Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc.................................76
   5.15      Subsidiaries......................................................................76
   5.16      Insurance.........................................................................76
   5.17      Solvency..........................................................................77
   5.18      Full Disclosure...................................................................77
   5.19      Eligible Borrower Representations.................................................77
   5.20      Foreign Taxes.....................................................................78

ARTICLE VI   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.............................................................78
   6.1       Financial Statements..............................................................78
   6.2       Certificates; Other Information...................................................79
   6.3       Notices...........................................................................79
   6.4       Preservation of Corporate Existence, etc..........................................81
   6.5       Maintenance of Property...........................................................81
   6.6       Insurance.........................................................................81
   6.7       Payment of Obligations............................................................82
   6.8       Compliance with Laws..............................................................82
   6.9       Compliance with ERISA.............................................................82
   6.10      Inspection of Property and Books and Records......................................82
   6.11      Environmental Laws................................................................83
   6.12      Use of Proceeds...................................................................83
   6.13      Further Assurances................................................................83

ARTICLE VII  NEGATIVE COVENANTS................................................................84
   7.1       Limitation on Liens; Negative Pledge..............................................84
   7.2       Disposition of Assets.............................................................86
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<S>          <C>                                                                              <C>
   7.3       Consolidations and Mergers........................................................87
   7.4       Loans and Investments.............................................................88
   7.5       Limitation on Indebtedness........................................................89
   7.6       Transactions with Affiliates......................................................90
   7.7       Use of Proceeds...................................................................91
   7.8       Contingent Obligations............................................................91
   7.9       Sale-Leasebacks...................................................................92
   7.10      Lease Obligations.................................................................92
   7.11      Restricted Payments...............................................................93
   7.12      ERISA.............................................................................94
   7.13      Change in Business................................................................94
   7.14      Accounting Changes................................................................94
   7.15      Financial Condition...............................................................94
   7.16      Limitations on Negative Pledges...................................................95

ARTICLE VIII ..................................................................................95
   8.1       Event of Default..................................................................95
   8.2       Remedies..........................................................................98
   8.3       Specified Swap Contract Remedies..................................................98
   8.4       Rights Not Exclusive..............................................................99

ARTICLE IX   THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT..........................................................99
   9.1       Appointment and Authorization; "Administrative Agent".............................99
   9.2       Delegation of Duties..............................................................99
   9.3       Liability of Administrative Agent.................................................99
   9.4       Reliance by Administrative Agent.................................................100
   9.5       Notice of Default................................................................100
   9.6       Credit Decision..................................................................101
   9.7       Indemnification of Administrative Agent..........................................101
   9.8       Administrative Agent in Individual Capacity......................................102
   9.9       Successor Administrative Agent...................................................102
   9.10      Withholding Tax..................................................................102
   9.11      Co-Agents........................................................................104

ARTICLE X    MISCELLANEOUS....................................................................104
   10.1      Amendments and Waivers...........................................................104
   10.2      Notices..........................................................................105
   10.3      No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies...................................................106
   10.4      Costs and Expenses...............................................................106
   10.5      Indemnification..................................................................107
   10.6      Marshalling; Payments Set Aside..................................................108
   10.7      Successors and Assigns...........................................................109
   10.8      Assignments, Participations, etc.................................................109
   10.9      Confidentiality..................................................................113
   10.10     Set-off..........................................................................113
</TABLE>

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<TABLE>
<S>          <C>                                                                              <C>
   10.11     Automatic Debits of Fees.........................................................114
   10.12     Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, etc..................................114
   10.13     Counterparts.....................................................................114
   10.14     Severability.....................................................................114
   10.15     No Third Parties Benefited.......................................................114
   10.16     Governing Law and Jurisdiction...................................................115
   10.17     Waiver of Jury Trial.............................................................115
   10.18     Entire Agreement.................................................................116
   10.19     Judgment Currency................................................................116
   10.20     Restricted/Unrestricted Subsidiaries.............................................116

ARTICLE XI   GUARANTY.........................................................................118
   11.1      Guarantee........................................................................118
   11.2      Unconditional Obligation.........................................................118
   11.3      Period in Force..................................................................119
   11.4      WAIVER...........................................................................119
   11.5      Effect of Stay...................................................................120
   11.6      Subordination....................................................................120
   11.7      Certain Limitations..............................................................120
</TABLE>

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                                   SCHEDULES

    Schedule 2.1            -     Commitments
    Schedule 2.9            -     Pricing Grid
    Schedule 2.15           -     Existing Letters of Credit
    Schedule 5.5            -     Litigation
    Schedule 5.7            -     ERISA
    Schedule 5.11           -     Permitted Liabilities
    Schedule 5.12           -     Environmental Matters
    Schedule 5.15           -     Subsidiaries and Minority Interests
    Schedule 5.16           -     Insurance Matters
    Schedule 5.20           -     Foreign Tax Matters
    Schedule 7.1            -     Permitted Liens
    Schedule 7.2            -     Permitted Dispositions
    Schedule 7.4            -     Permitted Investments
    Schedule 7.5(c)         -     Permitted Indebtedness
    Schedule 7.8            -     Contingent Obligations
    Schedule 10.2           -     Lending Offices; Addresses for Notices

                                    EXHIBITS

    Exhibit A         -     Form of Notice of Borrowing
    Exhibit B         -     Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
    Exhibit C         -     Form of Compliance Certificate
    Exhibit D-1       -     Form of Legal Opinion of Company's Special Michigan
                            Counsel
    Exhibit D-2       -     Form of Legal Opinion of Company's Special New York
                            Counsel
    Exhibit D-3       -     Form of Legal Opinion of special Dutch counsel
    Exhibit E         -     Form of Assignment and Acceptance
    Exhibit F-1       -     Form of Revolving Note
    Exhibit F-2       -     Form of Swingline Note
    Exhibit F-3       -     Form of Term A Note
    Exhibit G         -     Form of Guaranty
    Exhibit H         -     Form of Election to Participate
    Exhibit I         -     Form of Election to Terminate
    Exhibit J         -     Form of Authorization Letter

                                      -v-
<PAGE>   7
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

          This CREDIT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into as of July 25,
2000, among R.J. TOWER CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation (the "Company"),
TOWER AUTOMOTIVE EUROPE, B.V., a corporation, organized under the laws of the
Netherlands (the "Finance Subsidiary") the several financial institutions from
time to time party to this Agreement (collectively, the "Lenders"; individually,
a "Lender"), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity,
the "Administrative Agent"), The Chase Manhattan Bank, as syndication agent and
The Bank of Nova Scotia, Comerica Bank, U.S. Bank National Association and Bank
One, Michigan, as co-agents.

          WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that (i) the Lenders make a term
loan to the Company in the aggregate principal amount of $325,000,000 maturing
on July 25, 2006, and (ii) the Lenders provide a multicurrency revolving credit
facility maturing on July 25, 2006 (including letter of credit subfacility), to
the Borrowers in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the Dollar
Equivalent of $825,000,000;

          WHEREAS, the proceeds of the term loans and certain of the proceeds of
the revolving loans described above will be used by the Borrowers to provide the
funds necessary to repay certain outstanding indebtedness of the Borrowers;

          WHEREAS, the proceeds of the revolving credit facility described above
will be used by the Borrowers as described above and for ongoing working capital
and general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, Permitted
Acquisitions;

          WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to extend commitments to make term
loans and revolving credit loans to the Borrowers for the purposes and on the
terms and conditions set forth herein;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, provisions
and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                         DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

     1.1  Certain Defined Terms. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires,
capitalized terms used in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall
have the following meanings:

          "Account Party" means (i) any Borrower and (ii) with respect to any
Standby Letter of Credit supporting the Existing IRBs, the Company and either of
its Subsidiaries, R.J. Tower (KY) and R.J. Tower (IN), as the case may be.

<PAGE>   8
          "Acquisition" means any transaction or series of related transactions
for the purpose of or resulting, directly or indirectly, in (a) the acquisition
of all or substantially all of the assets of a Person, or of any business or
division of a Person, (b) the acquisition of in excess of 50% of the capital
stock, partnership interests, membership interests or equity of any Person, or
otherwise causing any Person to become a Subsidiary, or (c) a merger or
consolidation or any other combination with another Person (other than a Person
that is a Subsidiary), provided that the Company or a Subsidiary is the
surviving entity.

          "Affected Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 3.9.

          "Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person which, directly
or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control
with, such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if the
controlling Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of the other Person, whether
through the ownership of voting securities or membership interests, by contract,
or otherwise.

          "Administrative Agent" means BofA in its capacity as agent for the
Lending Party hereunder, and any successor agent arising under Section 9.9.

          "Agent-Related Persons" means BofA in its capacity as Administrative
Agent and any successor agent arising under Section 9.9, together with their
respective Affiliates (including, in the case of BofA, the Lead Arranger and
Book Manager), and the officers, directors, employees, agents and
attorneys-in-fact of such Persons and Affiliates.

          "Agent's Payment Office" means the address for payments set forth on
Schedule 10.2 or such other address as the Administrative Agent may from time to
time specify to the Lending Parties and the Borrower Representative in writing.

          "Aggregate Commitment" means the sum of (a) the Revolving Loan
Commitment and (b) the Term A Commitment.

          "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, including Exhibits and
Schedules.

          "Applicable Currency" as to any particular Loan or payment, means
Dollars or the Offshore Currency in which it is denominated or payable.

          "Applicable Commitment Fee" at any time means the relevant commitment
fee determined from time to time under the Pricing Grid; provided that (i) the
initial Applicable Commitment Fee shall be the commitment fee corresponding to
Level III on the Pricing Grid until the date that the Administrative Agent is
supposed to receive the first financial statements and Compliance Certificate
required to be delivered under Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.2(b), and (ii) in
the event that the Administrative Agent shall not have received when due any
financial statement or Compliance Certificate required to

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be delivered under Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.2(b), the Applicable Commitment
Fee shall be the commitment fee corresponding to Level V on the Pricing Grid
until the Administrative Agent has received all such financial statements and
Compliance Certificates. Each change in the Applicable Margin shall take effect
with respect to all outstanding Loans on the third Business Day immediately
succeeding the day on which the Compliance Certificate is received by the
Administrative Agent.

          "Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate" at any time means the relevant
fee rate for Letters of Credit determined from time to time under the Pricing
Grid for Revolving Loans; provided that (i) the initial Applicable Letter of
Credit Fee Rate shall be the fee rate for Letters of Credit corresponding to
Level III on the Pricing Grid for Revolving Loans until the date that the
Administrative Agent is supposed to receive the first financial statements and
Compliance Certificate required to be delivered under Section 6.1(a) and Section
6.2(b), and (ii) in the event that the Administrative Agent shall not have
received when due any financial statement or Compliance Certificate required to
be delivered under Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.2(b), the Applicable Letter of
Credit Fee Rate shall be the fee rate for Letters of Credit corresponding to
Level V on the Pricing Grid for Revolving Loans until the Administrative Agent
has received all such financial statements and Compliance Certificates. Each
change in the Applicable Margin shall take effect with respect to all
outstanding Loans on the third Business Day immediately succeeding the day on
which the Compliance Certificate is received by the Administrative Agent

          "Applicable Margin" at any time means the applicable percentage set
forth in the Pricing Grid for Loans opposite the then applicable Leverage Ratio
as set forth on the most recent Compliance Certificate required to be delivered
under Section 6.2(b) provided that in the event the Administrative Agent shall
not have received when due any financial statement or Compliance Certificate
required to be delivered under Section 6.1(a) and Section 6.2(b), the Applicable
Margin for Base Rate Loans or Offshore Rate Loans, as the case may be, shall be
the margin for Base Rate Loans or Offshore Rate Loans, as the case may be,
corresponding to Level V on the Pricing Grid until the Administrative Agent
shall have received all such financial statements and Compliance Certificates;
provided, that the Applicable Margin shall be that corresponding to Level III on
the Pricing Grid until such time as the Administrative Agent has received the
financial statements and Compliance Certificate of Parent and its Subsidiaries
for the period ended September 30, 2000. Each change in the Applicable Margin
shall take effect with respect to all outstanding Loans on the third Business
Day immediately succeeding the day on which the Compliance Certificate is
received by the Administrative Agent.

          "Approved Parent Debt" means any unsecured Indebtedness issued by the
Parent, the proceeds of which are applied to the prepayment of the Revolving
Loans, which in each case (x) has no scheduled payments of principal before the
Commitment Termination Date, (y) has no Guaranty Obligation of the Company or
any other Subsidiary of the Parent in respect thereof, and (z) has terms and
conditions which are acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable
discretion (including terms and conditions with

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   10
respect to amounts, covenants, defaults, maturities, remedies and, if
applicable, subordination).

          "Assignable Credit Exposure" has the meaning specified in Section 3.9.

          "Assignee" has the meaning specified in Section 10.8(a).

          "Assignment and Acceptance" has the meaning specified in Section
10.8(a).

          "Assumed Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of a Person existing at the
time such Person became a Subsidiary or assumed by the Company or a Subsidiary
in a Permitted Acquisition (and not created or incurred in anticipation of such
acquisition).

          "Attorney Costs" means and includes all reasonable fees and
disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel, the allocated cost of
internal legal services and all disbursements of internal counsel.

          "Attributable Debt" means as of the date of determination thereof in
connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction occurring after the Closing
Date, the net present value (discounted according to GAAP at the cost of debt
implied in the lease) of the obligations of lessee for rental payments during
the then remaining term of any applicable lease.

          "Authorization Letter" means the letter agreement executed by an
Eligible Borrower in the form of Exhibit J.

          "Bankruptcy Code" means the Federal Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 (11
U.S.C.ss.101, et seq.).

          "Base Rate" means, for any day, the higher of (a) 0.50% per annum
above the latest Federal Funds Rate, and (b) the rate of interest in effect for
such day as publicly announced from time to time by BofA in San Francisco,
California, as its "reference rate." (The "reference rate" is a rate set by BofA
based upon various factors including BofA's costs and desired return, general
economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for
pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced
rate.) Any change in the reference rate announced by BofA shall take effect at
the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such
change.

          "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base
Rate.

          "BofA" means Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association.

          "Borrower" means each of the Company, Finance Subsidiary and each
Eligible Borrower.

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<PAGE>   11
          "Borrower Representative" has the meaning specified in Section 2.19.

          "Borrowing" means a borrowing hereunder consisting of Loans of the
same Type and in the same Applicable Currency made to a Credit Party on the same
day by one or more Lending Parties under Article II, and, in the case of
Offshore Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period.

          "Borrowing Date" means any date on which a Borrowing occurs under
Section 2.3, 2.15 or 2.17.

          "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which commercial banks in New York City, Charlotte or San Francisco or
with respect to any disbursements and payments in and calculations pertaining to
any Offshore Currency Loan, a day on which commercial banks are open for foreign
exchange business in London, England, and on which dealings in the relevant
Offshore Currency are carried on in the applicable offshore foreign exchange
interbank market in which disbursements or payment in such Offshore Currency
will be made or received hereunder.

          "Capital Adequacy Regulation" means any guideline, request or
directive of any central bank or other Governmental Authority, or any other law,
rule or regulation, whether or not having the force of law, in each case,
regarding capital adequacy of any bank or of any corporation controlling a bank.

          "Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, without duplication, the
sum of:

          (a) the gross amount of capital expenditures of the Company and its
     Restricted Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP made during such
     period; and

          (b) to the extent not included in clause (a) above, the aggregate
     amount of Capitalized Lease Liabilities incurred during such period by the
     Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding the portion thereof
     allocable to interest expense).

          "Capitalized Lease Liabilities" of any Person means all monetary
obligations of such Person under any leasing or similar arrangement which, in
accordance with GAAP, are or would be classified as capitalized lease
obligations on a balance sheet of such Person.

          "Cash Collateralize" means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, any LC
Issuer and the Revolving Lenders, as collateral for the applicable Letter of
Credit Obligations, cash or deposit account balances pursuant to documentation
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and
such LC Issuer (which documents are hereby

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   12
consented to by the Lenders). Derivatives of such term shall have corresponding
meaning. The Company hereby grants the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of
the Administrative Agent, each such LC Issuer and the Lenders, a security
interest in all such cash and deposit account balances. Cash collateral shall be
maintained in blocked, interest bearing (to the extent available) deposit
accounts at BofA.

          "CERCLA" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Environmental
Laws."

          "Change of Control" means any of (i) the acquisition by any "person"
or "group" (as such terms are used in sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange
Act) (other than Permitted Holders) at any time of beneficial ownership of
thirty percent (30%) or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Parent on a
fully-diluted basis, (ii) the failure of individuals who are members of the
board of directors of the Parent on the Closing Date (together with any new or
replacement directors whose initial nomination for election was approved by a
majority of the directors who were either directors on the Closing Date or
previously so approved) to constitute a majority of the board of directors of
the Parent or (iii) the failure of the Parent to own 100% of the outstanding
capital stock of the Company.

          "Closing Date" means the date hereof, provided that all conditions
precedent set forth in Section 4.1 are satisfied or waived by all Required
Lenders (or, in the case of Section 4.1(e), waived by the Person entitled to
receive such payment).

          "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

          "Commercial Letter of Credit" means any Letter of Credit which is
drawable upon presentation of a sight draft and other documents evidencing the
sale or shipment of goods purchased by the applicable Credit Party in the
ordinary course of business.

          "Commitment" means, as to any Lender, such Lender's commitment to make
Loans under this Agreement.

          "Commitment Termination Date" means the earlier to occur of:

          (a) July 25, 2006; and

          (b) the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate in
     accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

          "Company" has the meaning specified in the preamble.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   13
          "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit C.

          "Computation Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(a).

          "Consolidated Debt" means, without duplication the sum of (i)
Indebtedness of the Parent, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to the
extent set forth on a consolidated balance sheet determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP plus (ii) Indebtedness of Parent (other than
Guaranty Obligations of the Parent relating to Unrestricted Subsidiaries), the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries of the type referred to in clause (h) of
the definition of Indebtedness, plus, without duplication, Attributable Debt
which is deemed to be Consolidated Debt pursuant to Section 7.9(a).

          "Consolidated Tangible Assets" means, on any date, the consolidated
total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the most
recently ended Fiscal quarter, determined in accordance with GAAP minus the
consolidated intangible assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on
such date, determined in accordance with GAAP.

          "Contingent Obligation" means, as to any Person, any direct or
indirect liability of that Person, whether or not contingent, with or without
recourse, (a) with respect to any Indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of
credit or other obligation (the "primary obligations") of another Person (the
"primary obligor"), including any obligation of that Person (i) to purchase,
repurchase or otherwise acquire such primary obligations or any security
therefor, (ii) to advance or provide funds for the payment or discharge of any
such primary obligation, or to maintain working capital or equity capital of the
primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency or any
balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of the primary
obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the
purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of
the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation, or (iv)
otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of any such primary obligation
against loss in respect thereof (each, a "Guaranty Obligation"); (b) with
respect to any Surety Instrument issued for the account of that Person or as to
which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings or payments;
(c) to purchase any materials, supplies or other property from, or to obtain the
services of, another Person if the relevant contract or other related document
or obligation requires that payment for such materials, supplies or other
property, or for such services, shall be made regardless of whether delivery of
such materials, supplies or other property is ever made or tendered, or such
services are ever performed or tendered, or (d) in respect of any Swap Contract.
The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall, in the case of Guaranty
Obligations, be deemed equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary
obligation in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made or, if not
stated or if indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in
respect thereof, and in the case of other Contingent Obligations other than in
respect of Swap Contracts, shall be equal to the

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   14
maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof and, in the case of
Contingent Obligations in respect of Swap Contracts, shall be equal to the Swap
Termination Value.

          "Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, undertaking, contract,
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument, document or agreement to
which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

          "Conversion/Continuation Date" means any date on which, under Section
2.1 or Section 2.4, the Company (a) converts Loans of one Type to another Type,
or (b) continues as Loans of the same Type, but with a new Interest Period,
Loans having Interest Periods expiring on such date.

          "Currency Calculation Date" means, with respect to any (a) Borrowing,
conversion, continuation or payment or prepayment of Offshore Currency Loans,
the date of such Borrowing, conversion, continuation, payment or prepayment, as
applicable, and (b) outstanding Offshore Currency Loans, any Interest Payment
Date relevant thereto, the last Business Day of each month or any additional and
more frequent dates as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion or
at the direction of the Required Lenders, select from time to time.

          "Credit Documents" means this Agreement, any Notes, the Fee Letters,
the Guaranty, any documents evidencing or relating to Specified Swap Contracts,
and all other documents delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          "Credit Extension" means a Letter of Credit Advance, Loan, Issuance of
a Letter of Credit or participation therein.

          "Credit Party" means any Borrower or any Account Party, as the case
may be.

          "Debt Service Dividends" means cash dividends declared and made by the
Company to the Parent in such amounts and to the extent necessary to allow the
Parent to make any regularly scheduled payment of interest or the payment of
principal at maturity in respect of any Approved Parent Debt if and to the
extent that such payment is not prohibited at such time by the subordination
provisions or other applicable terms of such Approved Parent Debt or any
instrument governing such Approved Parent Debt.

          "Default" means any event or circumstance which, with the giving of
notice, the lapse of time, or both, would (if not cured or otherwise remedied
during such time) constitute an Event of Default.

          "Disposition" means (i) the sale, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of property, other than sales or other dispositions expressly
permitted under clauses (a)

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   15
through (g) and clause (i) of Section 7.2, or (ii) the sale or transfer by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any equity securities
issued by any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and held by such transferor
Person.

          "Dollars", "dollars" and "$" each mean lawful money of the United
States.

          "Dollar Equivalent" as of the date of determination, means (a) the
amount denominated in Dollars, and (b) as to any amount denominated in an
Offshore Currency or other currency, the equivalent amount in Dollars as
determined by the Administrative Agent on the basis of the Spot Rate for the
purchase of Dollars with such Offshore Currency or other currency; provided,
that with respect to Letter of Credit Obligations in Offshore Currencies that
are valued as of the last Business Day of each month, the equivalent amount in
Dollars shall be determined by BofA in its capacity as LC Issuer instead of the
Administrative Agent.

          "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is organized under the
laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof.

          "EBIT" for any period means the consolidated net income (or loss) of
the Parent, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus (to
the extent deducted in determining such net income (or loss)) the sum of the
following: (i) consolidated interest expense, plus, (ii) consolidated income tax
expense, plus (iii) extraordinary losses, minus (iv) extraordinary gains, plus
(v) non-cash charges associated with an announced restructuring or related
charge (together, "Non-Cash Restructuring Charges") minus (vi) the actual cash
portion of restructuring charges to the extent such charges were considered to
be Non-Cash Restructuring Charges in prior periods, in each case determined in
accordance with GAAP.

          "EBITDA" for any period means EBIT for such period plus (to the extent
deducted in determining the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Parent the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period) consolidated
depreciation, amortization and similar non-cash charges, in each case determined
in accordance with GAAP. For the purposes of calculating the financial covenants
for any Reference Period, EBIT and EBITDA shall be calculated on a pro forma
basis (as certified by the Parent to the Administrative Agent) assuming that all
Acquisitions (and Assumed Indebtedness, if any, in connection therewith) and all
Dispositions that have occurred during such Reference Period had occurred on the
first day of such Reference Period (but without adjustment for expected cost
savings or other synergies).

          "Effective Amount" means (i) with respect to any Loans of any type on
any date, the Dollar Equivalent of the aggregate outstanding principal amount
thereof after giving effect to any Borrowings and prepayments or repayments of
Loans of such type occurring on such date; and (ii) with respect to any
outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations on any date, the Dollar Equivalent of
the amount of such Letter of Credit Obligations on such date after giving effect
to any Issuances of Letters of Credit occurring

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   16
on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the Letter of
Credit Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements
of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit or any reductions in
the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit taking effect
on such date.

          "Election to Participate" means an Election to Participate executed by
an Eligible Borrower and substantially in the form of Exhibit H.

          "Election to Terminate" means an Election to Terminate executed by an
Eligible Borrower an substantially in the form of Exhibit I.

          "Eligible Assignee" means (a) a commercial bank organized under the
laws of the United States, or any state thereof, and having a combined capital
and surplus of at least $100,000,000; (b) a commercial bank organized under the
laws of any other country which is a member of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (the "OECD"), or a political subdivision of any such
country, and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 (or
its equivalent in other currencies), provided that such bank is acting through a
branch or agency located in the country in which it is organized or another
country which is also a member of the OECD; (c) a Person that is primarily
engaged in the business of commercial banking and that is (i) a Subsidiary of a
Lender, (ii) a Subsidiary of a Person of which a Lender is a Subsidiary, or
(iii) a Person of which a Lender is a Subsidiary; and (d) any other entity
approved by the Company and the Administrative Agent.

          "Eligible Borrower" means any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary that is a
Restricted Subsidiary the capital stock of which has been delivered to the
Administrative Agent to the extent required by Section 6.13, and to which an
Election to Participate shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent
and as to which an Election to Terminate shall not have been delivered to the
Administrative Agent. Each such Election to Participate and Election to
Terminate shall be duly executed on behalf of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and
the Company in such number of copies as the Administrative Agent may request.
The delivery of an Election to Terminate shall not affect any obligation of an
Eligible Borrower theretofore incurred. The Administrative Agent shall promptly
give notice to the Lenders of the receipt of any Election to Participate or
Election to Terminate.

          "EMU Legislation" means (a) the Treaty on European Union (the Treaty
of Rome of March 25, 1957, as amended by the Single European Act 1986 and the
Maastricht Treaty (which was signed at Maastricht on February 1, 1992 and came
into force on November 1, 1993)), and (b) legislative measures of the European
Council (including without limitation European Council regulations) for the
introduction of, changeover to or operation of the Euro, in each case as amended
or supplemented from time to time.

          "Environmental Claims" means all claims, however asserted, by any
Governmental Authority or other Person alleging potential liability or
responsibility for

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   17
violation of any Environmental Law; or for release or injury to the environment
or threat to public health, personal injury (including sickness, disease or
death), property damage, natural resources damage, or otherwise alleging
liability or responsibility for damages (punitive or otherwise), cleanup,
removal, remedial or response costs, restitution, civil or criminal penalties,
injunctive relief, or other type of relief, resulting from or based upon the
presence, placement, discharge, emission or release (including intentional and
unintentional, negligent and non-negligent, sudden or non-sudden, accidental or
non-accidental, placement, spills, leaks, discharges, emissions or releases) of
any Hazardous Material at, in, or from property, whether or not owned by the
Company.

          "Environmental Laws" means all federal, national, state, provincial or
local laws, statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations, ordinances and
codes, together with all administrative orders, directed duties, requests,
licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental
Authorities, in each case relating to environmental, health, safety and land use
matters; including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act of 1972, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, and the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

          "Environmental Permits" has the meaning specified in Section 5.12(b).

          "Equivalent Amount" means, as of any Currency Calculation Date, the
amount determined by reference to the following table:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF THE NOTIONAL AMOUNT IS     THE EQUIVALENT AMOUNT        THE EQUIVALENT AMOUNT
DENOMINATED IN:               IN DOLLARS IS:               IN ANOTHER OFFSHORE
                                                           CURRENCY IS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dollars                       Such Amount                  The amount of such
                                                           Offshore Currency
                                                           that can be purchased
                                                           with Dollars at the
                                                           Spot Rate for
                                                           Delivery on Currency
                                                           Calculation Date
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An Offshore Currency          The amount of Dollars that   The amount of such
                              can be purchased with such   other Offshore
                              Offshore Currency at the     Currency that can be
                              Spot Rate for delivery on    purchased with such
                              Currency Calculation Date    Offshore Currency at
                                                           the Spot Rate for
                                                           delivery on Date
                                                           Currency Calculation
                                                           Date
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   18
          "ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) under common control with the Company within the meaning of
section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for
purposes of provisions relating to section 412 of the Code).

          "ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension
Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan
subject to section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a
substantial employer (as defined in section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation
of operations which is treated as such a withdrawal under section 4062(e) of
ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is
in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the
treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under section 4041 or 4041A of
ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension
Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which might reasonably be
expected to constitute grounds under section 4042 of ERISA for the termination
of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or
Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of
ERISA, other than PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under section 4007 of
ERISA, upon the Company or any ERISA Affiliate.

          "Euro" means the single currency of participating member states of the
European Monetary Union.

          "Euro Transition Cutoff Date" means December 31, 2001, or such other
date as may be established by EMU Legislation.

          "Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means, for any day for any Interest
Period for Offshore Rate Loans, the maximum reserve percentage (expressed as a
decimal, rounded upward to the next 1/100th of 1%) in effect on such day
(whether or not applicable to any Lender hereunder) under regulations issued
from time to time by the FRB for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement)
with respect to liabilities or assets consisting or including Eurocurrency funds
or deposits (currently known as "Eurocurrency liabilities").

          "Event of Default" means any of the events or circumstances specified
in Section 8.1.

          "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

          "Existing IRBs" means any of (i) the $7,200,000 City of Auburn,
Indiana Floating/Fixed Rate Economic Development Revenue Bonds, Series 1988
(R.J. Tower Corporation (Indiana) Project), (ii) the $25,000,000 City of
Bardstown, Kentucky

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   19
Variable Rate Demand Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 1994 (R.J. Tower
Corporation Project) or (iii) the $20,000,000 City of Bardstown, Kentucky
Taxable Variable Rate Demand Industrial Revenue Bonds, Series 1995 (R.J. Tower
Corporation Project).

          "Existing LC Issuer" means Comerica Bank.

          "Existing Letters of Credit" means the letters of credit issued by the
Existing LC Issuer and described in Schedule 2.15; provided that BofA in its
capacity as LC Issuer shall have the right at any time to replace the Existing
Letters of Credit with new Letters of Credit.

          "Facility" means any of the credit facilities established under this
Agreement, i.e., the Revolving Loan Facility or the Term A Facility.

          "FDIC" means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate set forth in the
weekly statistical release designated as H.15(519), or any successor
publication, published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (including any
such successor, "H.15(519)") on the preceding Business Day opposite the caption
"Federal Funds (Effective)"; or, if for any relevant day such rate is not so
published on any such preceding Business Day, the rate for such day will be the
arithmetic mean as determined by the Administrative Agent of the rates for the
last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m. (New
York City time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of Federal funds
transactions in New York City selected by the Administrative Agent.

          "Fee Letters" means each of (i) that certain Fee Letter dated as of
July 24, 2000 among Bank of America and the Company relating to this Agreement
and (ii) that certain Fee Letter dated as of July 24, 200 among The Chase
Manhattan Bank and the Company relating to this Agreement.

          "Financial Letter of Credit" means any Standby Letter of Credit which
the applicable LC Issuer determines is required under applicable laws,
regulations, rules or orders issued by a Governmental Authority to be classified
as a financial letter of credit.

          "Foreign Cash Investments" means any investment rated P-1 or A-1 or
better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services,
respectively, (i) in direct obligations issued by, or guaranteed by, the
government of a country that is a member of the OECD or any agency or
instrumentality thereof, provided that such obligations mature within 180 days
of the date of acquisition thereof, and (ii) in time deposits or negotiable
certificates of deposit or money market securities issued by any commercial
banking institution that is a member of an applicable central bank of a country
that is a member of the OECD having surplus of at least $500,000,000 in the
aggregate at all times, payable on demand or maturing within 180 days of the
acquisition

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   20
thereof; provided that with respect to such time deposits, negotiable
certificates of deposit and money market securities, the Required Lenders shall
have at any time the right, upon notice to the Company, to reject any such bank
as a bank in which such Foreign Cash Investments may be made.

          "Foreign Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary that is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.

          "Foreign 956 Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is a Foreign
Subsidiary where a guaranty of the Obligations by such Subsidiary which would
result in a material deemed dividend of its current and accumulated earnings and
profits under section 956 of the Code or would result in a material adverse tax
consequence under any similar foreign tax law.

