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Exhibit 10.44    
  

[Mediaplex
logo] 

April 4,
2001 

Mr. Tom Vadnais

30415 Oakview Way

Bingham Farms, MI 48025  

 Re: Terms of Employment Offer with Mediaplex, Inc.  

Dear Tom:  

    Mediaplex, Inc, (the "Company"), is pleased to offer you the position described below. This letter sets forth the terms and conditions of your employment with
the Company and is subject to the satisfactory completion of background and reference checks currently underway. 

	I.
	Description of Employment Position and Responsibilities.You will serve in the
position of President and Chief Executive Officer. At the next regularly scheduled board meeting you will be appointed to become a member of the
Company's Board of Directors. By executing this agreement, you agree to assume and discharge such duties and responsibilities as are commensurate with this position and such
other duties and responsibilities that are assigned to you from time to time by the Company's Board of Directors. During the term of your employment, you shall devote your full time, skill and
attention to your duties and responsibilities and shall perform them faithfully, diligently and competently. In addition, you shall comply with and be bound by the operating policies, procedures and
practices of the Company in effect from time to time during your employment. 
	II.
	Employment Considerations.

    2.1 At-Will Employment. You acknowledge that your employment with the Company is for an unspecified duration
that constitutes at-will employment, and that either you or the Company can terminate this relationship at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice. 

    2.2 Employment Eligibility. Your employment is contingent on your submission to the Company of satisfactory original
documentation to verify your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. 

	III.
	Compensation. 

    3.1 Base Salary. In consideration of your services, effective on your first day of employment on April 4, 2001,
you will be paid an annual base salary of $400,000 (Four Hundred Thousand Dollars and no Cents), payable no less frequently than on a monthly basis in
accordance with the Company's standard payroll practices and subject to customary adjustments. Your base salary, in conjunction with your performance evaluation, is normally reviewed annually by the
Company's Board of Directors or by the Compensation Committee of the Board. 

    3.2 Incentive Compensation. In addition to your base salary, you will be eligible for an annual bonus including a
100 percent of salary target with 50 percent guaranteed and paid quarterly, and the remaining 50 percent based on meeting milestones mutually agreed upon within sixty
(60) days of employment by you and the Company's Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of the Board. These milestones will focus on revenue, profitability, cash in the bank and stock
performance. 

	IV.
	Additional Benefits. 

    4.1 Health Insurance/Vacation/Benefit Plans. You will be entitled to receive the standard employee benefits made
available by the Company to its employees to the full extent of your eligibility therefor. You shall be entitled to three (3) weeks of paid personal time off ("PTO") per year, which may be
accumulated to a maximum of 180 hours; the terms and conditions of your 

 

benefits shall be in accordance with the Company's PTO policy in effect at that time; provided however, no single vacation shall be in excess of two (2) weeks. During your employment, you shall
be permitted, to the extent eligible, to participate in any group medical, dental, life insurance and disability insurance plans, or similar benefit plan of the Company that is available to employees
generally. Participation in any such plan shall be consistent with your rate of compensation to the extent that compensation is a determinative factor with respect to coverage under any such plan. 

    4.2 Reimbursed Expenses. The Company shall reimburse you for all reasonable expenses actually incurred or paid by you in
the performance of your services on behalf of the Company, upon prior authorization and approval in accordance with the Company's expense reimbursement policy as from time to time in effect. In
addition, the Company shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket documented expenses related to relocation moving costs incurred by you, in any event, not to exceed One Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (the "Moving Expenses"). The Company will also pay any taxes that you incur in connection with the Moving Expenses. Furthermore, the Company will provide you with a monthly
automobile allowance of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($750.00) and free parking at corporate premises, or if no such premises exist, then a monthly parking allowance up to a maximum of Two Hundred
and Fifty Dollars ($250.00). 

    4.3 Stock Options. Pursuant to Board approval, and under the terms and conditions of the Company's Stock Option Plan and
Stock Option Agreement, including the stock vesting provisions contained therein, you will be granted an option to purchase one million (1,000,000) shares of common-stock of the Company (the
"Options"). The Options will vest over four years from date of grant of April 4, 2001, and at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant on
April 4, 2001. An additional option to purchase up to 225,000 shares of common stock of the Company will be granted to you by the Board (the "Additional Options"). The Additional Options will
vest over four years from the date of grant and at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant subject to you satisfactorily meeting certain milestones to be
mutually agreed upon within sixty (60) days of employment with the Company by you and the Board, or the Compensation Committee of the Board on behalf of the Board. These milestones shall be the
same as delineated in paragraph 3.2 of this Agreement. 

	V.
	Termination; Change of Control Benefits. 

    5.1 Termination for Other Than Cause. In the event that the Company elects to terminate you for other than "Cause" (as
defined below), or if you are "Constructively Terminated" (as defined below), subject to your execution and non-revocation of a Settlement Agreement and Release satisfactory to the
Company's Board of Directors (the "Release"), the Company will pay to you as severance, in one lump sum, an amount equal to twelve (12) months of your annual base salary plus any amounts due
and owing to you in effect immediately prior to the time of such termination. In addition, you will receive any and all amounts legally due and owing to you as of the date of termination (e.g.,
accrued vacation time and earned bonuses). Such amount paid will be reduced by all applicable withholding taxes and other deductions required by law and any additional amounts authorized by you to be
withheld. 

    5.2 Voluntary Termination; Cause. At any time, if your employment is terminated by the Company with Cause, or if you
resign your employment voluntarily, no compensation or other payments will be paid or provided to you for periods following the date when such a termination of employment is effective, provided that
any rights you may have under the benefit plans of the Company shall be determined under the provisions of those plans. If your employment terminates as a result of your death or disability, no
compensation or payments will be made to you other than those to which you may otherwise be entitled under the benefit plans of the Company. 

2

 

    5.3 Change of Control Compensation. In the event there should occur a Change of Control (as defined below),  and after such
Change of Control, (i) the Company terminates your employment for any reason other than for Cause (as defined below) or on account
of your permanent disability or death or (ii) there occurs a Constructive Termination (as defined below), the Company will pay to you as severance, in one lump sum amount (unless you indicate
in writing to the Company prior to the Company's payment of your election to be paid in installments over a specified period) an amount equal to twelve (12) months of your annual base salary
plus any amounts due and owing to you in effect immediately prior to the time of such termination. Such amounts paid will be reduced by all applicable withholding taxes and other deductions required
by law and any additional amounts authorized by you to be withheld. 

Termination Not For Cause Or Constructive Termination: Acceleration Of Options. In the event, a Change of Control should occur, and after such Change of
Control, the Company terminates your employment without Cause or if you are "Constructively Terminated" (as defined below), then subject to your execution and non-revocation of the
Release, the vesting of one hundred (100) percent of your Options shall be accelerated such that one hundred (100) percent of your Options will be immediately exercisable. 

    5.4 Other Change of Control Benefits. Subject to your execution and non-revocation of the Release, in
addition to any amounts payable under Section 5.3 above, for a period of twelve (12) months following termination of employment, the Company will continue to provide you with, and pay
the same portion of the cost as is then paid by the Company as of the termination date of health, disability and life insurance coverage for you, your spouse and dependents that is commensurate with
the coverage then provided to you at the time of termination, provided that you timely elect to continue your (and if applicable, your dependants') coverage under COBRA and do not receive coverage
under a comparable plan from another employer. The Company will structure such health, disability and life insurance coverage as nontaxable benefits to the maximum extent possible, including, but not
limited to, by characterizing such benefits as coverage to a former employee. Specifically for health insurance coverage to the extent permitted by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of 1985 ("COBRA") and by the Company's group health insurance policies, you will elect COBRA continuation coverage and the Company will pay you and your covered dependents' COBRA continuation premiums
for twelve months (12) following the date of termination of employment. You agree to notify the Vice President of Human Resources of the Company in writing immediately upon the commencement of
health benefit coverage, which would cause your COBRA continuation coverage to cease. This Section 5.4 provides only for the Company's payment of COBRA continuation premiums for the periods
specified above. This Section V is not intended to affect, nor does it affect, the rights of you, or your covered dependents under any applicable law with respect to health insurance
continuation coverage. 

    5.5 Outplacement Services. Subject to your execution and non-revocation of the Release, in addition, the
Company will, at its sole expense as incurred, for a period of twelve (12) months following termination of employment, provide you with outplacement services the scope and provider of which
will be selected by you in your sole discretion. 

    5.6 Change in Control Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement: 

    (a) A
"Change in Control" will be deemed to occur upon consummation of any one of the following: 

    (i)  a
sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; 

    (ii) a
merger, consolidation or other reorganization in which the Company is not the surviving corporation and the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the 

3

 

merger, consolidation or other reorganization fail to possess direct or indirect ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the securities of the surviving corporation (or if
the surviving corporation is a controlled affiliate of another Person, then the required beneficial ownership will be determined with respect to the securities of that Person which controls the
surviving corporation and is not itself a controlled affiliate of any other Person) immediately following such transaction; 

    (iii) a
merger, consolidation or other reorganization in which the Company is the surviving corporation and the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such
merger, consolidation or other reorganization fail to possess direct or indirect beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the securities of the Company (or if the Company is a
controlled affiliate of another Person, then the required beneficial ownership will be determined with respect to the securities of that Person which controls the Company and is not itself a
controlled affiliate of any other Person) immediately following such transaction; 

    (iv) any
transaction or series of related transactions after which any person (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), other than
any employee benefit plan or related trust sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act or comparable successor rule) of voting securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of all of the voting securities of the
Company; 

    (v) the
individuals who, as of the date immediately following the Company's 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, are members of the Company's Board of Directors (the
"Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least fifty percent (50%) thereof. (If the election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, of any new director was approved
by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Incumbent Board, such new director will be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board); and 

    (vi) the
liquidation or dissolution of the Company. 

    For
purposes of Sections 5.6(a)(ii) and 5.6(a)(iii) above, any Person who acquired securities of the Company prior to the occurrence of the specified transaction in
contemplation of such transaction and who immediately after such transaction possesses direct or indirect beneficial ownership of at least ten percent (10%) of the securities of the Company or the
surviving corporation, as appropriate (or if the Company or the surviving corporation is a controlled affiliate, then of the appropriate Person as determined above), will not be included in the group
of stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transaction. 

    (b) A
"Constructive Termination" means any of the following: 

    (i)  a
reduction, without your written consent, in your then current annual base salary (other than any base salary reduction that is implemented generally with respect
to all executives at the Company); or 

    (ii) a
reduction in your position and/or responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer; and 

    (iii) a
relocation of your principal place of employment by more than seventy (70) miles, unless you consent in writing to such relocation; and 

    (c) "Cause"
shall mean any one of the following: (i) your conviction (or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to) of
a felony, or committing an act of dishonesty, fraud or the misappropriation of Company property, (ii) your willful engagement in gross misconduct or willful neglect which are significantly and
demonstrably injurious to the Company, (iii) your 

4

 

failure or refusal to perform duties of your position, such as a directive from the Company's Board of Directors which failure or refusal is not cured within fifteen (15) days after you are
notified in writing of the specific failure or refusal, (iv) your breach in any material respect the terms of this Agreement or the Intellectual Property Agreement (attached); or
(v) your commencement of employment with another employer while you are employed by the Company. 

    (d) "Person"
means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other legal entity including
any governmental entity. 

	VI.
	Continuation of Employment and Cooperation with the Company after Change in Control.
Following a Change in Control, you agree that you will continue to provide your services as an employee of the Company (or the successor to the Company), as requested, as previously provided prior to
the Change in Control or such performance as is reasonably requested by the Company (or its successor) and is substantially similar as your duties prior to such Change in Control; and to cooperate
with the Company (or its successor) in all matters relating to any winding up of your pending work on behalf of the Company (or its successor) and the orderly transfer of any such pending work to
other employees of the Company (or its successor) as may be designated by the Company (or its successor), which period will not exceed ninety (90) days. Furthermore, you agree to return all
property of the Company in your possession or control to the Company (or its successor) as promptly as practicable within ten (10) days after the effective date of your termination of
employment, except to the extent that retention of any of such property is necessary or desirable or convenient in order to permit you to satisfy your obligations under this Section VI. The
performance of your obligations under this Section VI shall be a condition to any and all of the benefits payable or otherwise granted to you upon a termination of your employment after a
Change in Control pursuant to Section VI hereof. 
	VII.
	Intellectual Property Rights/Confidential Information. 

    7.1 Valuable Trade Secrets. You agree that the Company is the owner of valuable trade secrets, client, vendor, customer
and contractor lists and other confidential and proprietary information. As such, you agree that your employment is contingent upon your execution of, and delivery to, the Company of a Confidential
Information and Invention Assignment Agreement ("Intellectual Property Agreement") in the standard form utilized by the Company. 

    7.2 Additional Confidential Information. You agree to maintain the confidentiality of all elements of this Agreement,
agreeing to an absolute prohibition on any disclosure or use of such information in any fashion, with the exception of discussions with the Company's Human Resources Department, Legal Department or
Board of Directors or any agents acting on behalf of the Board. As you are well aware, the maintenance of confidentiality of this kind of information is critical to our organization. 

    7.3 Equitable Remedies. You agree that it would be impossible or inadequate to measure and calculate the Company's
damages from any breach of the covenants set forth in this Section as well as Sections 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the Intellectual Property Agreement. Accordingly, you agree that if you breach any of such
Sections, the Company will have available, in addition to any other right or remedy available, the right to obtain an injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction restraining such breach or
threatened breach and to specific performance of any such provision of this Agreement. You further agree that no bond or other security shall be required in obtaining, such equitable relief and you
hereby consent to the issuance of such injunction and to the ordering of specific performance. 

	VIII.
	Non-Competition/Conflicting Employment. You agree that, during the term
of your employment with the Company, you will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other 

5

 

business
activity directly related to the business in which the Company and/or its customers are now involved or become involved during the term of your employment, nor will you engage in any other
activities that conflict with your obligations to the Company. 

	IX.
	Arbitration. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.3 above, it is agreed
that any dispute or controversy arising out of or relating to any interpretation, construction, performance or breach of this Agreement, shall be exclusively settled by confidential arbitration to be
held in San Francisco County, California, in accordance with the rules then in effect of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator may grant injunctions or other relief in such dispute or
controversy. The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on the parties to the arbitration. Judgement may be entered on the arbitrator's decision in any court having
jurisdiction. Each party shall pay one-half of the costs and expenses of such arbitration, and each of us shall separately pay our counsel fees and expenses. 
	X.
	General
Provisions. 

    10.1 Governing Law. This offer letter will be governed by the laws of the State of California. 

    10.2 Entire Agreement. This offer letter sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and you
relating to your employment and supersedes all prior verbal discussion and written agreements between us. Any subsequent change or changes in your duties, salary or other compensation will not affect
the validity or scope of this agreement. Any change to the at-will term of this agreement must be executed in writing and signed by you and the Board, or the Compensation Committee of the
Board on behalf of the Board. 

    10.3 Successors/Assigns. This agreement will be binding upon your heirs, executors, administrators and other legal
representatives and will be for the benefit of the Company and its respective successors and assigns. 

    Please
acknowledge and confirm your acceptance of this letter by signing and returning the enclosed copy of this offer letter, and the Confidential Information and Invention
Assignment Agreement as soon as possible. 

    If
you have any questions about this offer letter, please call me directly. 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	MEDIAPLEX, INC.
	

 	
 	

 	
 	

 	
 	

By:	
 	

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Gregory R. Raifman
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

ACCEPTANCE:

    I
accept the terms of my employment with Mediaplex, Inc. as set forth herein. I understand that this offer letter does not constitute a contract of employment for any specified
period of time, and that my employment relationship may be terminated by either party, with or without cause and with or without notice. 

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ACCEPTED AND AGREED: 

	

	
 	

 	
 	

Date:	
 	

 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	

	Tom Vadnais	 	 	 	 	 	 

7

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.44<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                          SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          ---------------------------
                          REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
                          --------------------------

                           DATED as of July 13, 2001

                                     among

                      NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE, INC.,

                    THE BANKS LISTED ON Schedule 1 hereto,
                                        -------- -

                        FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Agent,

                                      and

             CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS, as Syndication Agent

                      FLEET SECURITIES, INC., as Arranger
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
1.   DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION........................................   1
     ---------------------------------------
         1.1.   Definitions.........................................................   1
                -----------
         1.2.   Rules of Interpretation.............................................   20
                -----------------------
2.   THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY..................................................   21
     -----------------------------
         2.1.   Commitment to Lend Syndicated Loans.................................   21
                -----------------------------------
         2.2.   Requests for Loans..................................................   21
                ------------------
         2.3.   Competitive Bid Loans...............................................   22
                ---------------------
                  2.3.1.   Competitive Bid Borrowings...............................   22
                           --------------------------
                  2.3.2.   Maximum Competitive Bid Loans; Funding Losses............   25
                           ---------------------------------------------
                  2.3.3.   Repayment of Competitive Bid Loans.......................   26
                           ----------------------------------
         2.4.   Funds for Loans.....................................................   26
                ---------------
                  2.4.1.   Funding Procedures.......................................   26
                           ------------------
                  2.4.2.   Advances by Agent........................................   26
                           -----------------
         2.5.   The Notes...........................................................   27
                ---------
                  2.5.1.   Syndicated Notes.........................................   27
                           ----------------
                  2.5.2.   Competitive Bid Notes....................................   28
                           ---------------------
         2.6.   Reduction of Total Commitment.......................................   28
                -----------------------------
         2.7.   Interest on Loans...................................................   28
                -----------------
         2.8.   Conversion Options..................................................   30
                ------------------
                  2.8.1.   Conversion to Different Type of Syndicated Loan..........   30
                           -----------------------------------------------
                  2.8.2.   Continuation of Type of Syndicated Loan..................   30
                           ---------------------------------------
                  2.8.3.   Eurodollar Rate Loans....................................   31
                           ---------------------
         2.9.   Limited Increase In Total Commitment................................   31
                ------------------------------------
3.   REPAYMENT OF THE LOANS.........................................................   31
     ----------------------
         3.1.   Maturity............................................................   31
                --------
         3.2.   Mandatory Repayments of Loans.......................................   31
                -----------------------------
         3.3.   Optional Repayments of Syndicated Loans.............................   32
                ---------------------------------------
4.   CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.....................................................   32
     --------------------------
         4.1.   Agent and Arranger Fees.............................................   32
                -----------------------
         4.2.   Facility Fee and Utilization Fee....................................   32
                --------------------------------
         4.3.   Funds for Payments..................................................   33
                ------------------
                  4.3.1.   Payments to Agent........................................   33
                           -----------------
                  4.3.2.   No Offset, etc...........................................   33
                           --------------
                  4.3.3.   Non-U.S. Banks...........................................   34
                         -----------------
         4.4.   Computations........................................................   35
                ------------
         4.5.   Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate..............................   35
                --------------------------------------
         4.6.   Illegality..........................................................   35
                ----------
         4.7.   Additional Costs, etc...............................................   36
                ---------------------
         4.8.   Capital Adequacy....................................................   37
                ----------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

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<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
         4.9.   Certificate.........................................................   37
                -----------
         4.10.   Indemnity..........................................................   37
                 ---------
         4.11.   Interest After Default.............................................   38
                 ----------------------
                  4.11.1.   Overdue Amounts.........................................   38
                            ---------------
                  4.11.2.   Amounts Not Overdue.....................................   38
                            -------------------
         4.12.   Guaranties.........................................................   38
                 ----------
5.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.................................................   38
     ------------------------------
         5.1.   Corporate Authority.................................................   38
                -------------------
                  5.1.1.   Organization; Good Standing..............................   39
                           ---------------------------
                  5.1.2.   Authorization............................................   39
                           -------------
                  5.1.3.   Enforceability...........................................   39
                           --------------
         5.2.   Governmental Approvals..............................................   39
                ----------------------
         5.3.   Title to Properties; Leases.........................................   39
                ---------------------------
         5.4.   Financial Statements................................................   40
                --------------------
                  5.4.1.   Financial Statements.....................................   40
                           --------------------
                  5.4.2. Projections................................................   40
                         -----------
         5.5.   No Material Changes, etc............................................   41
                ------------------------
         5.6.   Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, etc................................   41
                ------------------------------------
         5.7.   Litigation..........................................................   41
                ----------
         5.8.   No Materially Adverse Contracts, etc................................   41
                ------------------------------------
         5.9.   Compliance With Other Instruments, Laws, etc........................   42
                --------------------------------------------
         5.10.   Tax Status.........................................................   42
                 ----------
         5.11.   No Event of Default................................................   42
                 -------------------
         5.12.   Holding Company and Investment Company Acts........................   42
                 -------------------------------------------
         5.13.   Absence of Financing Statements, etc...............................   42
                 ------------------------------------
         5.14.   Chief Executive Office.............................................   42
                 ----------------------
         5.15.   Certain Transactions...............................................   42
                 --------------------
         5.16.   Employee Benefit Plans.............................................   43
                 ----------------------
                  5.16.1.   In General..............................................   43
                            ----------
                  5.16.2.   Terminability of Welfare Plans..........................   43
                            ------------------------------
                  5.16.3.   Guaranteed Pension Plans................................   43
                            ------------------------
                  5.16.4.   Multiemployer Plans.....................................   44
                            -------------------
         5.17.   Use of Proceeds....................................................   44
                 ---------------
                  5.17.1.   General.................................................   44
                            -------
                  5.17.2.   Regulations U and X.....................................   45
                            -------------------
                  5.17.3.   Ineligible Securities...................................   45
                            ---------------------
         5.18.   Environmental Compliance...........................................   45
                 ------------------------
         5.19.   Subsidiaries, etc..................................................   47
                 ------------------
         5.20.   Disclosure.........................................................   47
                 ----------
         5.21.   Fiscal Year........................................................   47
                 -----------
         5.22.   Solvency...........................................................   47
                 --------
         5.23.   Financing Statements.
                 --------------------
6.   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER..........................................   49
     -------------------------------------
         6.1.   Punctual Payment....................................................   49
                ----------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                                               -iii-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                   <C>
         6.2.   Maintenance of Office...............................................  49
                ---------------------
         6.3.  Records and Accounts.................................................  49
               --------------------
         6.4.   Financial Statements, Certificates and Information..................  50
                --------------------------------------------------
         6.5.   Notices.............................................................  51
                -------
                  6.5.1.   Defaults.................................................  51
                           --------
                  6.5.2.   Environmental Events.....................................  51
                           --------------------
                  6.5.3.  Notice of Litigation and Judgments........................  52
                          ----------------------------------
         6.6.   Corporate or Other Existence; Maintenance of Properties.............  52
                -------------------------------------------------------
         6.7.   Insurance...........................................................  52
                ---------
         6.8.   Taxes...............................................................  53
                -----
         6.9.   Inspection of Properties and Books, etc.............................  53
                ----------------------------------------
                  6.9.1.   General..................................................  53
                           -------
                  6.9.2.   Communication with Accountants...........................  53
                           ------------------------------
         6.10.   Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses, and Permits.............  53
                 ------------------------------------------------------
         6.11.   Employee Benefit Plans.............................................  54
                 ----------------------
         6.12.   Use of Proceeds....................................................  54
                 ---------------
         6.13.   Certain Intercompany Payments......................................  54
                 -----------------------------
         6.14.   Further Assurances.................................................  55
                 ------------------
7.   CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.....................................  55
     ------------------------------------------
         7.1.   Restrictions on Indebtedness........................................  55
                ----------------------------
         7.2.   Restrictions on Liens...............................................  59
                ---------------------
         7.3.  Restrictions on Investments..........................................  60
               ---------------------------
         7.4.   Restricted Payments.................................................  62
                -------------------
         7.5.   Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets.....................  62
                -----------------------------------------------
                  7.5.1.   Mergers and Acquisitions.................................  62
                           ------------------------
                  7.5.2.   Disposition of Assets....................................  62
                           ---------------------
         7.6.   Sale and Leaseback..................................................  63
                ------------------
         7.7.   Compliance with Environmental Laws..................................  63
                ----------------------------------
         7.8.   Employee Benefit Plans..............................................  63
                ----------------------
         7.9.   Fiscal Year.........................................................  64
                -----------
         7.10.   Prohibition on Negative Pledges....................................  64
                 -------------------------------
         7.11.   Creation and Maintenance of Subsidiaries...........................  64
                 ----------------------------------------
         7.12.   Conduct of Business; Agreements Regarding Certain Subsidiaries.....  65
                 --------------------------------------------------------------
                  7.12.1.   General.................................................  65
                            -------
                  7.12.2.   R&M Trust and Chiswick Trust............................  65
                            ----------------------------
         7.14.    Subordinated and Pari Passu Indebtedness..........................  66
                  ----------------------------------------
8.   FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER............................................  66
     -----------------------------------
         8.1.   Funded Debt to EBITDA...............................................  66
                ---------------------
         8.2.   Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.................................  66
                -----------------------------------
9.   CLOSING CONDITIONS.............................................................  67
     ------------------
         9.1.   Loan Documents......................................................  67
                --------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                                               -iv-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
         9.2.   Certified Copies of Charter Documents...............................   67
                -------------------------------------
         9.3.   Corporate Action....................................................   67
                ----------------
         9.4.   Incumbency Certificate..............................................   67
                ----------------------
         9.5.   UCC Search Results..................................................   67
                ------------------
         9.6.   Certificates of Insurance...........................................   68
                -------------------------
         9.7.   Solvency Certificate................................................   68
                --------------------
         9.8.   Opinion of Counsel..................................................   68
                ------------------
         9.9.   Payment of Fees.....................................................   68
                ---------------
         9.10.   No Material Adverse Change.........................................   68
                 --------------------------
10.   CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS..................................................   68
      ----------------------------
         10.1.   Representations True; No Event of Default..........................   68
                 -----------------------------------------
         10.2.   No Legal Impediment................................................   69
                 -------------------
         10.3.   Governmental Regulation............................................   69
                 -----------------------
         10.4.   Proceedings and Documents..........................................   69
                 -------------------------
11.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC..........................................   69
      ------------------------------------
         11.1.   Events of Default and Acceleration.................................   69
                 ----------------------------------
         11.2.   Termination of Commitments.........................................   73
                 --------------------------
         11.3.   Remedies...........................................................   73
                 --------
12.   SETOFF........................................................................   73
      ------
13.   THE AGENT.....................................................................   74
      ---------
         13.1.   Authorization......................................................   74
                 -------------
         13.2.   Employees and Agents...............................................   75
                 --------------------
         13.3.   No Liability.......................................................   75
                 ------------
         13.4.   No Representations.................................................   75
                 ------------------
                  13.4.2.  Closing Documentation, etc...............................   76
                           --------------------------
         13.5.   Payments...........................................................   76
                 --------
                  13.5.1.   Payments to Agent.......................................   76
                            -----------------
                  13.5.2.   Distribution by Agent...................................   76
                            ---------------------
                  13.5.3.   Delinquent Banks........................................   76
                            ----------------
         13.6.   Holders of Notes...................................................   77
                 ----------------
         13.7.   Indemnity..........................................................   77
                 ---------
         13.8.   Agent as Bank......................................................   77
                 -------------
         13.9.   Resignation........................................................   77
                 -----------
         13.10.   Notification of Defaults and Events of Default....................   78
                  ----------------------------------------------
         13.11.   Limitation on Duties..............................................   78
                  --------------------
14.   EXPENSES......................................................................   78
      --------
15.   INDEMNIFICATION...............................................................   79
      ---------------
16.   SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC....................................................   79
      --------------------------
17.   ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION..................................................   80
      ----------------------------
         17.1.   Conditions to Assignment by Banks..................................   80
                 ---------------------------------
         17.2.   Certain Representations and Warranties; Limitations; Covenants.....   80
                 --------------------------------------------------------------
         17.3.   Register...........................................................   81
                 --------
         17.4.   New Notes..........................................................   81
                 ---------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                                               -v-

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                    <C>
         17.5.   Participations.....................................................   82
                 --------------
         17.6.   Disclosure.........................................................   82
                 ----------
         17.7.   Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrower...............   82
                 ----------------------------------------------------
         17.8.   Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions................................   83
                 -----------------------------------
         17.9.   Assignment by Borrower.............................................   83
                 ----------------------
18.   NOTICES, ETC..................................................................   83
      ------------
19.   GOVERNING LAW.................................................................   84
      -------------
20.   HEADINGS......................................................................   84
      --------
21.   COUNTERPARTS..................................................................   85
      ------------
22.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC.........................................................   85
      ---------------------
23.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL..........................................................   85
      --------------------
24.   CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC............................................   86
      ----------------------------------
25.   SEVERABILITY..................................................................   87
      ------------
26.   TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.................................   87
      ---------------------------------------------
         26.1.   Confidentiality....................................................   87
                 ---------------
         26.2.   Prior Notification.................................................   87
                 ------------------
         26.3.   Other..............................................................   88
                 -----
27.   TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.....................................................   88
      -------------------------
         27.1.   First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Superseded.............   88
                 ------------------------------------------------------
         27.2.   Return and Cancellation of Notes...................................   89
                 --------------------------------
         27.3.   Fees Under First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.............   89
                 ------------------------------------------------------
28.  Replacement Documents..........................................................   89
     ---------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                          SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
                          --------------------------

     This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT is made as of
July ___, 2001, by and among NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE, INC. (the
"Borrower"), a Delaware corporation having its principal place of business at
500 Main Street, Groton, Massachusetts 01471, FLEET NATIONAL BANK, formerly
known as BANKBOSTON, N.A., a national banking association, and the other lending
institutions listed on Schedule 1 hereto, FLEET NATIONAL BANK, formerly known as
                       -------- -
BANKBOSTON, N.A. as agent for itself and such other lending institutions, and
CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS, as syndication agent.

     The Borrower, the Agent, Fleet National Bank, as Documentation Agent, and
certain of the Banks have heretofore entered into an Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 18, 1997 (the "First Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement"), which in turn was an amendment and restatement of a
Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of March 26, 1997 (the "Original Credit
Agreement").  Each of the Borrower, the Agent and such Banks desire, upon the
terms and conditions set forth herein, to amend and restate the First Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement in order, among other things, to increase the size
of the Total Commitment and to add certain additional lending institutions as
"Banks" for purposes hereof.  Accordingly, the parties hereto hereby agree to
amend and restate the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement on the
following terms and conditions:

          1.   DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF INTERPRETATION.
               ---------------------------------------

     1.1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the meanings set forth in
          -----------
this (S)1 or elsewhere in the provisions of this Credit Agreement referred to
below:

     Advantage.  Advantage Business Services Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
     ---------
corporation.

     Affiliate.  Any Person that would be considered to be an affiliate of the
     ---------
Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Bank under Rule 144(a) of the
Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as in effect on
the date hereof, if the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Bank
were issuing securities.

     Agent's Fee Letter.  The side letter dated as of the Closing Date among the
     ------------------
Agent, the Arranger and the Borrower regarding certain fees to be paid by the
Borrower to the Agent and the Arranger on and after the Closing Date.

     Agent's Head Office.  The Agent's head office located at 100 Federal
     -------------------
Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, or at such other location as the Agent may
designate from time to time.
<PAGE>

                                      -2-

     Agent.  Fleet National Bank acting as agent for the Banks.
     -----

     Agent's Special Counsel.  Bingham Dana LLP or such other counsel as may be
     -----------------------
approved by the Agent.

     Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin.  For any fiscal quarter or portion
     ---------------------------------
thereof within any Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan,
1.25% per annum; provided, however, that in the event that the ratio of
                 --------  -------
Consolidated Funded Debt (calculated as of the last day of such fiscal quarter
or portion thereof) to EBITDA (calculated for the four (4) consecutive fiscal
quarters ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter or portion thereof) meets
the requirements set forth in the chart below, the Applicable Eurodollar Rate
Margin shall, commencing initially with the date on which the Borrower delivers
to the Banks the financial statements referred to in (S)6.4(a) with respect to
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 and thereafter commencing with the date on
which the Borrower delivers to the Banks the financial statements referred to in
(S)6.4(a) or, as the case may be, (S)6.4(b) and ending on the date of the next
change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph, be the percentage set forth
opposite the applicable ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to EBITDA in the table
below:

     Ratio of Consolidated Funded                        Applicable Eurodollar
          Debt to EBITDA                                        Rate Margin
          --------------                                        -----------

       Less than or equal to 1.0:1.0                               0.55%

       Greater than 1.0:1.0 and less than or                       0.60%
       equal to 1.5:1.0

       Greater than 1.5:1.0 and less than or                       0.75%
       equal to 2.0:1.0

       Greater than 2.0:1.0 and less than or                       0.80%
       equal to 2.25:1.0

       Greater than 2.25:1                                         1.25%

If any financial statements referred to above are not delivered within the time
periods specified in (S)6.4(a) or, as the case may be, (S)6.4(b), then, until
such financial statements are delivered, the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin
as at the end of the fiscal period that would have been covered thereby shall,
for the purposes of this definition, be deemed to be 1.25%.  In addition, at all
times while a Default or an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin shall, for the purposes of
this definition, be deemed to be 1.25%.

     Applicable Facility Fee Percentage.  For any fiscal quarter or portion
     ----------------------------------
thereof, 0.375% per annum; provided, however, that in the event that the ratio
                           --------  -------
of Consolidated Funded Debt (calculated as of the last day of such fiscal
quarter
<PAGE>

                                      -3-

or portion thereof) to EBITDA (calculated for the four consecutive fiscal
quarters existing on the last day of such fiscal quarter or portion thereof)
meets the requirements set forth in the chart below, the Applicable Facility Fee
Percentage shall, commencing initially with the date on which the Borrower
delivers to the Banks the financial statements referred to in (S)6.4(a) with
respect to the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 and thereafter commencing with
the date on which the Borrower delivers to the Banks the financial statements
referred to in (S)6.4(a) or, as the case may be, (S)6.4(b) and ending on the
next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph, be the percentage set
forth opposite the applicable ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to EBITDA set
forth in the table below:

     Ratio of Consolidated Funded                         Applicable Facility
             Debt to EBITDA                                   Fee Percentage
             --------------                                   --------------

        Less than or equal to 1.0:1.0                              0.200%

        Greater than 1.0:1.0 and less than or                      0.250%
        equal to 1.5:1.0

        Greater than 1.5:1.0 and less than or                      0.250%
        equal to 2.0:1.0

        Greater than 2.0:1.0                                       0.375%

If any financial statements referred to above are not delivered within the time
periods specified in (S)6.4(a) or, as the case may be, (S)6.4(b), then, until
such financial statements are delivered, the Applicable Facility Fee Percentage
as at the end of the fiscal period that would have been covered thereby shall,
for the purposes of this definition, be deemed to be 0.375%. In addition, at all
times while a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
the Applicable Facility Fee Percentage shall, for the purposes of this
definition, be 0.375%.

     Applicable Pension Legislation.  At any time, any pension or retirement
     ------------------------------
benefits legislation (be it national, federal, provincial, territorial or
otherwise) then applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

     Arranger.  Fleet Securities, Inc.
     --------

     Assignment and Acceptance.  See (S)17.1.
     -------------------------

     Balance Sheet Date.  June 24, 2000.
     ------------------

     Banks. Fleet and the other lending institutions listed on Schedule 1 hereto
     -----                                                     -------- -
and any other Person who becomes an assignee of any rights and obligations of a
Bank pursuant to (S)17.
<PAGE>

                                      -4-

     Base Rate.  The higher of (i) the variable per annum rate of interest so
     ---------
designated from time to time by Fleet at its head office in Boston,
Massachusetts, as its "prime rate," such rate being a reference rate and not
necessarily representing the lowest or best rate being charged to any customer,
and (ii) one-half of one percent (1/2%) above the Federal Funds Effective Rate.
For the purposes of this definition, "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall mean,
for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on
overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System
arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or if such day is
not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a
Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions
received by the Agent from three funds brokers of recognized standing selected
by the Agent.  Changes in the Base Rate resulting from any changes in Fleet's
"prime rate" shall take place immediately without notice or demand of any kind.

     Base Rate Loans.  Any Syndicated Loans bearing interest calculated by
     ---------------
reference to the Base Rate.

     Borrower.  As defined in the preamble hereto.
     --------

     Business Day.  Any day on which banking institutions in Boston,
     ------------
Massachusetts, are open for the transaction of banking business and, in the case
of Eurodollar Rate Loans, also a day which is a Eurodollar Business Day.

     Capital Assets.  Fixed assets, both tangible (such as land, buildings,
     --------------
fixtures, machinery and equipment) and intangible (such as patents, copyrights,
trademarks, franchises and goodwill); provided that Capital Assets shall not
                                      --------
include any item customarily charged directly to expense or depreciated over a
useful life of twelve (12) months or less in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

     Capital Expenditures.  Amounts paid or Indebtedness incurred by the
     --------------------
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with (i) the purchase or lease
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of Capital Assets that would be
required to be capitalized and shown on the balance sheet of such Person in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or (ii) the lease of
any assets by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower under any Synthetic
Lease to the extent that such assets would have been Capital Assets had the
Synthetic Lease been treated as a Capitalized Lease.

     Capitalized Leases.  Leases under which the Borrower or any of its
     ------------------
Subsidiaries is the lessee or obligor, the discounted future rental payment
obligations under which are required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of
the lessee or obligor in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

     CERCLA.  See (S)5.18.
     ------
<PAGE>

                                      -5-

     Chiswick.  Chiswick, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation and a wholly-owned
     --------
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     Chiswick Contribution Agreement.  The agreement, dated as of October 25,
     -------- ----------------------
1999, pursuant to which Chiswick agreed to contribute cash generated from its
operations to Chiswick Trust.

     Chiswick Trust.  Chiswick Trust, a voluntary association with transferable
     --------------
shares organized under and by virtue of the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (commonly referred to as a Massachusetts business trust) and a
wholly-owned Subsidiary of Chiswick.

     Chiswick Trust Intercompany Subordination Agreement.  The Chiswick Trust
     -------- ----- ------------------------------------
Intercompany Subordination Agreement, dated as of October 25, 1999, among the
Agent, the Borrower and Chiswick Trust.

     Closing Date.  The first date on which the conditions set forth in (S)9
     ------------
have been satisfied and any Loans are to be made.

     Code.  The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
     ----

     Commitment.  With respect to each Bank, the amount set forth on Schedule 1
     ----------                                                      -------- -
hereto as the amount of such Bank's commitment to make Syndicated Loans to the
Borrower, as the same may be reduced from time to time; or if such commitment is
terminated pursuant to the provisions hereof, zero.  The Competitive Bid Loans
of such Bank outstanding at any time shall not affect such Bank's Commitment.

     Commitment Percentage.  With respect to each Bank, the percentage set forth
     ---------------------
on Schedule 1 hereto as such Bank's percentage of the aggregate Commitments of
   -------- -
all of the Banks.  The Competitive Bid Loans of such Bank outstanding at any
time shall not affect such Bank's Commitment Percentage.

     Competitive Bid Loan(s).  A borrowing hereunder consisting of one or more
     -----------------------
revolving credit loans made by any of the Banks whose offer to make a revolving
credit loan as part of such borrowing has been accepted by the Borrower under
the auction bidding procedure described in (S)2.3 hereof.

     Competitive Bid Note.  See (S)2.5.2 hereof.
     --------------------

     Competitive Bid Quote.  An offer by a Bank to make a Competitive Bid Loan
     ---------------------
in accordance with (S)2.3 hereof.

     Competitive Bid Quote Request.  See (S)2.3.1(b) hereof.
     -----------------------------

     Competitive Bid Rate.  See (S)2.3.1(d)(ii)(C) hereof.
     --------------------

     Consolidated or consolidated.  With reference to any term defined herein,
     ------------    ------------
shall mean that term as applied to the accounts of the Borrower and its
<PAGE>

                                      -6-

Subsidiaries, consolidated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.

     Consolidated Funded Debt.  At any time of determination, the sum of (i) the
     ------------ ------ ----
amount of the Loans outstanding (after giving account to any amounts requested)
plus accrued but unpaid interest thereon; plus (ii) the outstanding amount of
----                                      ----
any other Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than intercompany Indebtedness
owed by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to each other and permitted by the
terms hereof) in respect of Capitalized Leases, Synthetic Leases or which is
otherwise subject to the payment of interest plus accrued but unpaid interest on
                                             ----
such Indebtedness, including expenses consisting of interest in respect of
Capitalized Leases, Synthetic Leases and including commitment fee, agency fee,
facility fee, utilization fee, balance deficiency fee and similar fee expenses
in connection with the borrowing of money.

     Consolidated Net Income.  The consolidated net income (or deficit) of the
     -----------------------
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, after deduction of all expenses, taxes and other
proper charges, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, after eliminating therefrom all extraordinary nonrecurring items.

     Consolidated Net Worth.  The excess of Consolidated Total Assets over
     ----------------------
Consolidated Total Liabilities.

     Consolidated Total Assets.  All assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
     -------------------------
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles.

     Consolidated Total Interest Expense.  For any period, the aggregate amount
     -----------------------------------
of interest required to be expensed by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles during such period on
all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding during all or
any part of such period, including expense consisting of interest in respect of
Capitalized Leases, Synthetic Leases and including commitment fee, agency fee,
facility fee, utilization fee, balance deficiency fee and similar fee expense in
connection with the borrowing of money.

     Consolidated Total Liabilities.  All liabilities of the Borrower and its
     ------------------------------
Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.

     Conversion Request.  A notice given by the Borrower to the Agent of the
     ------------------
Borrower's election to convert or continue a Loan in accordance with (S)2.8.

     Credit Agreement.  This Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit
     ----------------
Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto.

     Default.  See (S)11.
     -------
<PAGE>

                                      -7-

     Distribution.  The declaration or payment of any dividend on or in respect
     ------------
of any shares of any class of capital stock of the Borrower, other than
dividends payable solely in shares of common stock of the Borrower; the
purchase, redemption, or other retirement of any shares of any class of capital
stock, or of any rights, warrants or options to acquire shares of any class of
capital stock, of the Borrower, directly or indirectly through a Subsidiary of
the Borrower or otherwise (including the setting apart of assets for a sinking
or other analogous fund to be used for such purpose); the return of capital by
the Borrower to its shareholders as such; or any other distribution on or in
respect of any shares of any class of capital stock of the Borrower.

     Dollars or $.  Dollars in lawful currency of the United States of America.
     -------    -

     domestic.  With respect to any Subsidiary of the Borrower, any Subsidiary
     --------
which has been incorporated or organized under the laws of any state of the
United States or the District of Columbia.

     Domestic Lending Office.  Initially, the office of each Bank designated as
     -----------------------
such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such Bank, if any,
        -------- -
located within the United States that will be making or maintaining Base Rate
Loans.

     Drawdown Date.  The date on which any Loan is made or is to be made, and
     -------------
the date on which any Loan is converted or continued in accordance with (S)2.8.

     EBITDA.  The consolidated earnings (or loss) from the operations of the
     ------
Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, after all expenses and other
proper charges but before payment or provision for any income taxes, interest
expense, depreciation or amortization for such period, and excluding the
Restructuring Charges (to the extent taken), in each case determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  For purposes hereof,
EBITDA shall include, on a pro forma basis, EBITDA (calculated for any
                           --- -----
applicable period, commencing with the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the
Borrower ending in the quarter in which such Permitted Acquisition is made) of
any Subsidiary acquired by means of a Permitted Acquisition (including
historical earnings and cash flows associated with such Subsidiary and any
incurrence or reduction of Indebtedness associated with such Permitted
Acquisition, but excluding any projected synergies or similar benefits expected
to be realized as a result of such event).

     Eligible Assignee.  Any of (i) a commercial bank or finance company
     -----------------
organized under the laws of the United States, or any State thereof or the
District of Columbia, and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000; (ii)
a savings and loan association or savings bank organized under the laws of the
United States, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and having a
net worth of at least $100,000,000, calculated in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; (iii) 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,
<PAGE>

                                      -8-

and having total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000, 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; (iv) the
central bank of any country which is a member of the OECD; and (v) if, but only
if, an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other bank,
insurance company, commercial finance company or other financial institution or
other Person approved by the Agent, such approval not to be unreasonably
withheld.

     Employee Benefit Plan.  Any employee benefit plan within the meaning of
     ---------------------
(S)3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries other than a Guaranteed Pension Plan or a Multiemployer Plan.

     Environmental Laws.  See (S)5.18(a).
     ------------------

     ERISA.  The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
     -----
including all rules, regulations, decrees and orders arising thereunder.

     ERISA Affiliate.  Any Person which is treated as a single employer with the
     ---------------
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under (S)414 of the Code.

     ERISA Reportable Event.  A reportable event with respect to a Guaranteed
     ----------------------
Pension Plan within the meaning of (S)4043 of ERISA and the regulations
promulgated thereunder as to which the requirement of notice has not been
waived.

     Eurocurrency Reserve Rate.  For any day with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
     -------------------------
Loan, the maximum rate (expressed as a decimal) at which any lender subject
thereto would be required to maintain reserves under Regulation D of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor or similar
regulations relating to such reserve requirements) against "Eurocurrency
Liabilities" (as that term is used in Regulation D), if such liabilities were
outstanding.  The Eurocurrency Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on
and as of the effective date of any change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Rate.

     Eurodollar Business Day.  Any day on which commercial banks are open for
     -----------------------
international business (including dealings in Dollar deposits) in London or such
other eurodollar interbank market as may be selected by the Agent in its sole
discretion acting in good faith.

     Eurodollar Lending Office.  Initially, the office of each Bank designated
     -------------------------
as such in Schedule 1 hereto; thereafter, such other office of such Bank, if
           -------- -
any, that shall be making or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans.

     Eurodollar Rate.  For any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate
     ---------------
Loan, the rate of interest equal to (i) the arithmetic average of the rates per
annum for Fleet (rounded upwards to the nearest 1/16 of one percent) of the rate
at which Fleet's Eurodollar Lending Office is offered Dollar deposits two
<PAGE>

                                      -9-

Eurodollar Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest Period in the
interbank eurodollar market where the eurodollar and foreign currency and
exchange operations of such Eurodollar Lending Office are customarily conducted
at or about 10:00 a.m., Boston time, for delivery on the first day of such
Interest Period for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount
comparable to the amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan of Fleet to which such
Interest Period applies, divided by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the
Eurocurrency Reserve Rate, if applicable.

     Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Any Syndicated Loans bearing interest calculated by
     ---------------------
reference to the Eurodollar Rate.

     Event of Default.  See (S)11.
     ----------------

     First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.  As defined in the preamble.
     -------------------------------------------

     Fleet.  Fleet National Bank, formerly known as BankBoston, N.A., formerly
     -----
known as The First National Bank of Boston, a national banking association, in
its individual capacity.

     generally accepted accounting principles.  (i) When used in (S)8, whether
     ----------------------------------------
directly or indirectly through reference to a capitalized term used therein,
means (A) principles that are consistent with the principles promulgated or
adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors, in
effect for the fiscal year ended on the Balance Sheet Date, and (B) to the
extent consistent with such principles, the accounting practice of the Borrower
reflected in its financial statements for the year ended on the Balance Sheet
Date, and (ii) when used in general, other than as provided above, means
principles that are (A) consistent with the principles promulgated or adopted by
the Financial Accounting Standards Board and its predecessors, as in effect from
time to time and (B) consistently applied with past financial statements of the
Borrower adopting the same principles, provided that in each case referred to in
                                       --------
this definition of "generally accepted accounting principles" a certified public
accountant would, insofar as the use of such accounting principles is pertinent,
be in a position to deliver an unqualified opinion (other than a qualification
regarding changes in generally accepted accounting principles) as to financial
statements in which such principles have been properly applied.