          "FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and
any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "Further Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
assessments, imposts, duties, deductions, fees, withholdings or similar charges
(including net income taxes and franchise taxes), and all liabilities with
respect thereto, imposed by any jurisdiction on account of amounts payable or
paid pursuant to Section 3.1.

          "FX Trading Office" means the BofA Foreign Exchange Trading Desk in
Charlotte, North Carolina, or such other office or source of information as the
Administrative Agent may designate with the concurrence of the Company.

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth from
time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles
Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements
and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with
similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the U.S. accounting
profession), which are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of
determination.

          "Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state or
other political subdivision thereof, any central bank (or similar monetary or
regulatory authority) thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative,
judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government,
and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled, through stock or
capital ownership or otherwise, by any of the foregoing.

          "Guarantor" means any of (i) the Parent, (ii) the Company, (iii) each
Domestic Subsidiary that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (iv) each Foreign
Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary but is not a Foreign 956 Subsidiary
and/or an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   21
          "Guaranty" means the Guaranty executed by each Guarantor for the
benefit of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in
substantially the form of Exhibit G.

          "Guaranty Obligation" has the meaning specified in the definition of
"Contingent Obligation."

          "Hazardous Materials" means all those substances that are regulated
by, or which may form the basis of liability under, any Environmental Law,
including any substance identified under any Environmental Law as a pollutant,
contaminant, hazardous waste, hazardous constituent, special waste, hazardous
substance, hazardous material, or toxic substance, or petroleum or petroleum
derived substance or waste.

          "H.15 (519)" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Federal
Funds Rate."

          "Honor Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.15.3(b).

          "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all
indebtedness for borrowed money; (b) all obligations issued, undertaken or
assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade
payables entered into and accrued expenses incurred, in each case in the
ordinary course of business on ordinary terms); (c) all non-contingent
reimbursement or payment obligations with respect to Surety Instruments; (d) all
obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments,
including obligations so evidenced incurred in connection with the acquisition
of property, assets or businesses; (e) all indebtedness created or arising under
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or incurred as
financing, in either case with respect to property acquired by such Person (even
though the rights and remedies of the seller or lender under such agreement in
the event of default are limited to repossession or sale of such property); (f)
all obligations with respect to capital leases; (g) all indebtedness referred to
in clauses (a) through (f) above secured by (or for which the holder of such
Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by)
any Lien upon or in property (including accounts and contracts rights) owned by
such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the
payment of such Indebtedness; and (h) all Guaranty Obligations in respect of
indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a)
through (g) above; provided that Indebtedness shall not include sales of
Permitted Receivables sold pursuant to Permitted Receivables Purchase Facilities
and indemnification, recourse or repurchase obligations thereunder. For all
purposes of this Agreement, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include all
recourse Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture or limited liability
company in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer or a
member.

          "Indemnified Environmental Liabilities" has the meaning specified in
Section 10.5(b).

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   22
          "Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning specified in Section
10.5(a).

          "Indemnified Person" has the meaning specified in Section 10.5.

          "Independent Auditor" has the meaning specified in Section 6.1(a).

          "Ineligible Securities" has the meaning specified in Section 7.7(b).

          "Insolvency Proceeding" means, with respect to any Person, (a) any
case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person before any court or other
Governmental Authority relating to bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency,
liquidation, receivership, dissolution, winding-up or relief of debtors, or (b)
any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition, marshalling of
assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of its creditors
generally or any substantial portion of its creditors, undertaken under U.S.
Federal, state or foreign law, including the Bankruptcy Code.

          "Interest Coverage Ratio" for any Reference Period means the ratio of
(x) EBITDA for such period to (y) the consolidated interest expense (excluding
amortization of deferred financing costs, any interest expense on deferred
compensation arrangements and original issue discount) of the Parent, the
Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period.

          "Interest Payment Date" means, as to any Loan other than a Base Rate
Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and, as to
any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and each date
such Loan is converted into another Type of Loan; provided that, if any Interest
Period for an Offshore Rate Loan exceeds three months, the date that falls three
months after the beginning of such Interest Period and each three months
thereafter is also an Interest Payment Date.

          "Interest Period" as to any Offshore Rate Loan means the period
commencing on the Borrowing Date of such Loan or on the Conversion/Continuation
Date on which such Loan is converted into or continued as an Offshore Rate Loan,
and ending on the date seven days (in the case of Revolving Loans only), or one,
two, three, six or, if available to all of the Lenders on such Borrowing Date,
twelve months thereafter, as selected by the Company in its Notice of Borrowing
or Notice of Conversion/Continuation; provided that:

          (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that is not a
     Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the following
     Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to carry such
     Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event such Interest
     Period shall end on the preceding Business Day;

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   23
          (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a
     calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
     day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on
     the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest
     Period;

          (iii) no Interest Period for any Revolving Loan shall extend beyond
     the Commitment Termination Date;

          (iv) no Interest Period for any Term Loan shall extend beyond the Term
     A Loan Maturity Date; and

          (v) if such Interest Period is seven days, the principal amount of the
     applicable Offshore Rate Loan, together with all other outstanding Offshore
     Rate Loans having an original Interest Period of seven days, shall not
     exceed $20,000,000 in the aggregate.

          "Investment" means, relative to any Person:

          (a) any loan, advance, extension of credit or capital contribution
     (whether cash or property) made by such Person to any other Person
     (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and
     employees made in the ordinary course of business);

          (b) any Contingent Obligation of such Person with respect to any other
     Person;

          (c) any capital stock, equity interest, securities or other
     obligations or interests held by such Person in or with respect to any
     other Person; and

          (d) any Acquisition by such Person with respect to any other Person.

          The amount of any Investment shall be the original principal or
capital amount thereof less all returns of principal or equity thereon (and
without adjustment by reason of the financial condition of such other Person)
and shall, if made by the transfer or exchange of property other than cash, be
deemed to have been made in an original principal or capital amount equal to the
fair market value of such property.

          "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service, and any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under the Code.

          "Issuance" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance,
extension of the expiry of, renewal or increase in the amount of such Letter of
Credit. "Issue," "Issued" and "Issuing" have corresponding meanings.

          "Issuance Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.15.1(a).

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   24
          "Joint Venture" means a single-purpose corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture or other similar legal arrangement
(whether created by contract or conducted through a separate legal entity) now
or hereafter formed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with another
Person in order to conduct a common venture or enterprise with such Person.

          "Judgment Currency" has the meaning specified in Section 10.19.

          "LC Issuer" means (i) BofA and any other Lenders added upon the mutual
consent of the Company and the Administrative Agent, in each case not to be
unreasonably withheld, and any such Lender, and (ii) with respect to the
Existing Letters of Credit, the Existing LC Issuer.

          "Lead Arranger and Book Manager" means Banc of America Securities,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

          "Lender" means any of the institutions specified in the introductory
clause hereto. Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, "Lender" includes
any such institution in its capacity as Swap Provider. Unless the context
otherwise clearly requires, references to any such institution as a "Lender"
shall also include any of such institution's Affiliates that may at any time of
determination be Swap Providers.

          "Lending Office" means as to any Lender, the office or offices of such
Lender specified as its "Domestic Lending Office" or "Offshore Lending Office",
as the case may be, on Schedule 10.2, or such other office or offices as any
Lending Party may from time to time notify the Company and the Administrative
Agent.

          "Lending Party" means any Lender or LC Issuer, as the case may be.

          "Letter of Credit" means a Commercial Letter of Credit or a Standby
Letter of Credit, as the context may require or allow, including the Existing
Letters of Credit.

          "Letter of Credit Advance" means each Lender's participation in any
Letter of Credit Borrowing under Section 2.15.3.

          "Letter of Credit Amendment Application" means an application form for
amendment of outstanding Standby Letters of Credit or Commercial Letters of
Credit as shall at any time be in use at the applicable LC Issuer, as such LC
Issuer shall request.

          "Letter of Credit Application" means an application form for issuances
of Standby Letters of Credit or Commercial Letters of Credit as shall at any
time be in use at the applicable LC Issuer, as such LC Issuer shall request.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   25
          "Letter of Credit Borrowing" means each drawing under any Letter of
Credit that is not reimbursed under Section 2.15.3 or converted into a Borrowing
of Revolving Loans under Section 2.15.3.

          "Letter of Credit Commitment" has the meaning specified in Section
2.15.1.

          "Letter of Credit Commitment Amount" means the lesser of (a)
$100,000,000 and (b) the Total Revolving Commitment Amount.

          "Letter of Credit Obligations" means the sum of (a) the aggregate
undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount
of all unreimbursed drawings under all Letters of Credit, whether or not
outstanding, including all outstanding Letter of Credit Borrowings.

          "Letter of Credit Related Document means the Letters of Credit, the
Letter of Credit Applications, the Letter of Credit Amendment Applications and
any other document relating to any Letter of Credit, including any of the
applicable LC Issuer's standard form documents for letter of credit Issuance.

          "Leverage Ratio" for any Reference Period means the ratio of (x)
Consolidated Debt of the Parent, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on
the last day of such period to (y) EBITDA for such period.

          "Lien" means any security interest, mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, charge or deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien
(statutory or other) or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature
whatsoever in respect of any property (including those created by, arising under
or evidenced by any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, the
interest of a lessor under a capital lease, any financing lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, or the filing of
any financing statement naming the owner of the asset to which such lien relates
as debtor, under the Uniform Commercial Code or any comparable law) and any
contingent or other agreement to provide any of the foregoing, but not including
the interest of a lessor under an operating lease or the interest of a purchaser
of Permitted Receivables under any Permitted Receivables Purchase Facility.

          "Loan" means an extension of credit by a Lending Party to a Credit
Party under Article II, and may be a Base Rate Loan or an Offshore Rate Loan
(each, a "Type" of Loan), and includes any Term A Loan, Revolving Loan or
Swingline Loan.

          "Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as such term is defined in
Regulation T, U or X of the FRB.

          "Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse change in, or a
material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, condition
(financial or

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   26
otherwise) or prospects of the Company or the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to perform under any Credit Document and to
avoid any Event of Default in each case with respect to a payment or other
material obligation; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality,
validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of any Credit Document.

          "Material Subsidiary" means at any time any Subsidiary of the Company
which, together with its Subsidiaries, has either (i) at least 10% of the
consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (ii) at least
10% of the consolidated total revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries for
the last full fiscal year.

          "Minimum Amount" means with respect to each of the following actions,
the minimum amount and any multiples in excess thereof set forth opposite such
action:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF ACTION                        MINIMUM AMOUNT                      MULTIPLES IN EXCESS THEREOF
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                                 <C>
Borrowing of, prepayment of, or       $3,000,000                          $500,000
conversion into, Base Rate Loans
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing of, prepayment of,          $5,000,000                          $1,000,000
continuation of, or Conversion
into, Dollar-denominated Offshore
Rate Loans
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing of, prepayment of,          Lesser of (a) Equivalent Amount     Lesser of (a) Equivalent Amount
Continuation of, or Conversion        of $5,000,000 and (b) 3,000,000     of $500,000 and (b) 1,000,000
into, Offshore Currency Loans         units of Offshore Currency          units of Offshore Currency
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing of Swingline Loans          $1,000,000 for Dollar denominated   $250,000 or 250,000 units of
                                      Swingline Loans or 500,000 units    Offshore Currency
                                      of Offshore Currency
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter of Credit Action               $100,000 or for Letters of Credit   None
                                      denominated in Offshore Currency,
                                      the lesser of (a) Equivalent Amount
                                      of $100,000 and (b) 100,000 units
                                      of Offshore Currency
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reduction in Commitments              $5,000,000                          $1,000,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assignments                           $5,000,000                          $1,000,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

          "Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan", within the meaning
of section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate
makes, is

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   27
making, or is obligated to make contributions or, during the preceding three
calendar years, has made, or been obligated to make, contributions.

          "NCU" means the national currency unit (other than the Euro) of a
Participating Member State. From and after the Euro Transition Cutoff Date, all
references to NCU shall mean instead the Euro.

          "Net Worth" on any date means the consolidated stockholders' equity of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on such date.

          "Non-Financial Letter of Credit" means any Standby Letter of Credit
that is not a Financial Letter of Credit.

          "Note" means a Revolving Note, a Swingline Note, or a Term Note, as
the context may require or allow.

          "Notice of Borrowing" means a notice in substantially the form of
Exhibit A.

          "Notice of Conversion/Continuation" means a notice in substantially
the form of Exhibit B.

          "Obligations" means all advances, debts, liabilities, obligations,
covenants and duties arising under any Credit Document owing by any Credit Party
to any Lending Party, the Administrative Agent, or any Indemnified Person,
whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assignment), absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising.

          "OECD" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Eligible
Assignee."

          "Offshore Currency" means, at any time Euro, the Japanese yen, the
British pound sterling, the Canadian dollar or such other currency as is
acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in accordance with
Section 2.16(e).

          "Offshore Currency Loan" means any Loan that is an Offshore Rate Loan
denominated in an Offshore Currency.

          "Offshore Currency Sublimit" means the Dollar Equivalent of
$500,000,000.

          "Offshore Rate" means, for any Borrowing of Offshore Rate Loans for
any Interest Period, (i) with respect to Offshore Rate Loans in Dollars, the
rate of interest per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of
1%) determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate at which deposits in U.S.
Dollars in the approximate amount of the Offshore Rate Loan of BofA included in
such Borrowing (or, if BofA does not have a Loan included in such Borrowing, in
the amount of U.S. $5,000,000), and

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   28
having a maturity comparable to such Interest Period, are offered by BofA's
Grand Cayman Branch, Grand Cayman, B.W.I. (or such other office as may be
designated by BofA) to major banks in the offshore interbank market at
approximately 9:00 a.m. (San Francisco time) two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period; or (ii) with respect to Offshore Currency
Loans, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next
1/100th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent as the rate at which
deposits in such Offshore Currency in the approximate amount of the Offshore
Rate Loan of Bank of America included in such Borrowing (or, if BofA does not
have a Loan included in such Borrowing, in a Dollar Equivalent amount, rounded
to a convenient number of approximately U.S. $5,000,000), and having a maturity
comparable to such Interest Period, are offered by BofA's Grand Cayman Branch,
Grand Cayman, B.W.I. (or such other office as may be designated by BofA) to
major banks in the offshore interbank market at approximately 9:00 a.m. (San
Francisco time) two Business Days prior to (or on such other date as is
customary in the relevant offshore interbank market) the commencement of such
Interest Period.

     The Offshore Rate shall be adjusted automatically as to all Offshore Rate
Loans then outstanding as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar
Reserve Percentage such that the "Offshore Rate" shall be the rate set forth
above divided by one minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

          "Offshore Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on the
Offshore Rate.

          "Organization Documents" means, for any corporation, the certificate
or articles of incorporation, the bylaws, any certificate of determination or
instrument relating to the rights of preferred shareholders of such corporation,
any shareholder rights agreement, and all applicable resolutions of the board of
directors (or any committee thereof) of such corporation.

          "Original Currency" has the meaning specified in Section 10.19.

          "Original Credit Agreement" means that certain Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement dated as of August 23, 1999 (as amended or modified from time
to time).

          "Originating Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 10.8(d).

          "Other Taxes" means any present or future stamp, court or documentary
taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which
arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery,
performance, enforcement or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this
Agreement or any other Credit Documents.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   29
          "Outstanding Obligations" means, as of any date, and giving effect to
making any Credit Extensions requested on such date and all payments, repayments
and prepayments made on such date, (a) when reference is made to all Lenders,
the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal Equivalent Amount of all
Loans, and (ii) the Equivalent Amount of all Letter of Credit Advances, and (b)
when reference is made to one Lender, the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding
principal Equivalent Amount of all Loans made by such Lender, and (ii) such
Lender's ratable participation in all Letter of Credit Advances.

          "Parent" means Tower Automotive, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

          "Participant" has the meaning specified in Section 10.8(d).

          "Participating Member State" means each country which from time to
time becomes a Participating Member State as described in EMU Legislation.

          "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions under ERISA.

          "Pension Plan" means a pension plan (as defined in section 3(2) of
ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan) which the
Company or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or to which it makes, is
making, or is obligated to make contributions, or in the case of a multiple
employer plan (as described in section 4064(a) of ERISA) has made contributions
at any time during the immediately preceding five (5) plan years.

          "Permitted Acquisition" means an Acquisition (i) that has been
approved by the board of directors of each of the subject Persons, (ii) in which
the Person or Persons other than the Company and its Subsidiaries that are
subject to such Acquisition are in substantially the same or related line of
business as the Company and will become a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
and (iii) after giving pro forma effect to which, would not give rise to a
Default or an Event of Default and the Borrowers would be able to incur $1 of
Permitted Additional Indebtedness.

          "Permitted Additional Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company
which, after giving pro forma effect to the creation, assumption or incurrence
thereof, would not constitute a Default or Event of Default.

          "Permitted Holders" means collectively, Onex Corporation and its
Subsidiaries, J2R Partners, S.A. Johnson, Scott D. Rued, Dugald K. Campbell,
James R. Lozelle and W. H. Clement.

          "Permitted Liens" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   30
          "Permitted Receivables" means all obligations of any obligor (whether
now existing or hereafter arising) under a contract for sale of goods or
services by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which shall include any
obligation of such obligor (whether now existing or hereafter arising) to pay
interest, finance charges or amounts with respect thereto, and, with respect to
any of the foregoing receivables or obligations, (a) all of the interest of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the goods (including returned goods) the
sale of which gave rise to such receivable or obligation after the passage of
title thereto to any obligor, (b) all other Liens and property subject thereto
from time to time purporting to secure payment of such receivables or
obligations, and (c) all guarantees, insurance, letters of credit and other
agreements or arrangements of whatever character from time to time supporting or
securing payment of any such receivables or obligations.

          "Permitted Receivables Purchase Facility" means any agreement of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries providing for sales, transfers or conveyances
of Permitted Receivables purporting to be sales (and considered sales under
GAAP) that do not provide, directly or indirectly, for recourse against the
seller of such Permitted Receivables (or against any of such seller's
Affiliates) by way of a guaranty or any other support arrangement, with respect
to the amount of such Permitted Receivables (based on the financial condition or
circumstances of the obligor thereunder), other than such limited recourse as is
reasonable given market standards for transactions of a similar type, taking
into account such factors as historical bad debt loss experience and obligor
concentration levels; provided that the aggregate gross proceeds received by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Permitted Receivables
cannot exceed $100,000,000.

          "Permitted Swap Obligations" means all obligations (contingent or
otherwise) of the Company or any Subsidiary existing or arising under Swap
Contracts, provided that each of the following criteria is satisfied: (a) such
obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of
business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with
liabilities, commitments or assets held or reasonably anticipated by such
Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person in
conjunction with a securities repurchase program not otherwise prohibited
hereunder, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a "market view;" and
(b) such Swap Contracts do not contain (i) any provision ("walk-away" provision)
exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on
outstanding transactions to the defaulting party, or (ii) with respect to any
Swap Contract that is not a Specified Swap Contract, any provision creating or
permitting the declaration of an event of default, termination event or similar
event upon the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder (other than an Event
of Default under Section 8.1(a)).

          "Permitted Unconsolidated Venture" means a Person not constituting a
Subsidiary of the Company which person is not engaged in any business other than
that permitted for the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries under Section 7.13.

                                      -24-
<PAGE>   31
          "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited
liability company, business trust, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
association, joint venture or Governmental Authority.

          "Plan" means an employee benefit plan (as defined in section 3(3) of
ERISA) which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors or maintains or to
which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate makes, is making, or is obligated to
make contributions and includes any Pension Plan.

          "Pricing Grid" means the applicable pricing grid set forth in Schedule
2.9.

          "Pro Rata Share" means, as to any Lender, (a) in respect of a
particular Loan and/or Commitment, (i) at any time at which the Commitments in
respect of such Loan remain outstanding, the percentage equivalent (expressed as
a decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) at such time of such Lender's
Commitment in respect of such Loan divided by the combined Commitments in
respect of such Loan, and (ii) after the termination of the Commitments in
respect of such Loan, the percentage equivalent (expressed as a decimal, rounded
to the ninth decimal place) at such time of the principal amount outstanding of
such Loans held by such Lender divided by the aggregate principal amount
outstanding of such Loans held by all Lenders, and (b) in respect of all Loans
and/or Commitments, (i) at any time at which the Aggregate Commitment (or any
portion thereof) remains outstanding, the percentage equivalent (expressed as a
decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) at such time of such Lender's
Commitments in respect of all Loans divided by the Aggregate Commitment, and (b)
after the termination of the Aggregate Commitment, the percentage equivalent
(expressed as a decimal, rounded to the ninth decimal place) at such time of the
principal amount of such Lender's outstanding Loans (including such Lender's
ratable share of outstanding Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations) divided by
the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations of
all of the Lenders.

          "Quoted Rate" means the interest rate as may be agreed upon from time
to time by the Company and the Swingline Lender.

          "Reference Period" on any date means the four fiscal quarter period
then or most recently ended.

          "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness created or incurred for
the purpose of refinancing Indebtedness, provided that (i) the final maturity of
such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be earlier than that of the Indebtedness
refinanced, (ii) the weighted average life of such Refinancing Indebtedness
shall not be less than that of the Indebtedness refinanced, (iii) the aggregate
principal amount of such Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed that of the
Indebtedness refinanced plus any premium payable in connection with such
refinancing pursuant to the terms of such Indebtedness so refinanced, (iv) any
Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness do not extend to any property other than
that which secured the Indebtedness refinanced; and (v) if the

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   32

refinanced Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness, such Refinancing
Indebtedness is also Subordinated Indebtedness.

          "Replacement Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 3.9.

          "Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in section
4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations thereunder, other than any such event for
which the 30-day notice requirement under ERISA has been waived in regulations
issued by the PBGC.

          "Required Lenders" means at any time Lenders then holding more than
50% of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans, or, if no
amounts are outstanding, Lenders then having more than 50% of the aggregate
amount of the Commitments.

          "Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, any law (statutory or
common), treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an arbitrator or of a
Governmental Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person
or any of its property or to which such Person or any of its property is
subject.

          "Requisite Time" means, with respect to any of the actions listed
below, the time and date set forth below opposite such action (unless otherwise
noted, all times are Charlotte, North Carolina time (standard or daylight):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF ACTION                TIME                    DATE OF ACTION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delivery of Request for
Extension of Credit for, or
notice for:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing of, prepayment      11:00 a.m.           Same date as such Borrowing,
of, Conversion into, Base                          prepayment or Conversion
Rate Loans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing of, prepayment      11:00 a.m.           3 Business Days prior to such
of, Continuation of, or                            borrowing, prepayment,
Conversion into, Dollar-                           Continuation or Conversion
denominated  Offshore Rate
Loans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing of, prepayment      11:00a.m.            4 Business Days prior to such
of, Continuation of, or                            Borrowing, prepayment,
Conversion into, Offshore                          Continuation or Conversion
Currency Loans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Requests for new Offshore     11:00 a.m.           10 Business Days prior to
Currencies                                         proposed Borrowing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing of Swingline        2:30 p.m.*           Same date as such Borrowing*
Loans in Dollars
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Borrowing  of  Swingline      11:00 a.m.*          Same date as such Borrowing*
Loans in a currency other
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   33

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
than Dollars
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepayment of Swingline       3:00 p.m.            Same date as such prepayment
Loans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter of Credit Action       10:00 a.m.           2 Business Days prior to such
                                                   action
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Payments  by Lenders or       11:00 a.m.           On date payment is due
Borrower to Administrative
Agent
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     *With respect to any Borrowing utilizing a foreign branch bank of the
Swingline Lender, such time shall be the local time of such foreign branch bank.

          "Responsible Officer" means the chief executive officer or the
president or a vice president of a Person, or any other officer having
substantially the same authority and responsibility; or, with respect to
compliance with financial covenants, the chief financial officer, the treasurer
or the assistant treasurer of a Person, or any other officer having
substantially the same authority and responsibility. Unless the context
otherwise clearly requires, references herein to a "Responsible Officer" refer
to a Responsible Officer of the Company.

          "Restricted Foreign Subsidiary" means each Foreign Subsidiary that is
a Restricted Subsidiary.

          "Restricted Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary of the Borrowers other
than an Unrestricted Subsidiary provided that an Unrestricted Subsidiary may be
converted into a Restricted Subsidiary upon at least 15 days prior written
notice from the Company to the Administrative Agent to such effect, which notice
shall set forth computations demonstrating that the provisions of Section 7.15
would have been complied with on a pro forma basis as of the end of the Test
Period last ended if such conversion had occurred on the first day of such Test
Period, it being understood and agreed that an Unrestricted Subsidiary that is
converted into a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the foregoing proviso shall
not be eligible to be converted back into an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

          "Revolver Pro Rata Share" means with respect to any Revolving Lender,
such Lenders Pro Rata Share in respect of the Total Revolving Commitment.

          "Revolving Commitment" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1.

          "Revolving Lender" means each Lender having a Revolving Commitment
hereunder.

          "Revolving Loan" has the meaning specified in Section 2.1.

          "Revolving Loan Facility" means the credit facility under this
Agreement evidenced by the Revolving Commitments.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   34

          "Revolving Note" means a promissory note in substantially the form of
Exhibit F-1.

          "R.J. Tower (IN)" means R.J. Tower Corporation, an Indiana corporation
and a Subsidiary of the Company.

          "R.J. Tower (KY)" means R.J. Tower Corporation, a Kentucky corporation
and a Subsidiary of the Company.

          "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement, directly or
indirectly, whereby a seller or transferor shall sell or otherwise transfer any
real or personal property and then or thereafter lease, or repurchase under an
extended purchase contract, conditional sales or other title retention
agreement, the same or similar property.

          "Scheduled Term A Repayments" means, with respect to the principal
payments on the Term A Loans for each date set forth below, the amount equal to
the percentage of Term A Loans made on the Closing Date set forth opposite
thereto, as reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.7:

          Scheduled Term A Repayments

          Date              Repayment
          ----              ---------
          09/30/00          $0
          12/31/00          $0
          03/31/01          $0
          06/30/01          $0
          09/30/01          $0
          12/31/01          $0
          03/31/02          $0
          06/30/02          $20,000,000
          09/30/02          $17,500,000
          12/31/02          $17,500,000
          03/31/03          $17,500,000
          06/30/03          $17,500,000
          09/30/03          $17,500,000
          12/31/03          $17,500,000
          03/31/04          $17,500,000
          06/30/04          $17,500,000
          09/30/04          $17,500,000
          12/31/04          $17,500,000
          03/31/05          $17,500,000
          06/30/05          $17,500,000
          09/30/05          $23,750,000
          12/31/05          $23,750,000
          03/31/06          $23,750,000

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   35

          06/30/06          $0
          07/14/06          $23,750,000

          "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any
Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

          "Secured Parties" means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, each
LC Issuer, the Swap Providers, the Lenders and any other Person entitled to
indemnification pursuant to Section 10.5.

          "Senior Notes" means those certain 9.25% Senior Notes due 2010 of the
Company.

          "Solvent" means, as to any Person at any time, that (a) the fair value
of the property (on a going concern basis) of such Person is greater than the
amount of such Person's liabilities (including disputed, contingent and
unliquidated liabilities) as such value is established and liabilities evaluated
for purposes of Section 101(31) of the Bankruptcy Code and, in the alternative,
for purposes of the New York Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act; (b) the present
fair saleable value of the property (on a going concern basis) of such Person is
not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of
such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person is
able to realize upon its property and pay its debts and other liabilities
(including disputed, contingent and unliquidated liabilities) as they mature in
the normal course of business; (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not
believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person's ability to
pay as such debts and liabilities mature; and (e) such Person is not engaged in
business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a
transaction, for which such Person's property would constitute unreasonably
small capital.

          "Specified Swap Amount" means, at any time, in respect of Specified
Swap Contracts to which any Swap Provider is party, the Swap Termination Value
relating thereto; provided that for purposes of this definition, any Swap
Termination Value that is negative as to (i.e., owing by) any Swap Provider
shall be deemed equal to zero (0).

          "Specified Swap Contract" means any Swap Contract made or entered into
at any time, or in effect at any time (whether heretofore or hereafter), whether
directly or indirectly, and whether as a result of assignment or transfer or
otherwise, between the Company or any Foreign Subsidiary of the Company and any
Swap Provider which Swap Contract is or was intended by the Company to have been
entered into, in part or entirely, for purposes of mitigating interest rate or
currency exchange risk relating to any Loan (which intent shall conclusively be
deemed to exist if the Company so represents to the Swap Provider in writing),
and as to which the final scheduled payment by the Company or such Foreign
Subsidiary is not later than the Commitment Termination Date.

          "Spot Rate" for a currency means the rate quoted (expressed as a
decimal, rounded to the fourth decimal place) to the Administrative Agent as the
spot rate for the

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   36

purchase of such currency with another currency through the FX Trading Office at
approximately 10:00 a.m. (Charlotte time) on the date two Business Days prior to
the date as of which the foreign exchange settlement is made.

          "Standby Letter of Credit" means a Letter of Credit other than a
Commercial Letter of Credit.

          "Subordinated Indebtedness" means unsecured indebtedness of the
Company which is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations and which
contains terms and conditions which are acceptable to the Administrative Agent,
the Required Lenders in their reasonable discretion, (including terms and
conditions with respect to amounts, maturities, covenants, defaults, remedies
and subordination).

          "Subsidiary" of a Person means any corporation, association,
partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other business entity
of which more than 50% of the voting stock, membership interests or other equity
interests (in the case of Persons other than corporations) is owned or
controlled directly or indirectly by such Person, or one or more of the
Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof. Unless the context
otherwise clearly requires, references herein to a "Subsidiary" refer to a
Subsidiary of the Company. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary,
Changchun Tower Golden Ring Automotive Products, Ltd. shall not be considered a
Subsidiary.

          "Surety Instruments" means all letters of credit (including standby
and commercial), banker's acceptances, bank guaranties, shipside bonds, surety
bonds and similar instruments.

          "Swap Contract" means any agreement, whether or not in writing,
relating to any transaction that is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate
transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or
option, bond, note or bill option, interest rate option, forward foreign
exchange transaction, cap, collar or floor transaction, currency swap,
cross-currency rate swap, swaption, currency option or any other, similar
transaction (including any option to enter into any of the foregoing) or any
combination of the foregoing, and, unless the context otherwise clearly
requires, any master agreement relating to or governing any or all of the
foregoing.

          "Swap Provider" means any Lender, or any Affiliate of any Lender, that
is at the time of determination party to a Swap Contract with the Company or any
Foreign Subsidiary.

          "Swap Termination Value" means, in respect of any one or more Swap
Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable
netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after
the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s)
determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any
date prior to the date referenced in clause (a) the amount(s) determined as the
mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   37

determined by the Company based upon one or more mid-market or other readily
available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts
(which may include any Lender.)

          "Swingline Commitment Amount" has the meaning specified in Section
2.14(a).

          "Swingline Lender" means BofA.

          "Swingline Loan" has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(a).

          "Swingline Note" means a promissory note in substantially the form of
Exhibit F-2.

          "Taxes" means any and all present or future taxes, levies,
assessments, imposts, duties, deductions, fees, withholdings or similar charges,
and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of each Lending
Party and the Administrative Agent, respectively, franchise taxes and taxes
imposed on or measured by its net income by the jurisdiction (or any political
subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Lending Party or the
Administrative Agent, as the case may be, is organized or maintains a lending
office.