     Guaranteed Pension Plan.  Any employee pension benefit plan within the
     -----------------------
meaning of (S)3(2) of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries the benefits of which are guaranteed on termination in full or in
part by the PBGC pursuant to Title IV of ERISA, other than a Multiemployer Plan.

     Guarantors.  McBee, Chiswick, PremiumWear, Rapidforms, Russell & Miller,
     ----------
R&M Trust, Chiswick Trust, Veripack, PWI and any other Subsidiary of
<PAGE>

                                      -10-

the Borrower which guaranties the Obligations pursuant to and upon the terms and
conditions set forth in a Guaranty.

     Guaranty.  Collectively, (a) the  Guaranty dated on or prior to the Closing
     --------
Date from each of the Guarantors in favor of the Agent and the Banks and (b) the
Guaranties dated as of the date required by (S)7.5.1 or, as the case may be,
(S)7.11 hereof from each Subsidiary required to become a Guarantor pursuant to
(S)7.5.1 or, as the case may be, (S)7.11 hereof, pursuant to which each such
Subsidiary guaranties to the Banks and the Agent the payment and performance of
the Obligations, each in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto.
                                                   ------- -

     Hazardous Substances.  See (S)5.18(b).
     --------------------

     Indebtedness.  As to any Person and whether recourse is secured by or is
     ------------
otherwise available against all or only a portion of the assets of such Person
and whether or not contingent, but without duplication:

          (a)  every obligation of such Person for money borrowed,

          (b)  every obligation of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures,
     notes or other similar instruments, including obligations incurred in
     connection with the acquisition of property, assets or businesses,

          (c)  every reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to
     letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities issued for
     the account of such Person,

          (d)  every obligation of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred
     purchase price of property or services (including securities repurchase
     agreements but excluding trade accounts payable or accrued liabilities
     arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue or which
     are being contested in good faith),

          (e)  every obligation of such Person under any Capitalized Lease,

          (f)  every obligation of such Person under any Synthetic Lease,

          (g)  all sales by such Person of (i) accounts or general intangibles
     for money due or to become due, (ii) chattel paper, instruments or
     documents creating or evidencing a right to payment of money or (iii) other
     receivables (collectively "receivables"), whether pursuant to a purchase
                                -----------
     facility or otherwise, other than in connection with the disposition of the
     business operations of such Person relating thereto or a disposition of
     defaulted receivables for collection and not as a financing arrangement,
     and together with any obligation of such Person
<PAGE>

                                      -11-

     to pay any discount, interest, fees, indemnities, penalties, recourse,
     expenses or other amounts in connection therewith,

          (h)  every obligation of such Person (an "equity related purchase
                                                    ------ ------- --------
     obligation") to purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any
     ----------
     shares of capital stock issued by such Person or any rights measured by the
     value of such capital stock,

          (i)  every obligation of such Person under any forward contract,
     futures contract, swap, option or other financing agreement or arrangement
     (including, without limitation, caps, floors, collars and similar
     agreements), the value of which is dependent upon interest rates, currency
     exchange rates, commodities or other indices (a "derivative contract"),
                                                      ---------- --------

          (j)  every obligation in respect of Indebtedness of any other entity
     (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to
     the extent that such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person's
     ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the
     extent that the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not
     liable therefor and such terms are enforceable under applicable law,

          (k)  every obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person
     guaranteeing, or having the economic effect of guarantying or otherwise
     acting as surety for, any obligation of a type described in any of clauses
     (a) through (j) (the "primary obligation") of another Person (the "primary
                           ------- ----------                           -------
     obligor"), in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including,
     -------
     without limitation, any obligation of such Person (i) to purchase or pay
     (or advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the
     payment of such primary obligation, (ii) to purchase property, securities
     or services for the purpose of assuring the payment of such primary
     obligation, or (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or other
     financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to
     enable the primary obligor to pay such primary obligation.

     The "amount" or "principal amount" of any Indebtedness at any time of
          ------      --------- ------
determination represented by (t) any Indebtedness, issued at a price that is
less than the principal amount at maturity thereof, shall be the amount of the
liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, (u) any Capitalized Lease shall be the principal
component of the aggregate of the rentals obligation under such Capitalized
Lease payable over the term thereof that is not subject to termination by the
lessee, (v) any sale of receivables shall be the amount of unrecovered capital
or principal investment of the purchaser (other than the Borrower or any of its
wholly-owned Subsidiaries) thereof, excluding amounts representative of yield or
interest earned on such investment, (w) any Synthetic Lease shall be the
stipulated loss value, termination value or other equivalent amount, (x) any
derivative contract shall be the maximum amount of any termination or loss
<PAGE>

                                      -12-

payment required to be paid by such Person if such derivative contract were, at
the time of determination, to be terminated by reason of any event of default or
early termination event thereunder, whether or not such event of default or
early termination event has in fact occurred, (y) any equity related purchase
obligation shall be the maximum fixed redemption or purchase price thereof
inclusive of any accrued and unpaid dividends to be comprised in such redemption
or purchase price and (z) any guaranty or other contingent liability referred to
in clause (k) shall be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of
the primary obligation in respect of which such guaranty or other contingent
obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably
anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such Person is required to
perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith.

     Ineligible Securities.  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 1993 (12 U.S.C. (S)24, Seventh), as amended.

     Intercompany Subordination Agreement.  The Intercompany Subordination
     ------------------------------------
Agreement, dated as of October 8, 1998, among the Agent, the Borrower and R&M
Trust.

     Interest Payment Date.  (i) As to any Base Rate Loan, the last day of the
     ---------------------
calendar quarter which includes the Drawdown Date thereof; (ii) as to any
Competitive Bid Loan, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto;
(iii) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of such Interest Period.

     Interest Period.  With respect to each Loan, (i) initially, the period
     ---------------
commencing on the Drawdown Date of such Loan and ending on the last day of one
of the periods set forth below, as selected by the Borrower in a Loan Request or
Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing (A) for any Base Rate Loan, the last day of
the calendar quarter; (B) for any Competitive Bid Loan, from 7 through 180 days;
and (C) for any Eurodollar Rate Loan, 1, 2, 3 or 6 months; and (ii) thereafter,
each period commencing on the last day of the next preceding Interest Period
applicable to such Loan and ending on the last day of one of the periods set
forth above, as selected by the Borrower in a Conversion Request; provided that
                                                                  --------
all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods are subject to the
following:

          (a)  if any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan
     would otherwise end on a day that is not a Eurodollar Business Day, that
     Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Eurodollar
     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 immediately preceding Eurodollar Business Day;

          (b)  if any Interest Period with respect to a Base Rate Loan would end
     on a day that is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall end on the
     next succeeding Business Day;
<PAGE>

                                      -13-

          (c)  if the Borrower shall fail to give notice as provided in (S)2.8,
     the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a conversion of the affected
     Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan and the continuance of all Base
     Rate Loans as Base Rate Loans on the last day of the then current Interest
     Period with respect thereto;

          (d)  any Interest Period that begins on the last Eurodollar 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 Eurodollar Business Day of a calendar month; and

          (e)  any Interest Period relating to any Loan that would otherwise
     extend beyond the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date shall end on the
     Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date.

     Interim Balance Sheet Date.  March 24, 2001.
     --------------------------

     Investments.  All expenditures made and all liabilities incurred
     -----------
(contingently or otherwise) for the acquisition of stock or Indebtedness of, or
for loans, advances, capital contributions or transfers of property to, or in
respect of any guaranties (or other commitments as described under
Indebtedness), or obligations of, any Person.  In determining the aggregate
amount of Investments outstanding at any particular time: (i) the amount of any
Investment represented by a guaranty shall be taken at not less than the
principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding; (ii) there
shall be included as an Investment all interest accrued with respect to
Indebtedness constituting an Investment unless and until such interest is paid;
(iii) there shall be deducted in respect of each such Investment any amount
received as a return of capital (but only by repurchase, redemption, retirement,
repayment, liquidating dividend or liquidating distribution); (iv) there shall
not be deducted in respect of any Investment any amounts received as earnings on
such Investment, whether as dividends, interest or otherwise, except that
accrued interest included as provided in the foregoing clause (ii) may be
deducted when paid; and (v) there shall not be deducted from the aggregate
amount of Investments any decrease in the value thereof.

     Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes.  See (S)2.3.1(c) hereof.
     -------------------------------------

     Loan Documents.  This Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Agent's Fee Letter,
     --------------
the Chiswick Trust Intercompany Subordination Agreement and any other
subordination arrangements entered into pursuant to (S)7.1(j) or (o), the
Intercompany Subordination Agreement and any other subordination agreements
entered into pursuant to (S)7.1(j) or (o), the Guaranty and all documents
evidencing or relating to any interest rate protection arrangements entered into
between the Borrower and any Bank.

     Loan Request.  See (S)2.2.
     ------------
<PAGE>

                                      -14-

     Loans.  Revolving credit loans made or to be made by the Banks to the
     -----
Borrower pursuant to (S)2 hereof, whether Syndicated Loans or Competitive Bid
Loans.

     Majority Banks.  As of any date, Banks having at least sixty percent (60%)
     --------------
of the aggregate amount of the Commitments or, if the Commitments shall have
been terminated, holding Notes evidencing at least sixty percent (60%) of the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans.

     Margin Stock.  "Margin Stock" or "Margin Securities", as such terms are
     ------------
used in Regulations U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Revenue
System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224.

     McBee.  McBee Systems, Inc., a Colorado corporation and a wholly-owned
     -----
Subsidiary of Rapidforms.

     Multiemployer Plan.  Any multiemployer plan within the meaning of (S)3(37)
     ------------------
of ERISA maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
or any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

     Notes.  The Competitive Bid Notes and the Syndicated Notes.
     -----

     Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing.  See (S)2.3.1(f) hereof.
     -----------------------------------

     Obligations.  All indebtedness, obligations and liabilities of any of the
     -----------
Borrower and its Subsidiaries to any of the Banks and the Agent, individually or
collectively, existing on the date of this Credit Agreement or arising
thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent,
matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising
by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this
Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including any interest rate
protection arrangements entered into between the Borrower and any Bank), or in
respect of any of the Loans or any of the Notes or other instruments at any time
evidencing any thereof.

     Original Credit Agreement.  As defined in the preamble.
     -------------------------

     outstanding.  With respect to the Loans, the aggregate unpaid principal
     -----------
thereof as of any date of determination.

     PBGC.  The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation created by (S)4002 of ERISA
     ----
and any successor entity or entities having similar responsibilities.

     Permitted Liens.  Liens, security interests and other encumbrances
     ---------------
permitted by (S)7.2.

     Permitted Acquisition.  Any acquisition of any Person, business, division,
     ---------------------
or specified group of assets by the Borrower or any Guarantor, provided that,
                                                               --------
with respect to any such acquisition, (1)  the Agent and the Majority Banks
<PAGE>

                                      -15-

approve, in their sole discretion, such acquisition in writing in advance or (2)
each of the following conditions is met:

          (a)  immediately prior to and after, and after giving effect to, such
     acquisition, no Default or Event of Default shall then exist;

          (b)  (i) the aggregate consideration paid or to be paid by the
     Borrower or any Guarantor in connection with any single such acquisition
     (including consideration in the form of cash or the assumption of
     Indebtedness for borrowed money, debt or other similar monetary obligations
     by the Borrower or any Guarantor (including such Indebtedness in existence
     prior to the date of such acquisition which was not incurred in connection
     with or contemplation thereof) but excluding stock or other equity interest
     consideration) shall not exceed $30,000,000 and (ii) the aggregate
     consideration paid or to be paid by the Borrower or any Guarantor in
     connection with any such acquisition, including consideration of the types
     described in clause (b)(i) of this definition and stock or other equity
     interest consideration (as valued for the purpose of such acquisitions)
     shall not exceed $40,000,000;

          (c)  (i) the aggregate consideration paid or to be paid by the
     Borrower or any Guarantor in connection with all such acquisitions
     (including consideration in the form of cash or the assumption of
     Indebtedness for borrowed money, debt or other similar monetary obligations
     by the Borrower or any Guarantor (including such Indebtedness in existence
     prior to the date of any such acquisition which was not incurred in
     connection with or contemplation thereof) but excluding stock or other
     equity interest consideration) shall not exceed $60,000,000 and (ii) the
     aggregate consideration paid or to be paid by the Borrower or any Guarantor
     in connection with all such acquisitions, including consideration of the
     types described in clause (c)(i) of this definition and stock or other
     equity interest consideration (as valued for the purpose of such
     acquisitions) shall not exceed $80,000,000;

          (d)  such acquisition shall have been approved by the board of
     directors and shareholders, if required, or other applicable management of
     such Person;

          (e)  either (i) such acquisition is the acquisition of assets only
     (for use in substantially the same line of business as the line of business
     of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) or (ii) such acquisition
     involves the purchase of the capital stock or other equity interests of a
     Person and each of the following conditions is met:

               (A)  such acquisition is the acquisition of one hundred percent
          (100%) of the capital stock or other equity interests of such Person.
<PAGE>

                                      -16-

               (B)  such Person is in substantially the same line of business as
          the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,

               (C)  The Borrower or a Guarantor is the survivor of any merger or
          consolidation with such Person;

               (D)  not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to such
          acquisition, the Borrower shall notify the Banks thereof, and

               (E)  contemporaneously with the occurrence of any such
          acquisition, the Borrower shall (I) cause such Person, if such Person
          shall be engaged in business of any kind or nature (other than having
          qualified to do business in a foreign jurisdiction) or shall have a
          net worth or assets of more than a de minimis value, to guaranty all
                                             -- -------
          of the Obligations hereunder pursuant to the Guaranty, and (II) cause
          such Person to deliver to the Banks and the Agent (aa) evidence of
          proper corporate or other entity authorization, and (bb) legal
          opinions with respect to each of the matters and documents set forth
          in this clause (E), in each case, in form and substance satisfactory
          to the Agent and the Banks; and

          (f)  the Agent shall have received each of the following, each in form
     and substance satisfactory to the Agent: (i) a compliance certificate
     evidencing pro forma compliance with the requirements of (S)8 hereof
                --- -----
     following the consummation of any such acquisition, (ii) due diligence
     summaries evidencing the Borrower's or such Guarantor's, as the case may
     be, due diligence with respect to the Person or assets being acquired and
     (iii) such other information, including financial statements, as the Agent
     or the Majority Banks may request.

     Permitted Joint Venture. Investment by the Borrower or any Guarantor in any
     -----------------------
Person, provided that, with respect to any such Investment, (1) the Agent and
        --------
the Majority Banks approve, in their sole discretion, such Investment in writing
in advance or (2) each of the following conditions is met:

               (a)  immediately prior to and after, and after giving effect to,
     such Investment, no Default or Event of Default shall then exist;

               (b)  subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (d) of
     this definition, (i) the aggregate consideration paid or to be paid by the
     Borrower or any Guarantor in connection with all such Investments
     (including consideration in the form of cash or the assumption of
     Indebtedness for borrowed money, debt or other similar monetary obligations
     by the Borrower or any Guarantor (including any such Indebtedness in
     existence prior to the date of such Investment which was not incurred in
     connection with or in contemplation thereof) but excluding stock or other
     equity interest consideration) shall not exceed $10,000,000, and (ii) the
     aggregate consideration paid or to be paid by the Borrower or any Guarantor
     in connection with all such Investments, including consideration of the
     type
<PAGE>

                                      -17-

     described in and included in clause (b)(i) of this definition and stock or
     other equity interest consideration (as valued for the purpose of any such
     Investment) shall not exceed $20,000,000;

               (c)  such Investment shall have been approved by the board of
     directors and shareholders, if required, or other applicable management of
     such Person;

               (d)  (i) such Person is in substantially the same line of
     business as the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) in a different
     line of business from that of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries so
     long as, and notwithstanding the limitations set forth in subsection (b) of
     this definition, (A) the aggregate consideration paid or to be paid by the
     Borrower or any Guarantor in connection with such Investment under this
     subsection (d)(ii) (including consideration in the form of cash or the
     assumption of Indebtedness for borrowed money, debt or other similar
     monetary obligations by the Borrower or such Guarantor (including any such
     Indebtedness in existence prior to the date of such Investment which was
     not incurred in connection with or in contemplation thereof) but excluding
     stock or other equity interest consideration) shall not exceed $1,000,000,
     and (B) the aggregate consideration paid or to be paid by the Borrower or
     any Guarantor in connection with such Investment under this subsection
     (d)(ii), including consideration of the type described in and included in
     clause (d)(ii)(A) of this definition and stock or other equity interest
     consideration (as valued for the purpose of any such Investment) shall not
     exceed $5,000,000;

               (e)  following the making of such Investment, neither the
     Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall own a majority or more of the
     capital stock or other equity interests of such Person;

               (f)  not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the making of
     such Investment, the Borrower shall notify the Banks thereof; and

               (g)  the Agent shall have received each of the following, each in
     form and substance satisfactory to the Agent: (i) a compliance certificate
     evidencing pro forma compliance with the requirements of (S)8 hereof
                --- -----
     following the making of any such Investment, (ii) due diligence summaries
     evidencing the Borrower's or such Guarantor's, as the case may be, due
     diligence with respect to the Person, and (iii) such other information,
     including financial statements, as the Agent or the Majority Banks may
     request.

     Person.  Any individual, corporation, limited liability company, limited
     ------
liability partnership, trust, other unincorporated association, business, or
other legal entity, and any government or any governmental agency or political
subdivision thereof.
<PAGE>

                                      -18-

     PremiumWear.  PremiumWear, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
     -----------
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     PWI.  PWI Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
     ---
Subsidiary of PremiumWear.

     R&M Contribution Agreement.  The agreement, dated as of December 28, 1998,
     --------------------------
pursuant to which each of Rapidforms, McBee and Russell & Miller contributes
cash generated from its respective operations to R&M Trust (including, in the
case of Russell & Miller, royalty payments made to it under any of the Trademark
License Agreements).

     R&M Trust.  R&M Trust, a voluntary association with transferable shares
     ---------
organized under and by virtue of the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(commonly referred to as a Massachusetts business trust) and a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of Russell & Miller.

     Rapidforms.  Rapidforms, Inc., a New Jersey corporation and a wholly-owned
     ----------
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     Real Estate.  All real property at any time owned or leased (as lessee or
     -----------
sublessee) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

     Record.  The grid attached to a Note, or the continuation of such grid, or
     ------
any other similar record, including computer records, maintained by any Bank
with respect to any Loan referred to in such Note.

     Restricted Payment.  In relation to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, any
     ------------------
(a) Distribution, (b) payment or prepayment by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
(i) to the Borrower's or any Subsidiary's shareholders (or other equity
holders), in each case, other than to the Borrower, or (ii) to any Affiliate of
the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any Affiliate of the Borrower's or such
Subsidiary's shareholders (or other equity holders), in each case, other than to
the Borrower or (c) derivatives or other transactions with any financial
institution, commodities or stock exchange or clearinghouse (a "Derivatives
                                                                -----------
Counterparty") obligating the Borrower or any Subsidiary to make payments to
------------
such Derivatives Counterparty as a result of any change in market value of any
capital stock of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

     Restructuring Charges.  The restructuring charges taken by the Borrower in
     ---------------------
any fiscal year and disclosed and described to the Agent and the Banks in
writing; provided that (a) the aggregate amount of cash and non-cash
         -------- ----
restructuring charges for the Borrower's 2001 fiscal year shall not exceed
$12,000,000; and (b) any restructuring charges taken in any fiscal year
following the Borrower's 2001 fiscal year may be cash or non-cash restructuring
charges, but only $5,000,000 of non-cash restructuring charges (and no cash
restructuring charges) shall be excluded from EBITDA for such fiscal year.

     Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date.  July 13, 2004.
     -----------------------------------
<PAGE>

                                      -19-

     Russell & Miller.  Russell & Miller, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a
     ----------------
wholly-owned Subsidiary of McBee.

     Section 20 Subsidiary.  A Subsidiary of the bank holding company
     ---------------------
controlling any Bank, which Subsidiary has been granted authority by the Federal
Reserve Board to underwrite and deal in certain Ineligible Securities.

     Subsidiary.  Any corporation, association, trust, or other business entity
     ----------
of which the designated parent shall at any time own directly or indirectly
through a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries at least a majority (by number of votes) of
the outstanding Voting Stock.

     Syndicated Loan(s).  See (S)2.1 hereof.
     ------------------

     Syndicated Note.  See (S)2.5.1 hereof.
     ---------------

     Synthetic Lease.  Any lease of goods or other property, whether real or
     ---------------
personal, which is treated as an operating lease under generally accepted
accounting principles and as a loan or financing for U.S. income tax purposes.

     Total Commitment.  The sum of the Commitments of the Banks, as in effect
     ----------------
from time to time, which amount shall, as of the Closing Date, be $200,000,000.

     Trademark License Agreements.  The separate agreements pursuant to which
     ----------------------------
each of the Borrower or one or more of its Subsidiaries have licensed or will
license from Russell & Miller (i) all United States and foreign trademarks,
service marks, common law marks, trade names and trade dress owned by Russell &
Miller, and (ii) all United States and foreign trademarks, service marks, common
law marks, trade names and trade dress licensed by Russell & Miller that Russell
& Miller is legally and/or contractually able to sublicense to the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, in form and substance (including any modifications thereto)
satisfactory to the Agent.

     Type.  As to any Syndicated Loan, its nature as a Base Rate Loan or a
     ----
Eurodollar Rate Loan.

     Unfunded Commitments.  The amount equal to the Total Commitment minus the
     --------------------                                            -----
sum of (a) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Syndicated Loans
and (b) the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Competitive Bid Loans.

     Unsecured Subordinated Promissory Note.  Collectively, the promissory notes
     --------------------------------------
evidencing the Indebtedness permitted by (S)7.1(o)(i) and (ii), in each case, in
form and substance (including any modifications thereof) satisfactory to the
Agent.

     Veripack.  Veripack.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
     --------
Subsidiary of Chiswick.
<PAGE>

                                      -20-

     Voting Stock.  Stock or similar interests, of any class or classes (however
     ------------
designated), the holders of which are at the time entitled, as such holders, to
vote for the election of a majority of the directors (or persons performing
similar functions) of the corporation, association, trust or other business
entity involved, whether or not the right so to vote exists by reason of the
happening of a contingency.

     1.2. Rules of Interpretation.
          -----------------------

          (a)  A reference to any document or agreement shall include such
     document or agreement as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
     time in accordance with its terms and the terms of this Credit Agreement.

          (b)  The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the
     singular.

          (c)  A reference to any law includes any amendment or modification to
     such law.

          (d)  A reference to any Person includes its permitted successors and
     permitted assigns.

          (e)  Accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
     assigned to them by generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
     consistent basis by the accounting entity to which they refer.

          (f)  The words "include", "includes" and "including" are not limiting.