          "Temporary Cash Investments" means any investment (i) in direct
obligations issued by, or guaranteed by, the United States of America or any
agency or instrumentality thereof, provided that such obligations mature within
180 days of the date of acquisition thereof, (ii) in time deposits or negotiable
certificates of deposit or money market securities issued by any bank or branch
having surplus of at least $500,000,000 in the aggregate at all times, payable
on demand or maturing within 180 days of the acquisition thereof; provided that
with respect to such time deposits, negotiable certificates of deposit and money
market securities, the Required Lenders shall have at any time the right, upon
notice to the Company, to reject any such bank as a bank in which such Temporary
Cash Investments may be made, and (iii) investments in commercial paper rated P1
or A1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services,
respectively, and maturing not more than 180 days from the date of creation
thereof.

          "Term A Commitment" means, with respect to any Term A Lender, the
principal amount set forth opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 2.2 hereto or
in any Assignment and Assumption Agreement under the caption "Amount of Term A
Commitment", as such commitment may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to
this Agreement, and "Term A Commitments" means such commitments collectively,
which commitments equal $325,000,000 in the aggregate as of the date hereof.

          "Term A Facility" means the credit facility under this Agreement
evidenced by the Term A Commitments and the Term A Loans.

                                      -31-
<PAGE>   38

          "Term A Lender" means any Lender which has a Term A Commitment or is
owed a Term A Loan (or a portion thereof).

          "Term A Loan" and "Term A Loans" have the meanings assigned to those
terms in Section 2.1(b).

          "Term A Note" means a promissory note substantially in the form of
Exhibit F-3.

          "Term A Pro Rata Share" means, when used with reference to any Term A
Lender and any described aggregate or total amount, an amount equal to the
result obtained by multiplying such described aggregate or total amount by a
fraction the numerator of which shall be such Term A Lender's then outstanding
Term A Loan and the denominator of which shall be all then outstanding Term A
Loans.

          "Term A Loan Maturity Date" means July 25, 2006.

          "Term Lender" means a Term A Lender.

          "Term Loan" means the Term A Loans.

          "Term Note" means a Term A Note.

          "Test Period" means any period to which the provisions of Section 7.15
apply.

          "Total Revolving Commitment Amount" means Eight Hundred Twenty Five
Million Dollars ($825,000,000), as reduced from time to time pursuant to Section
2.5 or 2.7.

          "Type" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Loan."

          "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of
New York.

          "Unfunded Pension Liability" means the excess of a Plan's benefit
liabilities under section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that
Plan's assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding
the Pension Plan pursuant to section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan
year.

          "United States" and "U.S." each means the United States of America.

          "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary (x) so designated
pursuant to Section 10.20 hereof, or(y) first acquired or created after the
Closing Date by another Unrestricted Subsidiary created or acquired in
compliance with the provisions of

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   39

this Agreement provided that the provisions of Section 10.20 are not breached in
connection with such acquisition or creation.

          "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means any corporation in which (other than
directors' qualifying shares and/or other nominal amounts of shares that are
required to be held by Persons other than the Company (or its other Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries, as applicable) under Requirements of Law) 100% of the capital
stock of each class having ordinary voting power, and 100% of the capital stock
of every other class, in each case, at the time as of which any determination is
being made, is owned, beneficially and of record, by the Company, or by one or
more of the other Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, or both.

     1.2  Other Interpretive Provisions. (a) (i) The meanings of defined terms
are equally applicable to the singular and plural forms of the defined terms. -

          (ii) The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and similar words refer
to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement; and Section, Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement
unless otherwise specified.

          (iii) The term "documents" includes any and all instruments,
documents, agreements, certificates, indentures, notices and other writings,
however evidenced.

          (b) (i) The term "including" is not limiting and means "including
without limitation."

          (ii) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a
later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including"; the words "to"
and "until" each mean "to but excluding", and the word "through" means "to and
including."

          (iii) The term "property" includes any kind of property or asset,
real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible.

          (iv) The captions and headings of this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

          (c) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, (i) references to
agreements (including this Agreement) and other contractual instruments shall be
deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto, but
only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by
the terms of any Credit Document, (ii) references to any statute or regulation
are to be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions
consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting the statute or
regulation, (iii) references to any Person shall

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   40

be deemed to include such Person's successors and assigns, but only to the
extent such succession or assignment is not prohibited by the terms of any
Credit Document, and (iv) reference to a Person in a particular capacity shall
be deemed to exclude such Person in any other capacity or individually.

          (d) If there is any conflict between this Agreement and any other
Credit Document, this Agreement and such other Credit Document shall be
construed and interpreted, if possible, to avoid or minimize such conflict, but
to the extent of any remaining conflict this Agreement shall prevail and
control.

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

          (f) This Agreement and the other Credit Documents are the result of
negotiations among and have been reviewed by counsel to the Administrative
Agent, the Company and the other parties, and are the products of all parties.
Accordingly, they shall not be construed against the Lending Parties or the
Administrative Agent merely because of the Administrative Agent's or Lending
Parties' involvement in their preparation.

     1.3  Accounting Matters.

          (a) Unless the context otherwise clearly requires, all accounting
terms not expressly defined herein shall be construed, and all financial
computations required under this Agreement shall be made, in accordance with
GAAP, consistently applied; provided that all computations determining
compliance with Article VII, including the definitions used therein, shall
utilize accounting principles and policies in effect at the time of the
preparation of, and in conformity with those used to prepare the December 31,
1999 financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent and described in
Section 5.11, but shall not give effect to purchase accounting adjustments
required or permitted by APB 16 and APB 17 or interpretations thereof. For
purposes of Article VII and the financial terms set forth herein, whenever
reference is made to a determination which is required to be made on a
consolidated basis (whether in accordance with GAAP or otherwise) for the Parent
and its Restricted Subsidiaries or for Company and its Subsidiaries (other than
Unrestricted Subsidiaries), such determination shall be made as if each
Unrestricted Subsidiary were not part of the consolidated group.

          In addition, if after the date hereof there is any change in GAAP
which the Required Lenders or the Company determines has an adverse effect upon
the utility of financial covenants or other provisions as a measure of the
Company's financial condition or operating performance, then for a period of
thirty (30) days following notice (x) in the

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   41

case of the Company, to the Administrative Agent and (y) in the case of the
Required Lenders from the Administrative Agent to the Company, the parties shall
negotiate in good faith regarding appropriate amendments to this Agreement to
eliminate the effect of such change; provided that, if no such agreement is
reached within such period, GAAP shall mean GAAP as in effect immediately prior
to the effectiveness of such change.

          (b) References herein to "fiscal year" and "fiscal quarter" refer to
such fiscal periods of the Company; and references to a particular fiscal year
(for example, the 1999 fiscal year) shall be deemed to refer to the fiscal year
ending in such specified calendar year.

     1.4 Currency Equivalents Generally. For all purposes of this Agreement (but
not for purposes of the preparation of any financial statements delivered
pursuant hereto), the equivalent in any Offshore Currency or other currency of
an amount in Dollars, and the equivalent in Dollars of an amount in any Offshore
Currency or other currency, shall be determined as set forth in the definition
of Dollar Equivalent.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                  THE CREDITS

     2.1  Commitments.

          (a) Revolving Commitments. Each Revolving Lender severally agrees, on
the terms and conditions set forth herein, to make loans in Dollars or in an
Offshore Currency to a Borrower (each such loan, a "Revolving Loan") from time
to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date to the
Commitment Termination Date, in an aggregate Equivalent Amount not to exceed at
any time outstanding such Revolving Lender's Revolver Pro Rata Share of the
Total Revolving Commitment Amount less the Effective Amount of all outstanding
Revolving Loans (after giving effect to the Revolving Loans (including for
purposes hereof Swingline Loans) made on such Business Day) less the Effective
Amount of all outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations (after giving effect to
the Letters of Credit Issued on such Business Day). The commitment of each
Revolving Lender described in this Section 2.1(a) is herein referred to as such
Revolving Lender's "Revolving Commitment" and, with respect to any Revolving
Lender, means the principal amount set forth opposite such Revolving Lender's
name on Schedule 2.1 hereto (or as set forth in any applicable Assignment and
Acceptance Agreement) as such commitment may have been or may hereafter be
adjusted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. Within the limits of each
Revolving Lender's Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and
conditions hereof, any Borrower may borrow Revolving Loans under this Section
2.1, prepay under Section 2.6 and reborrow Revolving Loans under this Section
2.1. All Credit Extensions denominated in an Offshore Currency shall not at any
time exceed the Offshore Currency Sublimit.

          (b) Term A Loans. Each Term A Lender, severally and for itself alone,
hereby agrees, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth
herein, to

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   42

make a loan in Dollars (each such loan, a "Term A Loan" and collectively, the
"Term A Loans") to the Company on the Closing Date in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the Term A Commitment of such Term A Lender. The Term A Loans
shall be incurred by the Company pursuant to a single drawing, which shall be on
the Closing Date. Each Term A Lender's Term A Commitment shall expire
immediately and without further action on the Closing Date if the Term A Loans
are not made on the Closing Date. No amount of a Term A Loan which is repaid or
prepaid by the Company may be reborrowed hereunder.

     2.2  Loan Accounts and Notes.

          (a) The Loan Accounts. The Loans made by each Lender shall be
evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by such Lender in
the ordinary course of business. The loan accounts or records reasonably
maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive
absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to a
Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure so to record or any
error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation
of a Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Loans.

          (b) The Notes. Upon the request of any Lender made through the
Administrative Agent, the Loans made by such Lender may be evidenced by one or
more Notes in addition to loan accounts. Each such Lender shall endorse on the
schedules annexed to its Note(s) the date, amount and maturity of each Loan made
by it and the amount of each payment of principal made by the Borrowers with
respect thereto. Each such Lender is irrevocably authorized by the Borrowers to
endorse its Note(s) and each Lender's record shall be conclusive absent manifest
error; provided that the failure of a Lender to make, or an error in making, a
notation thereon with respect to any Loan shall not limit or otherwise affect
the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder or under any Note to such Lender.

     2.3  Procedure for Borrowing.

          (a) Each Borrowing of Loans shall be made upon the Borrower
Representative's irrevocable (except in the circumstances described in Sections
2.16(b), 3.2, 3.3 or 3.5 as provided therein) written notice delivered to the
Administrative Agent in the form of a Notice of Borrowing (which notice must be
received by the Administrative Agent not later than the Requisite Time therefor)
specifying:

          (1) the amount of the Borrowing, which (other than Base Rate Loans
made pursuant to Section 2.15.3(c) or 2.16(d)) shall be in a Minimum Amount;

          (2) the requested Borrowing Date, which shall be a Business Day;

                                      -36-
<PAGE>   43

          (3) the Type of Loans comprising the Borrowing;

          (4) in the case of Offshore Rate Loans, the duration of the Interest
Period applicable to such Loans included in such notice. If the Notice of
Borrowing fails to specify the duration of the Interest Period for any Borrowing
comprised of Offshore Rate Loans, such Interest Period shall be one month;

          (5) if a Revolving Loan comprised of Offshore Currency Loans, the
Applicable Currency; and

          (6) the identity of the Borrower.

          (b) Upon receipt of the Notice of Borrowing, the Administrative Agent
will promptly notify each Lender thereof and of the amount of such Lender's Pro
Rata Share of the related Borrowing. In the case of a Borrowing of Loans
comprised of Offshore Currency Loans, such notice will provide the amount of
each Lender's Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing, and the Administrative Agent
will, upon the determination of the Dollar Equivalent amount of such Borrowing
as specified in the Notice of Borrowing, promptly notify each Lender of the
exact Dollar Equivalent amount of such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such
Borrowing. The Dollar Equivalent amount of any Borrowing in an Offshore Currency
will be determined by the Administrative Agent for such Borrowing on the
Computation Date therefor in accordance with Section 2.16.

          (c) Each Lender will make the amount of its Pro Rata Share of each
Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the relevant
Borrower at the Administrative Agent's Payment Office on the Borrowing Date
requested by the Borrower in the requested currency (i) in the case of a
Borrowing comprised of Loans in Dollars, by 10:00 a.m. (Charlotte time) and (ii)
in the case of a Borrowing comprised of Offshore Currency Loans, by such time as
the Administrative Agent may specify, in funds immediately available to the
Administrative Agent. The proceeds of all such Loans will then be made available
to the applicable Borrower by the Administrative Agent at such office by
crediting the account of the requesting Borrower on the books of BofA with the
aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the
Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

          (d) After giving effect to any Borrowing, unless the Administrative
Agent shall otherwise consent, there may not be more than twelve different
Interest Periods in effect.

     2.4  Conversion and Continuation Elections.

          (a) The Borrower Representative may, upon irrevocable (except in the
circumstances described in Section 3.2, 3.3 or 3.5 as provided therein) written
notice to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the applicable Borrower in
accordance with Section 2.4(b):

                                      -37-
<PAGE>   44

               (i) elect, as of the last day of the applicable Interest Period,
to convert any Offshore Rate Loans (or any part thereof in a Minimum Amount)
into Base Rate Loans; or

               (ii) elect, as of any Business Day, in the case of Base Rate
Loans, or as of the last day of an applicable Interest Period, in the case of
Offshore Rate Loans expiring on such last day, to (A) convert such Loans (or any
part thereof in an amount not less than the Minimum Amount) into Offshore Rate
Loans, or (B) if such Loans are Offshore Rate Loans, continue such Loans (or any
part thereof in a Minimum Amount) as Offshore Rate Loans;

provided that if, at any time the aggregate amount of Offshore Rate Loans in
respect of any Borrowing is reduced, by payment, prepayment, or conversion of
part thereof to be less than the Minimum Amount, such Offshore Rate Loans shall,
(y) in the case of Dollar denominated Loans, automatically convert into Base
Rate Loans, and on and after such date the right of the applicable Borrower to
continue such Loans as, and convert such Loans into, Offshore Rate Loans shall
terminate and (z) in the case of non-Dollar denominated Loans, automatically
convert to Offshore Rate Loans with an interest period of one month and on and
after such date, the right of the applicable Borrower to continue such Loans as
Offshore Rate Loans with an interest period longer than one month shall
terminate.

          (b) The Borrower Representative shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/
Continuation to be received by the Administrative Agent not later than the
Requisite Time, specifying:

          (1) the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date;

          (2) the aggregate amount of Loans to be converted or continued;

          (3) the Type of Loans resulting from the proposed conversion or
     continuation;

          (4) other than in the case of conversions into Base Rate Loans, the
     duration of the requested Interest Period;

          (5) in the case of Revolving Loans, the Applicable Currency; and

          (6) the identity of the Borrower.

          If, upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to Offshore
Rate Loans (other than Offshore Currency Loans), the relevant Borrower has
failed to select timely a new Interest Period to be applicable to such Offshore
Rate Loans or if any Event of Default then exists, the relevant Borrower shall
be deemed to have elected to convert such Offshore Rate Loans denominated in
Dollars into Base Rate Loans and such

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   45

Offshore Rate Loans which are not denominated in Dollars into Offshore Rate
Loans with an interest period of one month, in each case, effective as of the
expiration date of such Interest Period. Except as provided in Section 2.16(c),
Loans may only be converted into or continued as Loans denominated in the same
currency as originally borrowed.

          (c) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its
receipt of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, or, if no timely notice is
provided by the Borrower Representative, the Administrative Agent will promptly
notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion. All conversions
and continuations shall be made ratably according to the respective outstanding
principal amounts of the Loans with respect to which the notice was given held
by each Lender.

          (d) Unless the Required Lenders otherwise consent, during the
existence of an Event of Default, no Borrower may elect to have a Loan
denominated in Dollars converted into or continued as an Offshore Rate Loan.

          (e) After giving effect to any conversion or continuation of Loans,
unless the Administrative Agent shall otherwise consent, there may not be more
than twelve different Interest Periods in effect.

     2.5 Voluntary Termination or Reduction of Revolving Commitments. The
Borrowers may, upon not less than three Business Days' prior notice to the
Administrative Agent (which shall give notice thereof to the Lending Parties) by
the Borrower Representative on behalf of the Borrowers, terminate the Revolving
Commitments, or permanently reduce the Revolving Commitments in a Minimum
Amount; unless, after giving effect thereto and to any prepayments of relevant
Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Effective Amount of all
outstanding Revolving Loans (including for purposes hereof the Swingline Loans)
plus the Effective Amount of all outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations would
exceed the amount of the Revolving Commitments then in effect. Once reduced in
accordance with this Section 2.5, the Revolving Commitments may not be
increased. Any reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be applied to each
Revolving Lender according to its Pro Rata Share. All accrued commitment fees to
the effective date of any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitments
shall be paid on the effective date of such reduction or termination.

     2.6 Optional Prepayments. Subject to Section 3.4, any Borrower may, at any
time or from time to time, and in the case of Offshore Rate Loans upon not less
than three Business Days' irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent by the
Borrower Representative on behalf of such Borrower, ratably prepay Loans in
whole or in part, in a Minimum Amount. Such notice of prepayment shall specify
the date and amount of such prepayment, the Type(s) and, in the case of
Revolving Loans, the Applicable Currency of Loans to be prepaid. The
Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of any such
notice, and of such Lender's ratable share of such prepayment. If such notice is
given by the Borrower Representative, the applicable Borrower shall make such

                                      -39-
<PAGE>   46

prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and
payable on the date specified therein and, in the case of any prepayment of
Offshore Rate Loans together with accrued interest to each such date on the
amount prepaid and any amounts required pursuant to Section 3.4. Any optional
prepayment of the Term A Loans shall be applied to the Scheduled Term A
Repayments in the inverse order of maturity.

     2.7  Repayment.

          (a) The Revolving Credit. The Borrowers shall jointly and severally
repay to the Revolving Lenders on the Commitment Termination Date the aggregate
principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.

          (b) The Swingline. The Borrowers shall repay the Swingline Loans on
demand.

          (c) Scheduled Term A Repayments. The Borrowers shall cause to be paid
Scheduled Term A Repayments on the Term A Loans until the Term A Loans are paid
in full in the amounts and at the times specified in the definition of Scheduled
Term A Repayments to the extent that prepayments have not previously been
applied to such Scheduled Term A Repayments (and such Scheduled Term A
Repayments have not otherwise been reduced) pursuant to the terms hereof.
Payments to be made pursuant to this Section 2.7(c) shall be paid as set forth
in Section 2.11(a). The Borrowers shall repay to the Term A Lenders the
aggregate remaining principal amount of the Term A Loan outstanding on the Term
A Loan Maturity Date.

     2.8  Interest.

          (a) Each Revolving Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding
principal amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a rate per annum
equal to the Offshore Rate or the Base Rate, as the case may be (and subject to
the relevant Borrower's right to convert to other Types of Revolving Loans under
Section 2.4), plus the Applicable Margin. Swingline Loans shall bear interest on
the principal amount thereof from the applicable Borrowing Date at a rate per
annum equal to the Quoted Rate.

          (b) Each Term Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal
amount thereof from the Closing Date at a rate per annum equal to the Offshore
Rate or the Base Rate, as the case may be (and subject to the relevant
Borrower's right to convert to other Types of Term Loans under Section 2.4),
plus the Applicable Margin.

          (c) Interest on each Loan shall be paid in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date. Interest shall also be paid on the date of any prepayment or
repayment of Offshore Rate Loans under Section 2.6 or 2.7 for the portion of the
Loans so prepaid or repaid and upon payment (including prepayment) in full
thereof and, during the existence

                                      -40-
<PAGE>   47

of any Event of Default, interest shall be paid on demand of the Administrative
Agent at the request of the Required Lenders.

          (d) Notwithstanding Section 2.8(a), upon notice to the Borrower
Representative by the Administrative Agent at the request of the Required
Lenders either (i) while any Event of Default exists or (ii) after acceleration,
the Borrowers shall pay interest (after as well as before entry of judgment
thereon to the extent permitted by law) on the principal amount of all
outstanding Obligations, at a rate per annum which is determined by adding 2%
per annum to the Applicable Margin then in effect for such Loans plus the
Offshore Rate or Base Rate (as applicable) and, in the case of Obligations not
subject to an Applicable Margin, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus
2%; provided that, on and after the expiration of any Interest Period applicable
to any Offshore Rate Loan outstanding on the date of such notice, the principal
amount of such Loan shall, during the continuation of such Event of Default or
after acceleration, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate
plus the Applicable Margin, plus 2%.

          (e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations
of the Borrowers to any Lender hereunder shall be subject to the limitation that
payments of interest shall not be required for any period for which interest is
computed hereunder, to the extent (but only to the extent) that contracting for
or receiving such payment by such Lender would be contrary to the provisions of
any law applicable to such Lender limiting the highest rate of interest that may
be lawfully contracted for, charged or received by such Lender, and in such
event the Borrowers shall pay such Lender interest at the highest rate permitted
by applicable law.

     2.9 Commitment Fees. The Borrowers shall pay to the Administrative Agent
for the account of each Lender pro rata according to its Revolver Pro Rata
Share, a commitment fee equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee times the actual
daily amount by which the Total Revolving Commitment Amount exceeds the
Outstanding Obligations (with Outstanding Obligations determined without regard
to outstanding Swingline Loans). The commitment fee shall accrue at all times
from the Closing Date until the Commitment Termination Date and shall be payable
quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter
commencing on the first such quarterly date to occur following the Closing Date
through the Commitment Termination Date, with the final payment to be made on
the Commitment Termination Date. If there is any change in the Applicable
Commitment Fee during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and
multiplied by the Applicable Commitment Fee separately for each period during
such quarter that such Applicable Commitment Fee was in effect. The commitment
fee shall accrue at all times, including at any time during which one or more
conditions in Article IV are not met.

     2.10 Computation of Fees and Interest.

          (a) All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base
Rate is determined by BofA's "reference rate" shall be made on the basis of a
year of 365

                                      -41-
<PAGE>   48

or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations
of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual
days elapsed (which results in more interest being paid than if computed on the
basis of a 365-day year). Interest and fees shall accrue during each period
during which interest or such fees are computed from the first day thereof to
the last day thereof.

          (b) Each reasonable determination of an interest rate or a Dollar
Equivalent by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive and binding on the
Credit Parties and the Lending Parties in the absence of manifest error.

     2.11 Payments by Credit Parties.

          (a) All payments to be made by any Credit Party shall be made without
set-off, recoupment or counterclaim. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, all payments by any Credit Party shall be made to the Administrative
Agent for the account of the Lending Parties at the Administrative Agent's
Payment Office, and, with respect to principal of, interest on, and any other
amounts relating to, any Offshore Currency Loan, shall be made in the Offshore
Currency in which such Loan is denominated or payable, and, with respect to all
other amounts payable hereunder, shall be made in Dollars and in each case, in
immediately available funds, and (i) in the case of Offshore Currency payments,
no later than such time on the dates specified herein as may be reasonably
determined by the Administrative Agent to be necessary for such payment to be
credited on such date in accordance with normal lending procedures in the place
of payment and (ii) in the case of any Dollar payments no later than the
Requisite Time. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender
its Pro Rata Share of such payment in like funds as received. Any payment
received by the Administrative Agent later than the applicable time set forth
above shall be deemed to have been received on the following Business Day and
any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Notwithstanding any
other provisions of this Agreement, if and to the extent that EMU Legislation
provides that amounts denominated in the Euro or an NCU may be paid within a
country in either the Euro or the NCU of that country by crediting the account
of the creditor in that country, payments may be made in either the Euro or such
NCU.

          (b) Subject to the provisions set forth in the definition of "Interest
Period" herein, whenever any payment is due on a day other than a Business Day,
such payment shall be made on the following Business Day, and such extension of
time shall in such case be included in the computation of interest or fees, as
the case may be.

          (c) Unless the Administrative Agent receives notice from the Borrower
Representative on behalf of a Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is
due to the Lenders that such Borrower will not make such payment in full as and
when required, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has made
such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date in immediately
available funds and the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be so required),
in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to each Lender on such due date an
amount equal to the amount then due such

                                      -42-
<PAGE>   49
Lender. If and to the extent such Borrower has not made such payment in full to
the Administrative Agent, each Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent on
demand such amount distributed to such Lender, together with interest thereon at
the Federal Funds Rate for each day from the date such amount is distributed to
such Lender until the date repaid.

     2.12 Payments by the Lenders to the Administrative Agent.

          (a) Unless the Administrative Agent receives notice from a Lender on
or prior to the Closing Date or, with respect to any Borrowing after the Closing
Date, at least one Business Day prior to the date of such Borrowing, that such
Lender will not make available as and when required hereunder to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrowers the amount of that
Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume
that each Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative Agent in
immediately available funds on the Borrowing Date and the Administrative Agent
may (but shall not be so required), in reliance upon such assumption, make
available to the relevant Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If and
to the extent any Lender shall not have made its full amount available to the
Administrative Agent in immediately available funds and the Administrative Agent
in such circumstances has made available to the relevant Borrower such amount,
that Lender shall on the Business Day following such Borrowing Date make such
amount available to the Administrative Agent, together with interest at the
Federal Funds Rate (or in the case of non-Dollar denominated Loans, the
Administrative Agent's cost of funds with respect thereto) for each day during
such period. A notice of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with
respect to amounts owing under this Section 2.12(a) shall be conclusive, absent
manifest error. If such amount is so made available, such payment to the
Administrative Agent shall constitute such Lender's Loan on the date of
Borrowing for all purposes of this Agreement. If such amount is not made
available to the Administrative Agent on the Business Day following the
Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent will notify the relevant Borrower of
such failure to fund and, upon demand by the Administrative Agent, the relevant
Borrower shall pay such amount to the Administrative Agent for the
Administrative Agent's account, together with interest thereon for each day
elapsed since the date of such Borrowing, at a rate per annum equal to the
interest rate applicable at the time to the Loans comprising such Borrowing.

          (b) The failure of any Lender to make any Loan on any Borrowing Date
shall not relieve any other Lender of any obligation hereunder to make a Loan on
such Borrowing Date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any
other Lender to make the Loan to be made by such other Lender on any Borrowing
Date.

     2.13 Sharing of Payments, etc. If, other than as expressly provided
elsewhere herein, any Lender shall obtain on account of the Obligations in its
favor any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any
right of set-off, or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share
contemplated hereunder), such Lender shall immediately (a) notify the
Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the

                                      -43-
<PAGE>   50

other Lenders such participations in the Loans made by them as shall be
necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment pro rata
with each of them; provided that if all or any portion of such excess payment is
thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender, such purchase shall to that
extent be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender
the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such paying
Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such
paying Lender's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered from
the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the
purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. Each Borrower
agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender may, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment
(including the right of set-off, but subject to Section 10.10) with respect to
such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of such
Borrower in the amount of such participation. The Administrative Agent will keep
records (which shall be conclusive and binding in the absence of manifest error)
of participations purchased under this Section 2.13 and will in each case notify
the Lenders following any such purchases or repayments.

     2.14 Swingline Loans.

          (a) Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender
may, in its sole discretion (subject to Section 2.14(b)), make swingline loans
in Dollars or such other currency as may be agreed to by the Administrative
Agent (each such loan, a "Swingline Loan") to the Borrowers on any Business Day
during the period from the Closing Date to the Commitment Termination Date in
accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.14 in an aggregate
Dollar Equivalent principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the
lesser of (x) the aggregate available amount of the Revolving Commitments and
(y) $60,000,000 (the "Swingline Commitment Amount"), notwithstanding the fact
that such Swingline Loans, when aggregated with the Swingline Lender's
outstanding Revolving Loans and its Revolver Pro Rata Share of Letter of Credit
Obligations, may exceed the Swingline Lender's Revolver Pro Rata Share of the
aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments; provided that at no time shall
the sum of (i) the Effective Amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans
(including for the purposes hereof Swingline Loans) plus (ii) the Effective
Amount of all Letter of Credit Obligations exceed the Total Revolving Commitment
Amount. Upon the approval of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Commitment
Amount may be subdivided, from time to time, into commitments of one or more
specified branches of the Swingline Lender so that Swingline Loans may be made
available by the Swingline Lender through such branch in local currencies and at
local times in an aggregate amount for such branch not to exceed its designated
portion of the Swingline Commitment Amount, provided that the aggregate of such
subdivided commitments shall not exceed the Swingline Commitment Amount. Subject
to the other terms and conditions hereof, a Borrower may borrow under this
Section 2.14(a), prepay pursuant to Section 2.14(d) and reborrow pursuant to
this Section 2.14(a) from time to time; provided that the Swingline Lender shall
not be obligated to make any Swingline Loan.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>   51

          (b) The Borrower Representative shall provide the Administrative Agent
and the Swingline Lender irrevocable written notice (or notice by a telephone
call confirmed promptly by facsimile) of any Swingline Loan requested hereunder
(which notice must be received by the Swingline Lender prior to the Requisite
Time (with a copy to the Administrative Agent)) specifying (i) the amount to be
borrowed and the currency requested, (ii) the identity of the Borrower, and
(iii) the requested Borrowing Date, which must be a Business Day. Upon receipt
of such notice, the Swingline Lender will promptly confirm with the
Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent
has received a copy of such notice from the relevant Borrower and, if not, the
Swingline Lender will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. If
and only if the Administrative Agent notifies the Swingline Lender on the
proposed Borrowing Date that it may make available to the relevant Borrower the
amount of the requested Swingline Loan, then, subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, the Swingline Lender may make the amount of the requested
Swingline Loan available to the relevant Borrower by crediting the account of
the relevant Borrower on the books of BofA with the amount of such Swingline
Loan. The Administrative Agent will not so notify the Swingline Lender if the
Administrative Agent has knowledge that (A) the limitations set forth in the
proviso set forth in the first sentence of Section 2.14(a) are being violated or
would be violated by such Swingline Loan or (B) one or more conditions specified
in Article IV is not then satisfied. Each Swingline Loan shall be in a Minimum
Amount.

          (c) Principal of and accrued interest on each Swingline Loan shall be
due and payable (i) on demand made by the Swingline Lender at any time upon one
Business Day's prior notice to the relevant Borrower furnished at or before the
Requisite Time, and (ii) in any event on the Commitment Termination Date.
Interest on Swingline Loans shall be for the sole account of the Swingline
Lender (except to the extent that the other Lenders have funded the purchase of
their respective participations therein pursuant to Section 2.14(e)).

          (d) A Borrower may, from time to time on any Business Day, make a
voluntary prepayment, in whole or in part, of the outstanding principal amount
of any Swingline Loan, without incurring any premium or penalty; provided that

              (i) each such voluntary prepayment shall require prior written
notice given to the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender no later than
the Requisite Time on the day on which the relevant Borrower intends to make a
voluntary prepayment, and

              (ii) each such voluntary prepayment shall be a Minimum Amount (or
the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Swingline Loans then
outstanding).

          Voluntary prepayments of Swingline Loans shall be made by the relevant
Borrower to the Swingline Lender at such office as the Swingline Lender may
designate by notice to the Borrower Representative from time to time. All such
payments shall be

                                      -45-
<PAGE>   52

made as set forth in Section 2.11(a) no later than the Requisite Time (and any
payment received later than such time shall be deemed to have been received on
the next Business Day). The Swingline Lender will promptly notify the
Administrative Agent of the amount of each prepayment of Swingline Loans.