          (g)  All terms not specifically defined herein or by generally
     accepted accounting principles, which terms are defined in the Uniform
     Commercial Code as in effect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have the
     meanings assigned to them therein, with the term "instrument" being that
     defined under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

          (h)  Reference to a particular "(S)" refers to that section of this
     Credit Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

          (i)  The words "herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and words of like
     import shall refer to this Credit Agreement as a whole and not to any
     particular section or subdivision of this Credit Agreement.

          (j)  Unless otherwise expressly indicated, 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."
<PAGE>

                                      -21-

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

          (l) This Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are the result
     of negotiation among, and have been reviewed by counsel to, among others,
     the Agent and the Borrower and are the product of discussions and
     negotiations among all parties.  Accordingly, this Credit Agreement and the
     other Loan Documents are not intended to be construed against the Agent or
     any of the Banks merely on account of the Agent's or any Bank's involvement
     in the preparation of such documents.

          (m) All calculations of the financial covenant ratios and requirements
     contained in (S)8 hereof, together with the ratio of Consolidated Funded
     Debt to EBITDA for purposes of the definitions of Applicable Eurodollar
     Rate Margin and Applicable Facility Fee Percentage, shall exclude the
     effects of Statement No. 133 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

                      2.  THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.
                          -----------------------------

     2.1. Commitment to Lend Syndicated Loans. Subject to the terms and
          -----------------------------------
conditions set forth in this Credit Agreement, each of the Banks severally
agrees to lend to the Borrower and the Borrower may borrow, repay, and reborrow
from time to time between the Closing Date and the Revolving Credit Loan
Maturity Date upon notice by the Borrower to the Agent given in accordance with
(S)2.2, such sums ("Syndicated Loans" and expressly excluding any Competitive
Bid Loan) as are requested by the Borrower up to a maximum aggregate principal
amount outstanding (after giving effect to all amounts requested) at any one
time equal to such Bank's Commitment (without regard to any Competitive Bid
Loans of such Bank outstanding at such time), provided that (i) the sum of the
                                              --------
outstanding amount of the Syndicated Loans (after giving effect to all amounts
requested) plus the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Competitive
           ----
Bid Loans made by all Banks shall not at any time exceed the Total Commitment
and (ii) at all times the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all
Syndicated Loans made by each Bank shall equal such Bank's Commitment Percentage
of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Syndicated Loans made
pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement. The Syndicated Loans shall be
made pro rata in accordance with each Bank's Commitment Percentage. Each request
     --- ----
for a Syndicated Loan hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty
by the Borrower that the conditions set forth in (S)9 and (S)10, in the case of
the initial Syndicated Loans to be made on the Closing Date, and (S)10, in the
case of all other Syndicated Loans, have been satisfied on the date of such
request.

     2.2. Requests for Loans. The Borrower shall give to the Agent written
          ------------------
notice in the form of Exhibit B hereto (or telephonic notice confirmed in a
                      ---------
<PAGE>

                                      -22-

writing in the form of Exhibit B hereto) of each Syndicated Loan requested
                       ---------
hereunder (a "Loan Request") by 10:00 a.m. (i) on the proposed Drawdown Date of
any Base Rate Loan and (ii) two (2) Eurodollar Business Days prior to the
proposed Drawdown Date of any Eurodollar Rate Loan. Each such notice shall
specify (A) the principal amount of the Syndicated Loan requested, (B) the
proposed Drawdown Date of such Syndicated Loan, (C) the Interest Period for such
Syndicated Loan and (D) the Type of such Syndicated Loan. Promptly upon receipt
of any such notice, the Agent shall notify each of the Banks thereof. Each such
notice shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower and shall obligate the
Borrower to accept the Syndicated Loan requested from the Banks on the proposed
Drawdown Date. Each Loan Request shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of
$1,000,000 or any integral multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof.

     2.3. Competitive Bid Loans.
          ---------------------

          2.3.1.  Competitive Bid Borrowings. (a) The Competitive Bid Option. In
                  --------------------------      --------------------------
     addition to the Syndicated Loans permitted to be made hereunder pursuant to
     (S)2.1 hereof, the Borrower may, from time to time from the Closing Date
     until the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date pursuant to the terms of this
     (S)2.3, cause the Agent to request the Banks to make offers to fund
     Competitive Bid Loans to the Borrower from time to time prior to the
     Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date. The Banks may, but shall have no
     obligation to, make such offers and the Borrower may, but shall have no
     obligation to, accept such offers in the manner set forth in this (S)2.3.
     Each Bank may make Competitive Bid Loans in an aggregate amount (after
     giving effect to all amounts requested) not to exceed the lesser of
     $20,000,000 and the Total Commitment, provided that the aggregate amount of
                                           --------
     all outstanding Syndicated Loans (after giving effect to all amounts
     requested) plus the aggregate amount of all outstanding Competitive Bid
                ----
     Loans (after giving effect to all amounts requested) shall at no time
     exceed the Total Commitment.

          (b)  Competitive Bid Quote Request.  When the Borrower wishes to
               -----------------------------
     request offers to make Competitive Bid Loans under this (S)2.3, it shall
     transmit to the Agent by telex or facsimile a Competitive Bid Quote Request
     substantially in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto (a "Competitive Bid
                                  ------- -
     Quote Request") so as to be received no later than 1:00 p.m. (Boston time)
     on the Business Day prior to the requested Drawdown Date, specifying (i)
     the requested Drawdown Date (which must be a Business Day), (ii) the amount
     of such Competitive Bid Loan (which must be a minimum of $1,000,000 or any
     greater integral multiple of $500,000 and may not exceed the Total
     Commitment), and (iii) the Interest Period of such Competitive Bid Loan
     (which may not extend beyond the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date).
     Contemporaneously with the transmission of each Competitive Bid Quote
     Request, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for the Agent's own account,
     a work fee in the amount of $750.  The Borrower may request offers to make
<PAGE>

                                      -23-

     Competitive Bid Loans for one amount and three Interest Periods in a single
     Competitive Bid Quote Request.

          (c)  Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes; Alternative Manner of
               ------------------------------------------------------------
     Auction.  Subsequent to timely receipt of a Competitive Bid Quote Request,
     -------
     the Agent shall send to the Banks by telex or facsimile an Invitation for
     Competitive Bid Quotes substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached
                                                         ---------
     hereto (an "Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes"), as promptly as
     possible but not later than 3:00 p.m. (Boston time) on the Business Day
     prior to the requested Drawdown Date which shall constitute an invitation
     by the Borrower to each Bank to submit Competitive Bid Quotes offering to
     make Competitive Bid Loans to which such Competitive Bid Quote Request
     relates in accordance with this (S)2.3.  If, after receipt by the Agent of
     a Competitive Bid Quote Request from the Borrower in accordance with
     subsection (b) of this (S)2.3.1, the Agent or any Bank shall be unable to
     complete any procedure of the auction process described in subsections (c)
     through (f) (inclusive) of this (S)2.3.1 due to the inability of such
     Person to transmit or receive communications through the means specified
     therein, such Person may rely on telephonic notice for the transmission or
     receipt of such communications.  In any case where such Person shall rely
     on telephone transmission or receipt, any communication made by telephone
     shall, as soon as possible thereafter, be followed by written confirmation
     thereof.

          (d)  Submission and Contents of Competitive Bid Quotes.
               --------------------------------------------------

                 (i)   Each Bank may submit a Competitive Bid Quote containing
          an offer or offers to make Competitive Bid Loans in response to any
          Invitation for Competitive Bid Quotes. Each Competitive Bid Quote must
          comply with the requirements of this subsection (d) and must be
          submitted to the Agent by telex or facsimile not later than 10:00 a.m.
          (Boston time) on the requested Drawdown Date, provided that
                                                        --------
          Competitive Bid Quotes may be made by the Agent in its capacity as a
          Bank only if it notifies the Borrower of the terms of its Competitive
          Bid Quote no later than 9:30 a.m. (Boston time) on the requested
          Drawdown Date.  Subject to the provisions of (S)(S)9, 10 and 11
          hereof, any Competitive Bid Quote so made shall be irrevocable except
          with the written consent of the Agent given on the instructions of the
          Borrower.

                 (ii)  Each Competitive Bid Quote shall be in substantially the
          form of Exhibit E-1 attached hereto (a "Competitive Bid Quote") and
                  -----------
          shall in any case specify:

                         (A)  the requested Drawdown Date and Interest Periods,

                         (B)  the principal amount of the Competitive Bid Loan
                 for which each such offer is being made, which
<PAGE>

                                      -24-

                 principal amount (x) may be greater than the Commitment Amount
                 of the quoting Bank but may not exceed the Total Commitment,
                 (y) must be $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $500,000 and (z)
                  -                                                           -
                 may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Competitive
                 Bid Loans for which offers were requested,

                        (C)  the rate of interest per annum (rounded to the
                 nearest 1/1000th of 1%) (the "Competitive Bid Rate") offered
                 for each such Competitive Bid Loan, and

                        (D)  the identity of the quoting Bank.

                 (iii) Any Competitive Bid Quote shall be disregarded if it:

                        (A)  is not substantially in the form of Exhibit E-1
                                                                 -----------
                 attached hereto or does not specify all of the information
                 required by subsection (d)(ii) of this (S)2.3.1;

                        (B)  contains qualifying, conditional or similar
                 language (except that it may, in the case of a quote relating
                 to more than one Interest Period, contain the condition that
                 the Bank will fund any one, but not more, of the Competitive
                 Bid Loans offered in such Competitive Bid Quote);

                        (C)  proposes terms other than or in addition to those
                 set forth in the applicable Invitation for Competitive Bid
                 Quotes; or

                        (D)  arrives after the time set forth in subsection
                 (d)(i) of this (S)2.3.1.

          (e)  Notice to Borrower.  Not later than 10:30 a.m. (Boston time) on
               ------------------
     the requested Drawdown Date, the Agent shall notify the Borrower of the
     terms of all Competitive Bid Quotes submitted by the Banks in accordance
     with subsection (d) of this (S)2.3.1.  The Agent's notice to the Borrower
     shall specify (i) the aggregate principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans
     for which offers have been received for each Interest Period specified in
     the related Competitive Bid Quote Request, and (ii) the respective
     principal amounts and Competitive Bid Rates so offered.

          (f)  Acceptance and Notice by Borrower.  Not later than 11:00 a.m.
               ---------------------------------
     (Boston time) on the requested Drawdown Date, the Borrower shall notify the
     Agent, and the Agent shall promptly notify each Bank with respect to its
     offer, of the Borrower's acceptance or non-acceptance of the offers of
     which it was notified pursuant to subsection (e) of this (S)2.3.1.  In the
     case of an acceptance, such notice shall (i) be substantially in the form
     of Exhibit E-2 attached hereto (a "Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing"),
        -----------
<PAGE>

                                      -25-

     (ii) be irrevocable by the Borrower, and (iii) specify the aggregate
     principal amount of offers for each Interest Period that are accepted.
     Each acceptance by the Borrower of Competitive Bid Loans hereunder shall
     constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that the
     conditions set forth in (S)(S)9 and 10 hereof have been satisfied on the
     date of such acceptance.  The Borrower may accept any Competitive Bid Quote
     in whole or in part; provided that:
                          --------

                      (A)  the aggregate principal amount of each Competitive
                 Bid Loan may not exceed the applicable amount set forth in the
                 related Competitive Bid Quote Request,

                      (B)  the aggregate principal amount of each Competitive
                 Bid Loan must be $1,000,000 or a larger multiple of $500,000,
                 and

                      (C)  acceptance of offers may only be made on the basis of
                 ascending Competitive Bid Rates.

          (g)  Allocation by Agent; Usage of Commitments.  If offers are made by
               -----------------------------------------
     two or more Banks with the same Competitive Bid Rates, for a greater
     aggregate principal amount than the amount in respect of which offers are
     accepted for the related Interest Period, the principal amount of
     Competitive Bid Loans in respect of which such offers are accepted shall be
     allocated by the Agent among such Banks as nearly as possible (in such
     multiples, not less than $100,000 as the Agent may deem appropriate) in
     proportion to the aggregate principal amounts of such offers.  If any such
     Bank has indicated a minimum acceptable Competitive Bid Loan in its
     Competitive Bid Request, and under the procedures of this subsection (g),
     the Agent would have allocated to it an amount less than such minimum, such
     Competitive Bid Quote will instead be deemed to have been withdrawn.
     Determination by the Agent of the amounts of Competitive Bid Loans and the
     allocation thereof shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.
     The Agent shall, promptly after the funding of any Competitive Bid Loan,
     notify the Banks thereof pursuant to a notice substantially in the form of
     Exhibit E-3 attached hereto.
     -----------

          (h)  Funding of Competitive Bid Loans.  If, on or prior to the
               --------------------------------
     Drawdown Date of any Competitive Bid Loan, the Total Commitment has not
     terminated in full and if, on such Drawdown Date, the applicable conditions
     of (S)(S)4 and 10 hereof are satisfied, the Bank or Banks whose offers the
     Borrower has accepted will fund each Competitive Bid Loan so accepted as
     provided in (S)2.4.1 hereof.

          2.3.2.  Maximum Competitive Bid Loans; Funding Losses.  (a)
                  ---------------------------------------------
     Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, at no time
     shall the aggregate principal amount of Competitive Bid Loans
<PAGE>

                                      -26-

     outstanding at any time exceed the lesser of (i) the Total Commitment minus
                                                                           -----
     the aggregate principal amount of Syndicated Loans outstanding at such time
     and (ii) $20,000,000.

            (b)  If after acceptance of any Competitive Bid Quote pursuant to
     (S)2.3.1(f) hereof, the Borrower fails to borrow any Competitive Bid Loan
     so accepted on the date specified therefor, the Borrower shall indemnify
     the Bank funding such Loan against any loss or expense incurred by reason
     of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by
     such Bank to fund or maintain such unborrowed Competitive Bid Loans,
     including, without limitation, compensation as provided in (S)4.10 hereof.

            2.3.3.  Repayment of Competitive Bid Loans. The principal of each
                    ----------------------------------
     Competitive Bid Loan shall become absolutely due and payable by the
     Borrower on the last day of the Interest Period relating thereto, and the
     Borrower hereby absolutely and unconditionally promises to pay to the
     Agent, for the accounts of the relevant Banks, on the last day of the
     Interest Period relating thereto the principal amount of all such
     Competitive Bid Loans plus interest thereon at the applicable Competitive
                           ----
     Bid Rate.  Subject to the terms of this Credit Agreement, the Borrower may
     reborrow any amounts so repaid from time to time prior to the Revolving
     Credit Loan Maturity Date.

     2.4. Funds for Loans.
          ---------------

            2.4.1.  Funding Procedures. Not later than 1:30 p.m. (Boston time)
                    ------------------
     on the proposed Drawdown Date of any Syndicated Loans or Competitive Bid
     Loans, as applicable, each of the relevant Banks will make available to the
     Agent, at the Agent's Head Office, in immediately available funds, the
     amount of such Bank's Commitment Percentage of the amount of the requested
     Syndicated Loans or the amount of such Bank's Competitive Bid Loan, as
     applicable. Upon receipt from each Bank of such amount, and upon receipt of
     the documents required by (S)(S)9 and 10 hereof and the satisfaction of the
     other conditions set forth therein, to the extent applicable, the Agent
     will make available to the Borrower the aggregate amount of such Loans made
     available to the Agent by the relevant Banks. The failure or refusal of any
     Bank to make available to the Agent its Commitment Percentage of the
     requested Syndicated Loans on any Drawdown Date shall not excuse any other
     Bank from making available to the Agent the amount of such other Bank's
     Commitment Percentage of any requested Syndicated Loans.

            2.4.2.  Advances by Agent.  The Agent may, unless notified to the
                    -----------------
     contrary by any Bank prior to a Drawdown Date, assume that such Bank has
     made available to the Agent on such Drawdown Date the amount of such Bank's
     Commitment Percentage of the Syndicated Loans (or, in the case of
     Competitive Bid Loans, the amount of such Bank's accepted offers of
     Competitive Bid Loans, if any) to be made on such Drawdown Date, and the
     Agent may (but it shall not be required to), in
<PAGE>

                                      -27-

     reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
     corresponding amount. If any Bank makes available to the Agent such amount
     on a date after such Drawdown Date, such Bank shall pay to the Agent on
     demand an amount equal to the product of (a) the average computed for the
     period referred to in clause (c) below, of the weighted average interest
     rate paid by the Agent for federal funds acquired by the Agent during each
     day included in such period, times (b) the amount of such Bank's Commitment
                                  -----
     Percentage of such Syndicated Loans (or accepted offers of Competitive Bid
     Loans, as applicable), times (c) a fraction, the numerator of which is the
                            -----
     number of days that elapse from and including such Drawdown Date to the
     date on which the amount of such Bank's Syndicated Loans or Competitive Bid
     Loans, as applicable, shall become immediately available to the Agent, and
     the denominator of which is 365.  A statement of the Agent submitted to
     such Bank with respect to any amounts owing under this (S)2.4.2 shall be
     prima facie evidence of the amount due and owing to the Agent by such Bank.
     ----- -----
     If the amount of such Bank's Syndicated Loans or Competitive Bid Loans, as
     applicable, is not made available to the Agent by such Bank within three
     (3) Business Days following such Drawdown Date, the Agent shall be entitled
     to recover such amount from the Borrower on demand, with interest thereon
     at the rate per annum applicable to the Syndicated Loans or Competitive Bid
     Loans, as applicable, made on such Drawdown Date.  Any payment by the
     Borrower to the Agent of any Syndicated Loans or Competitive Bid Loans
     pursuant to this (S)2.4.2 shall be deemed to be a payment of the Loans that
     were to be made by the Bank that failed to make such Syndicated Loans or
     Competitive Bid Loans, as applicable.

     2.5. The Notes.
          ---------

            2.5.1. Syndicated Notes.  The Syndicated Loans shall be evidenced by
                   ----------------
     separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the form of
     Exhibit F-1 attached hereto (each a "Syndicated Note"), dated as of the
     -----------
     Closing Date and completed with appropriate insertions. A Syndicated Note
     shall be payable to the order of each Bank in a principal amount equal to
     such Bank's Commitment Amount or, if less, the outstanding amount of all
     Syndicated Loans made by such Bank, plus interest accrued thereon, as set
                                         ----
     forth below. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Bank to make, at or
     about the time of the Drawdown Date of any Syndicated Loan or at the time
     of receipt of any payment of principal on such Bank's Syndicated Note, an
     appropriate notation on the Record attached to such Bank's Syndicated Note
     reflecting the making of such Syndicated Loan or (as the case may be) the
     receipt of such payment. The outstanding amount of the Syndicated Loans set
     forth on such Bank's Record shall be prima facie evidence of the principal
                                          ----- -----
     amount thereof owing and unpaid to such Bank, but the failure to record, or
     any error in so recording, any such amount on such Bank's Record shall not
     limit or otherwise affect the Obligations of the Borrower hereunder or
<PAGE>

                                      -28-

     under any Syndicated Note to make payments of principal of or interest on
     any Syndicated Note when due.

          2.5.2.  Competitive Bid Notes.  The Competitive Bid Loans shall be
                  ---------------------
     evidenced by separate promissory notes of the Borrower in substantially the
     form of Exhibit F-2 attached hereto (each a "Competitive Bid Note"), dated
             -----------
     as of the Closing Date and completed with appropriate insertions. A
     Competitive Bid Note shall be payable to the order of each Bank in a
     principal amount equal to $20,000,000, or if less, the outstanding amount
     of all Competitive Bid Loans made by such Bank to the Borrower hereunder,
     as set forth in (S)2.3 hereof, plus interest accrued thereon, as set forth
                                    ----
     below. The Borrower irrevocably authorizes each Bank to make, at or about
     the time of the Drawdown Date of any Competitive Bid Loan made by such Bank
     or at the time of receipt of the payment of principal of such Competitive
     Bid Loan, an appropriate notation on the Record attached to such Bank's
     Competitive Bid Note reflecting the making of such Competitive Bid Loan and
     repayments thereof. All such notations shall constitute prima facie
                                                             -----------
     evidence of the amount of such Competitive Bid Loans and the repayments
     thereof, but the failure to record, or any error in so recording such
     amount on such Bank's Record shall not limit or otherwise affect the
     Obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any Competitive Bid Note to
     make payments of principal or interest on any Competitive Bid Note when
     due.

     2.6. Reduction of Total Commitment. The Borrower shall have the right at
          -----------------------------
any time and from time to time upon five (5) Business Days prior written notice
to the Agent to reduce by $1,000,000 or an integral multiple thereof or
terminate entirely the unborrowed portion of the Total Commitment, whereupon the
Commitments of the Banks shall be reduced pro rata in accordance with their
                                          --- ----
respective Commitment Percentages of the amount specified in such notice or, as
the case may be, terminated. Promptly after receiving any notice of the Borrower
delivered pursuant to this (S)2.6, the Agent will notify the Banks of the
substance thereof. Upon the effective date of any such reduction or termination,
the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the respective accounts of the Banks the
full amount of any commitment fee then accrued on the amount of the reduction.
No reduction or termination of the Commitments or of the Total Commitment may be
reinstated.

     2.7. Interest on Loans. Except as otherwise provided in (S)4.11,
          -----------------

          (a)  Each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest for the period commencing
     with the Drawdown Date thereof and ending on the last day of the Interest
     Period with respect thereto at the Base Rate.

          (b)  Each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest for the period
     commencing with the Drawdown Date thereof and ending on the last day of the
     Interest Period with respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the sum
     of the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin plus the Eurodollar Rate
                                              ----
     determined for such Interest Period.
<PAGE>

                                      -29-

          (c)  Each Competitive Bid Loan shall bear interest at the rate per
     annum specified in the applicable Competitive Bid Quote with respect to
     such Competitive Bid Loan.

          (d)  The Borrower promises to pay interest on each Loan in arrears on
     each Interest Payment Date with respect thereto.

          (e)  Upon any request by the Borrower to increase the Total Commitment
     in accordance with (S)2.9, the Borrower shall not request any Eurodollar
     Rate Loans with an Interest Period in excess of one (1) month hereunder and
     the Banks shall not be required to make any Eurodollar Rate Loans with an
     Interest Period in excess of one (1) month hereunder until the date (if
     any) upon which the Agent advises the Borrower that the Arranger has
     completed the syndication of the Loans in order to accommodate such
     increase in a manner satisfactory to the Agent and the Arranger; provided,
                                                                      --------
     however, that with respect to (i) any Eurodollar Rate Loans made in
     -------
     accordance with the requirements of this sentence and (ii) any Eurodollar
     Rate Loans outstanding on the date of any request to increase the Total
     Commitment in accordance with (S)2.9, the Borrower shall convert such
     Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans on any date on which the Agent
     notifies the Borrower that it and the Arranger will be completing the
     additional syndication of the Loans pursuant to (S)2.9, and the Borrower
     shall pay any costs or expenses associated therewith in accordance with the
     requirements of (S)4.10.
<PAGE>

                                      -30-

     2.8. Conversion Options.
          ------------------

            2.8.2.  Conversion to Different Type of Syndicated Loan. The
                    -----------------------------------------------
     Borrower may elect from time to time to convert any outstanding Syndicated
     Loan to a Syndicated Loan of another Type, provided that (i) with respect
                                                --------
     to any such conversion of a Eurodollar Rate Loan into a Base Rate Loan,
     such conversion shall only be made on the last day of the Interest Period
     with respect thereto; (ii) with respect to any such conversion of a Base
     Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Borrower shall give the Agent at
     least two (2) Eurodollar Business Days' prior written notice of such
     election and (iii) no Base Rate Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar
     Rate Loan when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
     continuing. On the date on which such conversion is being made, each Bank
     shall take such action as is necessary to transfer its Commitment
     Percentage of such Syndicated Loans to its Domestic Lending Office or its
     Eurodollar Lending Office, as the case may be. All or any part of the
     outstanding Syndicated Loans of any Type may be converted as provided
     herein, provided that partial conversions shall be in an aggregate
             --------
     principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple thereof. Each Conversion
     Request relating to the conversion of a Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Rate
     Loan shall be irrevocable by the Borrower.