          (e) If (i) any Swingline Loan shall remain outstanding at 11:00 a.m.
(Charlotte time) on the Business Day immediately prior to a Business Day on
which Swingline Loans are due and payable pursuant to Section 2.14(c) and by
such time on such Business Day the Administrative Agent shall have received
neither (A) a Notice of Borrowing delivered pursuant to Section 2.3 requesting
that Revolving Loans be made pursuant to Section 2.1 on such following Business
Day in an amount at least equal to the aggregate principal amount of such
Swingline Loans, nor (B) any other notice indicating the relevant Borrower's
intent to repay such Swingline Loans with funds obtained from other sources, or
(ii) any Swingline Loans shall remain outstanding during the existence of a
Default or Event of Default and the Swingline Lender shall in its sole
discretion notify the Administrative Agent that the Swingline Lender desires
that such Swingline Loans be converted into Revolving Loans, then the
Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have received a Notice of Borrowing from
the relevant Borrower pursuant to Section 2.3 requesting that Base Rate Loans be
made pursuant to Section 2.1 on the following Business Day in a Dollar
Equivalent amount equal to the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loans, and the
procedures set forth in Section 2.3(c) shall be followed in making such Base
Rate Loans; provided that such Base Rate Loans shall be made notwithstanding the
relevant Borrower's failure to comply with Section 4.2; and provided, further,
that if a Borrowing of Revolving Loans becomes legally impractical and if so
required by the Swingline Lender at the time such Revolving Loans are required
to be made by the Revolving Lenders in accordance with this Section 2.14(e),
each Revolving Lender agrees that in lieu of making Revolving Loans as described
in this Section 2.14(e), such Revolving Lender shall purchase a participation
from the Swingline Lender in the applicable Swingline Loans in an amount equal
to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of such Swingline Loans, and the procedures set
forth in Section 2.3(c) shall be followed in connection with the purchases of
such participations. The proceeds of such Base Rate Loans (or participations
purchased) shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Swingline
Lender to repay such Swingline Loans (or as payment for such participations). A
copy of each notice given by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders
pursuant to this Section 2.14(e) with respect to the making of Revolving Loans,
or the purchases of participations, shall be promptly delivered by the
Administrative Agent to the relevant Borrower. Each Revolving Lender's
obligation in accordance with this Agreement to make the Revolving Loans, or
purchase the participations, as contemplated by this Section 2.14(e), shall be
absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance,
including (1) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right
which such Lender may have against the Swingline Lender, the relevant Borrower
or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (2) the occurrence or continuance
of a Default, an Event of Default or a Material Adverse Effect; or (3) any other
circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of
the foregoing.

                                      -46-
<PAGE>   53

     2.15 Letters of Credit.

          2.15.1   Letter of Credit Subfacility.

          (a) On the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) each LC Issuer
agrees, (A) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the
Closing Date to the Commitment Termination Date to issue Letters of Credit
denominated in Dollars or an Offshore Currency for the account of the applicable
Account Party, and to amend or renew Letters of Credit previously issued by it,
in accordance with Sections 2.15.2(c) and 2.15.2(d), and (B) to honor properly
drawn drafts under the Letters of Credit issued by it; and (ii) the Revolving
Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the
account of such Account Party; provided that no LC Issuer shall be obligated to
issue, and no Lender shall be obligated to participate in, any Letter of Credit
if as of the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (the "Issuance Date") (1)
the sum of (i) the Effective Amount of all Letter of Credit Obligations plus
(ii) the Effective Amount of all outstanding Revolving Loans (including for
purposes hereof the Swingline Loans) exceeds the Total Revolving Commitment
Amount or (2) the Effective Amount of all Letter of Credit Obligations exceeds
the Letter of Credit Commitment Amount. The commitment of each LC Issuer and
each other Lender described in this Section 2.15.1 is herein referred to as its
"Letter of Credit Commitment." Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the
other terms and conditions hereof, the applicable Account Party's ability to
obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and, accordingly, such
Account Party may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to
replace Letters of Credit which have expired or which have been drawn upon and
reimbursed.

          (b) No LC Issuer shall be under any obligation to Issue any Letter of
Credit if:

              (i) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority
or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such LC Issuer
from Issuing such Letter of Credit, or any Requirement of Law applicable to such
LC Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such LC Issuer shall
prohibit, or request that such LC Issuer refrain from, the Issuance of letters
of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon
such LC Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or
capital requirement (for which such LC Issuer is not otherwise compensated
hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such LC
Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the
Closing Date and which such LC Issuer in good faith deems material to it; or

              (ii) such Letter of Credit does not provide for drafts, or is not
otherwise in form and substance acceptable to such LC Issuer, or the Issuance of
such Letter of Credit shall violate any applicable policies of such LC Issuer,
provided that nothing in this clause (ii) shall release any LC Issuer from its
obligation to Issue any

                                      -47-
<PAGE>   54

Standby Letter of Credit to support Existing IRBs having the terms and
conditions specified in the indenture governing such Existing IRBs.

          (c) No LC Issuer shall Issue any Letter of Credit if:

              (i) such LC Issuer has received written notice from any Lender,
the Administrative Agent or the applicable Account Party, on or prior to the
Business Day prior to the requested date of Issuance of such Letter of Credit,
that one or more of the applicable conditions contained in Article IV is not
then satisfied; or

              (ii) the expiry date or any renewed or extended expiry date of
such Letter of Credit is later than the earlier of: (x) in the case of Letters
of Credit other than Standby Letters of Credit supporting Existing IRBs, the
first anniversary of the Issuance Date for such Letter of Credit, and (y) the
Commitment Termination Date, or, in the case of a Commercial Letter of Credit,
25 days prior to the Commitment Termination Date, unless all of the Lenders have
approved such expiry date in writing.

          2.15.2   Issuance, Amendment and Renewal of Letters of Credit.

          (a) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued upon the irrevocable written
request of the applicable Account Party received by the applicable LC Issuer and
the Administrative Agent at least four Business Days (or such shorter time as
such LC Issuer and the Administrative Agent may agree in a particular instance
in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed Issuance Date. Each such request
for issuance of a Letter of Credit shall be by facsimile, confirmed immediately
in an original writing, in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, and shall
specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the applicable LC Issuer:
(i) the stated amount of the Letter of Credit and the Applicable Currency
thereof; (ii) the expiry date of such Letter of Credit; (iii) the name and
address of the beneficiary thereof; (iv) the documents to be presented by the
beneficiary of such Letter of Credit in case of any drawing thereunder; (v) the
full text of any certificate to be presented by the beneficiary in case of any
drawing thereunder; (vi) in the case of a Standby Letter of Credit, whether such
Letter of Credit is a Financial Letter of Credit or a Non-Financial Letter of
Credit; and (vii) such other matters as such LC Issuer may require.

          (b) At least two Business Days prior to the Issuance Date of any
Letter of Credit, the applicable LC Issuer will confirm with the Administrative
Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a
copy of the Letter of Credit Application or Letter of Credit Amendment
Application from the applicable Account Party and, if not, such LC Issuer will
provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. If and only if the
Administrative Agent notifies the applicable LC Issuer on or before the Business
Day immediately preceding the proposed date of Issuance of a Letter of Credit
that such LC Issuer may Issue such Letter of Credit, then, subject to the terms
and conditions hereof, such LC Issuer shall, on the requested date, Issue such
Letter of Credit for the account of the applicable Account Party in accordance
with such LC

                                      -48-
<PAGE>   55

Issuer's usual and customary business practices. The Administrative Agent shall
not give such notice if the Administrative Agent has knowledge that (A) such
Issuance is not then permitted under Section 2.15.1(a) as a result of the
limitations set forth in clause (1) or (2) thereof or (B) the applicable LC
Issuer has received a notice described in Section 2.15.1(c)(i). The
Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any Letter of Credit
Issuance hereunder.

          (c) From time to time while a Letter of Credit is outstanding and
prior to the Commitment Termination Date, the applicable LC Issuer will, upon
the written request of the applicable Account Party received by such LC Issuer
(with a copy sent by such Account Party to the Administrative Agent) at least
four Business Days (or such shorter time as such LC Issuer and the
Administrative Agent may agree in a particular instance in their sole
discretion) prior to the proposed date of amendment, amend any Letter of Credit
issued by it, subject to approval thereof by the Administrative Agent. Each such
request for amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be made by facsimile,
confirmed immediately in an original writing, made in the form of a Letter of
Credit Amendment Application and shall specify in form and detail reasonably
satisfactory to the applicable LC Issuer: (i) the Letter of Credit to be
amended; (ii) the proposed date of amendment of such Letter of Credit (which
shall be a Business Day); (iii) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (iv)
such other matters as such LC Issuer may require. No LC Issuer shall have any
obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if such LC Issuer would have no
obligation at such time to Issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under
the terms of this Agreement. No LC Issuer shall amend any Letter of Credit if:
(A) such LC Issuer would not be permitted to Issue such Letter of Credit in its
amended form under the terms of this Agreement; or (B) the beneficiary of such
Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of
Credit.

          (d) The LC Issuers and the Revolving Lenders agree that, while a
Letter of Credit is outstanding and prior to the Commitment Termination Date, at
the option of the applicable Account Party and upon the written request of such
Account Party received by the applicable LC Issuer (with a copy sent by such
Account Party to the Administrative Agent) at least four Business Days (or such
shorter time as such LC Issuer and the Administrative Agent may agree in a
particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed date of
notification of renewal, such LC Issuer shall be entitled, with the approval of
the Administrative Agent, to authorize the renewal of any Letter of Credit
issued by it. Each such request for renewal of a Letter of Credit shall be made
by facsimile, confirmed immediately in an original writing, in the form of a
Letter of Credit Amendment Application, and shall specify in form and detail
reasonably satisfactory to the applicable LC Issuer: (i) the Letter of Credit to
be renewed; (ii) the proposed date of renewal of such Letter of Credit (which
shall be a Business Day); (iii) the revised expiry date of such Letter of Credit
(which, unless all Lenders otherwise consent in writing, shall be prior to the
Commitment Termination Date); and (iv) such other matters as such LC Issuer may
require. No LC Issuer shall be under any obligation to renew any Letter of
Credit if such LC Issuer would have no obligation at such time to Issue or amend
such

                                      -49-
<PAGE>   56

Letter of Credit in its renewed form under the terms of this Agreement. No LC
Issuer shall renew any Letter of Credit if: (A) such LC Issuer would not be
permitted to Issue or amend such Letter of Credit in its renewed form under the
terms of this Agreement; or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does
not accept the proposed renewal of such Letter of Credit. If any outstanding
Letter of Credit shall provide that it shall be automatically renewed unless the
beneficiary thereof receives notice from the applicable LC Issuer that such
Letter of Credit shall not be renewed, and if at the time of renewal such LC
Issuer would be entitled to authorize the renewal of such Letter of Credit in
accordance with this Section 2.15.2(d) upon the request of the applicable
Account Party but such LC Issuer shall not have received any Letter of Credit
Amendment Application from the applicable Account Party with respect to such
renewal or other written direction by such Account Party with respect thereto,
and such LC Issuer shall not have received notice from the Administrative Agent
that such Letter of Credit shall not be renewed, such LC Issuer shall allow such
Letter of Credit to renew, and the applicable Account Party and the Lenders
hereby authorize such renewal, and, accordingly, such LC Issuer shall be deemed
to have received a Letter of Credit Amendment Application from the applicable
Account Party requesting such renewal.

          (e) Each LC Issuer may, at its election (or as required by the
Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders), deliver any
notices of termination or other communications to any applicable Letter of
Credit beneficiary or transferee, and take any other action as necessary or
appropriate, at any time and from time to time, in order to cause the expiry
date of such Letter of Credit to be a date not later than the Commitment
Termination Date.

          (f) This Agreement shall control in the event of any conflict with any
Letter of Credit Related Document (other than any Letter of Credit).

          (g) The applicable LC Issuer will deliver to the Administrative Agent,
concurrently or promptly following its delivery of a Letter of Credit, or
amendment to or renewal of a Letter of Credit, to an advising bank or a
beneficiary, a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment to
or renewal of a Letter of Credit.

          2.15.3 Participations, Drawings and Reimbursements.

          (a) Immediately upon the Issuance of each Letter of Credit (or, in the
case of the Existing Letters of Credit, on the Closing Date) each Revolving
Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to,
purchase from the applicable LC Issuer a participation in such Letter of Credit
and each drawing thereunder in an amount equal to the product of (i) such
Lender's Revolver Pro Rata Share times (ii) the maximum amount available to be
drawn under such Letter of Credit and the amount of such drawing, respectively.

                                      -50-
<PAGE>   57

          (b) In the event of any request for a drawing under a Letter of Credit
by the beneficiary or transferee thereof, the applicable LC Issuer will promptly
notify the applicable Account Party and the Administrative Agent. The applicable
Account Party shall reimburse the applicable LC Issuer prior to the Requisite
Time, on each date that any amount is paid by such LC Issuer under any
applicable Letter of Credit (each such date, an "Honor Date") in an amount equal
to the amount so paid by such LC Issuer; provided, to the extent that such LC
Issuer accepts a drawing under a Letter of Credit after 12:00 noon (Charlotte
time), such Account Party will not be obligated to reimburse such LC Issuer
until the next Business Day and the "Honor Date" for such Letter of Credit shall
be such next Business Day. If such Account Party fails to reimburse the
applicable LC Issuer for the full amount of any drawing under any Letter of
Credit by 12:00 noon (Charlotte time) on the Honor Date, such LC Issuer will
promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent will
promptly notify each Revolving Lender and the relevant Borrower thereof, and the
relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that Base Rate Loans be made
by the Revolving Lenders to be disbursed on the Honor Date under such Letter of
Credit, subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving
Commitments and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.2. Any notice
given by any LC Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section
2.15.3(b) may be oral if immediately confirmed in writing (including by
facsimile); provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not
affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

          (c) Each Revolving Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section
2.15.3(b) make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
applicable LC Issuer an amount in the Applicable Currency and in immediately
available funds equal to its Revolver Pro Rata Share of the amount of the
drawing with respect to a Letter of Credit whereupon the participating Lenders
shall (subject to Section 2.15.3(d)) each be deemed to have made a Revolving
Loan consisting of a Base Rate Loan to the relevant Borrower in the Dollar
Equivalent of such amount. If any Revolving Lender so notified fails to make
available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable LC
Issuer the amount of such Lender's Revolver Pro Rata Share of the amount of such
drawing by no later than 3:00 p.m. (Charlotte time) on the Honor Date, then
interest shall accrue on such Lender's obligation to make such payment, from the
Honor Date to the date such Revolving Lender makes such payment, at a rate per
annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time during such
period (based on the Dollar Equivalent of such payment amount on the Honor
Date). The Administrative Agent will promptly give notice of the occurrence of
the Honor Date, but failure of the Administrative Agent to give any such notice
on the Honor Date or in sufficient time to enable any Revolving Lender to effect
such payment on such date shall not relieve such Revolving Lender from its
obligations under this Section 2.15.3.

          (d) With respect to any unreimbursed drawing that is not converted
into Revolving Loans consisting of Base Rate Loans in whole or in part, because
of the Borrower's failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 4.2 or
for any other reason,

                                      -51-
<PAGE>   58

the applicable Account Party shall be deemed to have incurred from the
applicable LC Issuer a Letter of Credit Borrowing in the amount of such drawing,
which Letter of Credit Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together
with interest) and shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Base
Rate plus the Applicable Margin plus 2% per annum, and each Revolving Lender's
payment to the applicable LC Issuer pursuant to Section 2.15.3(c) with respect
to a Letter of Credit shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in
such Letter of Credit Borrowing and shall constitute a Letter of Credit Advance
from such Revolving Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under
this Section 2.15.3.

          (e) Each Revolving Lender's obligation in accordance with this
Agreement to make Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit Advances, as contemplated
by this Section 2.15.3, as a result of a drawing under a Letter of Credit shall
be absolute and unconditional and without recourse to the applicable LC Issuer
and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have
against such LC Issuer, any Account Party or any other Person for any reason
whatsoever, (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, an Event of Default
or a Material Adverse Effect or (iii) any other circumstance, happening or event
whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided that each
Revolving Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans with respect to Letters of
Credit is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.2.

          2.15.4 Repayment of Participations.

          (a) Upon (and only upon) receipt by the Administrative Agent for the
account of the applicable LC Issuer of immediately available funds from the
applicable Account Party (i) in reimbursement of any payment made by such LC
Issuer under a Letter of Credit with respect to which any Lender has paid the
Administrative Agent for the account of such LC Issuer for such Lender's
participation in such Letter of Credit pursuant to Section 2.15.3 or (ii) in
payment of interest thereon, the Administrative Agent will promptly pay to each
Revolving Lender, in like funds as those received by the Administrative Agent
for the account of such LC Issuer, the amount of such Lender's Revolver Pro Rata
Share of such funds, and such LC Issuer shall receive the amount of the Revolver
Pro Rata Share of such funds of any Lender that did not so pay the
Administrative Agent for the account of such LC Issuer.

          (b) If the Administrative Agent or any LC Issuer is required at any
time to return to any Account Party, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator or
custodian, or to any official in any Insolvency Proceeding, any portion of any
payment made by the Account Party to the Administrative Agent for the account of
such LC Issuer pursuant to Section 2.15.4(a) in reimbursement of a payment made
under a Letter of Credit or interest or fee thereon, to the extent any Lender
received its Pro Rata Share of such amount pursuant to Section 2.15.4(a), such
Lender shall, on demand of the Administrative Agent, forthwith return to the
Administrative Agent or such LC Issuer the amount of its Pro Rata Share of any
amount so returned by the Administrative Agent or such LC Issuer together

                                      -52-
<PAGE>   59

with interest thereon from the date such demand is made to the date such amount
is returned by such Lender to the Administrative Agent or such LC Issuer, at a
rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate in effect from time to time.

          2.15.5 Role of the LC Issuers.

          (a) Each Lender and each Account Party agree that, in paying any
drawing under a Letter of Credit, the applicable LC Issuer shall not have any
responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft and
certificate expressly required by such Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or
inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of
the Person executing or delivering any such document.

          (b) No Administrative Agent-Related Person, LC Issuer nor any of their
respective correspondents, participants or assignees shall be liable to any
Lender for: (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the
request or with the approval of the Lenders (including the Required Lenders, as
applicable); (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence
or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or
enforceability of any Letter of Credit Related Document.

          (c) Each Account Party hereby assumes all risks of the acts or
omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter
of Credit; provided that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not,
preclude such Account Party's pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have
against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under this Agreement or any
other agreement. Neither the Administrative Agent-Related Person, LC Issuer, the
Lenders nor any of their respective correspondents, participants or assignees
shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i)
through (vii) of Section 2.15.6; provided that, anything in such clauses to the
contrary notwithstanding, the applicable Account Party may have a claim against
the applicable LC Issuer, and such LC Issuer may be liable to such Account
Party, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to
consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by such Account Party which such
Account Party proves were caused by such LC Issuer's willful misconduct, gross
negligence or bad faith or such LC Issuer's bad faith, willful or grossly
negligent failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it
by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with
the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in
limitation of the foregoing: (i) each LC Issuer may accept documents that appear
on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation,
regardless of any notice or information to the contrary; and (ii) no LC Issuer
shall be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument
transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit
or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part,
which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.

          2.15.6 Obligations Absolute. The obligations of each Account Party
under this Agreement and any Letter of Credit Related Document to reimburse the
applicable LC

                                      -53-
<PAGE>   60

Issuer for a drawing under a Letter of Credit, and to repay any Letter of Credit
Borrowing and any drawing under a Letter of Credit converted into Revolving
Loans, shall be unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and each such other Letter of Credit
Related Document under all circumstances, including the following:

               (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or
any Letter of Credit Related Document;

               (ii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in
any other term of, all or any of the obligations of any Account Party in respect
of any Letter of Credit or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to
departure from all or any of the Letter of Credit Related Documents;

               (iii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right
that any Account Party may have at any time against any beneficiary or any
transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary
or any such transferee may be acting), the applicable LC Issuer or any other
Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated
hereby or by the Letter of Credit Related Documents or any unrelated
transaction;

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

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

               (vi) any exchange, release or non-perfection of any collateral,
or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any
guarantee, for all or any of the obligations of any Account Party in respect of
any Letter of Credit; or

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

                                      -54-
<PAGE>   61

          2.15.7 Cash Collateral Pledge. If any Letter of Credit remains
outstanding and partially or wholly undrawn as of the Commitment Termination
Date, then the applicable Account Party shall immediately Cash Collateralize the
Letter of Credit Obligations in an amount equal to the maximum amount in the
Applicable Currency then available to be drawn under all Letters of Credit.

          2.15.8 Letter of Credit Fees.

          (a) The applicable Account Party shall pay to the Administrative Agent
for the account of each Revolving Lender a letter of credit fee with respect to
each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Letter of Credit Fee Rate per
annum of the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn on such Letter
of Credit, computed on a quarterly basis in arrears on the last day of each
calendar quarter and on the Commitment Termination Date (or such later date upon
which all outstanding Letters of Credit shall expire or be fully drawn).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon notice to the relevant Borrower by the
Administrative Agent at the request of the Required Lenders either (i) while any
Event of Default exists or (ii) after acceleration, the relevant Borrower shall
pay a letter of credit fee with respect to each Letter of Credit equal to the
sum of the Applicable Letter of Credit Fee plus 2% per annum of the average
daily maximum amount available to be drawn on such Letter of Credit.

          (b) The applicable Account Party shall pay to each LC Issuer a
fronting fee for each Letter of Credit Issued by such LC Issuer equal to 0.125%
per annum of the average daily maximum amount available to be drawn on such
Letter of Credit, computed on the last day of each calendar quarter and on the
Commitment Termination Date (or such later date on which such Letter of Credit
shall expire or be fully drawn).

          (c) The letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.15.8(a) shall be
due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar
quarter during which Letters of Credit are outstanding, commencing on the first
such quarterly date to occur after the Closing Date, through the Commitment
Termination Date (or such later date upon which all outstanding Letters of
Credit shall expire or be fully drawn), with the final payment to be made on the
Commitment Termination Date (or such later date). The fronting fees payable
under Section 2.15.8(b) shall be billed on a quarterly basis by the applicable
LC Issuer. For purposes of calculating the fees payable under Section 2.15.8(a)
and Section 2.15.8(b), any undrawn Commercial Letters of Credit should be
considered outstanding and available to be drawn upon for 25 days after their
expiry date.

          (d) The applicable Account Party shall pay to each applicable LC
Issuer from time to time promptly upon demand the normal issuance, presentation,
amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of
each such LC Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in
effect.

          2.15.9 Uniform Customs and Practice. Unless otherwise expressly agreed
by the Issuing Lender and a Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued and
subject to

                                      -55-
<PAGE>   62

applicable laws, performance under Letters of Credit by the Issuing Lender, its
correspondents, and beneficiaries will be governed by (i) with respect to
standby Letters of Credit, the rules of the "International Standby Practices
1998" (ISP98) or such later revision as may be published by the International
Chamber of Commerce (the "ICC"), and (ii) with respect to commercial Letters of
Credit, the rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits,
as published in its most recent version by the ICC on the date any commercial
Letter of Credit is issued, and including the ICC decision published by the
Commission on Banking Technique and Practice on April 6, 1998 regarding the
Euro.

          2.15.10 Outstanding Letters of Credit. The letters of credit set forth
under the caption "Letters of Credit outstanding on the Closing Date" on
Schedule 2.15.10 annexed hereto and made a part hereof were issued pursuant to a
prior credit facility and remain outstanding as of the Closing Date (the
"Outstanding Letters of Credit"). The Company, each LC Issuer and each of the
Lenders hereby agree with respect to the Outstanding Letters of Credit that such
Outstanding Letters of Credit, for all purposes under this Agreement, shall be
deemed to be Letters of Credit governed by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement. Each Lender agrees to participate in each Outstanding Letter of
Credit issued by any LC Issuer in an amount equal to such Lender's Revolver Pro
Rata Share of such Outstanding Letter of Credit.

     2.16 Utilization of Commitments in Offshore Currencies.

          (a)  The Administrative Agent will determine the Dollar Equivalent
amount with respect to any (i) Borrowing comprised of Offshore Currency Loans as
of the requested Borrowing Date, (ii) outstanding Offshore Currency Loans
denominated in a currency other than Dollars as of the last Business Day of each
month, (iii) outstanding Offshore Currency Loans denominated in a currency other
than Dollars as of any redenomination date pursuant to this Section 2.16 or
Section 3.5, (iv) Letter of Credit Obligations denominated in a currency other
than Dollars, on the date of Issuance and thereafter as of the last Business Day
of each month and (v) Offshore Currency Loans or Letter of Credit Obligations,
as of any date specified for determining the Dollar Equivalent of any amount
(each such date under clauses (i) through (iv) a "Computation Date").

          (b)  In the case of a proposed Borrowing comprised of Offshore
Currency Loans, the Lenders shall be under no obligation to make Offshore
Currency Loans in the requested Offshore Currency as part of such Borrowing if
the Administrative Agent has received notice from any of the Lenders by 5:00
p.m. (Charlotte time) four Business Days prior to the day of such Borrowing that
such Lender cannot provide Loans in the requested Offshore Currency, in which
event the Administrative Agent will give notice to the relevant Borrower no
later than 1:00 p.m. (Charlotte time) on the third Business Day prior to the
requested date of such Borrowing that the Borrowing in the requested Offshore
Currency is not then available, and notice thereof also will be given promptly
by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders. If the Administrative Agent shall

                                      -56-
<PAGE>   63

have so notified the relevant Borrower that any such Borrowing in a requested
Offshore Currency is not then available, the relevant Borrower may, by notice to
the Administrative Agent not later than 5:00 p.m. (Charlotte time) two Business
Days prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, withdraw the Notice of
Borrowing relating to such requested Borrowing. If the relevant Borrower does so
withdraw such Notice of Borrowing, the Borrowing requested therein shall not
occur and the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify each Lender. If the
relevant Borrower does not so withdraw such Notice of Borrowing, the
Administrative Agent will promptly so notify each Lender and such Notice of
Borrowing shall be deemed to be a Notice of Borrowing that requests a Borrowing
comprised of Offshore Rate Loans for the same Interest Period previously
applicable in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of the originally
requested Borrowing as expressed in Dollars in the Notice of Borrowing; and in
such notice by the Administrative Agent to each Lender the Administrative Agent
will state such aggregate amount of such Borrowing in Dollars and such Lender's
Pro Rata Share thereof.

          (c)  In the case of a proposed continuation of Offshore Currency Loans
for an additional Interest Period, the Lenders shall be under no obligation to
continue such Offshore Currency Loans if the Administrative Agent has received
notice from any of the Lenders by 5:00 p.m. (Charlotte time) four Business Days
prior to the day of such continuation that such Lender cannot continue to
provide Loans in the relevant Offshore Currency, in which event the
Administrative Agent will give notice to the relevant Borrower not later than
1:00 p.m. (Charlotte time) on the third Business Day prior to the requested date
of such continuation that the continuation of such Offshore Currency Loans in
the relevant Offshore Currency is not then available, and notice thereof also
will be given promptly by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders. If the
Administrative Agent shall have so notified the relevant Borrower that any such
continuation of Offshore Currency Loans is not then available, any Notice of
Continuation/Conversion with respect thereto shall be deemed withdrawn and such
Offshore Currency Loans shall be redenominated into Offshore Rate Loans in
Dollars for the same Interest Period previously applicable with effect from the
last day of the Interest Period with respect to any such Offshore Currency
Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the relevant Borrower and
the Lenders of any such redenomination and in such notice by the Administrative
Agent to each Lender the Administrative Agent will state the aggregate Dollar
Equivalent amount of the redenominated Offshore Currency Loans as of the
Computation Date with respect thereto and such Lender's Pro Rata Share thereof.

          (d)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, during the
existence of an Event of Default, upon the request of the Required Lenders, all
or any part of any outstanding Offshore Currency Loans shall be redenominated
and converted into Base Rate Loans in Dollars on the last day of the Interest
Period with respect to any such Offshore Currency Loans. The Administrative
Agent will promptly notify the relevant Borrower and the Lenders of any such
redenomination and conversion request.

          (e)  Each Borrower shall be entitled to request that Revolving Loans
and Swing Line Loans hereunder also be permitted to be made in any other lawful

                                      -57-
<PAGE>   64

currency (other than Dollars), in addition to the currencies specified in the
definition of "Offshore Currency" herein, that in the opinion of the
Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender and the Revolving Lenders is at such
time freely traded in the offshore interbank foreign exchange markets and is
freely transferable and freely convertible into Dollars (an "Agreed Alternative
Currency"). The relevant Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent any
request for designation of an Agreed Alternative Currency to be received by the
Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. (Charlotte time) at least 10
Business Days in advance of the date of any Borrowing hereunder proposed to be
made in such Agreed Alternative Currency. Upon receipt of any such request the
Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Revolving Lenders thereof, and
each Revolving Lender will use its commercially reasonable efforts to respond to
such request within five (5) Business Days of receipt thereof. Each Lender may
grant or accept such request in its sole discretion. The Administrative Agent
will promptly notify the relevant Borrower and the Revolving Lenders of the
acceptance or rejection of any such request.

     2.17 Guaranty.

          (a)  The prompt payment and performance of all obligations of the
Credit Parties under this Agreement, each of the Notes and all other Credit
Documents shall be unconditionally guaranteed by each Guarantor from time to
time pursuant to the Guaranty.

          (b)  In connection with the Guaranty described in clause (a) above,
the Company shall deliver and cause each Guarantor to deliver to the
Administrative Agent such opinions of counsel, certificates, resolutions,
instruments and other documentation as the Administrative Agent may reasonably
request from time to time.

     2.18 Joint and Several Nature of Loans. All Loans to each Borrower and all
of the other obligations (monetary or otherwise) of each Borrower arising under
this Agreement (including, without limitation, each Borrower's obligations under
Article XI) and the other Credit Documents shall constitute one general
obligation for which the Borrowers are jointly and severally obligated; provided
that the liability of any Borrower under this Agreement or any other Credit
Document shall be limited to the maximum amount of the obligations for which
such Borrower may be liable (after giving effect to rights of contribution of
such Borrower from its Affiliates) without violating any fraudulent conveyance
or fraudulent transfer law; provided further that any Borrower which is a
Foreign 956 Subsidiary shall be severally liable only for the obligations of
such Borrower.

     2.19 Appointment of Borrower Representative. The Company may from time to
time designate one or more Responsible Officers of a Borrower as the
representative and agent on behalf of each or any Borrower for the purposes of
issuing notices hereunder, giving instructions with respect to the disbursement
of the proceeds of the Loans, selecting interest rate options, requesting
Letters of Credit, giving and receiving all

                                      -58-
<PAGE>   65

other notices and consents hereunder or under any of the other Credit Documents
and taking all other actions (including in respect of compliance with covenants)
on behalf of any Borrower or the Borrowers under the Credit Documents (in such
capacity, the "Borrower Representative"). The Borrower Representative hereby
accepts such appointment. The Administrative Agent and each Lender may regard
any notice or other communication pursuant to any Credit Document from the
Borrower Representative as a notice or communication from all of the Borrowers,
and may give any notice or communication required or permitted to be given to
any Borrower or the Borrowers hereunder to the Borrower Representative on behalf
of such Borrower or the Borrowers. Each Borrower agrees that each notice,
election, representation and warranty, covenant, agreement and undertaking made
on its behalf by the Borrower Representative shall be deemed for all purposes to
have been made by such Borrower and shall be binding upon and enforceable
against such Borrower to the same extent as if the same had been made directly
by such Borrower.

                                  ARTICLE III
                     TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

     3.1  Taxes.

          (a)  Any and all payments by any Credit Party to any Lending Party or
the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Credit Document shall
be made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for, any Taxes,
except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(e) or (f). In addition, each Credit
Party shall pay all applicable Other Taxes except as otherwise provided in
Section 3.1(e) or (f).

          (b)  Subject to Sections 3.1(e), (f) and 3.10(a), if any Credit Party
shall be required by law to deduct or withhold any Taxes, Other Taxes or Further
Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder to any Lending Party or
the Administrative Agent, then:

               (i)   the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that,
after making all required deductions and withholdings (including deductions and
withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), such
Lending Party or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, receives and
retains an amount equal to the sum it would have received and retained had no
such deductions or withholdings been made;

               (ii)  such Credit Party shall make such deductions and
withholdings;

               (iii) such Credit Party shall pay the full amount deducted or
withheld to the relevant taxing authority or other authority in accordance with
applicable law; and

                                      -59-
<PAGE>   66

               (iv)  such Credit Party shall also pay to each Lending Party or
the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lending Party, at the time
interest is paid, Further Taxes in the amount that the respective Lending Party
specifies as necessary to preserve the after-tax yield such Lending Party would
have received if such Taxes, Other Taxes or Further Taxes had not been imposed.

          (c)  Subject to Sections 3.1(e), (f) and 3.10(a), each Credit Party
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Lending Party and the Administrative
Agent for the full amount of (i) Taxes, (ii) Other Taxes, and (iii) Further
Taxes in the amount that the respective Lending Party or the Administrative
Agent specifies as necessary to preserve the after-tax yield such Lending Party
or the Administrative Agent would have received if such Taxes, Other Taxes or
Further Taxes had not been imposed, and any liability (including penalties,
interest, additions to tax and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, whether or not such Taxes, Other Taxes or Further Taxes were correctly
or legally asserted. Payment under this indemnification shall be made within 30
days after the date the applicable Lending Party or the Administrative Agent
makes written demand therefor.

          (d)  Within 30 days after the date of any payment by any Credit Party
of Taxes, Other Taxes or Further Taxes, such Credit Party shall furnish to each
Lending Party or the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment thereof, or other evidence of payment satisfactory to
such Lending Party or the Administrative Agent.

          (e)  If any Credit Party is required to pay any amount to any Lending
Party or the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.1(b) or (c), then such
Lending Party shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory
restrictions) to change the jurisdiction of its Lending Office so as to
eliminate any such additional payment by such Credit Party which may thereafter
accrue, if such change in the sole judgment of such Lending Party is not
otherwise disadvantageous to such Lending Party. In the event that any Lending
Party fails to comply with its obligations as set forth in the previous
sentence, the applicable Credit Party shall not be required to pay an amount
which would not have been payable had such Lending Party complied with its
obligations under this Section 3.1(e).

          (f)  Nothing contained in this Section 3.1 shall override any term or
provision of any Specified Swap Contract regarding withholding taxes relating to
Swap Contracts.

     3.2  Illegality.

          (a)  If any Lending Party determines that the introduction of any
Requirement of Law, or any change in any Requirement of Law, or in the
interpretation or administration of any Requirement of Law, has made it
unlawful, or that any central bank or other Governmental Authority has asserted
that it is unlawful, for such Lending Party

                                      -60-
<PAGE>   67

or its applicable Lending Office to make Offshore Rate Loans (including Offshore
Rate Loans in any Offshore Currency), then, on notice thereof by such Lending
Party to the Company through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of that
Lending Party to make Offshore Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lending
Party notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers that the circumstances
giving rise to such determination no longer exist.

          (b)  If a Lending Party determines that it is unlawful to maintain any
Offshore Rate Loan the applicable Credit Party shall, upon receipt by a Borrower
of notice of such fact and demand from such Lending Party (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent), prepay in full such Offshore Rate Loans of such Lending
Party then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon and amounts
required under Section 3.4, either on the last day of the Interest Period
thereof in the case of Offshore Rate Loans if such Lending Party may lawfully
continue to maintain such Offshore Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, in
the case of Offshore Rate Loans if such Lending Party may not lawfully continue
to maintain such Offshore Rate Loan. If a Borrower is required to so prepay any
Offshore Rate Loan, then concurrently with such prepayment, the Borrower shall
borrow from the affected Lender, in the amount of such repayment, a Base Rate
Loan.

          (c)  If the obligation of any Lender to make or maintain Offshore Rate
Loans has been so terminated or suspended, a Borrower may elect, by giving
notice to such Lender through the Administrative Agent that all Dollar
denominated Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender as Offshore Rate
Loans shall be instead Base Rate Loans.

          (d)  Before giving any notice to the Administrative Agent under this
Section 3.2, the affected Lending Party shall designate a different Lending
Office with respect to its Offshore Rate Loans if such designation will avoid
the need for giving such notice or making such demand and will not, in the
judgment of such Lending Party, be illegal or otherwise disadvantageous to such
Lending Party.

     3.3  Increased Costs and Reduction of Return.

          (a)  If any Lending Party determines that, due to either (i) the
introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or
regulation or (ii) the compliance by such Lending Party with any guideline or
request from any central bank or other Governmental Authority (whether or not
having the force of law), there shall be any increase in the cost to such
Lending Party of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining any Offshore
Rate Loans, participating in Letters of Credit, agreeing to Issue, Issuing or
maintaining any Letter of Credit or funding any drawing under any Letter of
Credit or any participation therein, as the case may be, then the applicable
Credit Party shall be liable for, and shall from time to time, upon demand (with
a copy of such demand to be sent to the Administrative Agent), pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of such Lending Party additional amounts as
are sufficient to compensate such Lending Party for such increased costs.

                                      -61-
<PAGE>   68

          (b)  If any Lending Party shall have determined that (i) the
introduction of any Capital Adequacy Regulation, (ii) any change in any Capital
Adequacy Regulation, (iii) any change in the interpretation or administration of
any Capital Adequacy Regulation by any central bank or other Governmental
Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or (iv)
compliance by such Lending Party (or its Lending Office) or any Person
controlling such Lending Party with any Capital Adequacy Regulation, affects or
would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by such
Lending Party or any Person controlling such Lending Party and (taking into
consideration such Lending Party's or such Person's policies with respect to
capital adequacy and such Lending Party's or such Person's desired return on
capital) determines that the amount of such capital is increased as a
consequence of its Revolving Commitment, Credit Extensions or other obligations
under this Agreement, then, upon demand of such Lending Party to the Borrowers
through the Administrative Agent, the applicable Credit Party shall pay to such
Lending Party, from time to time as specified by such Lending Party, additional
amounts sufficient to compensate such Lending Party or such Person for such
increase.

     3.4  Funding Losses. Each Credit Party shall promptly reimburse each
Lending Party and hold each Lending Party harmless from any loss or expense
which such Lending Party may sustain or incur as a consequence of:

          (a)  the failure of such Credit Party to make on a timely basis any
payment of principal of any Offshore Rate Loan;

          (b)  the failure of such Credit Party to borrow, continue or convert a
Loan after such Credit Party has given (or is deemed to have given) a Notice of
Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation;

          (c)  in the case of any Borrower, the failure of such Borrower to make
any prepayment in accordance with any notice delivered under Section 2.6;

          (d)  the prepayment (including pursuant to Section 2.7) or other
payment (including after acceleration thereof) of an Offshore Rate Loan on a day
that is not the last day of the relevant Interest Period; or

          (e)  in the case of a Borrower, the automatic conversion under Section
2.4 of any Offshore Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is not the last
day of the relevant Interest Period.

     including any such loss or expense arising from the liquidation or
reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain its Offshore Rate Loans or from
fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. For
purposes of calculating amounts payable by such Credit Party to the Lending
Parties under this Section 3.4 and under Section 3.3(a), each Offshore Rate Loan
made by a Lender (and each related reserve,

                                      -62-
<PAGE>   69

special deposit or similar requirement) shall be conclusively deemed to have
been funded at the Offshore Rate for such Offshore Rate Loan by a matching
deposit or other borrowing in the interbank eurocurrency market for a comparable
amount, comparable currency and for a comparable period, whether or not such
Offshore Rate Loan is in fact so funded.

     3.5  Inability to Determine Rates. If the Administrative Agent determines
that for any reason adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining
the Spot Rate with respect to the Offshore Rate for any requested Interest
Period with respect to a proposed Offshore Rate Loan, or that the Offshore Rate
applicable pursuant to Section 2.8(a) for any requested Interest Period with
respect to a proposed Offshore Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect
the cost to any Lending Party of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent
will promptly so notify the Borrowers and each Lending Party. Thereafter, the
obligation of such Lending Party to make or maintain Offshore Rate Loans
hereunder shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent revokes such notice
in writing. Upon receipt of such notice, any Credit Party may revoke any
applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation then
submitted by it. If any such Credit Party does not revoke any such Notice, such
Lending Party shall make, convert or continue the Offshore Rate Loans, in the
amount specified in the applicable notice submitted by such Credit Party, but
such Offshore Rate Loans shall be made, converted or continued as Base Rate
Loans instead of Offshore Rate Loans. In the case of any Offshore Currency
Loans, the Borrowing or continuation shall be in an aggregate amount equal to
the Dollar Equivalent amount of the originally requested Borrowing or
continuation in the Offshore Currency, and to that end any outstanding Offshore
Currency Loans which are the subject of any continuation shall be redenominated
and converted into Base Rate Loans in Dollars with effect from the last day of
the Interest Period with respect to any such Offshore Currency Loans.

     3.6  Reserves on Offshore Rate Loans. Each Credit Party shall pay to each
Lending Party, as long as such Lending Party shall be required under regulations
of the FRB to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting
of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as "Eurocurrency
liabilities"), and, in respect of Loans denominated in an Offshore Currency
under any applicable regulations of the relevant Governmental Authority of the
jurisdiction in which the Offshore Currency circulates, additional costs on the
unpaid principal amount of each Offshore Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of
such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lending Party (as reasonably
determined by such Lending Party in good faith, which determination shall be
conclusive), payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan,
provided the Company shall have received at least 15 days' prior written notice
(with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from such
Lending Party. If a Lending Party fails to give notice 15 days prior to the
relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be payable 15
days from receipt of such notice.

                                      -63-
<PAGE>   70

     3.7  Exchange Controls.

          (a)  If any Lender determines that the imposition of exchange controls
by any Governmental Authority will limit or terminate its ability to make
non-dollar denominated Loans, the obligations of such Lender making non-dollar
denominated Loans to provide such non-dollar denominated Loans shall terminate.

          (b)  If the imposition of exchange controls by any Governmental
Authority shall impair the ability of any Lender to receive payments in the
Applicable Currency, all such payments shall be made in Dollars to an office
specified by such Lender to the extent possible or otherwise as directed by such
Lender.

     3.8  Certificates of Lending Party. Any Lending Party claiming
reimbursement or compensation under this Article III shall deliver to the
Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) a certificate setting forth in
reasonable detail the amount payable to such Lending Party hereunder and such
certificate shall be conclusive and binding on the Credit Parties in the absence
of manifest error.

     3.9  Substitution of Lenders. Upon (x) the receipt by a Borrower of a claim
for compensation under Section 3.2 or 3.3 from any Lender or (y) a demand from
the Administrative Agent under Section 2.12(a) regarding any Lender or (z) a
notice from a Lender to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.16(b) (in
either case such Lender being an "Affected Lender"), the Company may, with the
Administrative Agent's assistance: (i) obtain a replacement bank or financial
institution satisfactory to the Company and to the Administrative Agent (a
"Replacement Lender") to acquire and assume all or a ratable part of all of such
Affected Lender's Revolving Commitments, Credit Extensions and other rights and
obligations under this Agreement (collectively such Lender's "Assignable Credit
Exposure"), and if such Affected Lender or any Affiliate thereof is a Swap
Provider, all Specified Swap Contracts of such Affected Lender and Affiliate; or
(ii) request one or more of the other Lenders (which shall be under no
obligation) to acquire and assume all or part of such Affected Lender's
Assignable Credit Exposure. Any such designation of a Replacement Lender under
clause (i) shall be subject to the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). Before the acquisition
and assumption by a Replacement Lender or existing Lender of an Affected
Lender's Assignable Credit Exposure can be effective, the Credit Parties must
pay to the Affected Lender any costs and expenses due to it under Section 3.4.

     3.10 Withholding Tax.

          (a)  Each Lender that is a "foreign corporation, partnership or trust"
within the meaning of the Code shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, prior
to the Closing Date (or after accepting an assignment of an interest herein),
two duly signed completed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8ECI or IRS Form
W-8IMY or

                                      -64-
<PAGE>   71

any successor thereto (relating to such Person and entitling it to an exemption
from, or reduction of, withholding tax on all payments to be made to such Person
by Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement) or such other evidence satisfactory to
the Company and Administrative Agent that such Person is entitled to an
exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. withholding tax. A Form W-8BEN completed
and delivered by (i) certain foreign trusts, or (ii) persons claiming an
exemption or reduced rate of withholding at source under an income tax treaty
will not be considered duly completed unless the Form W-8BEN contains such
person's U.S. taxpayer identification number. Thereafter and from time to time,
each such Person shall (a) promptly submit to the Administrative Agent such
additional duly completed and signed copies of one of such forms (or such
successor forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant United
States taxing authorities) as may then be available under then current United
States laws and regulations to avoid, or such evidence as is satisfactory to the
Company and the Administrative Agent of any available exemption from or
reduction of, United States withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be
made to such Person by Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement, (b) promptly notify
the Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which would modify or
render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction, and (c) take such steps as
shall not be materially disadvantageous to it, in the reasonable judgment of
such Lender, and as may be reasonably necessary (provided that a Lender shall
not be required to re-designate its Lending Office) to avoid any requirements of
applicable Laws that the Company make any deduction or withholding for taxes
from amounts payable to such Person. If such Person fails to deliver the above
forms or other documentation, then the Administrative Agent may withhold from
any interest payment to such Person an amount equivalent to the applicable
withholding tax imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code, without
reduction, provided that the Credit Party shall not be required to increase any
such amounts payable to any Lender pursuant to Section 3.1, unless (i) the
obligation to pay such increased amounts would not have arisen but for a change
in law, or (ii) the Lender was not entitled to an exemption from, or reduction
of, U.S. withholding tax. In the case of a Credit Party who would have been
entitled to a reduction of U.S. withholding tax but fails to deliver the above
forms or other documentation, the amount payable by the Credit Party pursuant to
Section 3.1 is limited to an amount which would have been payable by the Credit
Party had the Lender furnished the requisite documentation.

          (b)  If any Lender claims exemption from, or reduction of, withholding
tax by providing IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8ECI or W-8IMY and such Lender sells,
assigns, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of the Borrowers
to such Lender, such Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent of the
percentage amount in which it is no longer the owner of Obligations of the
Borrowers to such Lender. To the extent of such percentage amount, the
Administrative Agent will treat such Lender's IRS Form W-8BEN, W-ECI or W-8IMY,
as the case may be, as no longer valid.

          (c)  If any Lender is entitled to a reduction in the applicable
withholding tax, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment
to such Lender an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after
taking into account such

                                      -65-
<PAGE>   72

reduction. However, if the forms or other documentation required by subsection
(a) of this Section are not delivered to the Administrative Agent, then the
Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Lender not
providing such forms or other documentation an amount equivalent to the
applicable withholding tax imposed by Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code,
without reduction.

          (d)  If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United
States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did
not properly withhold tax or any other amount from amounts paid to or for the
account of any Lender (because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not
properly executed, or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative
Agent of a change in circumstances which rendered the exemption from, or
reduction of, withholding tax ineffective, or for any other reason) such Lender
shall indemnify the Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or
indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties
and interest, and including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts
payable to the Administrative Agent under this Section 3.10, together with all
costs and expenses (including Attorney Costs). The obligation of the Lenders
under this subsection shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the
resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent.

     3.11 Survival. The agreements and obligations of the Credit Parties in this
Article III shall survive the payment of all other Obligations.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT AND SUBSEQUENT

     4.1  Conditions of Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Agreement and
the obligation of each Lender to make its Loans hereunder is subject to the
condition that the Administrative Agent shall have received on or before the
Closing Date all of the following, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, and in the case of the
items described in clauses (a) (with respect to this Agreement only), (e) and
(g), with the Company providing sufficient copies for each Lender (and the
Administrative Agent providing to each Lender copies of the other items
described in this Section 4.1 received by the Administrative Agent):

          (a)  Credit Agreement and Notes. This Agreement executed by each
Borrower, each Lender and, to the extent requested by a Lender, the Notes
executed by each party thereto;

          (b)  Resolutions; Incumbency.

               (i)   Copies of the resolutions of the board of directors (or
similar governing body) of each Borrower and the Parent and each Subsidiary that
may become party to a Credit Document authorizing the transactions contemplated
hereby,

                                      -66-
<PAGE>   73

certified as of the Closing Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of
such Person; and

               (ii)  A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of
each Borrower and the Parent and each Subsidiary that may become party to a
Credit Document certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of such
Person authorized to execute, deliver and perform, as applicable, this
Agreement, and all other Credit Documents to be delivered by it hereunder;

          (c)  Organization Documents; Good Standing. Each of the following
documents:

               (i)   the articles or certificate of incorporation and the bylaws
of each Borrower and the Parent and each Subsidiary party to any Credit Document
as in effect on the Closing Date, certified by the Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of such Person as of the Closing Date; and

               (ii)  a good standing and tax good standing certificate for each
Borrower and the Parent and each Subsidiary party to any Credit Document from
the Secretary of State of its state of incorporation and each state where such
Person is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation as of a recent date;

          (d)  Legal Opinions.

               (i)   An opinion of Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP,
special Michigan counsel to the Company, and addressed to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1; and

               (ii)  An opinion of Kirkland & Ellis, special New York counsel to
the Company, and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2.

               (iii) An opinion of Arthur Andersen, special Dutch counsel to the
Finance Subsidiary, and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D-3.

          (e)  Payment of Fees. Evidence of payment by the Borrowers of all
accrued and unpaid reasonable fees, costs and expenses to the extent then due
and payable on the Closing Date, together with Attorney Costs of the
Administrative Agent to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date,
plus such additional amounts of Attorney Costs as shall constitute the
Administrative Agent's reasonable estimate of Attorney Costs incurred or to be
incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate
shall not thereafter preclude final settling of accounts between the Company and

                                      -67-
<PAGE>   74

the Administrative Agent); including any such costs, fees and expenses arising
under or referenced in Sections 2.9 and 10.4;

          (f)  Guaranties. The Guaranty executed by each Guarantor;

          (g)  Certificate. A certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of
each Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date, stating that:

               (i)   the representations and warranties contained in Article V
are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date, as though
made on and as of such date;

               (ii)  no Default or Event of Default exists or would result from
the Credit Extensions outstanding or to be made on the Closing Date; and

               (iii) there has occurred since December 31, 1999, no event or
circumstance that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect;

          (h)  Termination of Original Credit Agreement. Payment in full of all
obligations under the Original Credit Agreement (other than the Existing Letters
of Credit) and termination of all of the commitments thereunder; and

          (i)  Other Documents. Such other approvals, opinions, documents or
materials as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

     4.2  First Borrowing by each Eligible Borrower. The obligation of each
Lender to make a Loan or issue a Letter of Credit on the occasion of the first
Borrowing request or first request for issuance of a Letter of Credit by each
Eligible Borrower subsequent to the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction
of the following conditions:

          (a)  receipt by the Administrative Agent for the account of each
Lender of a duly executed Note in the form of Exhibit F-1(A) of such Eligible
Borrower dated on or before the date of such Borrowing;

          (b)  receipt by the Administrative Agent of an Authorization Letter
duly executed by such Eligible Borrower;

          (c)  receipt by the Administrative Agent of an Election to Participate
duly executed by such Eligible Borrower;

          (d)  receipt by the Administrative Agent of an opinion of counsel for
such Eligible Borrower acceptable to the Administrative Agent and covering such
matters

                                      -68-
<PAGE>   75

relating to the transactions contemplated hereby as the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request;

          (e)  receipt by the Administrative Agent of all documents which it may
reasonably request relating to the existence of such Eligible Borrower, the
corporate authority for and the validity of this Agreement, the Authorization
Letter, the Election to Participate and the Notes of such Eligible Borrower, and
any other matters relevant thereto, all in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

          (f)  receipt by the Administrative Agent of a letter from US
Corporation System in New York, New York (or such other agent to receive service
of process in New York, New York reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent), indicating its consent to its appointment by such Eligible Borrower as
its agent to receive service of process; and

          (g)  the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.19
shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such
Borrowing as though made on and as of such date, and no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would result from such Loans.

The opinion referred to in Section 4.2(d) above shall be dated no more than five
Business Days before the date of the first Borrowing by such Eligible Borrower
hereunder.

     4.3  Conditions to All Credit Extensions and Continuations/ Conversions.
The obligation of each Lending Party to make any Credit Extension (including its
initial Loan) or to continue or convert any Loan under Section 2.4 or Section
2.1(b)(ii) is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent
on the relevant date of such Credit Extension or Conversion/Continuation Date:

          (a)  Notice of Borrowing, Letter of Credit Related Document or
Conversion/Continuation. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice
of Borrowing, Letter of Credit Related Document or a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, as applicable;

          (b)  Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties in Article V shall be true and correct in all
material respects on and as of such Borrowing Date, Issuance Date or
Conversion/Continuation Date with the same effect as if made on and as of such
Borrowing Date, Issuance Date or Conversion/Continuation Date (except to the
extent such representations and warranties expressly refer to an earlier date,
in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such
earlier date); and

          (c)  No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall exist
or shall result from such Credit Extension or continuation or conversion.

                                      -69-
<PAGE>   76

          Each Notice of Borrowing, Letter of Credit Related Document and Notice
of Conversion/Continuation by any Credit Party hereunder shall constitute a
representation and warranty by the Company hereunder, as of the date of each
such notice and as of each Borrowing Date, Issuance Date or
Conversion/Continuation Date, as applicable, that the conditions in this Section
4.3 are satisfied.

                                   ARTICLE V
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

          The Company and each Borrower (with respect to itself and its
Subsidiaries) represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and each
Lending Party that:

          5.1  Corporate Existence and Power. The Parent, each Borrower and each
of its Subsidiaries:

               (a)  is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation;

               (b)  has the power and authority and all governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals to own its assets, carry on its business
and to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Credit Documents
to which it is a party;

               (c)  is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is licensed
and in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where failure to be so
qualified or licensed would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect; and

               (d)  is in compliance with all Requirements of Law; except, in
each case referred to in clause (c) or clause (d) of this Section 5.1, to the
extent that the failure to be so could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     5.2  Corporate Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and
performance by each Borrower and the Parent and its Restricted Subsidiaries of
this Agreement and each other Credit Document to which such Person is a party
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not:

          (a)  contravene the terms of any of such Person's Organization
Documents;

          (b)  conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the
creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any Contractual Obligation
to which such Person is a party which conflict or breach would reasonably be
likely to have a

                                      -70-
<PAGE>   77

Material Adverse Effect, or any order, injunction, writ or decree of any
Governmental Authority to which such Person or its property is subject; or

          (c)  violate any Requirement of Law.

     5.3  Governmental Authorization. No approval, consent, exemption,
authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any
Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with the
execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, the Parent, any
Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower of this Agreement or any
other Credit Document except (a) to the extent obtained or made prior to the
Closing Date or (b) which would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     5.4  Binding Effect. This Agreement and each other Credit Document to which
any Borrower or the Parent or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party
constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Borrower, the Parent
or any such Subsidiary to the extent it is a party thereto, enforceable against
such Person in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar laws affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles
relating to enforceability.

     5.5  Litigation. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.5, there
are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending, or to the best
knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in
arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, against any Borrower, the
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties which:

          (a)  purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other
Credit Document, or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; or

          (b)  if determined adversely to a Borrower, the Parent or its
Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No
injunction, writ, temporary restraining order or any order of any nature has
been issued by any court or other Governmental Authority purporting to enjoin or
restrain the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or any other
Credit Document, or directing that the transactions provided for herein or
therein not be consummated as herein or therein provided.

     5.6  No Default. No Default or Event of Default exists or would result from
the incurring of any Obligations by any Credit Party. As of the Closing Date, no
Borrower nor any Subsidiary of a Borrower is in default under or with respect to
any Contractual Obligation in any respect which, individually or together with
all such defaults, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                                      -71-
<PAGE>   78

     5.7  ERISA Compliance. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.7:

          (a)  Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state law. Each
Plan which is intended to qualify under section 401(a) of the Code has received
a favorable determination letter from the IRS (or a request has been or will be
filed with the IRS within the applicable remedial amendment period) and to the
best knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred which would cause the loss
of such qualification. The Company and each ERISA Affiliate have made all
required contributions to any Plan subject to section 412 of the Code, and no
application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period
pursuant to section 412 of the Code has been made with respect to any Plan.

          (b)  There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of any Borrower,
threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority,
with respect to any Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or
violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan which
has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.

          (c)  (i) No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to
occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability which has
resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) no Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to
incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan
(other than premiums due and not delinquent under section 4007 of ERISA) which
has resulted or would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect; (iv) no Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably
expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the
giving of notice under section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability)
under section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and
(v) no Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could
be subject to section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

     5.8  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. The Letters of Credit and
proceeds of the Loans are to be used solely for the purposes set forth in and
permitted by Sections 6.12 and 7.7. Neither the making of the Loans hereunder or
use of the proceeds thereof nor the Issuance of any Letter of Credit will
violate Regulations T, U or X of the FRB and no Letter of Credit or part of the
proceeds of any Loan will be used to purchase or carry or to extend credit for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

     5.9  Title to Properties. Each Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary of a
Borrower have good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid
leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary
conduct of their respective businesses, except for such defects in title as
could not, individually or in the aggregate,

                                      -72-
<PAGE>   79

have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Closing Date, the property of the
Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than
Permitted Liens.

     5.10 Taxes. Each Borrower and each Subsidiary of a Borrower has filed all
Federal and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and
have paid all Federal and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or
assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been
provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against
any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower that would, if made, have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     5.11 Financial Condition.

          (a)  The audited consolidated financial statements of the Parent and
its Subsidiaries dated December 31, 1999, and the related consolidated
statements of income and operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for the
fiscal year ended on that date:

               (i)   were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted
therein;

               (ii)  fairly present in all material respects the financial
condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and results
of operations for the period covered thereby; and

               (iii) except as disclosed in Schedule 5.11, show all material
indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Parent and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for
taxes, material commitments and Contingent Obligations.

          (b)  Since December 31, 1999, there has been no Material Adverse
Effect.

     5.12 Environmental Matters.

          (a)  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12, the on-going operations of
the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries comply in all respects with all
Environmental Laws, except for such non-compliance which would not (if enforced
in accordance with applicable law) reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

          (b)  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12, each Borrower and each
Subsidiary of a Borrower has obtained all licenses, permits, authorizations and
registrations required under any Environmental Law and necessary for their
respective

                                      -73-
<PAGE>   80

ordinary course operations ("Environmental Permits"), all such Environmental
Permits are in good standing, and the Borrowers and each of their Subsidiaries
are in compliance with all material terms and conditions of such Environmental
Permits, except where the failure to obtain, maintain in good standing or comply
with such Environmental Permits would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          (c)  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12, none of the Borrowers, any
of their Subsidiaries or any of their respective present property or operations
is subject to any outstanding written order from or agreement with any
Governmental Authority, nor subject to any judicial or docketed administrative
proceeding, respecting any Environmental Law, Environmental Claim or Hazardous
Material, except for any such order, agreement or proceeding which would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (d)  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12, there are no Hazardous
Materials or other conditions or circumstances existing with respect to any real
property of the Borrowers or any their Subsidiaries, or arising from operations
prior to the Closing Date of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries that
would reasonably be expected to give rise to Environmental Claims for any such
condition, circumstance or property where such Environmental Claim would, if
adversely determined, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12, or except as would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) no Borrower nor any Subsidiary
of a Borrower owns or operates any underground storage tanks (x) that are not
properly registered or permitted under applicable Environmental Laws, or (y)
that are leaking or disposing of Hazardous Materials off-site, and (ii) the
Borrowers and their Subsidiaries have complied with all notification
requirements under Title III of CERCLA and all other Environmental Laws.

     5.13 Regulated Entities. No Borrower, nor any Person controlling a
Borrower, or any Subsidiary of a Borrower is an "investment company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940. No Borrower is subject to
regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal
Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, any state public utilities code, or any
other Federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur
Indebtedness.

     5.14 Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks and Licenses, etc. The Borrowers or
their Restricted Subsidiaries own or are licensed or otherwise have the right to
use all of the patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights,
contractual franchises, authorizations and other rights that are reasonably
necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without, to the best
knowledge of the Borrowers, conflict with the rights of any other Person. Except
as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.5, to the best knowledge of the
Borrowers: (i) no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method,
substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be
employed, by the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower infringes
upon any rights held by any other Person; and (ii) no claim or litigation
regarding any of the

                                      -74-
<PAGE>   81

foregoing is pending or threatened, and no patent, invention, device,
application, principle or any statute, law, rule, regulation, standard or code
is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers, proposed, which, in either
case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     5.15 Subsidiaries. As of the Closing Date, the Borrowers have no
Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in part (a) of Schedule
5.15 and have no equity investments in any other corporation or entity other
than those specifically disclosed in part (b) of Schedule 5.15.

     5.16 Insurance. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.16, the
properties of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries are insured with financially
sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of a Borrower, in such
amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily
carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties
in localities where the Borrowers or such Subsidiaries operate.

     5.17 Solvency. Each Borrower, the Parent and each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries are Solvent.

     5.18 Full Disclosure. None of the representations or warranties made by the
Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Borrower in the Credit Documents as
of the date such representations and warranties are made or deemed made, and
none of the statements contained in any exhibit, report, statement or
certificate furnished by or on behalf of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary in
connection with the Credit Documents (including the offering and disclosure
materials delivered by or on behalf of a Borrower to the Lenders prior to the
Closing Date), contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not
misleading as of the time when made or delivered.

     5.19 Eligible Borrower Representations. Each Eligible Borrower joined as a
party hereto subsequent to the Closing Date shall be deemed by the execution and
delivery of its Election to Participate to have represented and warranted as of
the date thereof that:

          (a)  It is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and is a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company;

          (b)  The execution and delivery by it of its Credit Documents, and the
performance by it of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it
is a party are within its corporate powers; have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action; require no action by or in respect of, or filing
with, any governmental body, agency or official which would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                                      -75-
<PAGE>   82

except to the extent obtained or made prior to the date of the execution and
delivery of the Election to Participate do not contravene the terms of its
Organization Documents, do not conflict with or result in any breach or
contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, any document evidencing any
Contractual Obligation to which it is a party which conflict or breach would
reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, or any order,
injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority to which it or its
property is subject; and do not violate any Requirement of Law;

          (c)  This Agreement and each other Credit Document to which it is a
party constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Eligible
Borrower, enforceable against such Eligible Borrower in accordance with their
terms, except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

     5.20 Foreign Taxes. Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.20 or in an Election
to Participate, to the knowledge of the Company after due inquiry, there is no
income, stamp or other tax of any country, or any taxing authority thereof or
therein, in the nature of withholding or otherwise, which is imposed on any
payment to be made by any Borrower pursuant hereto or on any of its Notes, or is
imposed on or by virtue of the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement
of its Obligations or any of its Notes.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                             AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

          So long as any Lender shall have a Commitment hereunder, or any Credit
Extension or other Obligation (other than Obligations with respect to
indemnification hereunder not due and payable) shall remain outstanding, unpaid
or unsatisfied, unless the Required Lenders waive compliance in writing:

     6.1  Financial Statements. The Company shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent (which shall furnish to each Lender in a timely manner):

          (a)  as soon as available, but not later than one hundred twenty days
after the end of each fiscal year, a copy of the audited consolidated balance
sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the
related consolidated statements of income and operations, shareholders' equity
and cash flows for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
figures for the previous fiscal year, and accompanied by the opinion of Arthur
Andersen LLP or another nationally-recognized independent public accounting firm
("Independent Auditor") which report shall state that such consolidated
financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial
position and the results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries for
the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with
prior years. Such opinion shall not be qualified or limited because of a
restricted or limited examination by

                                      -76-
<PAGE>   83

the Independent Auditor of any material portion of the Parent's or any of its
Subsidiaries' records;

          (b)  as soon as available, but not later than 60 days after the end of
each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year, a copy of the
unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries as of
the end of such quarter and the related consolidated statements of income,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for the period commencing on the first day
of such year and ending on the last day of such quarter, and certified by a
Responsible Officer of the Parent as fairly presenting, in all material respects
and in accordance with GAAP (subject to ordinary, good faith year-end audit
adjustments and the absence of required footnotes), the financial position and
the results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries; and

          (c)  if the Company has established any Unrestricted Subsidiaries,
consolidated statements delivered pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) shall be
accompanied by a balance sheet as of such date, and a statement of income and
cash flows for such period, reflecting on a combined basis, for Restricted
Subsidiaries and on a combined basis for Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the
consolidating entries for each of such types of Subsidiaries (provided, in the
event that the designation of any Subsidiary as Restricted or Unrestricted had
been changed at any time during such period, such information shall be delivered
on a pro forma basis as if such Subsidiary had its status as a Restricted or
Unrestricted Subsidiary as of the end of any period for the full period of four
fiscal quarters and all financial calculations hereunder from and after the date
of such change as stated shall be made on such basis).