            2.8.2.  Continuation of Type of Syndicated Loan.  Any Syndicated
                    ---------------------------------------
     Loan of any Type may be continued as such upon the expiration of an
     Interest Period with respect thereto by compliance by the Borrower with the
     notice provisions contained in (S)2.8.1; provided that no Eurodollar Rate
                                              --------
     Loan may be continued as such when any Default or Event of Default has
     occurred and is continuing, but shall be automatically converted to a Base
     Rate Loan on the last day of the first Interest Period relating thereto
     ending during the continuance of any Default or Event of Default of which
     the officers of the Agent active upon the Borrower's account have actual
     knowledge. In the event that the Borrower fails to provide any such notice
     with respect to the continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loan or Base Rate
     Loan as such, then such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be automatically
     converted to a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the first Interest Period
     relating thereto, and such Base Rate Loan shall be continued as a Base Rate
     Loan on the last day of the first Interest Period relating thereto. The
     Agent shall notify the Banks promptly when any such automatic conversion
     contemplated by this (S)2.8 is scheduled to occur.
<PAGE>

                                      -31-

          2.8.3.  Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Any conversion to or from Eurodollar
                  ---------------------
     Rate Loans shall be in such amounts and be made pursuant to such elections
     so that, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate principal amount of all
     Eurodollar Rate Loans having the same Interest Period shall not be less
     than $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof.

     2.9.  Limited Increase In Total Commitment.  Unless a Default or Event of
           ------------------------------------
Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower may request that the Total
Commitment be increased to $225,000,000 hereunder, subject to the approval of
the Agent, provided, however, that (i) any Bank which is a party to this Credit
           --------  -------
Agreement prior to such increase may elect to fund its pro rata share of the
increase, thereby increasing its Commitment hereunder, but no Bank shall be
required to do so, (ii) in the event any Bank elects not to fund its pro rata
share of the increase (or any additional amount that is offered pursuant to this
clause (ii)), the Borrower may elect to offer such unfunded amount on a pro rata
basis to each Bank that elected to fund its pro rata share of the increase (or
such additional amount offered pursuant to this clause (ii)) or to a new Bank,
(iii) in the event that it becomes necessary to include a new Bank to provide
additional funding under this (S)2.9, such new Bank must be reasonably
acceptable to the Agent, (iv) the Banks' Commitment Percentages shall be
correspondingly adjusted, (v) each new Bank shall make all (if any) such
payments to the other Banks as may be necessary to result in the Syndicated
Loans to be made by such new Bank being equal to such new Bank's Commitment
Percentage (as then in effect) of the aggregate principal amount of all
Syndicated Loans outstanding to the Borrower as of such date, and (vi) Notes
issued or amended and such other changes shall be made to the Loan Documents, as
shall be necessary to reflect any such increase in the Total Commitment. Any
such increase (whether to $225,000,000 or to a lesser amount) shall require,
among other things, the satisfaction of such conditions precedent as the Agent
may require, including, without limitation, the obtaining by any Bank of
requisite internal approvals, the Agent's receipt of evidence of applicable
corporate authorization and other corporate documentation from the Borrower and
the legal opinion of counsel to the Borrower, each in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent, such Banks as are participating in such increase and
the Borrower.

                          3.  REPAYMENT OF THE LOANS.
                              ----------------------

     3.1.  Maturity.  The Borrower promises to pay on the Revolving Credit Loan
           --------
Loan Maturity Date, and there shall become absolutely due and payable on the
Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date, all of the Loans outstanding on such date,
together with any and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

     3.2.  Mandatory Repayments of Loans.  If at any time the sum of the
           -----------------------------
outstanding amount of the Loans exceeds the Total Commitment, then the Borrower
shall immediately pay the amount of such excess to the Agent for application to
the Loans for the respective accounts of the Banks. Each prepayment of Loans
shall be allocated among the Banks, in proportion, as
<PAGE>

                                      -32-

nearly as practicable to the respective unpaid principal amount of each Bank's
Syndicated Note, with adjustments to the extent practicable to equalize any
prior payments or repayments not exactly in proportion, and if no Syndicated
Loans are outstanding, the Competitive Bid Loans, in proportion, as nearly as
practicable, to the unpaid principal amount of each Bank's Competitive Bid Note.
If at any time the sum of the outstanding amount of the Competitive Bid Loans
exceeds $20,000,000, then the Borrower shall immediately pay the amount of such
excess to the Agent for application to the Competitive Bid Loans made by the
Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the unpaid principal amount
of each Bank's Competitive Bid Note.

     3.3.  Optional Repayments of Syndicated Loans.  The Borrower shall have the
           ---------------------------------------
right, at its election, to repay the outstanding amount of the Syndicated Loans,
as a whole or in part, at any time without penalty or premium, provided that all
                                                               --------
prepayments of Eurodollar Rate Loans prior to the end of the Interest Period
relating thereto shall obligate the Borrower to pay any breakage costs
associated with such Eurodollar Rate Loans in accordance with (S)4.10 hereof.
The Borrower shall give the Agent written notice, no later than 10:00 a.m.,
Boston time, (a) on the Business Day of any proposed repayment pursuant to this
(S)3.3 of Base Rate Loans, and (b) two (2) Eurodollar Business Days notice of
any proposed repayment pursuant to this (S)3.3 of Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each
case, specifying the proposed date of payment of such Syndicated Loans and the
principal amount to be paid. Each such partial prepayment of the Loans shall be
in an integral multiple of $500,000, shall be accompanied by the payment of
accrued interest on the principal repaid to the date of payment and shall be
applied first to the principal of Base Rate Loans and then to the principal of
Eurodollar Rate Loans. Each partial prepayment shall be allocated among the
Banks, in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the respective unpaid
principal amount of each Bank's Syndicated Note, with adjustments to the extent
practicable to equalize any prior repayments not exactly in proportion.

                        4.  CERTAIN GENERAL PROVISIONS.
                            --------------------------

     4.1.  Agent and Arranger Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay to each of the
           -----------------------
Agent and the Arranger the fees described in the Agent's Fee Letter, upon the
terms and conditions set forth therein.

     4.2.  Facility Fee and Utilization Fee.  (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to
           --------------------------------
the Agent for the accounts of the Banks in accordance with their respective
Commitment Percentages a facility fee calculated at the rate of the Applicable
Facility Fee Percentage on the average daily amount during each calendar quarter
or portion thereof from the Closing Date to the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity
Date of the Total Commitment during such calendar quarter. The facility fee
shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each calendar quarter
for the immediately preceding calendar quarter commencing on the first such date
following the date hereof, with a final payment on the Revolving Credit Maturity
Date or any earlier date on which the Commitments shall terminate.
<PAGE>

                                      -33-

     (b)  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for the accounts of the Banks
in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages a utilization fee
calculated at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the
Loans outstanding during each calendar quarter or portion thereof from the date
hereof to the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date; provided, however, that no
                                                   --------  -------
such fee shall be payable for any calendar quarter or portion thereof during
which the average aggregate amount of the Loans outstanding during such calendar
quarter or portion thereof (after giving effect to all amounts requested) does
not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the Total Commitment in effect during such
calendar quarter or portion thereof; provided, further, that if the Total
                                     --------  -------
Commitment is increased or decreased during any calendar quarter pursuant to
(S)2.9 hereof or otherwise in accordance with the terms hereof, no such fee
shall be payable for (i) that portion of the calendar quarter elapsing prior to
the date of such increase or decrease (such period, the "Initial Period") if the
average aggregate amount of the Loans outstanding during such Initial Period
(after giving effect to all amounts requested) does not exceed fifty percent
(50%) of the Total Commitment in effect during such Initial Period, and (ii)
that portion of the calendar quarter elapsing from the date of such increase or
decrease to the end of such calendar quarter (such period, the "Secondary
Period") if the average aggregate amount of the Loans outstanding (after giving
effect to all amounts requested) during such Secondary Period does not exceed
fifty percent (50%) of the Total Commitment in effect during such Secondary
Period; with the same mechanism as set forth in this proviso for determination
of whether a utilization fee is payable for any portion of any calendar quarter
being used to make such determination in the event that the amount of the Total
Commitment changes more than once during any calendar quarter.  The utilization
fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each calendar
quarter for the immediately preceding calendar quarter commencing on the first
such date following the date hereof, with a final payment on the Revolving
Credit Maturity Date or any earlier date on which the Commitments shall
terminate.

     4.3.  Funds for Payments.
           ------------------

          4.3.1.  Payments to Agent.  All payments of principal, interest,
                  -----------------
     commitment fees and any other amounts due hereunder or under any of the
     other Loan Documents shall be made to the Agent, for the respective
     accounts of the Banks and the Agent, at the Agent's Head Office or at such
     other location in the Boston, Massachusetts area that the Agent may from
     time to time designate, in each case in immediately available funds.

          4.3.2.  No Offset, etc.  All payments by the Borrower hereunder and
                  --------------
     under any of the other Loan Documents shall be made without setoff or
     counterclaim and free and clear of and without deduction for any taxes,
     levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, withholdings,
     compulsory loans, restrictions or conditions of any nature now or hereafter
     imposed or levied by any jurisdiction or any political
<PAGE>

                                      -34-

     subdivision thereof or taxing or other authority therein unless the
     Borrower is compelled by law to make such deduction or withholding. If any
     such obligation is imposed upon the Borrower with respect to any amount
     payable by it hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, the
     Borrower will pay to the Agent, for the account of the Banks or (as the
     case may be) the Agent, on the date on which such amount is due and payable
     hereunder or under such other Loan Document, such additional amount in
     Dollars as shall be necessary to enable the Banks or the Agent to receive
     the same net amount which the Banks or the Agent would have received on
     such due date had no such obligation been imposed upon the Borrower. The
     Borrower will deliver promptly to the Agent certificates or other valid
     vouchers for all taxes or other charges deducted from or paid with respect
     to payments made by the Borrower hereunder or under such other Loan
     Document.

          4.3.3.  Non-U.S. Banks.  the Agent and each Bank that is not a U.S.
                  ---------------
     Person as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code for federal income tax
     purposes (a "Non-U.S. Bank") hereby agrees that, if and to the extent it
                  -------------
     is legally able to do so, it shall, prior to the date of the first payment
     by the Borrower hereunder to be made to such Bank or the Agent or for such
     Bank's or the Agent's account, deliver to the Borrower and the Agent, as
     applicable, such certificates, documents or other evidence, as and when
     required by the Code or Treasury Regulations issued pursuant thereto,
     including (a) in the case of a Non-U.S. Bank that is a "bank" for purposes
     of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, two (2) duly completed copies of
     Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI and any other
     certificate or statement of exemption required by Treasury Regulations, or
     any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto, properly completed
     and duly executed by such Bank or the Agent establishing that with respect
     to payments of principal, interest or fees hereunder it is (i) not subject
     to United States federal withholding tax under the Code because such
     payment is effectively connected with the conduct by such Bank or Agent of
     a trade or business in the United States or (ii) totally exempt or
     partially exempt from United States federal withholding tax under a
     provision of an applicable tax treaty and (b) in the case of a Non-U.S.
     Bank that is not a "bank" for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code,
     a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent
     and the Borrower and to the effect that (i) such Non-U.S. Bank is not a
     "bank" for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, is not subject to
     regulatory or other legal requirements as a bank in any jurisdiction, and
     has not been treated as a bank for purposes of any tax, securities law or
     other filing or submission made to any governmental authority, any
     application made to a rating agency or qualification for any exemption from
     any tax, securities law or other legal requirements, (ii) is not a ten (10)
     percent shareholder for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code and
     (iii) is not a controlled foreign corporation receiving interest from a
     related person for purposes of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code, together
     with a properly completed
<PAGE>

                                      -35-

     Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable (or successor
     forms). Each Bank or the Agent agrees that it shall, promptly upon a change
     of its lending office or the selection of any additional lending office, to
     the extent the forms previously delivered by it pursuant to this section
     are no longer effective, and promptly upon the Borrower's or the Agent's
     reasonable request after the occurrence of any other event (including the
     passage of time) requiring the delivery of a Form W-8BEN, Form W-8ECI, Form
     W-8 or W-9 in addition to or in replacement of the forms previously
     delivered, deliver to the Borrower and the Agent, as applicable, if and to
     the extent it is properly entitled to do so, a properly completed and
     executed Form W-8BEN, Form W-8ECI, Form W-8 or W-9, as applicable (or any
     successor forms thereto).

     4.4.  Computations.  All computations of interest on Competitive Bid Loans
           ------------
or Eurodollar Rate Loans and fees shall be based on a 360-day year and paid for
the actual number of days elapsed. All computations of interest on Base Rate
Loans shall be based on a 365-day year and paid for the actual number of days
elapsed. Except as otherwise provided in the definition of the term "Interest
Period" with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, whenever a payment hereunder or
under any of the other Loan Documents becomes due on a day that is not a
Business Day, the due date for such payment shall be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day, and interest shall accrue during such extension. The
outstanding amount of the Loans as reflected on the Records from time to time
shall be considered correct and binding on the Borrower unless within five (5)
Business Days after the Borrower's receipt of any notice from the Agent or any
of the Banks of such outstanding amount, the Borrower shall notify the Agent or
such Bank to the contrary.

     4.5.  Inability to Determine Eurodollar Rate.  In the event that, prior to
           --------------------------------------
the commencement of any Interest Period relating to any Eurodollar Rate Loan,
the Agent shall determine that adequate and reasonable methods do not exist for
ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate that would otherwise determine the rate of
interest to be applicable to any Eurodollar Rate Loan during any Interest
Period, the Agent shall forthwith give notice of such determination (which shall
be conclusive and binding on the Borrower and the Banks) to the Borrower and the
Banks. In such event (i) any Loan Request or Conversion Request with respect to
Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be automatically withdrawn and, shall be deemed a
request for Base Rate Loans, (ii) each Eurodollar Rate Loan will automatically,
on the last day of the then current Interest Period thereof, become a Base Rate
Loan, and (iii) the obligations of the Banks to make Eurodollar Rate Loans shall
be suspended until the Agent determines that the circumstances giving rise to
such suspension no longer exist, whereupon the Agent shall so notify the
Borrower and the Banks.

     4.6.  Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, if any
           ----------
present or future law, regulation, treaty or directive or in the interpretation
or application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Bank to make or maintain
Eurodollar Rate Loans, such Bank shall forthwith give notice of such
<PAGE>

                                      -36-

circumstances to the Borrower and the other Banks and thereupon (i) the
commitment of such Bank to make Eurodollar Rate Loans or convert Loans of
another Type to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall forthwith be suspended and (ii) such
Bank's Syndicated Loans then outstanding as Eurodollar Rate Loans, if any, shall
be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on the last day of each Interest
Period applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loans or within such earlier period as
may be required by law. The Borrower hereby agrees promptly to pay the Agent for
the account of such Bank, upon demand by such Bank, any additional amounts
necessary to compensate such Bank for any costs incurred by such Bank in making
any conversion in accordance with this (S)4.6, including any interest or fees
payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in order to make or
maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder.

     4.7.  Additional Costs, etc.  If any present or future applicable law,
           ---------------------
which expression, as used herein, includes statutes, rules and regulations
thereunder and interpretations thereof by any competent court or by any
governmental or other regulatory body or official charged with the
administration or the interpretation thereof and requests, directives,
instructions and notices at any time or from time to time hereafter made upon or
otherwise issued to any Bank or the Agent by any central bank or other fiscal,
monetary or other authority (whether or not having the force of law), shall:

          (a)  subject any Bank or the Agent to any tax, levy, impost, duty,
     charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature with respect to this
     Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents, such Bank's Commitment or the
     Loans (other than taxes based upon or measured by the income or profits of
     such Bank or the Agent), or

          (b)  materially change the basis of taxation (except for changes in
     taxes on income or profits) of payments to any Bank of the principal of or
     the interest on any Loans or any other amounts payable to any Bank or the
     Agent under this Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, or

          (c)  impose or increase or render applicable (other than to the extent
     specifically provided for elsewhere in this Credit Agreement) any special
     deposit, reserve, assessment, liquidity, capital adequacy or other similar
     requirements (whether or not having the force of law) against assets held
     by, or deposits in or for the account of, or loans by, or commitments of an
     office of any Bank, or

          (d)  impose on any Bank or the Agent any other conditions or
     requirements with respect to this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
     Documents, the Loans, such Bank's Commitment, or any class of loans or
     commitments of which any of the Loans or such Bank's Commitment forms a
     part, and the result of any of the foregoing is

               (i)  to increase the cost to any Bank of making, funding,
          issuing, renewing, extending or maintaining any of the Loans or such
          Bank's Commitment, or
<PAGE>

                                      -37-

               (ii)  to reduce the amount of principal, interest or other amount
          payable to such Bank or the Agent hereunder on account of such Bank's
          Commitment or any of the Loans, or

               (iii)  to require such Bank or the Agent to make any payment or
          to forego any interest or other sum payable hereunder, the amount of
          which payment or foregone interest or other sum is calculated by
          reference to the gross amount of any sum receivable or deemed received
          by such Bank or the Agent from the Borrower hereunder,

then, and in each such case, the Borrower will, upon demand made by such Bank or
(as the case may be) the Agent at any time and from time to time and as often as
the occasion therefor may arise, pay to such Bank or the Agent such additional
amounts as will be sufficient to compensate such Bank or the Agent for such
additional cost, reduction, payment or foregone interest or other sum.

     4.8.  Capital Adequacy.  If after the date hereof any Bank or the Agent
           ----------------
determines that (i) the adoption of or change in any law, governmental rule,
regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) regarding capital requirements for banks or bank holding companies or any
change in the interpretation or application thereof by a court or governmental
authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) compliance by such Bank or the
Agent or any corporation controlling such Bank or the Agent with any law,
governmental rule, regulation, policy, guideline or directive (whether or not
having the force of law) of any such entity regarding capital adequacy, has the
effect of reducing the return on such Bank's or the Agent's commitment with
respect to any Loans to a level below that which such Bank or the Agent could
have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance (taking into
consideration such Bank's or the Agent's then existing policies with respect to
capital adequacy and assuming full utilization of such entity's capital) by any
amount deemed by such Bank or (as the case may be) the Agent to be material,
then such Bank or the Agent may notify the Borrower of such fact. To the extent
that the amount of such reduction in the return on capital is not reflected in
the Base Rate, the Borrower agrees to pay such Bank or (as the case may be) the
Agent the amount of such reduction in the return on capital as and when such
reduction is determined upon presentation by such Bank or (as the case may be)
the Agent of a certificate in accordance with (S)4.9 hereof. Each Bank shall
allocate such cost increases among its customers in good faith and on an
equitable basis.

     4.9.  Certificate. A certificate setting forth any additional amounts
           -----------
payable pursuant to (S)4.7 or 4.8 and a brief explanation of such amounts which
are due, submitted by any Bank or the Agent to the Borrower, shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error, that such amounts are due and owing.

     4.10.  Indemnity.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Bank and to hold
            ---------
each Bank harmless from and against any loss, cost or expense (including loss of
anticipated profits) that such Bank may sustain or incur as a
<PAGE>

                                      -38-

consequence of (i) default by the Borrower in payment of the principal amount of
or any interest on any Eurodollar Rate Loans or Competitive Bid Rate Loans as
and when due and payable, including any such loss or expense arising from
interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by it in
order to maintain its Eurodollar Rate Loans or Competitive Bid Rate Loans, (ii)
default by the Borrower in making a borrowing after the Borrower has given (or
is deemed to have given) a Loan Request or a Conversion Request relating thereto
in accordance with (S)2.2 or (S)2.8 or a Notice of Competitive Bid Borrowing in
accordance with (S)2.3.1(f) hereof, or (iii) the making of any payment of a
Eurodollar Rate Loan or Competitive Bid Rate Loan or the making of any
conversion of any such Eurodollar Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan on a day that is
not the last day of the applicable Interest Period with respect thereto,
including interest or fees payable by such Bank to lenders of funds obtained by
it in order to maintain any such Loans.

     4.11.  Interest After Default.
            ----------------------

          4.11.1.  Overdue Amounts.  Overdue principal and (to the extent
                   ---------------
     permitted by applicable law) interest on the Loans and all other overdue
     amounts payable hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents shall
     bear interest compounded monthly and payable on demand at a rate per annum
     equal to four percent (4%) above the Base Rate until such amount shall be
     paid in full (after as well as before judgment).

          4.11.2.  Amounts Not Overdue.  During the continuance of a Default or
                   -------------------
     an Event of Default the principal of the Loans not overdue shall, until
     such Default or Event of Default has been cured or remedied or such Default
     or Event of Default has been waived by the Majority Banks pursuant to
     (S)24, bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) four
     percent (4%) above the rate of interest otherwise applicable to such Loans
     or (ii) the rate of interest applicable to overdue principal pursuant to
     (S)4.11.1.

     4.12.  Guaranties.  The payment and performance of the Obligations shall be
            ----------
guaranteed by each domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower engaged in business of
any kind or nature (other than having qualified to do business in a foreign
jurisdiction) or that has a net worth or assets of more than a de minimis value
                                                               -- -------
or that has issued any capital stock or other equity interests to any person
other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, and each Person which
becomes a party to a Guaranty pursuant to (S) 7.5.1 or (S) 7.11.

                      5.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
                          ------------------------------

     The Borrower represents and warrants to the Banks and the Agent as follows:

     5.1.   Corporate Authority.
            -------------------
<PAGE>

                                      -39-

          5.1.1.  Organization; Good Standing.  Each of the Borrower and its
                  ---------------------------
     Subsidiaries (i) is a corporation or other entity or, in the case of R&M
     Trust and Chiswick Trust, a Massachusetts business trust, duly organized,
     validly existing and, except in the case of R&M Trust and Chiswick Trust
     (with respect to which no such concept is applicable), in good standing
     under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) has all requisite
     power to own its property and conduct its business as now conducted and as
     presently contemplated, and (iii) is in good standing as a foreign
     corporation or other entity and is duly authorized to do business in each
     jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary except where a failure
     to be so qualified would not have a materially adverse effect on the
     business, assets or financial condition of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

          5.1.2.  Authorization.  The execution, delivery and performance of
                  -------------
     this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or
     any of its Subsidiaries is or is to become a party and the transactions
     contemplated hereby and thereby (i) are within the corporate or other
     authority of such Person, (ii) have been duly authorized by all necessary
     corporate or other proceedings, (iii) do not conflict with or result in any
     breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule or
     regulation to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is subject or
     any judgment, order, writ, injunction, license or permit applicable to the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (iv) do not conflict with any
     provision of the corporate charter or bylaws or other organizational
     documents of, or any agreement or other instrument binding upon, the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

          5.1.3.  Enforceability.  The execution and delivery of this Credit
                  --------------
     Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries is or is to become a party will result in valid and legally
     binding obligations of such Person, enforceable against it in accordance
     with the respective terms and provisions hereof and thereof, except as
     enforceability is limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
     moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting generally the enforcement
     of creditors' rights and except to the extent that availability of the
     remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the
     discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
     brought.

     5.2.  Governmental Approvals.  The execution, delivery and performance by
           ----------------------
the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries of this Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is or is to
become a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not
require the approval or consent of, or filing with, any governmental agency or
authority other than those already obtained.

     5.3.  Title to Properties; Leases.  Except as indicated on Schedule 5.3
           ---------------------------                          -------- ---
hereto, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries own all of the assets reflected in the
<PAGE>

                                      -40-

consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the
Interim Balance Sheet Date or acquired since that date (except property and
assets sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since
that date), subject to no rights of others, including any mortgages, leases,
conditional sales agreements, title retention agreements, liens or other
encumbrances except Permitted Liens.

     5.4.  Financial Statements.
           --------------------

          5.4.1.  Financial Statements
                  --------------------

          There has been furnished to the Agent a consolidated balance sheet of
     the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the Balance Sheet Date, and a
     consolidated statement of income and a consolidated statement of cash flow
     for the fiscal year then ended, including the opinion thereof expressed by
     and signed by the Borrower's independent certified public accountants.  In
     addition, there has been furnished to the Agent a consolidated balance
     sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries prepared by management as at the
     Interim Balance Sheet Date, and a consolidated statement of income and a
     consolidated statement of cash flow prepared by management for the fiscal
     quarter ended on the Interim Balance Sheet Date.  All such balance sheets,
     statements of income and statements of cash flow have been prepared in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (except, in the
     case of the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statement of
     income and the consolidated statement of cash flow prepared as of the
     Interim Balance Sheet Date, for year-end adjustments, the absence of
     footnotes and any other items permitted to be excluded from Form 10-Q by
     the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and fairly present the
     financial condition of the Borrower as at the close of business on the
     dates thereof and the results of operations for the fiscal year and fiscal
     quarter then ended.  There are no contingent liabilities of the Borrower or
     any of its Subsidiaries as of such date involving material amounts, known
     to the Borrower, which were not disclosed in such balance sheets and the
     notes related thereto, other than contingent liabilities under open letters
     of credit permitted under Section 7.1(k) of the First Amended and Restated
     Credit Agreement.

          5.4.2. Projections.
                 -----------

          The projections of the annual operating budgets of the Borrower and
     its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, balance sheets and cash flow
     statements for the 2001 to 2005 fiscal years, copies of which were
     delivered to each Bank prior to the Closing Date, disclose all assumptions
     made with respect to general economic, financial and market conditions used
     in formulating such projections, and any such projections delivered to the
     Banks in accordance with the terms hereof following the Closing Date shall
     also disclose all assumptions made with respect to general economic,
     financial and market conditions used in formulating such
<PAGE>

                                      -41-

     projections. The projections are based upon reasonable estimates and
     assumptions, have been prepared on the basis of the assumptions stated
     therein and reflect the reasonable estimates of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries of the results of operations and other information projected
     therein.

     5.5.  No Material Changes, etc.
           ------------------------

     Since the Interim Balance Sheet Date there has occurred no materially
adverse change in the financial condition or business of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as shown on or reflected in the consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the Interim Balance Sheet Date, or the
consolidated statement of income for the fiscal quarter then ended, other than
changes in the ordinary course of business that have not had any materially
adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.5
                                                              -------- ---
hereto, the Borrower has not, since the Interim Balance Sheet Date, made any
Restricted Payments.

     5.6.  Franchises, Patents, Copyrights, etc.  Each of the Borrower and its
           ------------------------------------
Subsidiaries possesses all franchises, patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade
names, licenses and permits, and rights in respect of the foregoing, adequate
for the conduct of its business substantially as now conducted without known
conflict with any rights of others.

     5.7.  Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.7, there are no
           ----------                          -------- ---
actions, suits, proceedings or investigations of any kind pending or threatened
against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, tribunal or
administrative agency or board that, if adversely determined, might, in any case
materially adversely affect the properties, assets, financial condition or
business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or
materially impair the right of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, considered as
a whole, to carry on business substantially as now conducted by them, or result
in any substantial liability not adequately covered by insurance, or for which
adequate reserves are not maintained on the consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower, or which question the validity of this Credit Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents, or any action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or
thereto.

     5.8.  No Materially Adverse Contracts, etc.  Neither the Borrower nor any
           ------------------------------------
any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any charter, corporate or other legal
restriction, or any judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation that has or is
expected in the future to have a materially adverse effect on the business,
assets or financial condition of the Borrower and of its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party
to any contract or agreement that has or is expected, in the judgment of the
Borrower's officers, to have any materially adverse effect on the business of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
<PAGE>

                                      -42-

     5.9   Compliance With Other Instruments, Laws, etc. Neither the Borrower
           --------------------------------------------
nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any provision of its charter
documents, bylaws, or any agreement or instrument to which it may be subject or
by which it or any of its properties may be bound or any decree, order,
judgment, statute, license, rule or regulation, in any of the foregoing cases in
a manner that could result in the imposition of substantial penalties or
materially and adversely affect the financial condition, properties or business
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

     5.10   Tax Status. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i) have made or filed
            ----------
all federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations
required by any jurisdiction to which any of them is subject, (ii) have paid all
taxes and other governmental assessments and charges shown or determined to be
due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in
good faith and by appropriate proceedings and (iii) have set aside on their
books provisions reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods
subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply.
There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing
authority of any jurisdiction, and the Borrower knows of no basis for any such
claim.

     5.11   No Event of Default. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and
            -------------------
is continuing.

     5.12  Holding Company and Investment Company Acts. Neither the Borrower nor
           -------------------------------------------
any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a
"holding company", or an affiliate" of a "holding company", as such terms are
defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; nor is it an
"investment company", or an "affiliated company" or a "principal underwriter" of
an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940.

     5.13  Absence of Financing Statements, etc. Except with respect to
           ------------------------------------
Permitted Liens, precautionary filings made by lessors with respect to equipment
leased to the Borrower and notice filings made by third parties with respect to
equipment and/or inventory held by the Borrower and owned by such third party,
there is no financing statement (other than those identified in Section 6.15),
security agreement, chattel mortgage, real estate mortgage or other document
filed or recorded with any filing records, registry, or other public office,
that purports to cover, affect or give notice of any present or possible future
lien on, or security interest in, any assets or property of the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries or rights thereunder.

     5.14  Chief Executive Office. The Borrower's chief executive office located
           ----------------------
at 500 Main Street, Groton, Massachusetts 01471.

     5.15  Certain Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.15, none of
           --------------------                         -------- ----
the officers, directors, or employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
is presently a party to any transaction with the Borrower or any of its

<PAGE>

                                      -43-

Subsidiaries (other than for services as employees, officers and directors),
including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the
furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal
property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer,
director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any corporation,
partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer, director, or any such
employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or
partner.

     5.16  Employee Benefit Plans.
           ----------------------

           5.16.1.  In General.
                    ----------

           Each Employee Benefit Plan and each Guaranteed Pension Plan has been
     maintained and operated in compliance in all material respects with the
     applicable provisions of ERISA and all Applicable Pension Legislation, to
     the extent applicable, the Code, including but not limited to the
     provisions thereunder respecting prohibited transactions and the bonding of
     fiduciaries and other persons handling plan funds as required by (S)412 of
     ERISA. The Borrower has heretofore delivered to the Agent the most recently
     completed annual report, Form 5500, with all required attachments, and
     actuarial statement required to be submitted under (S)103(d) of ERISA, with
     respect to each Guaranteed Pension Plan.

           5.16.2.  Terminability of Welfare Plans.
                    ------------------------------

           No Employee Benefit Plan which is an employee welfare benefit plan
     within the meaning of (S)3(1) or (S)3(2)(B) of ERISA provides benefit
     coverage subsequent to termination of employment except as set forth in
     Schedule 5.16 or as otherwise required by Title I, Part 6 of ERISA or
     -------- ----
     applicable state insurance laws. The Borrower and any Subsidiary of the
     Borrower, as the case may be, may terminate its Employee Benefit Plan(s) at
     any time (or at any time subsequent to the expiration of any applicable
     bargaining agreement) in the discretion of the Borrower or such Subsidiary
     or such ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower or such Subsidiary without
     liability to any Person other than for claims arising prior to termination.

           5.16.3.  Guaranteed Pension Plans.
                    ------------------------

           Each contribution required to be made to a Guaranteed Pension Plan,
     whether required to be made to avoid the incurrence of an accumulated
     funding deficiency, the notice or lien provisions of (S)302(f) of ERISA, or
     otherwise, has been timely made. No waiver of an accumulated funding
     deficiency or extension of amortization periods has been received with
     respect to any Guaranteed Pension Plan, and none of the Borrower, any
     Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower or any
     Subsidiary is obligated to or has posted security in connection with an
     amendment of a Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to (S)307 of ERISA or
     (S)401(a)(29) of the Code. No liability to the PBGC
<PAGE>

                                      -44-

     (other than required insurance premiums, all of which have been paid) has
     been incurred by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA
     Affiliate of the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to any Guaranteed
     Pension Plan and there has not been any ERISA Reportable Event, or any
     other event or condition which presents a material risk of termination of
     any Guaranteed Pension Plan by the PBGC. Based on the latest valuation of
     each Guaranteed Pension Plan (which in each case occurred within twelve
     months of the date of this representation), and on the actuarial methods
     and assumptions employed for that valuation, the aggregate benefit
     liabilities of all such Guaranteed Pension Plans within the meaning of
     (S)4001 of ERISA did not exceed the aggregate value of the assets of all
     such Guaranteed Pension Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit
     liabilities and assets of any Guaranteed Pension Plan with assets in excess
     of benefit liabilities.

           5.16.4.  Multiemployer Plans.
                    -------------------

           None of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA
     Affiliate of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is contributing or has ever
     contributed or been obligated to contribute to any Multiemployer Plan.

     5.17. Use of Proceeds.
           ---------------

           5.17.1.  General.
                    -------

           The proceeds of the Loans shall be used (a)(i) to finance
     acquisitions permitted by (S)7.5, (ii) to finance repurchases of the
     Borrower's common stock and other Restricted Payments to the extent
     permitted by (S)7.4, and (iii) to refinance existing Indebtedness of the
     Borrower to the Agent and certain of the Banks under the First Amended and
     Restated Credit Agreement and (b) for working capital and general corporate
     purposes.
<PAGE>

                                      -45-

           5.17.2.  Regulations U and X.
                    -------------------

           No portion of any Loan is to be used, except as otherwise permitted
     herein, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin security" or
     "margin stock" as such terms are used in Regulations U and X of the Board
     of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224,
     nor is any portion of any Loan to be used in any manner which, after giving
     effect to (S)7.5.1 and Permitted Acquisitions and Permitted Joint Ventures
     or to (S)7.11 or otherwise, would be in violation of such Regulations U or
     X. The aggregate amount of Margin Stock owned by the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries does not exceed 25% (by value) of the consolidated assets of
     the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

           5.17.3.  Ineligible Securities.
                    ---------------------

           No portion of the proceeds of any Loan is to be used for the purpose
     of (a) knowingly purchasing, or providing credit support for the purchase
     of, Ineligible Securities from a Section 20 Subsidiary during any period in
     which such Section 20 Subsidiary makes a market in such Ineligible
     Securities, (b) knowingly purchasing, or providing credit support for the
     purchase of, during the underwriting or placement period, any Ineligible
     Securities being underwritten or privately placed by a Section 20
     Subsidiary, or (c) making, or providing credit support for the making of,
     payments of principal or interest on Ineligible Securities underwritten or
     privately placed by a Section 20 Subsidiary and issued by or for the
     benefit of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any other Affiliate of
     the Borrower.

     5.18. Environmental Compliance.
           ------------------------

     The Borrower has taken all necessary steps to investigate the past and
present condition and usage of the Real Estate and the operations conducted
thereon and, based upon such diligent investigation, has determined that:

           (a) none of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any operator of the
     Real Estate or any operations thereon is in violation, or alleged
     violation, of any judgment, decree, order, law, license, rule or regulation
     pertaining to environmental matters, including without limitation, those
     arising under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), the
     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
     1980 as amended ("CERCLA"), the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
     Act of 1986 ("SARA"), the Federal Clean Water Act, the Federal Clean Air
     Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, or any state or local statute,
     regulation, ordinance, order or decree relating to health, safety or the
     environment (hereinafter "Environmental Laws"), which violation would have
     a material adverse effect on the environment or the business, assets or
     financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
     basis;
<PAGE>

                                      -46-

           (b) except as set forth on Schedule 5.18 attached hereto: neither the
                                      -------- ----
     Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice from any third
     party including, without limitation, any federal, state or local
     governmental authority, (i) that any one of them has been identified by the
     United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") as a potentially
     responsible party under CERCLA with respect to a site listed on the
     National Priorities List, 40 C.F.R. Part 300 Appendix B; (ii) that any
     hazardous waste, as defined by 42 U.S.C. (S)6903(5), any hazardous
     substances as defined by 42 U.S.C. (S)9601(14), any pollutant or
     contaminant as defined by 42 U.S.C. (S)9601(33) and any toxic substances,
     oil or hazardous materials or other chemicals or substances regulated by
     any Environmental Laws ("Hazardous Substances") which any one of them has
     generated, transported or disposed of has been found at any site at which a
     federal, state or local agency or other third party has conducted or has
     ordered that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries conduct a remedial
     investigation, removal or other response action pursuant to any
     Environmental Law; or (iii) that it is or shall be a named party to any
     claim, action, cause of action, complaint, or legal or administrative
     proceeding (in each case, contingent or otherwise) arising out of any third
     party's incurrence of costs, expenses, losses or damages of any kind
     whatsoever in connection with the release of Hazardous Substances;

           (c) except as set forth on Schedule 5.18 attached hereto: (i) no
                                      -------- ----
     portion of the Real Estate has been used for the handling, processing,
     storage or disposal of Hazardous Substances except in accordance with
     applicable Environmental Laws; and no underground tank or other underground
     storage receptacle for Hazardous Substances is located on any portion of
     the Real Estate; (ii) in the course of any activities conducted by the
     Borrower, its Subsidiaries or operators of its properties, no Hazardous
     Substances have been generated or are being used on the Real Estate except
     in accordance with applicable Environmental Laws; (iii) there have been no
     releases (i.e. any past or present releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping,
     pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, disposing or
     dumping) or threatened releases of Hazardous Substances on, upon, into or
     from the properties of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, which releases
     would have a material adverse effect on the value of any of the Real Estate
     or adjacent properties or the environment; (iv) to the best of the
     Borrower's knowledge, there have been no releases on, upon, from or into
     any real property in the vicinity of any of the Real Estate which, through
     soil or groundwater contamination, may have come to be located on, and
     which would have a material adverse effect on the value of, the Real
     Estate; and (v) in addition, any Hazardous Substances that have been
     generated on any of the Real Estate have been transported offsite only by
     carriers having an identification number issued by the EPA (or the
     equivalent thereof in any foreign jurisdiction), treated or disposed of
     only by treatment or disposal facilities maintaining valid permits as
     required
<PAGE>

                                      -47-

     under applicable Environmental Laws, which transporters and facilities have
     been and are, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge, operating in
     compliance with such permits and applicable Environmental Laws; and

           (d) None of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or any of the other
     Real Estate is subject to any applicable environmental law requiring the
     performance of Hazardous Substances site assessments, or the removal or
     remediation of Hazardous Substances, or the giving of notice to any
     governmental agency or the recording or delivery to other Persons of an
     environmental disclosure document or statement by virtue of the
     transactions set forth herein and contemplated hereby, or as a condition to
     the recording of any Mortgage or to the effectiveness of any other
     transactions contemplated hereby.

     5.19. Subsidiaries, etc.
           ------------------

     Schedule 5.19 hereto sets forth all Subsidiaries of the Borrower.  Except
     -------- ----
as set forth on Schedule 5.19 hereto (which Schedule 5.19 shall be, and shall be
                -------- ----               -------------
deemed to be, automatically amended to include any Permitted Joint Ventures),
neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower is engaged in any joint
venture or partnership with any other person.  Except for domestic Subsidiaries
of the Borrower which are party to the Guaranty, as of the Closing Date no
domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) is presently engaged in business
activities of any kind or nature (except that such Subsidiary may have qualified
to do business in a foreign jurisdiction), (b) has a net worth or assets of more
than a de minimis value or (c) has issued any capital stock or other equity
       -- -------
interests to any person other than the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower.

     5.20. Disclosure.
           ----------

     No representation or warranty made by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in this Credit Agreement or any agreement, instrument, document,
certificate or other written statement furnished to the Agent or any Bank by or
on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any of
the transactions contemplated by any of the Loan Documents contains any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which they are made.

     5.21. Fiscal Year.
           -----------

     Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has a fiscal year which ends on
the last Saturday of June of each calendar year and fiscal quarters which end
during September, December and March of each calendar year. The Borrower's 2001
fiscal year ended on June 30, 2001.

     5.22. Solvency. The Borrower, on a consolidated basis with its Subsidiaries
           --------
(both before and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the
Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents), (i) is
<PAGE>

                                      -48-

solvent, (ii) has assets having a fair value in excess of its liabilities, (iii)
has assets having a fair value in excess of the amount required to pay its
liabilities on its debts as they become due and matured, and (iv) has, and
expects to continue to have, access to adequate capital for the conduct of its
business and the ability to pay its debts as they mature.

     5.23. Financing Statements. (a) As of the date hereof, neither the Borrower
           --------------------
nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Indebtedness outstanding to, or commitments
to borrow or otherwise receive credit from, FBS Business Finance Corporation
("FBS"), and all liens securing any such Indebtedness which existed prior to the
date hereof have been released by FBS. But for an oversight on the part of FBS,
financing statement number 1910688 filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State's
office and financing statement number 97-272 filed in Robeson County, North
Carolina would have been terminated prior to the date hereof.

     (b)  As of the date hereof, neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any Indebtedness outstanding to, or commitments to borrow or
otherwise receive credit from, PNC, N.A. (successor to Midlantic National Bank)
("PNC"), and all liens securing any such Indebtedness which existed prior to the
date hereof have been released by PNC. But for an oversight on the part of PNC,
financing statement number 1736869 filed with the New Jersey Secretary of
State's office would have been terminated prior to the date hereof.

     (c)  As of the date hereof, neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any Indebtedness outstanding to, or commitments to borrow or
otherwise receive credit from, The New Jersey Economic Development Authority
(the "NJ Authority"), and all liens securing any such Indebtedness which existed
prior to the date hereof have been released by the NJ Authority. But for an
oversight on the part of the NJ Authority, financing statement number 1736871
filed with the New Jersey Secretary of State's office would have been terminated
prior to the date hereof.

     (d)  As of the date hereof, neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any Indebtedness outstanding to, or commitments to borrow or
otherwise receive credit from, the Colorado National Bank ("CNB"), and all liens
securing any such Indebtedness which existed prior to the date hereof have been
released by CNB. But for an oversight on the part of CNB, financing statement
number 1503756 filed with the New Jersey Secretary of State's office would have
been terminated prior to the date hereof.

     (e)  CIT Financial USA, Inc. ("CIT") has filed financing statements against
all of the Borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired items of equipment
financed or leased by CIT with the Connecticut Secretary of State's Office
(financing statement number 2009058), the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office
(financing statement number 2242483) and the Texas Secretary of State's Office
(financing statement number 00-538837) in connection with the
<PAGE>

                                      -49-

Borrower's leasing of certain equipment from CIT. Under the terms of the Master
Lease Agreement, dated as of June 1, 1997 (the "Master Lease Agreement"), by and
between SHL Financial Services ("SHL") and the Borrower, the interest granted to
CIT (the successor to SHL) by the Borrower extends only to the specific
equipment noted therein. The Borrower has no Indebtedness to CIT other than the
Indebtedness incurred under the terms of the Master Lease Agreement.

     (f)  As of the date hereof and other than Indebtedness to U.S. Bank
National Association ("U.S. Bank") set forth on Schedule 7.1 hereto, neither the
                                                -------- ---
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Indebtedness outstanding to, or
commitments to borrow or otherwise receive credit from, U.S. Bank. The financing
statement filed by U.S. Bank with the Minnesota Secretary of State's office
(financing statement number 2245279) against the PremiumWear securities account
maintained at U.S. Bancorp Investments was filed in connection with letters of
credit issued by U.S. Bank on behalf of PremiumWear; such letters of credit have
expired and will not be renewed. But for an oversight on the part of U.S. Bank,
financing statement number 2245279 filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State's
office would have been terminated prior to the date hereof.

        6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.
           -------------------------------------

     The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Loan or Note is
outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans:

     6.1.  Punctual Payment. The Borrower will duly and punctually pay or cause
           ----------------
to be paid the principal and interest on the Loans and the closing fees,
facility fees, utilization fees and Agent's fee provided for in this Credit
Agreement, all in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement and the
Notes.

     6.2.  Maintenance of Office. The Borrower will maintain its chief executive
           ---------------------
office in Groton, Massachusetts, or at such other place in the United States of
America as the Borrower shall designate upon written notice to the Agent, where
notices, presentations and demands to or upon the Borrower in respect of the
Loan Documents may be given or made.

     6.3.  Records and Accounts. The Borrower will (a) keep, and cause each of
           --------------------
its Subsidiaries to keep, true and accurate records and books of account in
which full, true and correct entries will be made in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; (b) maintain adequate accounts and reserves for
all taxes (including income taxes), depreciation, depletion, obsolescence and
amortization of its properties and the properties of its Subsidiaries,
contingencies, and other reserves; and (c) will at all times have engaged
Deloitte & Touche, LLP or other independent certified public accountants
satisfactory to the Agent as its accountants, with no more than thirty (30) days
elapsing between the termination of any such accountants as the Borrower's
accountants and the engagement of successor accountants satisfactory to the
Agent.
<PAGE>

                                      -50-

     6.4.  Financial Statements, Certificates and Information. The Borrower will
           --------------------------------------------------
deliver to each of the Banks:

           (a) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than ninety
     (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the
     consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the
     end of such year, and the related consolidated statement of income and
     consolidated statement of cash flow for such year, each setting forth in
     comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year and all such
     consolidated statements to be in reasonable detail, prepared in accordance
     with generally accepted accounting principles, and certified without
     qualification by Deloitte & Touche LLP or by other independent certified
     public accountants satisfactory to the Agent together with a written
     statement from such accountants to the effect that they have read a copy of
     this Credit Agreement, and that, in making the examination necessary to
     said certification, they have obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event
     of Default, or, if such accountants shall have obtained knowledge of any
     then existing Default or Event of Default they shall disclose in such
     statement any such Default or Event of Default; provided that such
                                                     --------
     accountants shall not be liable to the Banks for failure to obtain
     knowledge of any Default or Event of Default;

           (b) as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than forty-
     five (45) days after the end of each of the fiscal quarters of the
     Borrower, copies of the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter, and the
     related consolidated statement of income and consolidated statement of cash
     flow for the portion of the Borrower's fiscal year then elapsed, all in
     reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with generally accepted
     accounting principles, together with a certification by the principal
     financial or accounting officer of the Borrower that the information
     contained in such financial statements fairly presents the financial
     position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date thereof (subject
     to year-end adjustments);

           (c)  simultaneously with the delivery of the financial statements
     referred to in subsections (a) and (b) above, a statement certified by the
     principal financial or accounting officer of the Borrower in substantially
     the form of Exhibit G hereto and setting forth in reasonable detail
                 ------- -
     computations evidencing compliance with the covenants contained in (S)8 and
     (if applicable) reconciliations to reflect changes in generally accepted
     accounting principles since the Balance Sheet Date;

           (d)  contemporaneously with the filing or mailing thereof, copies of
     all material of a financial nature filed with the Securities and Exchange
     Commission or sent to the stockholders of the Borrower; and

           (e)  from time to time upon request of the Agent, annual projections
     of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries updating those
<PAGE>

                                      -51-

     projections delivered to the Banks and referred to in (S)5.4.2 or, if
     applicable, updating any later such projections delivered in response to a
     request pursuant to this (S)6.4(e); and

           (f)  from time to time such other financial data and information
     (including accountants' management letters) as the Agent or any Bank may
     reasonably request.