     6.2  Certificates; Other Information. The Company shall furnish to the
Administrative Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender:

          (a)  concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in Section 6.1(a), a certificate of the Independent Auditor stating
that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of
any Default or Event of Default relating to financial matters, except as
specified in such certificate;

          (b)  concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in Sections 6.1(a) and (b), a Compliance Certificate executed by a
Responsible Officer;

          (c)  promptly, copies of all financial statements and reports that the
Parent sends to its shareholders, and copies of all financial statements and
regular, periodical or special reports (including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K) that
the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries may make to, or file with, the SEC; and

          (d)  promptly, such additional information regarding the business,
financial or corporate affairs of the Company or the Parent or any of its
Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent, at the request of any Lender, may from
time to time reasonably request.

                                      -77-
<PAGE>   84

     6.3  Notices. Each Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent:

          (a)  of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default; (b) of (i)
any breach or non-performance of, or any default under, any Contractual
Obligation of such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which would reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) any dispute,
litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension which may exist at any time
between such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority
which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

          (b)  of the commencement of, or any material development in, any
litigation or proceeding affecting such Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) in which
damages are claimed or injunctive or similar relief is sought and which, if
adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, or (ii) in which the relief sought is an injunction or other stay of the
performance of this Agreement or any other Credit Document;

          (c)  upon, but in no event later than 10 days after, becoming aware of
(i) any enforcement, cleanup, removal or other governmental or regulatory
actions instituted, completed or threatened in writing against such Borrower or
any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties pursuant to any applicable
Environmental Laws where such action would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, (ii) all other Environmental Claims that would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) any
environmental or similar condition on any real property adjoining or in the
vicinity of the property of such Borrower or any Subsidiary that could
reasonably be anticipated to cause such property of such Borrower or any
Subsidiary or any part thereof to be subject to any material restrictions on the
ownership, occupancy, transferability or use of such property under any
Environmental Laws;

          (d)  of any other litigation or proceeding affecting such Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries which such Borrower would be required to report to the
SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, within four days after reporting the same to
the SEC;

          (e)  of the occurrence of any of the following events affecting such
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate (but in no event more than 10 days after such
event), and deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender a copy of any
notice with respect to such event that is filed with a Governmental Authority
and any notice delivered by a Governmental Authority to the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate with respect to such event:

               (i)   an ERISA Event;

               (ii)  a material increase in the Unfunded Pension Liability of
any Pension Plan;

                                      -78-
<PAGE>   85

               (iii) the adoption of, or the commencement of contributions to,
any Plan subject to section 412 of the Code by the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate; or

               (iv)  the adoption of any amendment to a Plan subject to section
412 of the Code, if such amendment results in a material increase in
contributions or Unfunded Pension Liability;

          (f)  of any material change in accounting policies or financial
reporting practices by the Company or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries;

          (g)  of the entry by such Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries into any
Specified Swap Contract, together with the details thereof;

          (h)  of the occurrence of any default, event of default, termination
event or other event under any Specified Swap Contract that after the giving of
notice, passage of time or both, would permit either counterparty to such
Specified Swap Contract to terminate early any or all trades relating to such
contract; and

          (i)  upon the request from time to time of the Administrative Agent,
the Swap Termination Values, together with a description of the method by which
such amounts were determined, relating to any then-outstanding Swap Contracts to
which such Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is party.

          Each notice under this Section 6.3 shall be accompanied by a written
statement by a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence
referred to therein, and stating what action such Borrower or any affected
Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto and at what time. Each notice
under Section 6.3(a) shall describe with particularity any and all clauses or
provisions of this Agreement or other Credit Document that have been breached or
violated.

     6.4  Preservation of Corporate Existence, etc. Each Borrower shall, and
shall cause each Subsidiary of such Borrower to:

          (a)  preserve and maintain in full force and effect its existence and
good standing under the laws of its state or jurisdiction of incorporation,
organization or formation;

          (b)  preserve and maintain in full force and effect all governmental
rights, privileges, qualifications, permits, licenses and franchises necessary
in the normal conduct of its business except in connection with transactions not
prohibited by Section 7.3 and sales of assets not prohibited by Section 7.2; and

          (c)  preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks,
trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which would reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -79-
<PAGE>   86

     6.5  Maintenance of Property. Each Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause
each Subsidiary to maintain, and preserve all its property which is used or
useful in its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and
tear and damage by casualty excepted and make all necessary repairs thereto and
renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     6.6  Insurance. Each Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to maintain, with financially sound and reputable independent
insurers, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or
damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same
or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily
carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons, including workers'
compensation insurance, public liability and property and casualty insurance,
which amount shall not be reduced by a Borrower in the absence of thirty days'
prior notice to the Administrative Agent. Upon request of the Administrative
Agent or any Lender, each Borrower shall furnish the Administrative Agent, with
sufficient copies for each Lender, at reasonable intervals (but not more than
once per calendar year) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrowers
(and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, any insurance broker of the
Borrowers) setting forth the nature and extent of all insurance maintained by
each Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with this Section (and which,
in the case of a certificate of a broker, was placed through such broker).

     6.7  Payment of Obligations. Each Borrower shall, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to, pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all
their respective obligations and liabilities, including:

          (a)  all (x) federal and other material tax liabilities, assessments
and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, and (y)
all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its
property, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained
by such Borrower or such Subsidiary; and

          (b)  all indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any
subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing
such Indebtedness.

     6.8  Compliance with Laws. Each Borrower shall comply, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all Requirements of Law of
any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or its business
(including the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act), except (a) such as may be
contested in good faith or as to which a bona fide dispute may exist or (b)
where such noncompliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                                      -80-
<PAGE>   87

     6.9  Compliance with ERISA. Each Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) maintain each Plan in compliance in all material
respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or
state law; (b) cause each Plan which is qualified under section 401(a) of the
Code to maintain such qualification; and (c) make all required contributions to
any Plan subject to section 412 of the Code.

     6.10 Inspection of Property and Books and Records. Each Borrower shall
maintain and shall cause each Subsidiary to maintain proper books of record and
account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP
consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters
involving the assets and business of such Borrower and such Subsidiary. Each
Borrower shall permit, and shall cause each Subsidiary to permit,
representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender to visit and inspect any of their respective properties, to examine their
respective corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof
or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss their respective affairs, finances and
accounts with their respective directors, officers, and independent public
accountants, at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often
as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to such Borrower;
provided when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender
may do any of the foregoing at the expense of such Borrower at any time during
normal business hours and without advance notice.

     6.11 Environmental Laws.

          (a)  Each Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary to, conduct
its operations and keep and maintain its property in compliance with all
Environmental Laws except for such noncompliance that would not (if enforced in
accordance with applicable law) reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

          (b)  Upon the written request of the Administrative Agent or any
Lender, each Borrower shall submit, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to
submit, to the Administrative Agent with sufficient copies for each Lender, at
such Borrower's sole cost and expense, at reasonable intervals, a report
providing an update of the status of any environmental, health or safety
compliance, hazard or liability issue identified in any notice or report
required pursuant to Section 6.3(c), that would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

     6.12 Use of Proceeds. Each Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans,
for working capital, Capital Expenditures, and other general corporate purposes,
not in contravention of any Requirement of Law or of any Credit Document.

                                      -81-

<PAGE>   88

     6.13 Further Assurances.

          (a)  Each Borrower shall ensure that all written information, exhibits
and reports furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders do not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact and do not omit to state any material
fact or any fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances in which made, and will promptly
disclose to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and correct any defect or
error that may be discovered therein or in any Credit Document or in the
execution, acknowledgement or recordation thereof.

          (b)  Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent or the Required
Lenders, each Borrower shall (and shall cause any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to) execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register
and re-register, do any and all such further acts, deeds, conveyances, security
agreements, mortgages, assignments, estoppel certificates, financing statements
and continuations thereof, termination statements, notices of assignment,
transfers, certificates, assurances and other instruments the Administrative
Agent or such Lenders, as the case may be, may reasonably require from time to
time in order (i) to carry out more effectively the purposes of this Agreement
or any other Credit Document, and (ii) to better assure, convey, grant, assign,
transfer, preserve, protect and confirm to the Administrative Agent and Lenders
the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Lenders
under any Credit Document or under any other document executed in connection
therewith.

          (c)  Each Borrower shall cause each Domestic Subsidiary that is not an
Unrestricted Subsidiary and each Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted
Subsidiary that is a Material Subsidiary but is not a Foreign 956 Subsidiary
which, is either acquired or formed after the Closing Date to enter into the
Guaranty; provided, that immediately upon designation by the Company of a
Subsidiary as Unrestricted, such Guaranty shall terminate with respect to such
Domestic Subsidiary.

          (d)  At the request of the Administrative Agent, Finance Subsidiary
shall deliver a duly executed letter from US Corporation System in New York, New
York (or such other agent to receive service of process in New York, New York
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), indicating US Corporation
System's or such other agent's consent to its appointment by the Finance
Subsidiary as Finance Subsidiary's agent to receive service of process.

                                  ARTICLE VII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

          So long as any Lender shall have any Revolving Commitment hereunder,
or any Loan or other Obligation (other than Obligations with respect to
indemnification hereunder not due and payable) shall remain outstanding, unpaid
or unsatisfied, unless the Required Lenders waive compliance in writing:

                                      -82-
<PAGE>   89

     7.1  Limitation on Liens; Negative Pledge. The Company shall not, and shall
not suffer or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make,
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any
part of its property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the
following (collectively, the "Permitted Liens"):

          (a)  any Lien existing on property of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 7.1 securing
Indebtedness outstanding on such date;

          (b)  any Lien created under any Credit Document;

          (c)  Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges
which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty, or to the extent
that non-payment thereof is permitted by Section 6.7, provided that no notice of
lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;

          (d)  carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', landlords', materialmen's,
repairmen's or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business
which are not delinquent or remain payable without penalty or which are being
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have
the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property subject thereto;

          (e)  Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) consisting of
pledges or deposits required in the ordinary course of business in connection
with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security
legislation;

          (f)  Liens on the property of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries securing (i) the non-delinquent performance of bids, trade
contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases, licenses and statutory
obligations, (ii) contingent obligations on surety and appeal bonds, and (iii)
other non-delinquent obligations of a like nature; in each case, incurred in the
ordinary course of business, provided all such Liens in the aggregate would not
(even if enforced) cause a Material Adverse Effect;

          (g)  Liens consisting of judgment or judicial attachment liens,
provided that the enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and all such
Liens in the aggregate at any time outstanding for the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries do not exceed $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in other
currencies);

          (h)  easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business which, in the
aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case
materially detract from the current use of the property subject thereto or
interfere with the ordinary conduct of the businesses of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries;

                                      -83-
<PAGE>   90

          (i)  Liens on assets of Persons which become Restricted Subsidiaries
after the Closing Date, provided that (i) such Liens existed at the time the
respective Persons became Subsidiaries and were not created in anticipation
thereof and (ii) the aggregate Dollar Equivalent of Indebtedness secured by such
Liens, together with Indebtedness secured by Liens, permitted by Section 7.1(j)
shall not exceed 10% of Net Worth measured at the time of the incurrence of the
Lien.

          (j)  Liens (including Liens in respect of capital leases) on any
property acquired or held by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business, securing Indebtedness incurred or assumed for the
purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring such property,
provided that (i) any such Lien attaches to such property concurrently with or
within 20 days after the acquisition thereof, (ii) such Lien attaches solely to
the property so acquired in such transaction, (iii) the principal amount of the
debt secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of such property, and (iv)
the aggregate Dollar Equivalent principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by
any and all such Liens, together with Indebtedness permitted under Section
7.5(e), shall not exceed 10% of Net Worth measured at the time of the incurrence
of the Lien;

          (k)  Liens on assets subject to capital or operating leases securing
obligations in respect of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback
Transaction permitted by Section 7.9;

          (l)  Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law
provision relating to banker's liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and
remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor
depository institution, provided that (i) such deposit account is not a
dedicated cash collateral account and is not subject to restrictions against
access by the Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by
the FRB, and (ii) such deposit account is not intended by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution;

          (m)  Liens arising in connection with any Permitted Receivables
Purchase Facility;

          (n)  Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.5(g), provided
that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness secured by such Liens does not exceed
10% of Net Worth measured at the time of the incurrence of the Lien;

          (o)  Liens of any landlord with respect to leased real property of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of
business for sums not overdue or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have
been set aside on the books of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the
case may be;

          (p)  Liens on Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.5(e), provided
that (i) any such Lien attaches to such property concurrently with or within 20
days after

                                      -84-
<PAGE>   91

the acquisition thereof and (ii) such Lien attaches solely to the property so
acquired in such transaction; and

          (q)  Liens of the Company not included in clauses (a) through (p)
above, provided that the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness secured
by Liens permitted under this clause (p) shall not at any time exceed
$25,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies).

     7.2  Disposition of Assets. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, sell, assign,
lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of (whether in one or a series of
transactions) any property (including accounts and notes receivable, with or
without recourse) or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing,
except:

          (a)  dispositions of inventory, or used, obsolete, uneconomic,
worn-out or surplus equipment or intellectual property, all in the ordinary
course of business;

          (b)  the sale of equipment to the extent that such equipment is
exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement
equipment, or the proceeds of such sale are reasonably promptly applied to the
purchase price of such replacement equipment;

          (c)  dispositions of Permitted Receivables pursuant to Permitted
Receivables Purchase Facilities;

          (d)  sales, transfers and leases between the Company and any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or between any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and
another of its Restricted Subsidiaries for book value;

          (e)  licenses or leases of property in the ordinary course of
business;

          (f)  Investments permitted pursuant to Section 7.4;

          (g)  discounts of accounts receivable by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of collection;

          (h)  the transactions set forth on Schedule 7.2; and

          (i)  dispositions not otherwise permitted hereunder which are made for
fair market value; provided that (i) at the time of any disposition, no Event of
Default shall exist or shall result from such disposition, (ii) the aggregate
sales price from such disposition shall be paid in cash, and (iii) the aggregate
value of all assets so sold by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
together, in any fiscal year shall not exceed 10% of the Consolidated Tangible
Assets for such fiscal year measured as of the date of the last

                                      -85-
<PAGE>   92

such sale at any time in such fiscal year based on the last financial statements
delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 6.1.

     7.3  Consolidations and Mergers. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, merge, consolidate with or into,
or convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction
or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether
now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except:

          (a)  any Subsidiary may merge with the Company, provided that the
Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, or with any one or
more Restricted Subsidiaries, and provided, further, that if any transaction
shall be between a Subsidiary and a Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the
Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation;

          (b)  any Restricted Subsidiary may sell all or substantially all of
0its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution or otherwise), to the
Company or another Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary;

          (c)  the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make Permitted
Acquisitions; and

          (d)  transactions permitted under Section 7.2.

     7.4  Loans and Investments. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make, or make any commitment to make, any
Investment in any Person, including any Affiliate of the Company, except for:

          (a)  Temporary Cash Investments held by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary;

          (b)  extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or
notes receivable arising from the sale or lease of goods or services in the
ordinary course of business;

          (c)  additional Investments in any Restricted Subsidiary which is
consolidated with the Company in accordance with GAAP (other than an Investment
in connection with an Acquisition which shall be governed by Section 7.4(d));

          (d)  Investments incurred in order to consummate Permitted
Acquisitions to the extent such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;

                                      -86-

<PAGE>   93

          (e) Investments in Permitted Unconsolidated Ventures in an aggregate
amount outstanding at any time not to exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets
(or its equivalent in other currencies) measured at the time of such Investment;

          (f) Investments constituting Permitted Swap Obligations or payments or
advances under Swap Contracts relating to Permitted Swap Obligations;

          (g) repurchases of capital stock of the Parent owned by employees or
directors of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries at book or fair market
value;

          (h) Capital Expenditures;

          (i) Foreign Cash Investments held by any Foreign Subsidiary;

          (j) securities of customers or suppliers acquired by the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the bankruptcy or reorganization
of such customers or suppliers;

          (k) loans to employees, officers or directors of the Company or of any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries for the purpose of purchasing capital stock of
the Parent;

          (l) deposits to secure the performance of leases or to obtain goods
and services;

          (m) any Investments made as of the Closing Date and set forth on
Schedule 7.4; and

          (n) in addition to the Investments permitted by clauses (a) through
(m), Investments (including Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries) not to
exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible Assets (or its equivalent in other
currencies) in the aggregate at any time measured at the time of such
Investment.

     7.5  Limitation on Indebtedness. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume, suffer to
exist, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect
to, any Indebtedness, except:

          (a) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement;

          (b) Indebtedness consisting of Contingent Obligations permitted
pursuant to Section 7.8;

          (c) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and set forth in
Schedule 7.5(c);

                                      -87-
<PAGE>   94

          (d) Indebtedness incurred in connection with leases permitted pursuant
to Section 7.9,

          (e) Assumed Indebtedness (and any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof)
incurred in Permitted Acquisitions and Indebtedness incurred which is secured by
Liens permitted by Section 7.1(j) (and any Refinancing Indebtedness thereof),
provided that the aggregate outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness
permitted by Section 7.1(j) when secured, together with (and without
duplication) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness permitted to be outstanding
under this Section 7.5(e), when incurred, shall not exceed 10% of Net Worth;
provided, however, that the Company and its Subsidiaries may also incur Assumed
Indebtedness of up to $25,000,000 consisting of obligations with respect to
industrial revenue bonds relating to property acquired after the Closing Date;

          (f) Permitted Additional Indebtedness;

          (g) Indebtedness incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as follows:

              (i)  the Existing IRBs; or

              (ii) in addition to the Indebtedness permitted pursuant to
Sections 7.5 (a) through (j), Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Section
7.5(g)(ii) by all Restricted Subsidiaries together not to exceed 15% of Net
Worth (or its equivalent in other currencies) measured at the time of the
incurrence of such Indebtedness, provided that such Indebtedness, after giving
effect to the creation, assumption or incurrence of which, would not constitute
a Default or Event of Default, provided, further, that the aggregate outstanding
Indebtedness incurred by any one Restricted Subsidiary at any time shall not
exceed 5% of Net Worth measured at the time of the incurrence of such
Indebtedness, and provided, further, that the aggregate outstanding Indebtedness
incurred by the Domestic Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries together
at any time shall not exceed 7.5% of Net Worth measured at the time of the
incurrence of such Indebtedness;

          (h) notes, securities and instruments issued by the Company in
connection with a Permitted Acquisition;

          (i) Investments (to the extent that such Investments constitute
Indebtedness) permitted by Section 7.4(c);

          (j) Indebtedness of the Company constituting the Senior Notes and
guarantees thereof by any Guarantor; and

          (k) Refinancing Indebtedness that refinances Indebtedness described in
clauses (c), (h), (i) and (j) above.

                                      -88-
<PAGE>   95

     7.6  Transactions with Affiliates. The Company shall not, and shall not
suffer or permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any transaction with
any Affiliate of the Company, except upon fair and reasonable terms no less
favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than would obtain in a
comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (a) the Company may pay
reasonable management and consulting fees and out-of-pocket expenses relating
thereto to Hidden Creek Industries, and (b) the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may enter into transactions relating to any Permitted Receivables
Purchase Facility.

     7.7  Use of Proceeds.

          (a) The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any
Subsidiary to, (i) use any portion of the Loan proceeds or any Letter of Credit
directly or indirectly, for "purchasing" or "carrying" "Margin Stock" (within
the respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation U of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as now and from time to time
hereafter in effect) in a manner which violates, or which would be inconsistent
with, the provisions of Regulations U or X of such Board of Governors or (ii)
enter into or consummate any Acquisition (other than Permitted Acquisitions).

          (b) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, use any portion of
the Loan proceeds or any Letter of Credit (i) knowingly to purchase Ineligible
Securities from the Lead Arranger and Book Manager during any period in which
the Lead Arranger and Book Manager make a market in such Ineligible Securities,
(ii) knowingly to purchase during the underwriting or placement period
Ineligible Securities being underwritten or privately placed by the Lead
Arranger and Book Manager, or (iii) to make payments of principal or interest on
Ineligible Securities underwritten or privately placed by the Lead Arranger and
Book Manager and issued by or for the benefit of the Company or any Affiliate of
the Company. The Lead Arranger and Book Manager is a registered broker-dealer
and permitted to underwrite and deal in certain Ineligible Securities; and
"Ineligible Securities" means securities which may not be underwritten or dealt
in by member banks of the Federal Reserve System under Section 16 of the Banking
Act of 1933 (12 U.S.C. ss. 24, Seventh).

          (c) The Company shall not use the proceeds of any Revolving Loan to
make any voluntary prepayment of any Term Loan.

     7.8  Contingent Obligations. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Contingent Obligations except:

          (a) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business;

                                      -89-
<PAGE>   96

          (b) Permitted Swap Obligations;

          (c) Contingent Obligations of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries existing as of the Closing Date and listed in Schedule 7.8;

          (d) Letters of Credit;

          (e) Contingent Obligations with respect to Surety Instruments (other
than Letters of Credit) incurred in the ordinary course of business and not
exceeding at any time $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) in the
aggregate in respect of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

          (f) ordinary course indemnity provisions in any agreement,
undertaking, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument,
document or agreement to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
is a party;

          (g) Guaranty Obligations (i) of the Company with respect to the
obligations of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (ii) of any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries with respect to the obligations of another of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or (iii) of Domestic Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries
or Restricted Foreign Subsidiaries that are Material Subsidiaries but not
Foreign 956 Subsidiaries with respect to the obligations of the Company;

          (h) Guaranty Obligations of (i) the Company, (ii) Domestic
Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) Restricted Foreign
Subsidiaries that are Material Subsidiaries but not Foreign 956 Subsidiaries, in
each case with respect to obligations of the Parent under any Approved Parent
Debt and, in the case of subordinated Approved Parent Debt, where such Guaranty
Obligations are similarly subordinated to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Administrative Agent, and only where such Person has executed and delivered a
Guaranty to the Administrative Agent; and

          (i) Guaranty Obligations constituting Investments in Unrestricted
Subsidiaries to the extent such Investment is permitted by Section 10.20.

     7.9  Sale-Leasebacks. The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to lease any property as lessee in connection with a Sale
and Leaseback Transaction entered into after the Closing Date except:

          (a) Sale and Leaseback Transactions of real property where the
Attributable Debt with respect thereto does not exceed $75,000,000, provided,
however, to the extent such Attributable Debt would not be permitted under
clause (b) below, such Attributable Debt shall be deemed to be Consolidated
Debt; and

                                      -90-
<PAGE>   97

          (b) Sale and Leaseback Transactions where the Attributable Debt for
such Sale and Leaseback Transactions and for all Sale and Leaseback Transactions
so entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries permitted
solely under this Section 7.9(b) does not exceed 10% of Net Worth.

     7.10 Lease Obligations. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or suffer to exist any obligations
for the payment of rent for any property under lease or agreement to lease,
except for:

          (a) leases of the Company and of Restricted Subsidiaries in existence
on the Closing Date and any renewal, extension or refinancing thereof;

          (b) operating leases entered into by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary after the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business;

          (c) leases entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
after the Closing Date pursuant to sale-leaseback transactions otherwise
permitted under Sections 7.2 and 7.9;

          (d) capital leases other than those permitted under clauses (a) and
(c) of this Section 7.10, entered into by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary after the Closing Date in the ordinary course of business; and

          (e) leases assumed by the Company or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition.

     7.11 Restricted Payments. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, declare or make any dividend payment or
other distribution of assets, properties, cash, rights, obligations or
securities on account of any shares of any class of its capital stock, or
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (other than at
maturity) any Subordinated Indebtedness or any shares of its capital stock or
any warrants, rights or options to acquire such shares, now or hereafter
outstanding (each a "Restricted Payment"; except that (i) any Wholly-Owned
Restricted Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other
distributions to the Company or to another Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary;
and (ii) the Company and any Wholly-Owned Restricted Subsidiary may:

          (a) declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable
solely in its common stock;

          (b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common stock
or warrants or options to acquire any such shares with the proceeds received
from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock;

                                      -91-
<PAGE>   98

          (c) (i) purchase shares of the capital stock of the Parent, and (ii)
declare or pay cash dividends to the Parent in an aggregate amount equal to
$125,000,000 in the aggregate, provided that immediately after giving effect to
any such proposed action, no Default or Event of Default would exist;

          (d) declare and pay dividends to the Parent to be used to pay taxes
and other expenses of the Parent, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on
a consolidated basis; and

          (e) declare and pay Debt Service Dividends.

     7.12 ERISA. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or permit any of
its ERISA Affiliates to: (a) engage in a prohibited transaction or violation of
the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan which has resulted
or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Company in an
aggregate amount in excess of 10% of Net Worth; or (b) engage in a transaction
that could be subject to section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

     7.13 Change in Business. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any material line of business
substantially different from those lines of business carried on by the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the date hereof and businesses related
thereto.

     7.14 Accounting Changes. The Company shall not, and shall not suffer or
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any significant change in accounting
treatment or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP, or change the
fiscal year of the Company or of any Restricted Subsidiary.

     7.15 Financial Condition. The Company shall not permit:

          (a) the Interest Coverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter
for the Reference Period then ended to be less than the applicable ratio set
forth against the applicable period below:

                   Period
                   ------
          From                To                    Minimum Ratio
          ----                --                    -------------

          Closing Date        6/29/01               2.75 to 1.00
          6/30/01             6/29/02               3.00 to 1.00
          6/30/02             6/29/03               3.25 to 1.00
          6/30/03             6/29/04               3.50 to 1.00
          6/30/04             and thereafter        3.75 to 1.00

                                      -92-
<PAGE>   99

          (b) the Leverage Ratio on the last day of any fiscal quarter for the
Reference Period then ended to be more than the applicable ratio set forth
against the applicable period below:

                   Period
                   ------
          From                To                    Maximum Ratio
          ----                --                    -------------

          Closing Date        6/29/01               4.25 to 1.00
          6/30/01             6/29/02               4.00 to 1.00
          6/30/02             6/29/03               3.75 to 1.00
          6/30/03             6/29/04               3.50 to 1.00
          6/30/04             and thereafter        3.25 to 1.00

     7.16 Limitations on Negative Pledges. From and after the Closing Date, the
Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to,
enter into any agreement containing any provision that would be violated or
breached by any of the following: (i) a pledge of the outstanding stock of any
of the Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries to secure the Obligations, (ii) a
guaranty by any of such Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries of the Obligations, or
(iii) the granting of a security interest in or Lien on any of the real or
personal property of the Company or any of its Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries
to secure the Obligations, except in any case to the extent that any provision
in Assumed Indebtedness incurred in Permitted Acquisitions after the Closing
Date prohibits or limits the ability of (x) a Restricted Subsidiary so acquired
to make such a guaranty or to grant any such security interest or mortgage, (y)
any stockholder of a Restricted Subsidiary so acquired to make such a pledge of
stock, or (z) a Restricted Subsidiary to grant any such security interest or
Lien with respect to assets so acquired; provided that such prohibitions or
limitations were not created or entered into in anticipation or contemplation of
or in connection with the acquisition of such Restricted Subsidiary.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     8.1  Event of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an "Event of
Default":

          (a) Non-Payment. The Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
fails to make, (i) when and as required to be made herein, payments of any
amount of principal of any Loan, (ii) when and as required to be paid under any
Specified Swap Contract, any payment or transfer under such Specified Swap
Contract, (iii) when and as required to be made herein, reimbursements to any LC
Issuer of amounts drawn under any Letter of Credit, or (iv) within three days
after the same becomes due, payment of any interest, fee or any other amount
payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document (other than a Specified
Swap Contract); or

                                      -93-
<PAGE>   100

          (b) Representation or Warranty. Any representation or warranty by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary made or deemed made herein, in any other
Credit Document (other than a Specified Swap Contract), or which is contained in
any certificate, document or financial or other statement by the Company, any
Restricted Subsidiary, or any Responsible Officer, furnished at any time under
this Agreement, or in or under any other Credit Document (other than a Specified
Swap Contract), is incorrect in any material respect on or as of the date made
or deemed made; or

          (c) Specific Defaults. The Company fails to perform or observe any
term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 or 6.9 or
in Article VII; or

          (d) Other Defaults. The Company (or the Parent or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries party thereto) fails to perform or observe any other
term or covenant contained in this Agreement or any other Credit Document (other
than a Specified Swap Contract), and such default shall continue unremedied for
a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date upon which a Responsible
Officer knew or reasonably should have known of such failure or (ii) the date
upon which written notice thereof is given to the Company by the Administrative
Agent or any Lender; or

          (e) Cross-Default. (i) The Parent, the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness or
Contingent Obligation having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn
committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors
under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than $10,000,000
(or its equivalent in other currencies), when due (whether by scheduled
maturity, required prepayment or offer to purchase, acceleration, demand, or
otherwise) and such failure continues after the applicable grace or notice
period, if any, specified in the relevant document on the date of such failure;
or (B) fails to perform or observe any other condition or covenant, or any other
event shall occur or condition exist, under any agreement or instrument relating
to any such Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation, and such failure continues
after the applicable grace or notice period, if any, specified in the relevant
document on the date of such failure if the effect of such failure, event or
condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness
or beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on
behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, such
Indebtedness to be declared to be due and payable prior to its stated maturity,
or such Contingent Obligation to become payable or cash collateral in respect
thereof to be demanded or to require the Company to prepay or offer to purchase
such Indebtedness; or (ii) there occurs any termination, liquidation, unwind or
similar event or circumstance under any Permitted Receivables Purchase Facility,
which permits any purchaser of receivables thereunder to cease purchasing such
receivables or to apply all collections on previously purchased receivables
thereunder to the repayment of such purchaser's interest in such previously
purchased receivables other than any such event or circumstance that arises
solely as a result of a down-grading of the credit rating of any bank or
financial

                                      -94-
<PAGE>   101

institution not affiliated with the Company that provides liquidity, credit or
other support in connection with such facility.