     6.5.  Notices.
           -------

           6.5.1.  Defaults. The Borrower will promptly notify the Agent and
                   --------
     each of the Banks in writing of the occurrence of any Default or Event of
     Default. If any Person shall give any notice or take any other action in
     respect of a claimed default (whether or not constituting an Event of
     Default) under this Credit Agreement or any other note, evidence of
     indebtedness, indenture or other obligation to which or with respect to
     which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or obligor,
     whether as principal or surety, the Borrower shall forthwith give written
     notice thereof to each of the Banks, describing the notice or action and
     the nature of the claimed default.

           6.5.2.  Environmental Events. The Borrower will promptly give notice
                   --------------------
     to the Agent (i) of any violation of any Environmental Law that the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries reports in writing or is reportable by
     such Person in writing (or for which any written report supplemental to any
     oral report is made) to any federal, state or local environmental agency
     and (ii) upon becoming aware thereof, of any inquiry, proceeding,
     investigation, or other action, including a notice from any agency of
     potential environmental liability, of any federal, state or local
     environmental agency or board, that has the potential to materially affect
     the assets, liabilities, financial conditions or operations of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
<PAGE>

                                      -52-

           6.5.3.  Notice of Litigation and Judgments. The Borrower will, and
                   ----------------------------------
     will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, give notice to the Agent in writing
     within fifteen (15) days of becoming aware of any litigation or proceedings
     threatened in writing or any pending litigation and proceedings affecting
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or to which the Borrower or any of
     its Subsidiaries is or becomes a party involving an uninsured claim against
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected
     to have a materially adverse effect on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on
     a consolidated basis and stating the nature and status of such litigation
     or proceedings. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
     to, give notice to the Agent, in writing, in form and detail satisfactory
     to the Agent, within ten (10) days of any judgment not covered by
     insurance, final or otherwise, against the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $1,000,000.

     6.6.  Corporate or Other Existence; Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower
           -------------------------------------------------------
will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full
force and effect its legal existence, rights and franchises and those of its
Subsidiaries (and, in the case of R&M Trust and Chiswick Trust, as the case may
be, its existence, rights and franchises as a Massachusetts business trust) and
will not, and will not cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convert to a
limited liability company or limited liability partnership. The Borrower (i)
will cause all of its properties and those of its Subsidiaries used or useful in
the conduct of its business or the business of its Subsidiaries to be maintained
and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all
necessary equipment, (ii) will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals,
replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of
the Borrower may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection
therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times, and (iii)
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, continue to engage primarily
in the businesses now conducted by them and in related businesses; provided that
                                                                   --------
nothing in this (S)6.6 shall prevent the Borrower from discontinuing the
operation and maintenance of any of its properties or those of its Subsidiaries
or terminating the corporate existence of any Subsidiary if such discontinuance
or termination is, in the judgment of the Borrower, desirable in the conduct of
its or their business and that do not in the aggregate materially adversely
affect the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis.

     6.7. Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
          ---------
to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers insurance with
respect to its properties and business against such casualties and contingencies
as shall be in accordance with the general practices of businesses engaged in
similar activities in similar geographic areas and in amounts, containing such
terms, in such forms and for such periods as may be reasonable and prudent.
<PAGE>

                                      -53-

     6.8. Taxes.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
          ----
to, duly pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, before the same
shall become overdue, all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges
(other than taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed by foreign
jurisdictions that in the aggregate are not material to the business or assets
of the Borrower on an individual basis or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
on a consolidated basis) imposed upon it and its real properties, sales and
activities, or any part thereof, or upon the income or profits therefrom, as
well as all claims for labor, materials, or supplies that if unpaid might by law
become a lien or charge upon any of its property; provided that any such tax,
                                                  --------
assessment, charge, levy or claim need not be paid if the validity or amount
thereof shall currently be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and if the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books
adequate reserves with respect thereto; and provided further that the Borrower
                                            -------- -------
and each Subsidiary of the Borrower will pay all such taxes, assessments,
charges, levies or claims forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to
foreclose any lien that may have attached as security therefor.

     6.9.  Inspection of Properties and Books, etc.
           ----------------------------------------

          6.9.1.  General.  The Borrower shall permit the Banks, through the
                  -------
     Agent or any of the Banks' other designated representatives, to visit and
     inspect any of the properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to
     examine the books of account of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and to
     make copies thereof and extracts therefrom), to conduct periodic commercial
     finance examinations, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of
     the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with, and to be advised as to the same
     by, its and their officers, all at such reasonable times and intervals as
     the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.

          6.9.2.  Communication with Accountants.  The Borrower authorizes the
                  ------------------------------
     Agent and, if accompanied by the Agent, the Banks to communicate directly
     with the Borrower's independent certified public accountants following
     advance notice to the Borrower offering the Borrower the opportunity to be
     part of any oral communication with such accountants and authorizes such
     accountants to disclose to the Agent and the Banks any and all financial
     statements and other supporting financial documents and schedules including
     copies of any management letter with respect to the business, financial
     condition and other affairs of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. At
     the request of the Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a letter addressed to
     such accountants instructing them to comply with the provisions of this
     (S)6.9.2.

     6.10.  Compliance with Laws, Contracts, Licenses, and Permits.  The
            ------------------------------------------------------
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with (i) the
applicable laws and regulations wherever its business is conducted, including
all Environmental Laws, (ii) the provisions of its charter documents and by-
laws, (iii) all agreements and instruments by which it or any of its
<PAGE>

                                      -54-

properties may be bound and (iv) all applicable decrees, orders, and judgments.
If at any time while any Loan or Note is outstanding or any Bank has any
obligation to make Loans hereunder, any authorization, consent, approval, permit
or license from any officer, agency or instrumentality of any government shall
become necessary or required in order that the Borrower may fulfill any of its
obligations hereunder, the Borrower will immediately take or cause to be taken
all reasonable steps within the power of the Borrower to obtain such
authorization, consent, approval, permit or license and furnish the Banks with
evidence thereof.

     6.11.  Employee Benefit Plans.  The Borrower will, and will cause each
            ----------------------
Subsidiary of the Borrower that has maintained or contributed to an Employee
Benefit Plan or Guaranteed Pension Plan to, (i) promptly, upon request of the
Agent, furnish to the Agent a copy of the most recent actuarial statement
required to be submitted under (S)103(d) of ERISA and Annual Report, Form 5500,
with all required attachments, in respect of each Guaranteed Pension Plan and
(ii) promptly upon receipt or dispatch, furnish to the Agent any notice, report
or demand sent or received in respect of a Guaranteed Pension Plan under
(S)(S)302, 4041, 4042, 4043, 4063, 4065, 4066 and 4068 of ERISA, or in respect
of a Multiemployer Plan, under (S)(S)4041A, 4202, 4219, 4242, or 4245 of ERISA,
and (iii) promptly furnish to the Agent, upon request by the Agent, a copy of
all actuarial statements required to be submitted under all Applicable Pension
Legislation.

     6.12. Use of Proceeds.  The Borrower will use the proceeds of the Loans
           ---------------
solely (a) (i) to finance acquisitions permitted by (S)7.5, (ii) to finance
repurchases of the Borrower's common stock and other Restricted Payments to the
extent permitted by (S)7.4, and (iii) to refinance existing Indebtedness of the
Borrower to the Agent and certain of the Banks under the First Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement, and (b) for working capital and general corporate
purposes, and not to purchase, carry, or otherwise own stock of (or any other
Investment in) any entity where (after giving effect to the same) the value of
the Margin Stock owned by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries would (in the
aggregate) exceed 25% (by value) of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall not use the proceeds of the Loans in any
way in violation of Regulations U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, 12 C.F.R. Parts 221 and 224.

     6.13. Certain Intercompany Payments.  The Borrower will, and will, as
           -----------------------------
applicable, cause each of Russell & Miller, Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust to, (a)
promptly upon Russell & Miller's receipt thereof, cause all royalty payments
received by Russell & Miller pursuant to any of the Trademark License Agreements
(net of reasonable expenses incurred by Russell & Miller in connection with the
maintenance, protection and enforcement of its related trademark intellectual
property rights and the performance of its obligations under the Trademark
License Agreements) to be paid to R&M Trust as capital contributions, (b)
promptly upon R&M Trust's receipt thereof, cause R&M Trust to lend to the
Borrower pursuant to an Unsecured Subordinated Promissory Note all amounts (net
of reasonable,
<PAGE>

                                      -55-

ordinary course operating expenses) received by it pursuant to clause (a) of
this (S)6.13 or otherwise, and (c) promptly upon Chiswick Trust's receipt
thereof, cause Chiswick Trust to lend to the Borrower pursuant to an Unsecured
Subordinated Promissory Note all amounts (net of reasonable, ordinary course
operating expenses) received by it from time to time from Chiswick.

     6.14. Further Assurances.  The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
           ------------------
Subsidiaries to, cooperate with the Banks and the Agent and execute such further
instruments and documents as the Banks or the Agent shall reasonably request to
carry out to their satisfaction the transactions contemplated by this Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

     6.15.   Indebtedness to CIT.
             -------------------

     The Borrower will only incur Indebtedness to CIT in connection with the
leasing of equipment from CIT.

     6.16.  Post-Closing Matters.  The Borrower will:
            ------------ -------

     (a) within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, terminate the financing
statements (file number 1910688 filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State's
office and file number 97-272 filed in Robeson County, North Carolina) filed by
FBS against all of the assets of PremiumWear;

     (b) within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, terminate the financing
statement (file number 1736869 filed with the New Jersey Secretary of State's
office) filed by PNC against all of the assets of Rapidforms;

     (c) within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, terminate the financing
statement (file number 1736871 filed with the New Jersey Secretary of State's
office) filed by the NJ Authority against all of the assets of Rapidforms;

     (d) within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, terminate the financing
statement (file number 1503756 filed with the New Jersey Secretary of State's
office) filed by CNB against all of the assets of McBee; and

     (e) within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, terminate the financing
statement (file number 2245279 filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State's
office) filed by U.S. Bank against the PremiumWear securities account maintained
at U.S. Bancorp Investments.

     7.  CERTAIN NEGATIVE COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.
         ------------------------------------------

     The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Loan or Note is
outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans:

     7.1.  Restrictions on Indebtedness.  The Borrower will not, and will not
           ----------------------------
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or
<PAGE>

                                      -56-

remain liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to any Indebtedness other
than:

          (a)  Indebtedness to the Banks and the Agent arising under any of the
     Loan Documents;

          (b)  current liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other
     than Russell & Miller, Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust) incurred in the
     ordinary course of business not incurred through (i) the borrowing of
     money, or (ii) the obtaining of credit except for credit on an open account
     basis customarily extended and in fact extended in connection with normal
     purchases of goods and services;

          (c)  Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments, governmental
     charges or levies and claims for labor, materials and supplies to the
     extent that payment therefor shall not at the time be required to be made
     in accordance with the provisions of (S)6.8;

          (d)  Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards that have been in
     force for less than the applicable period for taking an appeal so long as
     execution is not levied thereunder or in respect of which the Borrower
     shall at the time in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for
     review and in respect of which a stay of execution shall have been obtained
     pending such appeal or review;

          (e)  endorsements for collection, deposit or negotiation and
     warranties of products or services, in each case incurred in the ordinary
     course of business;

          (f)  obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other
     than Russell & Miller, Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust) under Capitalized
     Leases not exceeding $5,000,000 in aggregate at any time outstanding;

          (g)  Indebtedness incurred in connection with the acquisition after
     the date hereof of any real or personal property by the Borrower or any of
     its Subsidiaries (other than Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust), provided that
                                                                 --------
     the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries (other than Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust) shall not exceed the
     aggregate amount of $5,000,000 at any one time;

          (h)  Indebtedness existing on the date of this Credit Agreement and
     listed and described on Schedule 7.1 hereto;
                             -------- ---

          (i)  Indebtedness of (i) any and all Guarantors (other than Russell &
     Miller, Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust) to the Borrower or another Guarantor
     (other than Russell & Miller, Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust) and (ii) any
     other Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Borrower or another Subsidiary of
     the Borrower (other than Russell  & Miller, Chiswick Trust
<PAGE>

                                      -57-

     and R&M Trust), in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any one
     time;

          (j)  Indebtedness of the Borrower to (i) any and all Guarantors (other
     than Russell & Miller, Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust) in an aggregate amount
     not to exceed $20,000,000 at any time and (ii) any and all other
     Subsidiaries of the Borrower (other than Russell  & Miller, Chiswick Trust
     and R&M Trust) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time;
     provided, however, that any and all Indebtedness under clause (i) or (ii)
     --------  -------
     of this subsection (j) shall be subordinated to the Obligations on terms
     and conditions satisfactory to the Agent;

          (k)  Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other
     than Russell & Miller, Chiswick Trust or R&M Trust) in respect of (i)
     overseas lines of credit, (ii) letters of credit, (iii) the granting of
     surety, appeal, bid, performance or other similar bonds or (iv) guaranties
     or other contingent obligations in respect of Indebtedness of any Person,
     all of which Indebtedness described in clauses (i) - (iv) of this
     subparagraph (k), in the aggregate, shall not exceed $15,000,000;

          (l) Indebtedness with respect to interest rate protection agreements
     between the Borrower and any of the Banks;

          (m)  Indebtedness for borrowed money, debt or similar monetary
     obligations assumed in respect of Permitted Acquisitions, to the extent
     permitted by paragraph 2(b) and (c) of the definition thereof, and other
     Indebtedness assumed in respect of Permitted Acquisitions and existing
     prior to the date of any Permitted Acquisition and not created in
     contemplation thereof;

          (n)  obligations in respect of royalty payments owed by any of the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to Russell & Miller under and pursuant
     to any of the Trademark License Agreements;

          (o)  Indebtedness of the Borrower to (i) R&M Trust under and pursuant
     to an Unsecured Subordinated Promissory Note from the Borrower to R&M
     Trust, which such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms
     and conditions satisfactory to the Agent, which shall include the
     Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and (ii) Chiswick Trust under and
     pursuant to an Unsecured Subordinated Promissory Note from the Borrower to
     Chiswick Trust, which such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations
     on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Agent, which shall include the
     Chiswick Trust Intercompany Subordination Agreement;

          (p)  Indebtedness of Russell & Miller permitted under Subsection (g)
     and Indebtedness of Russell & Miller, R&M Trust and Chiswick Trust not
     expressly permitted under subsections (a) through (o) of this (S)7.1, in
<PAGE>

                                      -58-

     an aggregate amount (owed by either or all such entities) not to exceed
     $5,000,000 at any time;

          (q)  Indebtedness owed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
     (other than Russell & Miller, Chiswick Trust and R&M Trust) to any of their
     respective officers, directors or employees in connection with any deferred
     compensation plan, post-retirement medical or life insurance benefit plan,
     supplemental executive retirement plan or post-retirement medical benefit
     plan in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000;

          (r)  so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
     be continuing or would occur as a result of the incurrence of any thereof
     and with the prior written consent of the Agent,

            (i) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower up to an aggregate amount
          (the "Additional Amount") not in excess of $75,000,000, consisting of:
                ---------- ------
          (A) up to an amount equal to $75,000,000 (but not to exceed, when
          combined with amounts of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause
          (i)(B) of this (S)7.1(r), the Additional Amount) of Indebtedness which
          is expressly subordinated and made junior to the payment and
          performance in full of the Obligations; and (B) up to $75,000,000 (but
          not to exceed, when combined with amounts of Indebtedness incurred
          pursuant to clause (i)(A) of this (S)7.1(r), the Additional Amount) of
          Indebtedness which may rank pari passu with the Obligations, or
                                      ----------

            (ii) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Guarantors under
          a three hundred and sixty-four (364) day facility provided by Fleet in
          an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000;

     provided, however, that the sum of the Total Commitment plus the aggregate
     --------  -------                                       ----
     amount of any Indebtedness otherwise permitted by this (S)7.1(r) shall not
     at any time exceed $250,000,000 and the terms of any Indebtedness permitted
     pursuant to this (S)7.1(r) shall include such terms and conditions as the
     Agent may require; provided, further, that prior to the incurrence of any
                        --------  -------
     Indebtedness pursuant to (S)7.1(r)(i), the Borrower shall provide to the
     Agent and each of the Banks pro forma financial statements and compliance
                                 --- -----
     certificates in the form of Exhibit G indicating that for the period from
                                 ------- -
     the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness until the Revolving Credit
     Loan Maturity Date, no Default or Event of Default would result from the
     incurrence of such Indebtedness; and

          (s)  Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
     consisting of obligations arising under any awards made pursuant to any
     stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock or other stock-
     based compensation plan of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to employees or
     directors of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;
<PAGE>

                                      -59-

          (t)  Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other
     than Russell & Miller, Chiswick Trust or R&M Trust) not expressly permitted
     under subsections (a)-(s) of this (S)7.1, in an aggregate amount not to
     exceed $5,000,000 at any time.

     7.2.  Restrictions on Liens.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit
           ---------------------
any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) create or incur or suffer to be created or
incurred or to exist any lien, encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, charge,
restriction or other security interest of any kind upon any of its property or
assets of any character whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or upon the
income or profits therefrom; (ii) transfer any of such property or assets or the
income or profits therefrom for the purpose of subjecting the same to the
payment of Indebtedness or performance of any other obligation in priority to
payment of its general creditors; (iii) acquire, or agree or have an option to
acquire, any property or assets upon conditional sale or other title retention
or purchase money security agreement, device or arrangement; (iv) suffer to
exist for a period of more than thirty (30) days after the same shall have been
incurred any Indebtedness or claim or demand against it that if unpaid might by
law or upon bankruptcy or insolvency, or otherwise, be given any priority
whatsoever over its general creditors; or (v) sell, assign, pledge or otherwise
transfer any accounts, contract rights, general intangibles, chattel paper or
instruments, with or without recourse; provided that the Borrower and any
                                       --------
Subsidiary of the Borrower may create or incur or suffer to be created or
incurred or to exist:

          (a)  liens to secure taxes, assessments and other government charges
     in respect of obligations not overdue or liens on properties to secure
     claims for labor, material or supplies in respect of obligations not
     overdue;

          (b)  deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment
     of, workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or
     other social security obligations;

          (c)  liens on properties in respect of judgments or awards, the
     Indebtedness with respect to which is permitted by (S)7.1(d);

          (d)  liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics and materialmen, and
     other like liens on properties, in existence less than one hundred twenty
     (120) days from the date of creation thereof in respect of obligations not
     overdue;

          (e)  encumbrances consisting of easements, rights of way, zoning
     restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property and defects and
     irregularities in the title thereto, landlord's or lessor's liens under
     leases to which the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower is a party,
     and other minor liens or encumbrances none of which in the opinion of the
     Borrower interferes materially with the use of the property affected in the
     ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
     which defects do not individually or in the aggregate have a materially
<PAGE>

                                      -60-

     adverse effect on the business of the Borrower individually or of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

          (f)  presently outstanding liens listed on Schedule 7.2 hereto;
                                                     -------- ---

          (g)  purchase money security interests in or purchase money mortgages
     on real or personal property acquired after the date hereof to secure
     purchase money Indebtedness of the type and amount permitted by (S)7.1(g),
     incurred in connection with the acquisition of such property, which
     security interests or mortgages cover only the real or personal property so
     acquired;

          (h)  rights of lessors under Capitalized Leases permitted by
     (S)7.1(f);

          (i)  liens on assets acquired pursuant to Permitted Acquisitions and
     securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted by (S)7.1(m) and the definition
     of Permitted Acquisitions; and

          (j)  liens on any capital stock of the Borrower or other Margin Stock
     for so long as such stock constitutes Margin Stock.

     7.3. Restrictions on Investments.  The Borrower will not, and will not
          ---------------------------
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or permit to exist or to remain
outstanding any Investment except Investments in:

          (a)  marketable direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States
     of America that mature within one (1) year from the date of purchase by the
     Borrower;

          (b)  demand deposits, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and
     time deposits of United States banks having total assets in excess of
     $1,000,000,000, and demand deposits or certificates of deposit of foreign
     banks having total assets in excess of the equivalent of $25,000,000,000;

          (c)  securities commonly known as "commercial paper" issued by a
     corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
     America or any state thereof that at the time of purchase have been rated
     and the ratings for which are not less than "P 1" if rated by Moody's
     Investors Services, Inc., and not less than "A 1" if rated by Standard and
     Poor's;

          (d)  Investments existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule
                                                                     --------
     7.3 hereto;
     ---

          (e)  Investments with respect to Indebtedness permitted by (S)7.1(i)
     and (S)7.1(j) so long as such entities remain Subsidiaries of the Borrower;
<PAGE>

                                      -61-

          (f)  Investments consisting of the Guaranty and any guaranty in favor
     of Fleet from any Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower guarantying
     Indebtedness permitted by (S)7.1(r)(ii);

          (g)  Investments consisting of promissory notes received as proceeds
     of asset dispositions permitted by (S)7.5.2;

          (h)  Investments consisting of loans and advances to employees for
     moving, entertainment, travel, hardship and other similar expenses in the
     ordinary course of business not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at
     any time outstanding; and

          (i)  tax exempt municipal bonds or bond funds rated AA or higher by
     Standard and Poor's Ratings Group or Moody's Investors Services, Inc.;

          (j)  Investments by the Borrower and the Guarantors in (i) Guarantors
     (other than R&M Trust or Chiswick Trust), and  (ii) other Subsidiaries of
     the Borrower (other than R&M Trust and Chiswick Trust) in an aggregate
     amount not to exceed $10,000,000;

          (k)  Investments in respect of Permitted Acquisitions to the extent
     permitted by the definition thereof;

          (l)  Investments by a foreign Subsidiary in marketable direct or
     guaranteed obligations of the national government of its country of
     incorporation that mature within one (1) year following the date of
     purchase by such Subsidiary;

          (m)  Investments by (i) the Borrower in its capital stock held as
     treasury stock (existing as of the Closing Date or to the extent
     repurchased in accordance with the requirements of (S)7.4) or (ii) the
     Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection with or in any
     employee benefit plan of the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

          (n)  without limiting the Investments permitted by (S)7.3(j), (i)
     Investments in R&M Trust by Rapidforms, McBee and Russell & Miller pursuant
     to the R&M Contribution Agreement and (ii) Investments in Chiswick Trust by
     Chiswick pursuant to the Chiswick Contribution Agreement;

          (o)  Investments with respect to Indebtedness permitted by (S)7.1(o);

          (p)  Investments with respect to the acquisition of common stock
     and/or other equity interests of Advantage permitted by (S)7.5.1(d);

          (q)  Investments by the Borrower in Permitted Joint Ventures;
     provided, however, that except to the extent actually received by the
     --------  -------
     Borrower in cash by way of distributions or otherwise, any income generated
<PAGE>

                                      -62-

     by such Investment in any Permitted Joint Ventures shall not be included in
     calculations of EBITDA, Consolidated Net Income or any similar income or
     earnings based concepts hereunder;

          (r)   Investments by a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in (i) the
     Borrower or any Guarantor and (ii) other Subsidiaries that are not
     Guarantors in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000.

          (s)  Investments not otherwise expressly permitted under subsections
     (a) - (r) of this (S)7.3, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000
     at any one time.