          (f) Insolvency; Voluntary Proceedings. The Parent or the Company or
any Material Subsidiary (i) ceases or fails to be solvent, or generally fails to
pay, or admits in writing its inability to pay, its debts as they become due,
subject to applicable grace periods, if any, whether at stated maturity or
otherwise; (ii) voluntarily ceases to conduct its business in the ordinary
course; (iii) commences any Insolvency Proceeding with respect to itself; or
(iv) takes any action to effectuate or authorize any of the foregoing; or

          (g) Involuntary Proceedings. (i) Any involuntary Insolvency Proceeding
is commenced or filed against the Parent or the Company or any Material
Subsidiary, or any writ, judgment, warrant of attachment, execution or similar
process is issued or levied against a substantial part of the Parent's, the
Company's or any Material Subsidiary's properties, and any such proceeding or
petition shall not be dismissed, or such writ, judgment, warrant of attachment,
execution or similar process shall not be released, vacated or fully bonded
within sixty days after commencement, filing or levy; (ii) the Parent or the
Company or any Material Subsidiary admits the material allegations of a petition
against it in any Insolvency Proceeding, or an order for relief (or similar
order under non-U.S. law) is ordered in any Insolvency Proceeding; or (iii) the
Parent or the Company or any Material Subsidiary acquiesces in the appointment
of a receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, mortgagee in
possession (or agent therefor), or other similar Person for itself or a
substantial portion of its property or business; or

          (h) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event shall occur with respect to a Pension
Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to
result in liability of the Company under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan,
Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of 10% of Net
Worth; or (ii) the aggregate amount of Unfunded Pension Liability among all
Pension Plans at any time exceeds 10% of Net Worth; or (iii) the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate shall fail to pay when due, after the expiration of any
applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal
liability under section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate
amount in excess of 10% of Net Worth; or

          (i) Monetary Judgments. One or more non-interlocutory judgments,
non-interlocutory orders, decrees or arbitration awards is entered against the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary involving in the aggregate a liability (to
the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the
insurer does not dispute coverage) as to any single or related series of
transactions, incidents or conditions, of $10,000,000 (or its equivalent in
other currencies) or more, and the same shall remain unvacated and unstayed
pending appeal for a period of ten days after the entry thereof; or

          (j) Non-Monetary Judgments. Any non-monetary judgment, order or decree
is entered against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which does or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be any
period of

                                      -95-
<PAGE>   102

twenty consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or
order, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

          (k) Change of Control. There occurs a Change of Control; or

          (l) Guarantor Defaults. Any Guarantor fails in any material respect to
perform or observe any material term, covenant or agreement in the Guaranty; or
the Guaranty is for any reason partially (including with respect to future
advances) or wholly revoked or invalidated, or otherwise ceases to be in full
force and effect, or any Guarantor or any other Person contests in any manner
the validity or enforceability thereof or denies that it has any further
liability or obligation thereunder; or any event described in Section 8.1(f) or
(g) occurs with respect to any Guarantor.

     8.2  Remedies. If any Event of Default occurs, the Administrative Agent
shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders:

          (a) declare the commitment of each Lending Party to make Loans to be
terminated, whereupon such commitments shall be terminated;

          (b) declare the commitment of each LC Issuer to Issue Letters of
Credit to be terminated;

          (c) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all
interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable
hereunder or under any other Credit Document to be immediately due and payable,
without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby expressly waived by each Credit Party; and

          (d) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lending Parties all rights
and remedies available to it and the Lending Parties under the Credit Documents
or applicable law;

provided that upon the occurrence of any event specified in clause (f) or (g) of
Section 8.1 (in the case of subclause (i) of clause (g) upon the expiration of
the sixty-day period mentioned therein), the obligation of each Lending Party to
make Loans or Issue Letters of Credit shall automatically terminate and the
unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other
amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable without further
act of the Administrative Agent or any Lending Party.

     8.3  Specified Swap Contract Remedies. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Article VIII, each Swap Provider shall have the right, with
prior notice to the Administrative Agent, but without the approval or consent of
the Administrative Agent or the other Lenders, with respect to any Specified
Swap Contract of such Swap Provider, (a) to declare an event of default,
termination event or other similar event thereunder and

                                      -96-
<PAGE>   103

to create an Early Termination Date (as specified in such Specified Swap
Contract), (b) to determine net termination amounts in accordance with the terms
of such Specified Swap Contracts and to set off amounts between Specified Swap
Contracts, and (c) to prosecute any legal action against the Company or its
Subsidiary to enforce net amounts owing to such Swap Provider.

     8.4  Rights Not Exclusive. The rights provided for in this Agreement
and the other Credit Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other
rights, powers, privileges or remedies provided by law or in equity, or under
any other instrument, document or agreement now existing or hereafter arising.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                            THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     9.1  Appointment and Authorization; "Administrative Agent". Each
Lending Party hereby irrevocably (subject to Section 9.9) appoints, designates
and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action on its behalf under
the provisions of this Agreement and each other Credit Document and to exercise
such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the
terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, together with such powers
as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document,
the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except
those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Administrative Agent have or be
deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied
covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall
be read into this Agreement or any other Credit Document or otherwise exist
against the Administrative Agent. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing sentence, the use of the term "agent" in this Agreement with reference
to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other
implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable
law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is
intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between
independent contracting parties.

     9.2  Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may execute any of
its duties under this Agreement or any other Credit Document by or through
agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of
counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Administrative
Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or
attorney-in-fact that it selects with reasonable care.

     9.3  Liability of Administrative Agent. None of the Agent-Related
Persons shall (i) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any
of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document
or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own bad faith, gross
negligence or willful

                                      -97-
<PAGE>   104

misconduct), or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any Lending Party for any
recital, statement, representation or warranty made by the Company or any
Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, or any officer thereof, contained in
this Agreement or in any other Credit Document, or in any certificate, report,
statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the
Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other
Credit Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or
sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, or for any failure
of the Company or any other party to any Credit Document to perform its
obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent-Related Person shall be under any
obligation to any Lending Party to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance
or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this
Agreement, except delivery of the items required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.1, or any other Credit Document, or
to inspect the properties, books or records of the Company or any of the
Company's Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

     9.4  Reliance by Administrative Agent.

          (a) The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be
fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile, telex or telephone message,
statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons,
and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the
Company), independent accountants and other experts selected by the
Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in
failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Credit
Document unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the
Required Lenders (or to the extent required by this Agreement, all of the
Lenders) as it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall first be
indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and
expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take
any such action. The Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully protected
in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other
Credit Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Required Lenders
(or to the extent required by this Agreement, all of the Lenders) and such
request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding
upon all of the Lenders.

          (b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions
specified in Section 4.1, each Lender that has executed this Agreement shall be
deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each
document or other matter either sent by the Administrative Agent to such Lender
for consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be
consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lender.

     9.5  Notice of Default. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to
have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default,
except with respect to defaults in the payment of principal, interest and fees
required to be paid to the

                                      -98-
<PAGE>   105

Administrative Agent for the account of the Lending Parties, unless the
Administrative Agent shall have received written notice from a Lending Party or
the Company referring to this Agreement, describing such Default or Event of
Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default." The
Administrative Agent will notify the Lending Parties of its receipt of any such
notice. The Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such
Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Required Lenders in
accordance with Article VIII; provided that unless and until the Administrative
Agent has received any such request, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not
be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable or in the
best interest of the Lending Parties.

     9.6  Credit Decision. Each Lending Party acknowledges that none of the
Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no
act by the Administrative Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the
affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to constitute any
representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lending Party.
Each Lending Party represents to the Administrative Agent that it has,
independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own
appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations,
property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of the Borrowers,
and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to the transactions
contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and
to extend credit to the Borrowers hereunder. Each Lending Party also represents
that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person
and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the
time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in
taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents,
and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the
business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and
creditworthiness of the Borrowers. Except for notices, reports and other
documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lending Parties by
the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or
responsibility to provide any Lending Party with any credit or other information
concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other
condition or creditworthiness of the Borrowers which may come into the
possession of any of the Agent-Related Persons.

     9.7  Indemnification of Administrative Agent. Whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Lenders shall indemnify
upon demand the Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on
behalf of the Company and without limiting the obligation of the Company to do
so), according to their respective ratable share, from and against any and all
Indemnified Liabilities; provided that no Lender shall be liable for the payment
to the Agent-Related Persons of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities to
the extent resulting from such Persons' bad faith, gross negligence or willful
misconduct. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse the
Administrative Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any costs or
out-of-pocket expenses (including Attorney Costs) incurred by the Administrative
Agent

                                      -99-
<PAGE>   106

in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, modification, amendment
or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise)
of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this
Agreement, any other Credit Document, or any document contemplated by or
referred to herein, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not
reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Company. The undertaking in
this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the
resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent.

     9.8  Administrative Agent in Individual Capacity. BofA and its
Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept
deposits from, acquire equity interests in and generally engage in any kind of
banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting or other business with the
Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates as though BofA were not the
Administrative Agent hereunder and without notice to or consent of the Lending
Parties. The Lending Parties acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, BofA
or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Company or its
Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality
obligations in favor of the Company or such Subsidiary) and acknowledge that the
Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to
them. With respect to its Loans, BofA shall have the same rights and powers
under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it
were not the Administrative Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders" include
BofA in its individual capacity.

     9.9  Successor Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may
resign as Administrative Agent upon thirty days' notice to the Lending Parties.
If the Administrative Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders
shall appoint from among the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders which
successor agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company. If no successor
agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of the
Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may appoint, after consulting
with the Lenders and the Company, a successor agent from among the Lenders. Upon
the acceptance of its appointment as successor agent hereunder, such successor
agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring
Administrative Agent and the term "Administrative Agent" shall mean such
successor agent and the retiring Administrative Agent's appointment, powers and
duties as Administrative Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent, the
provisions of this Article IX and Sections 10.4 and 10.5 shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was
Administrative Agent under this Agreement. If no successor agent has accepted
appointment as Administrative Agent by the date which is 30 days following a
retiring Administrative Agent's notice of resignation, the retiring
Administrative Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective
and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent
hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor
Administrative Agent as provided for above.

     9.10 Withholding Tax. (a) If any Lender is a "foreign corporation,
partnership or trust" within the meaning of the Code and such Lender claims
exemption from, or a

                                     -100-
<PAGE>   107

reduction of, U.S. withholding tax under sections 1441 or 1442 of the Code, such
Lender agrees with and in favor of the Administrative Agent, to deliver to the
Administrative Agent:

               (i) if such Lender claims an exemption from, or a reduction of,
withholding tax under a United States tax treaty, two properly completed and
executed copies of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8IMY prior to the Closing Date
(or after accepting an assignment of an interest herein) and before the payment
of any interest in each third succeeding calendar year during which interest may
be paid under this Agreement;

               (ii) if such Lender claims that interest paid under this
Agreement is exempt from United States withholding tax because it is effectively
connected with a United States trade or business of such Lender two properly
completed and executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor form), before
the payment of any interest is due in the first taxable year of such Lender and
in each succeeding taxable year of such Lender during which interest may be paid
under this Agreement; and

               (iii) such other form or forms as may be required under the Code
or other laws of the United States as a condition to exemption from, or
reduction of, United States withholding tax.

Such Lender agrees to promptly notify the Administrative Agent of any change in
circumstances which would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or
reduction.

          (b) If any Lender claims exemption from, or reduction of, withholding
tax under a United States tax treaty by providing IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form
W-8IMY (or any successor form) and such Lender sells, assigns, grants a
participation in, or otherwise transfers all or part of the Obligations of the
Company to such Lender, such Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent of
the percentage amount in which it is no longer the beneficial owner of
Obligations of the Company to such Lender. To the extent of such percentage
amount, the Administrative Agent will treat such Lender's IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS
Form W-8IMY (or any successor form) as no longer valid.

          (c) If any Lender claiming exemption from United States withholding
tax by filing IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor form) with the Administrative
Agent sells, assigns, grants a participation in, or otherwise transfers all or
part of the Obligations of the Company to such Lender, such Lender agrees to
undertake sole responsibility for complying with the withholding tax
requirements imposed by sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code.

          (d) If any Lender is entitled to a reduction in the applicable
withholding tax, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment
to such Lender an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax after
taking into account such reduction. However, if the forms or other documentation
required by Section 9.10(a) are

                                     -101-
<PAGE>   108

not delivered to the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent may
withhold from any interest payment to such Lender not providing such forms or
other documentation an amount equivalent to the applicable withholding tax
imposed by sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code, without reduction.

          (e) If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority of the United
States or other jurisdiction asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did
not properly withhold tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender
(because the appropriate form was not delivered or was not properly executed, or
because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in
circumstances which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding
tax ineffective, or for any other reason) such Lender shall indemnify the
Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the
Administrative Agent as tax or otherwise, including penalties and interest, and
including any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to the
Administrative Agent under this Section, together with all costs and expenses
(including Attorney Costs). The obligation of the Lenders under this subsection
shall survive the payment of all Obligations and the resignation or replacement
of the Administrative Agent.

     9.11 Co-Agents. None of the Lenders identified in the preamble or signature
pages of this Agreement as a "co-agent" or "syndication agent" shall have any
right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement
other than those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the
foregoing, none of the Lenders so identified as a "co-agent" or "syndication
agent" shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any
Lending Party. Each Lending Party acknowledges that it has not relied, and will
not rely, on any of the Lenders so identified in deciding to enter into this
Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE X
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

     10.1 Amendments and Waivers. No amendment, modification, supplement,
termination or waiver of or to any provision of this Agreement, nor consent to
any departure by the Borrowers or any other Credit Party therefrom, shall be
effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of the
Required Lenders and the Borrowers; provided, however, that no such amendment,
modification, supplement, termination, waiver or consent, as the case may be,
shall, (i) reduce the rate of interest or extend the final scheduled maturity of
any Loan or Note, or the stated maturity of any Letter of Credit beyond the
Commitment Termination Date, or the date for payment of any fees or interest on
any Loan, or waive or excuse any such payment or any part thereof, or decrease
the rate of interest on any Loan, or reduce the principal amount thereof,
without the prior written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (ii) amend,
modify or waive any provision of this Section 10.1, without the prior written
consent of each Lender, (iii) reduce the percentage specified in the definition
of Required Lenders, without the prior written consent of each Lender, (iv)
consent to the assignment or transfer by any Borrower of any of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement without the prior

                                     -102-
<PAGE>   109

written consent of each Lender, or (v) release any of the Guarantors from their
respective Guaranty, without the prior written consent of each Lender (unless
such release is in connection with a transaction permitted herein); provided,
further, that no such amendment, modification, supplement, termination, waiver
or consent shall (1) increase the Commitments of any Lender over the amount
thereof then in effect without the prior written consent of such Lender (it
being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent,
covenants, Defaults or Events of Default shall not constitute an increase of the
Commitment of any Lender, and that an increase in the available portion of any
Commitment of any Lender shall not constitute an increase in the Commitment of
such Lender), (2) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Agreement or any
other Credit Document which affects the rights or obligations of the Issuer or
the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, without the prior written consent of
the Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, (3) amend, modify or
waive any provision of Article IX as same applies to the Administrative Agent or
any other provisions as same relates to the rights or obligations of the
Administrative Agent, without the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent, or (4) amend, modify or waive any provisions relating to the rights or
obligations of the Administrative Agent under the other Credit Documents,
without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

    10.2  Notices.

          (a) All notices, requests, consents, approvals, waivers and other
communications shall be in writing (including, unless the context expressly
otherwise provides, by facsimile transmission, provided that any matter
transmitted by the Borrower Representative by facsimile (i) shall be immediately
confirmed by a telephone call to the recipient at the number specified on
Schedule 10.2, and (ii) shall be followed promptly by delivery of a hard copy
original thereof) and mailed, faxed or delivered, to the address or facsimile
number specified for notices on Schedule 10.2; or, as directed to the Borrower
Representative or the Administrative Agent, to such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties, and as
directed to any other party, at such other address as shall be designated by
such party in a written notice to the Borrower Representative and the
Administrative Agent.

          (b) All such notices, requests and communications shall, when
transmitted by overnight delivery, or faxed, be effective when delivered for
overnight (next-day) delivery, or transmitted in legible form by facsimile
machine, respectively, or if mailed, upon the third Business Day after the date
deposited into the U.S. mail, or if delivered, upon delivery; except that
notices pursuant to Article II or IX to the Administrative Agent shall not be
effective until actually received by the Administrative Agent.

          (c) Any agreement of the Administrative Agent and the Lending Parties
herein to receive certain notices by telephone or facsimile is solely for the
convenience and at the request of the Borrower Representative. The
Administrative Agent and the Lending Parties shall be entitled to rely on the
authority of any Person purporting to be a Person

                                     -103-
<PAGE>   110

authorized by the Borrower Representative to give such notice and the
Administrative Agent and the Lending Parties shall not have any liability to the
Borrower Representative or other Person on account of any action taken or not
taken by the Administrative Agent or the Lending Parties in reliance upon such
telephonic or facsimile notice. The obligation of the Company to repay the Loans
shall not be affected in any way or to any extent by any failure by the
Administrative Agent and the Lending Parties to receive written confirmation of
any telephonic or facsimile notice or the receipt by the Administrative Agent
and the Lending Parties of a confirmation which is at variance with the terms
understood by the Administrative Agent and the Lending Parties to be contained
in the telephonic or facsimile notice.

     10.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure to exercise and no
delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lending
Party, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder, shall operate as a
waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy,
power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or
the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

    10.4  Costs and Expenses. The Company shall:

          (a) whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated, pay or reimburse BofA (including in its capacity as Administrative
Agent) within ten Business Days after demand (subject to Section 4.1(f)) for all
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by BofA (including in its capacity as
Administrative Agent) (in its capacity as such) in connection with the
development, preparation, delivery, administration and execution of, and any
amendment, supplement, waiver or modification to (in each case, whether or not
consummated), this Agreement, any other Credit Document and any other documents
prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including reasonable Attorney
Costs incurred by BofA (including in its capacity as Administrative Agent) with
respect thereto; and

          (b) pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arranger and
Book Manager and each Lending Party within ten Business Days after demand
(subject to Section 4.1(f)) for all reasonable costs and expenses (including
reasonable Attorney Costs) incurred by them in connection with the enforcement,
attempted enforcement, or preservation of any rights or remedies under this
Agreement or any other Credit Document during the existence of an Event of
Default or after acceleration of the Loans (including in connection with any
"workout" or restructuring regarding the Loans, and including in any Insolvency
Proceeding or appellate proceeding); and

          (c) pay or reimburse BofA (including in its capacity as Administrative
Agent) within ten Business Days after demand (subject to Section 4.1(f)) for all
appraisal (including the allocated cost of internal appraisal services), audit,
environmental inspection and review (including the allocated cost of such
internal services), search and filing costs,

                                     -104-
<PAGE>   111

fees and expenses, incurred or sustained by BofA (including in its capacity as
Administrative Agent) in connection with the matters referred to under Sections
10.4(a) and (b).

     10.5 Indemnification.

          (a) General. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are
consummated, the Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the
Agent-Related Persons, each LC Issuer, each Swap Provider, each Lender and the
Swingline Lender and each of its respective officers, directors, employees,
counsel, agents and attorneys-in-fact (each, an "Indemnified Person") from and
against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, charges, expenses and disbursements (including
reasonable Attorney Costs) of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any
time (including at any time following repayment of the Loans and termination of
all Specified Swap Contracts and the termination, resignation or replacement of
the Administrative Agent or replacement of any Lending Party) be imposed on,
incurred by or asserted against any such Person in any way relating to or
arising out of this Agreement or any document contemplated by or referred to
herein, or the transactions contemplated hereby, or any action taken or omitted
by any such Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing, including
with respect to any investigation, litigation or proceeding (including any
Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceeding) related to or arising out of this
Agreement or the Specified Swap Contracts or the Credit Extensions or the use of
the proceeds thereof, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party thereto
(all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities"); provided that
the Company shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Person with
respect to Indemnified Liabilities to the extent resulting from the bad faith,
gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person. The
agreements in this Section 10.5(a) shall survive payment of all other
Obligations.

          (b) Environmental.

               (i) The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each
Indemnified Person from and against any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, charges, expenses
or disbursements (including reasonable Attorney Costs and the reasonable
allocated cost of internal environmental audit or review services), which may be
incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified Person in connection with or
arising out of any pending or threatened investigation, litigation or
proceeding, or any action taken by any Person, with respect to any Environmental
Claim arising out of or related to any property subject to a mortgage in favor
of the Administrative Agent or any Lending Party (all of the foregoing,
collectively, the "Indemnified Environmental Liabilities"); provided that the
Company shall have no obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Person with
respect to Indemnified Environmental Liabilities to the extent resulting from
the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Indemnified
Person. No action taken by legal counsel chosen by the Administrative Agent or
any Lending Party in defending against any such

                                     -105-
<PAGE>   112

investigation, litigation or proceeding or requested remedial, removal or
response action shall vitiate or any way impair the Company's obligation and
duty hereunder to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent and each
Lending Party.

               (ii) In no event shall any site visit, observation, or testing by
the Administrative Agent or any Lending Party (or any contractee of the
Administrative Agent or any Lending Party) be deemed a representation or
warranty that Hazardous Materials are or are not present in, on, or under, the
site, or that there has been or shall be compliance with any Environmental Law.
Unless the Administrative Agent or any Lending Party agrees otherwise, neither
the Company nor any other Person is entitled to rely on any site visit,
observation, or testing by the Administrative Agent or any Lending Party. Upon
reasonable written request by the Company, the Administrative Agent or any
Lending Party shall disclose to the Company any report or findings made as a
result of, or in connection with, any site visit, observation, or testing by the
Administrative Agent or such Lending Party.

          (c) Survival; Defense. The obligations in this Section shall survive
payment of all other Obligations. At the election of any Indemnified Person, the
Company shall defend such Indemnified Person using legal counsel satisfactory to
such Indemnified Person in such Person's sole discretion, at the sole cost and
expense of the Company. All amounts owing under this Section shall be paid
within thirty days after demand.

     10.6 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside. Neither the Administrative Agent
nor the Lending Parties shall be under any obligation to marshall any assets in
favor of the Company or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all
of the Obligations. To the extent that any Credit Party makes a payment to the
Administrative Agent or the Lending Parties, or the Administrative Agent or the
Lending Parties exercise their right of set-off, and such payment or the
proceeds of such set-off or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated,
declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including
pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such
Lending Party in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any
other party, in connection with any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, then (a)
to the extent of such recovery the obligation or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b)
each Lending Party severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon
demand its pro rata share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the
Administrative Agent to the extent previously received by such Lending Party
from the Administrative Agent.

     10.7 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns, except that neither the Company nor any other Borrower
may assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement
without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender.

                                     -106-
<PAGE>   113

    10.8  Assignments, Participations, etc.

          (a) Any Lender may, with the written consent of the Company at all
times other than during the existence of an Event of Default, and the
Administrative Agent, which consents of the Company and the Administrative Agent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, at any time assign and delegate
to one or more Eligible Assignees (provided that no written consent of the
Company or the Administrative Agent shall be required in connection with any
assignment and delegation by a Lender to an Eligible Assignee that is an
Affiliate of such Lender or to an existing Lender) (each an "Assignee") all, or
any part of, of the Assignable Credit Exposure of such Lender hereunder, in a
minimum principal or face amount of $5,000,000 or, if less, the entire principal
amount held by such Lender (provided that the foregoing limitation with respect
to minimum principal or face amount of an assignment and delegation shall not
apply to assignments to an existing Lender); provided that (i) a Lender's Term A
Loans shall be assigned on a pro rata basis, (ii) the Company and the
Administrative Agent may continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender
in connection with the interest so assigned to an Assignee until (A) written
notice of such assignment, together with payment instructions, addresses and
related information with respect to the Assignee, shall have been given to the
Company, the Administrative Agent and, in the case of the Revolving Loans by
such Lender and the Assignee; (B) such Lender and its Assignee shall have
delivered to the Company, the Administrative Agent and, in the case of the
Revolving Loans, an Assignment and Acceptance in the form of Exhibit E
("Assignment and Acceptance") together with any Note or Notes subject to such
assignment, (C) the Assignee has paid to the Administrative Agent a processing
fee in the amount of $3,500, provided that no such fee shall be required in
connection with the assignment by a Lender of all of its Loans to an Affiliate
of such Lender, and (D) the Administrative Agent has recorded the transfer in
the Register; (iii) if the assignor Lender or any of its Affiliates is a Swap
Provider with respect to any Specified Swap Contract, such Lender shall not
assign all of its Assignable Credit Exposure to an Assignee unless such
Assignee, or an Affiliate of such Assignee, shall also assume all obligations of
such assignor Lender or Affiliate with respect to such Specified Swap Contracts,
with the consent of the Company; and (iv) if because of circumstances in effect
on the effective date of any assignment, the Company would, under Section 3.1,
be obligated to make any payment to or for the account of the applicable
Assignee, the Company shall only be obligated to make such payment to the extent
that it would then have been obligated to make such payment to the assignor
Lender.

          (b) From and after the date that the Administrative Agent notifies the
assignor Lender that it has received (and, if required, provided its consent
with respect to) an executed Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the
above-referenced processing fee, (i) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party
hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been
assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, shall have the rights
and obligations of a Lender under the Credit Documents, and (ii) the assignor
Lender shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder and under the
other Credit Documents have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment and
Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the
Credit Documents.

                                     -107-
<PAGE>   114

          (c) Immediately upon each Assignee's making its processing fee payment
under the Assignment and Acceptance, this Agreement shall be deemed to be
amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to reflect the addition
of the Assignee and, if applicable, the resulting adjustment of the Revolving
Commitments arising therefrom. Any Revolving Commitment allocated to an Assignee
shall reduce such Revolving Commitment of the assigning Lender pro tanto.

          (d) Any Lender may at any time sell to one or more commercial banks or
other Persons not Affiliates of the Company (a "Participant") participating
interests in any Loans, the Revolving Commitment of that Lender and the other
interests of that Lender (the "Originating Lender") hereunder and under the
other Credit Documents; provided that (i) the Originating Lender's obligations
under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) the Originating Lender shall
remain solely responsible for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the
Company and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly
with the Originating Lender in connection with the Originating Lender's rights
and obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and (iv) no
Lender shall transfer or grant any participating interest under which the
Participant has rights to approve any amendment to, or any consent or waiver
with respect to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document, except to the
extent such amendment, consent or waiver would require unanimous consent of the
Lenders as described in the first proviso to Section 10.1. In the case of any
such participation, (i) the Participant shall be entitled to the benefit of
Sections 3.1, 3.3 and 10.5 as though it were also a Lender hereunder, provided
that if because of circumstances in effect on the effective date of any sale of
a participating interest, the Company would, under Section 3.1, be obligated to
make any payment to or for the account of the applicable Originating Lender, the
Company shall only be obligated to make such payment to the extent that it would
then have been obligated to make such payment to such Originating Lender if it
had not sold such participating interest, and (ii) the Participant shall not
have any rights under this Agreement, or any of the other Credit Documents, and
all amounts payable by the Company hereunder shall be determined as if such
Lender had not sold such participation; except that, if amounts outstanding
under this Agreement are due and unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall
have become due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each
Participant shall be deemed to have the right of set-off in respect of its
participating interest in amounts owing under this Agreement to the same extent
as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a
Lender under this Agreement.

     (e) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, any Lender may
at any time create a security interest in, or pledge or assign, all or any
portion of its rights under and interest in this Agreement in favor of any
Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the FRB or U.S. Treasury
Regulation 31 CFR

                                     -108-
<PAGE>   115

ss.203.14, and such Federal Reserve Bank may enforce such pledge or security
interest in any manner permitted under applicable law.

          (f) Designation.

               (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
any Lender (a "Designating Lender") may grant to one or more special purpose
funding vehicles (each, an "SPV"), identified as such in writing from time to
time by the Designating Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Company, the
option to provide to the Borrowers all or any part of any Loan that such
Designating Lender would otherwise be obligated to make to the Borrowers
pursuant to this Credit Agreement; provided that (I) nothing herein shall
constitute a commitment by any SPV to make any Loan, (II) if an SPV elects not
to exercise such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of such
Loan, the Designating Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to
the terms hereof, (III) the Designating Lender shall remain liable for any
indemnity or other payment obligation with respect to its Commitment hereunder
and (IV) each such SPV would satisfy the requirements of Section 3.10 if such
SPV was a Lender hereunder. The making of a Loan by an SPV hereunder shall
utilize the Commitment of the Designating Lender to the same extent, and as if,
such Loan were made by such Designating Lender.

               (ii) As to any Loans or portion thereof made by it, such SPV
shall have all the rights that a Lender making such Loans or portion thereof
would have had under this Credit Agreement; provided, however that such SPV
shall have granted to its Designating Lender an irrevocable power of attorney,
to deliver and receive all communications and notices under this Credit
Agreement (and any related documents) and to exercise on such SPV's behalf, all
of such SPV's voting rights under this Credit Agreement. No additional Note
shall be required to evidence the Loans or portions thereof made by an SPV; and
the related Designating Lender shall be deemed to hold its Note as agent for
such SPV to the extent of the Loans or portion thereof funded by such SPV. In
addition, any payments for the account of any SPV shall be paid to its
Designating Lender as agent for such SPV.

               (iii) Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV shall be liable
for any indemnity or payment under this Credit Agreement for which a Lender
would otherwise be liable for so long as, and to the extent, the Designating
Lender provides such indemnity or makes such payment.

               (iv) In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in this Section 10.8 or otherwise in this Credit Agreement, any SPV
may (I) at any time and without paying any processing fee therefor, assign or
participate all or a portion of its interest in any Loans to the Designating
Lender or to any financial institutions providing liquidity and/or credit
support to or for the account of such SPV to support the funding or maintenance
of Loans and (II) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information
relating to its Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer

                                     -109-
<PAGE>   116

or provider of such surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such
SPV. This Section 10.8 may not be amended without the written consent of any
Designating Lender affected thereby.

               (g) The Register. The Administrative Agent shall maintain a copy
of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register
(the "Register") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders
and the Commitment of each Lender from time to time and whether such Lender is
an original Lender or the assignee of another Lender pursuant to an Assignment
and Acceptance. The Administrative Agent shall incur no liability of any kind to
any Lender or any other Person with respect to its maintenance of the Register
or the recordation of information therein. The Register shall be available for
inspection by the Borrowers or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time
to time upon reasonable prior notice. No assignment shall be effective unless
and until the Assignment and Acceptance has been accepted by the Administrative
Agent and registered in the Register.

               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the
previous paragraph of this Section 10.08(g), the Loans (including the Notes
evidencing such Loans) are registered obligations and the right, title and
interest of the Lenders and their assignees in and to such Loans shall be
transferable only upon recordation of such transfer and of the transferee and
its interest in and to the Loans in the Register. No transfer by a Lender or an
assignee of any interest in any of the Loans shall be permitted or effective
unless and until the transfer and the transferee's interest in the Loan is
recorded in the Register. All recordations of transfer and of the transferee's
interest shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, as to beneficial ownership
of interests in the Loans. A Note shall only evidence the Lender's or an
assignee's right, title and interest in and to the related Loan, and in no event
is any such Note to be considered a bearer instrument or obligation. This
Section 10.08(g) shall be construed so that the Loans are at all times
maintained in "registered form" within the meaning of Sections 163(f), 871(h)(2)
and 881(c)(2) of the Code and any related regulations (or any successor
provisions of the Code or such regulations). Solely for purposes of this Section
10.08(g), and for tax purposes only, the Administrative Agent shall act as the
Borrowers' agent for purposes of maintaining such notations of transfer and
recordation of the beneficial ownership of the transferee in the Register. The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent
manifest error, and the Borrowers and each of their Subsidiaries, the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is
recorded in the Register (other than a participant) as a Lender hereunder for
all purposes hereof.

     10.9 Confidentiality. Each Lending Party agrees to take and to cause its
Affiliates to take normal and reasonable precautions and exercise due
care to maintain the confidentiality of all information identified as
"confidential" or "secret" by the Company and provided to it by the Parent, the
Company or any Subsidiary, or by the Administrative Agent on the Parent's, the
Company's or such Subsidiary's behalf, under this Agreement or any other Credit
Document, and neither it nor any of its Affiliates shall use any such

                                     -110-
<PAGE>   117

information other than in connection with or in enforcement of this Agreement
and the other Credit Documents or in connection with other business now or
hereafter existing or contemplated with the Parent, the Company or any
Subsidiary; except to the extent such information (i) was or becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by such Lending
Party, or (ii) was or becomes available on a non-confidential basis from a
source other than the Parent, any Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that such
source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with the Parent, the Company
or any Subsidiary known to such Lending Party; provided that any Lending Party
may disclose such information (A) at the request or pursuant to any requirement
of any Governmental Authority to which such Lending Party is subject or in
connection with an examination of such Lending Party by any such authority; (B)
pursuant to subpoena or other court or other legal process; (C) when required to
do so in accordance with the provisions of any applicable Requirement of Law;
(D) to the extent reasonably required in connection with any litigation or
proceeding to which the Administrative Agent, any Lending Party or their
respective Affiliates may be party; (E) to the extent reasonably required in
connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder or under any other Credit
Document; (F) to such Lending Party 's independent auditors and other
professional advisors; (G) to any Participant or Assignee, actual or potential,
provided that such Person agrees in writing to keep such information
confidential to the same extent required of the Lending Party hereunder; (H) as
to any Lending Party or its Affiliate, as expressly permitted under the terms of
any other document or agreement regarding confidentiality to which the Parent,
the Company or any Subsidiary is party or is deemed party with such Lending
Party or such Affiliate; and (I) to its Affiliates.

    10.10 Set-off. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lending Parties
provided by law, if an Event of Default exists or the Loans have been
accelerated, each Lending Party is authorized at any time and from time to time,
without prior notice to any Credit Party, any such notice being waived by each
Credit Party 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 by, and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such Lending
Party to or for the credit or the account of such Credit Party against any and
all Obligations owing to such Lending Party, now or hereafter existing,
irrespective of whether or not the Administrative Agent or such Lending Party
shall have made demand under this Agreement or any Credit Document and although
such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured. Each Lending Party agrees
promptly to notify the Borrower Representative and the Administrative Agent
after any such set-off and application made by such Lending Party; provided that
the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off
and application.

    10.11 Automatic Debits of Fees. With respect to any commitment fee,
arrangement fee, or other fee, or any other cost or expense (including Attorney
Costs) due and payable to the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as such),
BofA or the Lead Arranger and Book Manager under the Credit Documents, the
Company hereby irrevocably authorizes BofA, upon prior notice to the Company, to
debit any deposit account of the Company with BofA in an amount such that the
aggregate amount debited

                                     -111-
<PAGE>   118

from all such deposit accounts does not exceed such fee or other cost or
expense. If there are insufficient funds in such deposit accounts to cover the
amount of the fee or other cost or expense then due, such debits will be
reversed (in whole or in part, in BofA's sole discretion) and such amount not
debited shall be deemed to be unpaid. No such debit under this Section 10.11
shall be deemed a set-off.

    10.12 Notification of Addresses, Lending Offices, etc. Each Lending Party
shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any changes in the address
to which notices to such Lending Party should be directed, of addresses of any
Lending Office, of payment instructions in respect of all payments to be made to
it hereunder and of such other administrative information as the Administrative
Agent shall reasonably request.

    10.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of separate
counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, and
all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute but one
and the same instrument.

    10.14 Severability. The illegality or unenforceability of any provision of
this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder shall not in
any way affect or impair the legality or enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement or any instrument or agreement required hereunder.

    10.15 No Third Parties Benefited. This Agreement is made and entered into
for the sole protection and legal benefit of the Credit Parties, the Lending
Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Agent-Related Persons, and their
permitted successors and assigns, and no other Person (other than an Indemnified
Person under Section 10.5) shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of,
or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with, this
Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents.

    10.16 Governing Law and Jurisdiction. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK;
PROVIDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDING PARTIES SHALL RETAIN ALL
RIGHTS ARISING UNDER FEDERAL LAW.

          (a) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND BY EXECUTION
AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE CREDIT PARTIES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT AND THE LENDING PARTIES CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS
PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH OF THE CREDIT
PARTIES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDING PARTIES IRREVOCABLY

                                     -112-
<PAGE>   119

WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON
THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT RELATED HERETO. THE CREDIT PARTIES, THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT AND THE LENDING PARTIES EACH WAIVE PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS,
COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY
NEW YORK LAW.

          (b) Nothing contained in this Section 10.16 shall override any
contrary provision contained in any Specified Swap Contract.

    10.17 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE CREDIT PARTIES, THE LENDING PARTIES AND THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT EACH WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF
ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS
AGREEMENT, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY
OR THEREBY, IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR OTHER LITIGATION OF ANY TYPE BROUGHT BY
ANY OF THE PARTIES AGAINST ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY AGENT-RELATED PERSON,
PARTICIPANT OR ASSIGNEE, WHETHER WITH RESPECT TO CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS,
OR OTHERWISE. THE CREDIT PARTIES, THE LENDING PARTIES AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT EACH AGREE THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE TRIED BY A
COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE PARTIES FURTHER
AGREE THAT THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IS WAIVED BY OPERATION OF
THIS SECTION AS TO ANY ACTION, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING WHICH SEEKS, IN
WHOLE OR IN PART, TO CHALLENGE THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR ANY PROVISION HEREOF OR THEREOF. THIS WAIVER
SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS
TO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS.

    10.18 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the other Credit
Documents, embodies the entire agreement and understanding among the Credit
Parties, the Lending Parties and the Administrative Agent, and supersedes all
prior or contemporaneous agreements and understandings of such Persons, verbal
or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

    10.19 Judgment Currency. Each Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each
Lending Party hereby agree that if, in the event that a judgment is given in
relation to any sum due to the Administrative Agent or any Lending Party
hereunder, such judgment is given in a currency (the "Judgment Currency") other
than that in which such sum was

                                     -113-
<PAGE>   120

originally denominated (the "Original Currency"), such Borrower agrees to
indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Lending Party, as the case may be, to
the extent that the amount of the Original Currency which could have been
purchased by the Administrative Agent in accordance with normal banking
procedures on the Business Day following receipt of such sum is less than the
sum which could have been so purchased by the Administrative Agent had such
purchase been made on the day on which such judgment was given or, if such day
is not a Business Day, on the Business Day immediately preceding the giving of
such judgment, and if the amount so purchased exceeds the amount which could
have been so purchased had such purchase been made on the day on which such
judgment was given or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the Business Day
immediately preceding such judgment, the Administrative Agent or the applicable
Lending Party agrees to remit such excess to such Borrower. The agreements in
this Section shall survive payment of all other Obligations.

    10.20 Restricted/Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

          (a) Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Subject to the
provisions of this Section 10.20, the Company may designate any Subsidiary
(other than a Subsidiary which has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary
pursuant to Section 10.20(c)) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by written notice
from the Company to the Administrative Agent as long as no Default or Event of
Default then exists or would exist after giving effect to such designation, it
being understood and agreed that a Restricted Subsidiary cannot be owned in
whole or in part by an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Any Restricted Subsidiary with
total assets in excess of $100,000 may only be converted as of the end of a
fiscal quarter upon at least 15 days advance notice to the Administrative Agent,
which notice shall be accompanied by a Compliance Certificate demonstrating that
the Company will be in pro forma compliance with the financial covenants on a
pro forma basis at the end of such fiscal quarter. A Permitted Unconsolidated
Venture which will, by virtue of an Investment or other circumstance, become a
Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary upon at least 15 days
advance written notice from the Company to the Administrative Agent. For
purposes hereof and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the amount
of Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to be the
aggregate Dollar Equivalent amount of Investments made by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in such Permitted Unconsolidated Venture or in the case
of Metalurgica Caterina S.A. or Metalsa S. de R.L., the aggregate Dollar
Equivalent amount of Investments made by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries after the Closing Date.

          (b) Limitation on Investment. The Company shall not make any
Investment in any Unrestricted Subsidiary nor shall it convert any Restricted
Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Investment would be
permitted on such date pursuant to Section 7.4(n). The amount of an Investment
made upon the conversion of a Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted
Subsidiary shall be the fair market value of the equity of such Restricted
Subsidiary as determined by the Board of Directors of the

                                     -114-
<PAGE>   121

Company in good faith and certified to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 10.20.

          (c) Redesignation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries. Any Unrestricted
Subsidiary may be redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary only one (1) time
after a period of four full fiscal quarters has elapsed since such Subsidiary
became an Unrestricted Subsidiary provided that (i) the Company shall have
delivered to the Administrative Agent (not less than 20 days prior to the date
the Company desires such redesignation to be effective) a notice signed by a
Responsible Officer identifying the Unrestricted Subsidiary to be so
redesignated and providing such other information as the Administrative Agent
may reasonably request, (ii) immediately before and immediately after the
effectiveness of such redesignation, no Default or Event of Default exists or
will exist (including, without limitation, the permissibility of any Investment,
Indebtedness, Liens or other obligations existing at such Subsidiary), (iii) no
default (or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice, lapse of
time, or both would constitute a default) exists under any material agreement of
such Unrestricted Subsidiary, (iv) Administrative Agent has received such other
documents, instruments and opinions as it may reasonably request in connection
with such redesignation, and all such instruments, documents and opinions shall
be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and (v)
on the desired effective date of such redesignation, Company shall deliver a
certificate from a Responsible Officer confirming clauses (ii) through (iii)
above and that the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement
and the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material respects on
the date of, and after giving effect to, such redesignation as though made on
such date (except to the extent such representations and warranties are
expressly made as of a specified date in which event they shall be true as of
such date). The Company agrees that any merger or consolidation of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary with or into Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, any
material transfer of assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to a Restricted
Subsidiary or any voluntary liquidation, wind-up or dissolution of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary held directly by Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
shall be deemed to be a redesignation and Company shall be required to satisfy
the conditions of this Section 10.20 prior to completing any such transaction.

                              ARTICLE XI GUARANTY

     11.1 Guarantee. Each Borrower (other than any Borrower that is a Foreign
956 Subsidiary) hereby jointly and severally, unconditionally and irrevocably
guarantees, as primary obligor and not as merely as surety, the full and
punctual payment when due of all Obligations (including all interest and costs
of enforcement or preservation and protection of Collateral which would be owing
by any Borrower but for the effect of the Bankruptcy Code) of each other
Borrower, including, without limitation, the full and punctual payment when due
of the principal of and interest on the Revolving Loans and the Term Loan made
to each other Borrower pursuant to this Agreement and the due and punctual
payment of all other amounts payable by each other Borrower under this Agreement
or the other Credit Documents (each Borrower in such capacity as a guarantor, a
"Borrowing

                                     -115-
<PAGE>   122

Guarantor" and each Borrowing Guarantor other than the Company, a "Subsidiary
Borrowing Guarantor"); provided, however, that the liability of each Borrowing
Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount of obligations which
such Borrowing Guarantor may guaranty without violating any fraudulent
conveyance or fraudulent transfer law. Upon failure by any Borrower to pay
punctually any such amount, upon demand by Agent, each Borrowing Guarantor shall
forthwith pay the amount not so paid at the place and in the manner and with the
effect specified in this Agreement. Each obligation under this subsection is an
absolute, unconditional and continuing guaranty of the full and punctual payment
and performance of all of such Obligations and not of their collectability only
and is in no way conditioned upon any requirement that Administrative Agent or
any Lender first attempt to collect any of the Obligations from any other
Borrower directly or resort to any collateral security, any balance of any
deposit account or credit on the books of Administrative Agent or any Lender in
favor of any Borrower or any other Person or other means of obtaining payment.
Should any Borrower default in the payment or performance of any of the
Obligations, Administrative Agent and each Lender may cause the obligations of
each Borrowing Guarantor hereunder with respect to such Obligations to become
forthwith due and payable to the Lenders, without demand or notice of any
nature, all of which are expressly waived by each Borrowing Guarantor.

     11.2 Unconditional Obligation. The obligations of each Borrowing Guarantor
hereunder shall be unconditional and absolute and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, shall not be released, discharged or otherwise
affected by:

          (i) any extension, renewal, settlement, compromise, waiver or release
in respect of any Obligation of any other Borrower under this Agreement or the
other Credit Documents;

          (ii) any modification or amendment of or supplement to this Agreement
or the other Credit Documents;

          (iii) any merger or consolidation, change in the corporate existence,
structure or ownership of any other Borrower, or any insolvency, bankruptcy,
reorganization, adjustment, composition, liquidation or other similar proceeding
affecting any other Borrower or its assets;

          (iv) the existence of any claim, set-off or other rights which such
Borrowing Guarantor may have at any time against any other Borrower, any Lender
or any other Person, whether in connection herewith or any unrelated
transactions, provided that nothing herein shall prevent the assertion of any
such claim by separate suit or compulsory counterclaim;

          (v) any invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any
other Borrower for any reason of any provision or all of this Agreement or the
other Credit Documents, or any provision of applicable law or regulation
purporting to prohibit the

                                     -116-
<PAGE>   123

payment by any other Borrower of the principal of or interest on any loan or any
other amount payable by it under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents;
or

          (vi) any other act or omission to act or delay of any kind by any
other Borrower, Agent, any Lender or any other Person or any other circumstance
whatsoever which might, but for the provisions of this paragraph, constitute a
legal or equitable discharge of such Borrower's obligations or Borrowing
Guarantor's obligations under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents.

     11.3 Period in Force. Each Borrowing Guarantor's obligations under this
Article 11 shall remain in full force and effect until all Obligations shall
have been indefeasibly paid in full and this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents shall have terminated in accordance with their terms. If at any time
any payment of the principal of or interest on any Loan made to a Borrower or
any other amount payable by any Borrower under this Agreement or the other
Credit Document is rescinded or must be otherwise restored or returned upon the
insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of such Borrower or otherwise, each of
Borrowing Guarantor's obligations under this Article 11 with respect to such
payment shall be revived and continued in full force and effect.

     11.4 WAIVER. EACH BORROWING GUARANTOR WAIVES ACCEPTANCE HEREOF,
PRESENTMENT, DEMAND, PROTEST AND ANY NOTICE NOT PROVIDED FOR HEREIN, AS WELL AS
ANY REQUIREMENT THAT AT ANY TIME ANY ACTION BE TAKEN BY ANY PERSON AGAINST ANY
OTHER BORROWER OR ANY OTHER PERSON. EACH BORROWING GUARANTOR HEREBY WAIVES ANY
RIGHTS OF OFFSET, SUBROGATION, CONTRIBUTION, INDEMNIFICATION, REIMBURSEMENT OR
OTHER SIMILAR RIGHT IT MAY HAVE AGAINST ANY OTHER BORROWER ARISING OR RESULTING
FROM THE ENFORCEMENT OF AGENT'S OR LENDERS' RIGHTS UNDER ANY GUARANTEE BY SUCH
BORROWER OF THE OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER. EACH BORROWING GUARANTOR ALSO IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL DEFENSES THAT AT ANY TIME
MAY BE AVAILABLE IN RESPECT OF THE OBLIGATIONS BY VIRTUE OF ANY STATUTE OF
LIMITATIONS, VALUATION, STAY, REDEMPTION, MORATORIUM LAW OR OTHER SIMILAR LAW
NOW OR HEREAFTER IN EFFECT.

     11.5 Effect of Stay. This Article 11 shall be in addition to any other
guaranty or other security for the Obligations, and it shall not be rendered
unenforceable by the invalidity of any such other guaranty or security. In the
event that acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Obligations is
stayed upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, or for
any other reason, all such amounts otherwise subject to acceleration under the
terms of this Agreement, the other Credit Documents or any other agreement
evidencing, securing or otherwise executed in connection with the Obligations
shall be immediately due and payable by each other Borrower.

                                     -117-
<PAGE>   124

     11.6 Subordination. The payment of any amounts due with respect to any
Indebtedness of any Borrower (or any other Credit Party) now or hereafter owed
to any other Borrower is hereby subordinated to the prior indefeasible payment
in full of all of the Obligations. Each Borrower agrees that, after the
occurrence of any default in the payment or performance of any of the
Obligations, it will not demand, sue for or otherwise attempt to collect any
such Indebtedness of any Borrower (or any other Credit Party) to it until all of
the Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full. If, notwithstanding
the foregoing sentence, any Borrower shall collect, enforce or receive any
amounts in respect of such Indebtedness while Obligations are still outstanding,
such amounts shall be collected, enforced and received by such Borrower as
trustee for Administrative Agent and each Lender and be paid over to
Administrative Agent on account of the Obligations without affecting in any
manner the liability of such Borrower under the other provisions of this Article
11. The provisions of this Article 11 shall be supplemental to and not in
derogation of any rights and remedies of Agent and each Lender under any
separate subordination agreement which the Lender may at any time and from time
to time enter into with any Borrower.

     11.7 Certain Limitations. Each Borrowing Guarantor acknowledges and agrees
that it has received substantial benefit and reasonably equivalent value from
the Lenders by reason of the Lenders making available the credit facilities to
each Borrower and that without this guaranty by each Borrower of each other
Borrower's Obligations, Administrative Agent and Lenders would not make the
credit facilities available to any Borrower under the terms of this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in any action or proceeding involving any federal
or state corporate law, rule or regulation or any state or federal bankruptcy,
fraudulent conveyance, insolvency, reorganization or other law, rule or
regulation affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of
any Subsidiary Borrowing Guarantor under Article 11 hereof would otherwise be
held or determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable, on account of the
amount of such Subsidiary Borrowing Guarantor's liability under Article 11
hereof, then, notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, the
amount of such liability shall, without any further action by any Borrower,
Administrative Agent or any Lender or any other Person, be automatically limited
and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in
such action or proceeding. Each Subsidiary Borrowing Guarantor agrees that the
Obligations may from time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such
Borrower hereunder without impairing this Article 11 or the rights and remedies
of any Lender hereunder. No limitations on enforceability under this Article 11
with respect to any Subsidiary Borrowing Guarantor shall impair or limit (i) the
obligations of such Subsidiary Borrowing Guarantor as a Borrower under this
Agreement or (ii) the obligations of the Company or any other Subsidiary
Borrowing Guarantor under this Article 11, which are joint and several.
                            [signature pages follow]

                                     -118-
<PAGE>   125
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as
of the day and year first above written.

                                       R.J. TOWER CORPORATION, A
                                       MICHIGAN CORPORATION

                                       By:     /s/ Daniel H. Webber
                                          ----------------------------------
                                       Name:   Daniel H. Webber
                                            --------------------------------
                                       Title:  Vice President
                                             -------------------------------

                                       TOWER AUTOMOTIVE EUROPE, B.V.

                                       By:     /s/ Anthony Barone
                                          ----------------------------------
                                       Name: Anthony Barone
                                       Title: Managing Director A

                                       Name:    ABN AMRO TRUST COMPANY
                                               (Nederland) B.V.

                                       By:    /s/ R. W. M. Kleuknberg
                                              ------------------------------
                                       Name:   R. W. M. Kleuknberg
                                            --------------------------------
                                       Title: Managing Director B

                                       BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS
                                        ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

                                       By:     /s/ Lynn Stetson
                                          ----------------------------------
                                       Name:   Lynn Stetson
                                            --------------------------------
                                       Title:  Managing Director
                                             -------------------------------

                                       BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., INDIVIDUALLY
                                       AS A LENDER AND AS SWING LINE LENDER

                                       By:     /s/ Lynn Stetson
                                          ----------------------------------
                                       Name:   Lynn Stetson
                                            --------------------------------
                                       Title:  Managing Director
                                             -------------------------------

                                     -119-
<PAGE>   126

                                       THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS
                                       SYNDICATION AGENT

                                       By: /s/ Karen May Sharf
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Karen May Sharf
                                            ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President
                                             ---------------------------------

                                       BANK ONE, MICHIGAN

                                       By: /s/ Erik W. Bakker
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Erik W. Bakker
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Managing Director
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       COMERICA BANK

                                       By: /s/ Natasha Spasovski
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Natasha Spasovski
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Assistant Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                       By: /s/ Robert A. Rosati
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Robert A. Rosati
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Assistant Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

                                       By: /s/ F.C.H. Ashby
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: F.C.H. Ashby
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Senior Manager-Loan Operations
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       ABN AMRO BANK N.V.

                                       By: /s/ David C. Sagers
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: David C. Sagers
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       By: /s/ John J. Mack
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: John J. Mack
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       DRESDNER BANK AG NEW YORK
                                       AND GRAND CAYMAN BRANCHES

                                       By: /s/ Gabriela E. Fields
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Gabriela E. Fields
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Assistant Treasurer
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       By: /s/ Thomas Hasenauer
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Thomas Hasenauer
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Assistant Treasurer
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI,
                                       LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH

                                       By: /s/ Hisashi Miyashiro
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Hisashi Miyashiro
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Deputy General Manager
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN,
                                       LIMITED, CHICAGO BRANCH

                                       By: /s/ Walter Wolff
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Walter Wolff
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Joint General Manager
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.

                                       By: /s/ Katie S. Proctor
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Katie S. Proctor
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                                       By: /s/ Maura Wadlinger
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Maura Wadlinger
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Director
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       BNP PARIBAS

                                       By: /s/ Richard L. Sted
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Richard L. Sted
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Central Region Manager
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                       By: /s/ Mark A. LoSchiavo
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Mark A. LoSchiavo
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Assistant Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       THE BANK OF NEW YORK

                                       By: /s/ Joshua M. Feldman
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Joshua M. Feldman
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Assistant Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       CITICORP USA INC.

                                       By: /s/ Mark J. Chabrel
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Mark J. Chabrel
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED

                                       By: /s/ John H. Kemper
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: John H. Kemper
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Senior Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       THE MITSUBISHI TRUST & BANKING
                                       CORPORATION

                                       By: /s/ Nobuo Tominaga
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Nobuo Tominaga
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Chief Manager
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK, LTD.

                                       By: /s/ John S. Sneed
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: John S. Sneed
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Senior Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       NATIONAL CITY BANK

                                       By: /s/ John R. DeFrancesco
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: John R. DeFrancesco
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED

                                       By: /s/ Peter L. Chinnici
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Peter L. Chinnici
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Senior Vice President & Group Head
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       MICHIGAN NATIONAL BANK

                                       By: /s/ Teresa L. Irland
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Teresa L. Irland
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: First Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                       CHEVY CHASE BANK, FSB

                                       By: /s/ Robert L. Smith
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Robert L. Smith
                                         -------------------------------------
                                       Its: Vice President
                                         -------------------------------------

                                     -120-
<PAGE>   127

                                                                    Schedule 2.9

                                  Pricing Grid-

               All margins and fees are expressed as basis points

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------- ------------------
                                                                                                           Applicable
                                                           Applicable Margin for       Applicable          Margin for
                        Leverage Ratio                            Offshore             Commitment          Base Rate
    Level                                                        Rate Loans               Fee                Loans
------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------- ------------------
<S>           <C>                                       <C>                        <C>                    <C>
     I                    Less than 2.25 to 1                       100                    20.0                0.0
------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------- ------------------
     II            Equal to or greater than 2.25 to 1               125                    25                  0.0
                    but less than 2.75 to 1
------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------- ------------------
    III            Equal to or greater than 2.75 to 1               150                    35                 25
                    but less than 3.25 to 1
------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------- ------------------
    IV             Equal to or greater than 3.25 to 1               175                    40                 50
                    but less than 3.75 to 1
------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------- ------------------
     V             Equal to or greater than 3.75 to 1               200                    50                 75
------------- ----------------------------------------- -------------------------- -------------------- ------------------
</TABLE><PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                          INVESTMENT BANKING AGREEMENT

This Agreement is made as of this day, May 6, 1999, by and between Universal
Automotive Industries, Inc., having its business office at 3350 North Kedzie,
Chicago, Illinois 60618 (the "Company") and EBI Securities Corp., with its
principal office located at 6300 South Syracuse Way, Englewood, Colorado 80111
(the "Consultant").

WHEREAS, the Company desires to retain the Consultant and the Consultant desires
to be retained by the Company, all pursuant to the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual promises and
covenants herein contained, it is agreed as follows:

1.       Retention - The Company hereby retains the Consultant to perform
         non-exclusive consulting services related to corporate finance and
         other matters, and the Consultant hereby accepts such retention and
         shall perform for the Company and the duties described herein,
         faithfully and to the best of its ability. In this regard, subject to
         paragraph 7 hereof, the Consultant shall devote such time and attention
         to the business of the Company, as shall be determined by the
         Consultant, subject to the direction of the President or Chief
         Executive Officer of the Company.

         (a)      The Consultant agrees, to the extent reasonably required in
                  the conduct of the business of the Company, and at the
                  Company's request, to place at the disposal of the Company its
                  judgment and experience and to provide business development
                  services to the Company including the following:

                  (i)      Review business plans and projections.
                  (ii)     Review financial data as it relates to financing.
                  (iii)    Advise on the Company's capital structure and on
                           alternatives for raising capital.
                  (iv)     Review and advise on prospective mergers and
                           acquisitions, and on any financing required to
                           complete such transactions.
                  (v)      Advise on issues relating to public offerings.
                  (vi)     Provide fairness opinions.
                  (vii)    Review managerial needs.
                  (viii)   Advise on issues relating to public relations.
                  (ix)     Review feasibility of Online advertising for business
                           transactions.

2.       Term - The Consultant's retention hereunder shall be for a term of
         twelve months commencing on the date of this Agreement and may be
         extended for another term of one year upon written consent of the
         parties.

3.       Compensation - The Consultant shall be compensated in accordance with
         the following schedule:

<PAGE>   2
         (a)      The Company shall pay to the Consultant $5,000 per month paid
                  quarterly in advance. The first installment is payable upon
                  the signing of this Agreement. An initial, one time fee of
                  $25,000 is also to be paid to the Consultant by the Company
                  upon the signing of this Agreement. The Company agrees that
                  separate fees shall be applicable for services provided in
                  1.(a)(vi). Any such fees will be subject to the Consultant's
                  customary terms and the prior written agreement of the
                  Company.

         (b)      The Company shall grant the Consultant a warrant (the
                  "Warrant") to purchase 200,000 shares of the common stock of
                  the Company exercisable not less than twelve (12) months from
                  the date of this Agreement for a period of forth-eight (48)
                  months thereafter at prices based on the following schedule:
                  100,000 shares at an exercise price of $1.4375 per share, and
                  100,000 shares at an exercise price of $2.00 per share.

The Warrant, shall possess anti-dilution provisions for stock dividends, splits,
mergers, sale of substantially all of the Company's assets, sale of stock at
below the then current exercise price of the Consultant's Warrant and for the
other events (other than employee benefit and stock option plans for the
employees and advisors of the Company and other than for all existing warrants
or stock options).

The Company also agrees, to grant to the Consultant, subject to the conditions
listed below, the right to demand registrations of the Common Stock issuable
upon exercise of the Warrant referred to above, on up to two (2) occasions with
all expenses of the first registration to be borne by the Company and all
expenses of the second registration to be borne by the Consultant; provided,
however, that such demand registration rights shall be exercisable after twelve
(12) months from the date of the Agreement. If the Common Stock trades at a 100%
premium to the strike price of the initial 100,000 warrants for 15 consecutive
trading days, then the warrants are immediately registerable.

The Company will, subject to the conditions listed below, to the extent
necessary to permit the sale of such shares, grant "piggy back" registration
rights to include the shares of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Warrant in any registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities
Act of 1933 relating to any underwriting of the sale of Common Stock or other
security. Inclusion of such shares is subject to the willingness of the managing
underwriter(s) to include said shares of Common Stock. In the event that the
Company after the date hereof grants registration rights to any other
shareholder on terms and conditions the Consultant deems to be more favorable
than these granted hereunder, the Company agrees to grant the same rights to the
Consultant.

4.       Expenses - The Company agrees to reimburse the Consultant for
         reasonable expenses incurred by the Consultant in connection with the
         services rendered hereunder, including but not limited to the
         Consultant's due diligence activities with respect to the Company. Any
         such expenses shall require the prior written approval of the Company.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3
5.       Indemnification - Since the Consultant will be acting on behalf of the
         Company in connection with its engagement hereunder, the Company and
         Consultant have entered into a separate indemnification agreement
         substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and dated the
         date hereof, providing for the indemnification of Consultant by the
         Company. The Consultant has entered into this Agreement in reliance on
         the indemnification set forth in such indemnification agreement.

6.       Status of Consultant - The Consultant shall be deemed to be an
         independent contractor and, except as expressly provided or authorized
         in this Agreement, shall have no authority to act for or represent the
         Company.

7.       Other Activities of Consultant - The Company recognizes that the
         Consultant now rendered and may continue to render financial consulting
         and other investment banking services to other companies, which may or
         may not conduct business and activities similar to those of the
         Company. The Consultant shall not conduct business and activities
         similar to those of the Company. The Consultant shall not be required
         to devote its full time and attention to the performance of its duties
         under this Agreement, but shall devote only so much of its time and
         attention as it deems reasonable or necessary for such purposes. The
         Consultant shall give written notice to the Company upon acceptance of
         any investment banking agreement with other companies in similar
         industries and businesses. The Consultant agrees to maintain as
         confidential any information it procures in rendering consulting
         services hereunder regarding the Company that is not generally known to
         the public, and agrees to not transmit any of such information to: (i)
         any employees of Consultant engaged in the trading of the Company's
         securities; or (ii) any competitors of the Company for whom Consultant
         performs consulting services. Consultant agrees that for so long as it
         provides services under this Agreement or owns warrants or common stock
         of the Company either directly or through affiliates, that neither
         Consultant nor its affiliates will sell short any of the Company
         securities, except to maintain an orderly market as a market maker.

8.       Control - Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to require the
         Company to take any action contrary to its Certificate of Incorporation
         or By-Laws, or any applicable statute or regulation, or to deprive its
         Board of Directors of their responsibility for any control of the
         conduct of the affairs of the Company.

9.       Notices - Any notices hereunder shall be sent to the Company and the
         Consultant at their respective addresses above set forth. Any notices
         shall be given by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, or
         overnight receipted delivery service (such as Federal Express) and
         shall be deemed to have been given when deposited in the United States
         mail. Either party may designate any other address to which notice
         shall be given, by giving written notice to the other of such change in
         address in the manner herein provided. Copies of all notices to the
         Company shall simultaneously be sent to Shefsky and Froelich Ltd., 444
         North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60611 (Tel. 312-836-4006/Fax
         312-527-3194), Attn: Mitchell Goldsmith.

                                       3
<PAGE>   4
10.      Governing Law - This Agreement has been made in the State of Colorado
         and shall be construed and governed in accordance with the laws thereof
         without regard to conflicts of laws.

11.      Entire Agreement - This Agreement contains the entire agreement between
         the parities, may not be altered or modified, except in writing and
         signed by the party to be charged thereby and supersedes any and all
         previous agreements between the parties.

12.      Binding Effect - This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties
         hereto and their respective heirs, administrators, successors and
         assigns.

13.      Termination - Either party may terminate this Agreement in writing with
         or without cause during the first six months of this Agreement. If
         during this period the Agreement is terminated by either party, the
         Consultant shall forfeit the Warrant exercisable at $2.00 per share,
         but shall retain the warrants exercisable at $1.4375 per share and any
         cash portion of its compensation which it has earned up to the date of
         such termination. If either the Company or EBI Securities terminates
         the Agreement at any time after the above six month period, EBI shall
         retain both Warrants and any cash portion of its compensation which it
         has earned up to the date of such termination.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement the
day and year first above written.

UNIVERSAL AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES, INC.

By:  /s/ Arvin Scott
    -----------------------------------------
Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
       --------------------------------------

EBI SECURITIES CORPORATION

  /s/ Steven Hinkel                              /s/ Clifford T. Morgan
---------------------------------------------    -------------------------------
Steven Hinkel                                    Clifford T. Morgan
Director of Corporate Finance                    Senior Vice President

                                       4

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