     7.4.  Restricted Payments.  The Borrower will not make any Restricted
           -------------------
Payments other than (a) payments to Affiliates who are employees, officers and
directors in connection with services as employees, officers and directors
pursuant to arrangements which have been approved by the Board of Directors of
the Borrower (or a committee thereof), or are otherwise made in the ordinary
course of business of the Borrower and (b) so long as no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect
thereto, and subject in particular to the Borrower's continuing compliance with
its covenants set forth in (S)(S)8.1-8.3 hereof, the Borrower (i) may pay
dividends on its common stock in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000
in any fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) may make repurchases of its own
issued and outstanding common stock pursuant to any stock repurchase plan
approved by its Board of Directors in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$25,000,000 from the Closing Date to the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date
provided that immediately after each such repurchase the aggregate amount of the
Banks' Unfunded Commitments equals or exceeds $10,000,000.

     7.5.  Merger, Consolidation and Disposition of Assets.
           -----------------------------------------------

          7.5.1.  Mergers and Acquisitions.  The Borrower will not, and will not
                  ------------------------
     permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to any merger or
     consolidation, or agree to or effect any asset acquisition or acquisition
     of stock or other equity interests (other than the acquisition of assets in
     the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices) except (a)
     the merger or consolidation of one or more of the Subsidiaries of the
     Borrower with and into the Borrower, (b) the merger or consolidation of two
     or more Subsidiaries of the Borrower, (c) Permitted Acquisitions, (d) so
     long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or
     would occur as a result thereof, the acquisition by the Borrower of common
     stock and/or other equity interests of Advantage after the Closing Date,
     whether by the exercise of the Advantage warrants held by the Borrower as
     of the Closing Date or otherwise, provided that the aggregate purchase
     price for such common stock and/or other equity interests of Advantage does
     not exceed $18,000,000 or (e) Permitted Joint Ventures.

          7.5.2.  Disposition of Assets.  The Borrower will not, and will not
                  ---------------------
     permit any of its Subsidiaries to, become a party to or agree to or effect
<PAGE>

                                      -63-

     any disposition of assets, other than (a) the sale of inventory, (b) the
     license or lease of intellectual property in the ordinary course of
     business, and (c) the disposition of assets, in each case set forth in
     clauses (a), (b) and (c) hereof in the ordinary course of business and
     consistent with past practices, (d) dispositions of capital stock of the
     Borrower and other Margin Stock for so long as such stock constitutes
     Margin Stock, (e) the use of cash or other property to make Permitted
     Investments, (f) other dispositions of assets in an aggregate amount not to
     exceed the lesser of (i) $5,000,000 and (ii) five percent (5%) of
     Consolidated Total Assets (determined as of the date or dates of such
     dispositions), and (g) the disposition for fair market value of the common
     stock and/or other equity interests of Advantage held by the Borrower.

Notwithstanding the restrictions contained above in (S)7.5.1 and (S)7.5.2, the
Borrower or any Guarantor (other than Russell & Miller, R&M Trust and Chiswick
Trust) may transfer assets owned by it to the Borrower or any other Guarantor
(other than Russell & Miller, R&M Trust and Chiswick Trust).

     7.6.  Sale and Leaseback.  The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
           ------------------
of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement, directly or indirectly,
whereby the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall sell or transfer
any property owned by it in order then or thereafter to lease such property or
lease other property that the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower intends
to use for substantially the same purpose as the property being sold or
transferred.

     7.7. Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as set forth in Schedule
          ----------------------------------                         --------
5.18 hereto, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
----
to, (i) use any of the Real Estate or any portion thereof for the handling,
processing, storage or disposal of Hazardous Substances, (ii) cause or permit to
be located on any of the Real Estate any underground tank or other underground
storage receptacle for Hazardous Substances, (iii) generate any Hazardous
Substances on any of the Real Estate, (iv) conduct any activity at any Real
Estate or use any Real Estate in any manner so as to cause a release (i.e.
releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging,
injecting, escaping, leaching, disposing or dumping) or threatened release of
Hazardous Substances on, upon or into the Real Estate or (v) otherwise conduct
any activity at any Real Estate or use any Real Estate in any manner that would
violate any Environmental Law or bring such Real Estate in violation of any
Environmental Law.

     7.8.  Employee Benefit Plans.  Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate
           ----------------------
will:

          (a)  engage in any "prohibited transaction" within the meaning of
     (S)406 of ERISA or (S)4975 of the Code which could result in a material
     liability for the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or
<PAGE>

                                      -64-

          (b)  permit any Guaranteed Pension Plan to incur an "accumulated
     funding deficiency", as such term is defined in (S)302 of ERISA, whether or
     not such deficiency is or may be waived; or

          (c)  fail to contribute to any Guaranteed Pension Plan to an extent
     which, or terminate any Guaranteed Pension Plan in a manner which, could
     result in the imposition of a lien or encumbrance on the assets of the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to (S)302(f) or (S)4068 of
     ERISA; or

          (d)  amend any Guaranteed Pension Plan in circumstances requiring the
     posting of security pursuant to (S)307 of ERISA or (S)401(a)(29) of the
     Code; or

          (e)  permit or take any action which would result in the aggregate
     benefit liabilities (with the meaning of (S)4001 of ERISA) of all
     Guaranteed Pension Plans exceeding the value of the aggregate assets of
     such Plans, disregarding for this purpose the benefit liabilities and
     assets of any such Plan with assets in excess of benefit liabilities; or

          (f)  permit or take any action which would contravene any Applicable
     Pension Legislation.

     7.9  Fiscal Year. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries will
          -----------
change the date of the end of its fiscal year or any fiscal quarter from that
set forth in (S)5.21 hereof.

     7.10 Prohibition on Negative Pledges. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
          -------------------------------
Subsidiaries will enter into, or be or become bound by or subject to, any
agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption of any lien or security
interest upon its properties, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

     7.11 Creation and Maintenance of Subsidiaries. Neither the Borrower nor any
          ----------------------------------------
of its Subsidiaries shall create any Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiaries
existing on the Closing Date and disclosed in (S)5.19 hereto) unless (a) one
hundred percent (100%) of the capital stock or other equity interests (subject
to the exclusion of any legally required directors' qualifying shares) of such
Subsidiary are owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower; provided, however,
                                                             --------  -------
that such Subsidiary may not, without the prior written consent of the Agent and
the Majority Banks, conduct business or operations materially different from
those conducted by the Borrower or any other Subsidiary on the Closing Date or,
as the case may be, any date on which any such other Subsidiary is acquired in
compliance with the terms of (S)7.5.1 or created (with the consent of the Agent
and the Majority Banks if the business or operations are to be materially
different) in compliance with the terms of this (S)7.11, (b) prior to the
formation of such Subsidiary, the Borrower shall notify the Agent and the Banks
thereof, and (c) contemporaneously with the formation of such Subsidiary, the
Borrower shall (i) cause such Subsidiary, if such Subsidiary shall engage in
business of any kind or nature (other than qualifying to do
<PAGE>

                                      -65-

business in a foreign jurisdiction), shall have a net worth or assets of more
than a de minimis value or shall issue any capital stock to any person other
       -- -------
than the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, to guaranty all of the
Obligations hereunder pursuant to the Guaranty, and (ii) cause such Subsidiary
to deliver to the Banks and the Agent satisfactory evidence of proper corporate
or other authorization and legal opinions with respect to such Guaranty. Upon
the delivery to the Agent of the items required by subsections (c)(i) and (ii)
of the immediately preceding sentence, Schedule 5.19 shall be, and shall be
                                       -------------
deemed to be, automatically amended to include such new Subsidiary. In the event
that any domestic Subsidiary existing on or after the Closing Date and disclosed
on Schedule 5.19 shall hereafter become engaged in business of any kind or
   -------------
nature (except that such Subsidiary is qualified to do business in a foreign
jurisdiction), shall have a net worth or assets of more than a de minimis value
                                                               ----------
or shall have issued any capital stock to any person other than the Borrower or
a Subsidiary of the Borrower, then the Borrower shall immediately notify the
Agent and the Banks thereof and shall immediately cause such Subsidiary to
comply with the requirement of such subsection (c) hereof.

     7.12 Conduct of Business; Agreements Regarding Certain Subsidiaries.
          --------------------------------------------------------------

          7.12.1 General. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries
                 -------
     will, without the prior written consent of the Agent and the Majority
     Banks, conduct any business or operations materially different from those
     conducted by it on the Closing Date or, as the case may be, any date on
     which any such Subsidiary is acquired in compliance with the terms of
     (S)7.5.1 or created (with the consent of the Agent and the Majority Banks
     if its business or operations are materially different) in compliance with
     the terms of (S)7.11.

          7.12.2 R&M Trust and Chiswick Trust. Neither R&M Trust nor Chiswick
                 ----------------------------
     Trust shall conduct any business or activities other than the lending to
     the Borrower pursuant to an Unsecured Subordinated Promissory Note of all
     amounts (net of reasonable, ordinary course operating expenses) received by
     it, whether by way of capital contributions pursuant to the R&M
     Contribution Agreement, the Chiswick Contribution Agreement or otherwise,
     and shall have no assets other than cash (which shall be loaned to the
     Borrower in accordance with (S)6.13) and Indebtedness owed by the Borrower
     to it as permitted by (S)7.1(o). Without limiting the foregoing and
     notwithstanding any of the carve-outs contained in (S)7.2 (other than
     (S)7.2(a)), (S)7.3 (other than (S)7.3(b) (with respect to Investments by
     R&M Trust or Chiswick Trust, as the case may be, in a deposit account
     maintained with Fleet until amounts held therein are loaned to the Borrower
     pursuant to (S)6.13), (S)7.3(f) and (S)7.3(n)) or (S)7.11, the Borrower
     shall not permit R&M Trust or Chiswick Trust, as the case may be, to
     encumber their respective assets in any manner described in (S)7.2, to make
     or permit to exist or remain outstanding any Investments, or to create or
     acquire any Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall also not permit, without the
     prior written approval of the
<PAGE>

                                      -66-

     Agent and the Majority Banks, any amendment to or modification of the
     Chiswick Contribution Agreement, the Chiswick Trust Intercompany
     Subordination Agreement, the R&M Contribution Agreement or the Intercompany
     Subordination Agreement.

     7.13. Transactions with Affiliates. Except as otherwise expressly
           ----------------------------
permitted hereby, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, engage in any transaction with any Affiliate (other than as
permitted by Section 7.4(a) hereof), including any contract, agreement or other
arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for
rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments
to or from any such Affiliate or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any
corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any such Affiliate has
a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner, on terms
more favorable to such Person than would have been obtainable on an arm's-length
basis in the ordinary course of business.

     7.14. Subordinated and Pari Passu Indebtedness. The Borrower will not,
           ----------------------------------------
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend, supplement or otherwise
modify the terms of any of the subordinated or pari passu Indebtedness permitted
                                               ---- -----
by (S)7.1(r)(i) (other than any extension of the date of payment therefor or any
reductions in the rate at which interest or other fees are payable to the
holders thereof in connection therewith) or prepay, redeem or repurchase any of
the subordinated or pari passu Indebtedness permitted by (S)7.1(r)(i).
                    ---- -----

                    8. FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER.
                       -----------------------------------

     The Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Loan or Note is
outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans:

     8.1  Funded Debt to EBITDA. The Borrower will not as of the end of any
          ---------------------
four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on any quarter end,
permit the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt as at such quarter end to (b)
EBITDA for such four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended to be greater
than 2.5:1.0.

     8.2  Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Borrower will not, as at
          -----------------------------------
the end of any four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on
any quarter end, permit the ratio of (a) EBITDA for such period minus Capital
                                                                -----
Expenditures for such period to (b) Consolidated Total Interest Expense for such
period plus any scheduled amortization payments on Indebtedness for borrowed
       ----
money or in respect of any Capitalized Leases permitted by (S)7.1, to be less
than (a) 3.75:1.00 for any such period ending on or after June 30, 2001 through
the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2002 and (b) 4.00:1.00 for any such
period ending thereafter.
<PAGE>

                                      -67-

     8.3. Consolidated Net Worth. The Borrower will not permit Consolidated
          ----------------------
Net Worth at any time to be less than the sum of (a) $100,000,000, plus (b) on a
                                                                   ----
cumulative basis, fifty percent (50%) of positive Consolidated Net Income for
each fiscal quarter beginning with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2001, plus
                                                                           ----
(c) one hundred percent (100%) of the proceeds of any sale by the Borrower or
any Subsidiary of (i) equity securities issued by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, or (ii) warrants or subscription rights for equity securities issued
by the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

                            9. CLOSING CONDITIONS.
                               ------------------

     The obligations of the Banks to make the initial Loans shall be subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on or prior to the
Closing Date.

     9.1  Loan Documents. Each of the Loan Documents shall have been duly
          --------------
executed and delivered by the respective parties thereto, shall be in full force
and effect and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to each of the Banks.
Each Bank shall have received a fully executed copy of each such document.

     9.2  Certified Copies of Charter Documents. Each of the Banks shall have
          -------------------------------------
received from the Borrower and each of its Guarantors a copy, certified by a
duly authorized officer of such Person to be true and complete on the Closing
Date, of each of (i) its charter or other incorporation documents as in effect
on such date of certification, and (ii) its by-laws as in effect on such date.

     9.3  Corporate Action. All corporate action necessary for the valid
          ----------------
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is or is to
become a party shall have been duly and effectively taken, and evidence thereof
satisfactory to the Banks shall have been provided to each of the Banks.

     9.4  Incumbency Certificate. Each of the Banks shall have received from
          ----------------------
the Borrower and each of the Guarantors an incumbency certificate, dated as of
the Closing Date, signed by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower or such
Guarantor, as applicable, and giving the name and bearing a specimen signature
of each individual who shall be authorized: (i) to sign, in the name and on
behalf of the Borrower or such Guarantor, as applicable, each of the Loan
Documents; (ii) on behalf of the Borrower to make Loan Requests, Conversion
Requests, Competitive Bid Quote Requests and Notices of Competitive Bid
Borrowing; and (iii) to give notices and to take other action on its behalf
under the Loan Documents.

     9.5  UCC Search Results. The Agent shall have received from the Borrower
          ------------------
the results of UCC searches in jurisdictions certified by the Borrower as
constituting the location of all offices and locations, including the chief
executive offices, of the Borrower and the Guarantors and in such other
<PAGE>

                                      -68-

jurisdictions as the Agent may request, indicating no liens other than Permitted
Liens and otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

     9.6  Certificates of Insurance. The Agent shall have received a
          -------------------------
certificate of insurance from an independent insurance broker dated as of the
Closing Date, identifying insurers, types of insurance, insurance limits, and
policy terms, and otherwise describing the insurance obtained in accordance with
the provisions hereof.

     9.7  Solvency Certificate. Each of the Banks shall have received an
          --------------------
officer's certificate of the Borrower dated as of the Closing Date as to the
solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries following the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein and in form and substance satisfactory to the
Banks.

     9.8  Opinion of Counsel. (a) Each of the Banks and the Agent shall have
          ------------------
received a favorable opinion addressed to the Banks and the Agent, dated as of
the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks and the Agent,
from Hill & Barlow, counsel to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

     (b) Each of the Banks and the Agent shall have received a favorable opinion
addressed to the Banks and the Agent, dated as of the Closing Date, in form and
substance satisfactory to the Banks and the Agent, from each of Drinker Biddle &
Shanley LLP, counsel to Rapidforms, and Lindquist & Vennum P.L.L.P., counsel to
McBee.

     9.9  Payment of Fees. As required by (S)4.1, the Borrower shall have paid
          ---------------
to the Agent and the Arranger the fees described in the Agent's Fee Letter,
together with all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent, including but
not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements.

     9.10 No Material Adverse Change. The Agent and the Banks shall be
          --------------------------
satisfied that there shall have occurred no material adverse change since the
Interim Balance Sheet Date in the business, operations, assets, properties or
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole.

                       10. CONDITIONS TO ALL BORROWINGS.
                           ----------------------------

     The obligations of the Banks to make any Loan, whether on or after the
Closing Date, shall also be subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent:

     10.1 Representations True; No Event of Default. Each of the
          -----------------------------------------
representations and warranties of any of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
contained in this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or in any document
or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Credit Agreement
shall be true as of the date as of which they were made and shall also be true
at and as of the time of the making of such Loan, with the same
<PAGE>

                                      -69-

effect as if made at and as of that time (except to the extent of changes
resulting from transactions contemplated or permitted by this Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and changes occurring in the ordinary course of
business that singly or in the aggregate are not materially adverse, and to the
extent that such representations and warranties relate expressly to an earlier
date) and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

     10.2 No Legal Impediment. No change shall have occurred in any law or
          -------------------
regulations thereunder or interpretations thereof that in the reasonable opinion
of any Bank would make it illegal for such Bank to make such Loan.

     10.3 Governmental Regulation. Each Bank shall have received such
          -----------------------
statements in substance and form reasonably satisfactory to such Bank as such
Bank shall require for the purpose of compliance with any applicable regulations
of the Comptroller of the Currency or the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.

     10.4 Proceedings and Documents. All proceedings in connection with the
          -------------------------
transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and
all other documents incident thereto shall be satisfactory in substance and in
form to the Banks and to the Agent and the Agent's Special Counsel, and the
Banks, the Agent and such counsel shall have received all information and such
counterpart originals or certified or other copies of such documents as the
Agent may reasonably request.

                   11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION; ETC.
                       ------------------------------------

     11.1 Events of Default and Acceleration. If any of the following events
          ----------------------------------
("Events of Default" or, if the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both is
required, then, prior to such notice or lapse of time, "Defaults") shall occur:

          (a)  the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of the Loans when
     the same shall become due and payable, whether at the stated date of
     maturity or any accelerated date of maturity or at any other date fixed for
     payment;

          (b)  the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on the Loans, the
     facility fee or utilization fee, or other sums due hereunder or under any
     of the other Loan Documents, when the same shall become due and payable,
     whether at the stated date of maturity or any accelerated date of maturity
     or at any other date fixed for payment;

          (c)  the Borrower shall fail to comply with any of its covenants
     contained in (S)(S)6, 7 or 8;

          (d)  the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to perform any
     term, covenant or agreement contained herein or in any of the other Loan
     Documents (other than those specified elsewhere in this (S)11) for
<PAGE>

                                      -70-

     fifteen (15) days after written notice of such failure has been given to
     the Borrower by the Agent;

          (e)  any representation or warranty of the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or
     in any other document or instrument delivered pursuant to or in connection
     with this Credit Agreement shall prove to have been false in any material
     respect upon the date when made or deemed to have been made or repeated;

          (f)  the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay at
     maturity, or within any applicable period of grace, any obligation for
     borrowed money or credit received or in respect of any Capitalized Leases,
     or fail to observe or perform any material term, covenant or agreement
     contained in any agreement by which it is bound (excluding, however, any
     such term, covenant or agreement relating to the pledge or disposition of
     capital stock of the Borrower or other Margin Stock for so long as such
     stock constitutes Margin Stock), evidencing or securing borrowed money or
     credit received or in respect of any Capitalized Leases for such period of
     time as would permit (assuming the giving of appropriate notice if
     required) the holder or holders thereof or of any obligations issued
     thereunder to accelerate the maturity thereof;

          (g)  the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall make an assignment
     for the benefit of creditors, or admit in writing its inability to pay or
     generally fail to pay its debts as they mature or become due, or shall
     petition or apply for the appointment of a trustee or other custodian,
     liquidator or receiver of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or of any
     substantial part of the assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
     or shall commence any case or other proceeding relating to the Borrower or
     any of its Subsidiaries under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
     insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation or similar law
     of any jurisdiction, now or hereafter in effect, or shall take any action
     to authorize or in furtherance of any of the foregoing, or if any such
     petition or application shall be filed or any such case or other proceeding
     shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall indicate its approval thereof,
     consent thereto or acquiescence therein or such petition or application
     shall not have been dismissed within forty-five (45) days following the
     filing thereof;

          (h)  a decree or order is entered appointing any such trustee,
     custodian, liquidator or receiver or adjudicating the Borrower or any of
     its Subsidiaries bankrupt or insolvent, or approving a petition in any such
     case or other proceeding, or a decree or order for relief is entered in
     respect of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in an involuntary
     case under federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter constituted;
<PAGE>

                                      -71-

          (i) there shall remain in force, undischarged, unsatisfied and
     unstayed, for more than thirty days, whether or not consecutive, any final
     judgment against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that, with other
     outstanding final judgments, undischarged, against the Borrower or any of
     its Subsidiaries exceeds in the aggregate $1,000,000;

          (j)  if any of the Loan Documents shall be cancelled, terminated,
     revoked or rescinded, in each case otherwise than with the express prior
     written agreement, consent or approval of the Banks, or any action at law,
     suit or in equity or other legal proceeding to cancel, revoke or rescind
     any of the loan documents shall be commenced by or on behalf of the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries party thereto or any of their
     respective stockholders, or any court or any other governmental or
     regulatory authority or agency of competent jurisdiction shall make a
     determination that, or issue a judgment, order, decree or ruling to the
     effect that, any one or more of the Loan Documents is illegal, invalid or
     unenforceable in accordance with the terms thereof;

          (k)  the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurs any liability to the
     PBGC or a Guaranteed Pension Plan pursuant to Title IV of ERISA in an
     aggregate amount exceeding $2,000,000; the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
     is assessed withdrawal liability pursuant to Title IV of ERISA by a
     Multiemployer Plan requiring aggregate annual payments exceeding
     $2,000,000, or any of the following occurs with respect to a Guaranteed
     Pension Plan:  (i) an ERISA Reportable Event, or a failure to make a
     required installment or other payment (within the meaning of (S)302(f)(1)
     of ERISA), provided the Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that
     such event (A) could be expected to result in liability of the Borrower to
     the PBGC or the Plan in an aggregate amount exceeding $2,000,000 and (B)
     could constitute grounds for the termination of such Plan by the PBGC, for
     the appointment by the appropriate United States District Court of a
     trustee to administer such Plan or for the imposition of a lien in favor of
     the Guaranteed Pension Plan; (ii) the appointment by a United States
     District Court of a trustee to administer such Plan; or (iii) the
     institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate such Plan;

          (l)  the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be enjoined,
     restrained or in any way prevented by the order of any court or any
     administrative or regulatory agency from conducting any material part of
     its business and such order shall continue in effect for more than thirty
     (30) days;

          (m)  there shall occur any material damage to, or loss, theft or
     destruction of, any assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, whether or
     not insured, or any strike, lockout, labor dispute, embargo, condemnation,
     act of God or public enemy, or other casualty, which in any such case
     causes, for more than fifteen (15) consecutive days, the cessation or
     substantial curtailment of revenue producing activities at any facility of
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries if such event or circumstance is
<PAGE>

                                      -72-

     not covered by business interruption insurance and would have a material
     adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Borrower and
     its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;

          (n)  there shall occur the loss, suspension or revocation of, or
     failure to renew, any license or permit now held or hereafter acquired by
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries if such loss, suspension,
     revocation or failure to renew would have a material adverse effect on the
     business or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
     consolidated basis;

          (o)  the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be indicted for a
     state or federal crime, or any civil or criminal action shall otherwise
     have been brought or threatened against the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries, a punishment for which in any such case could include the
     forfeiture of any assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries having an
     aggregate fair market value in excess of $5,000,000; or

          (p)  (i) any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section
     13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) shall have
     acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated
     by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act) of twenty percent
     (20%) or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Borrower; or
     (ii) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months,
     individuals who were directors of the Borrower on the first day of such
     period shall cease to constitute a majority of the board of directors of
     the Borrower;

          (q)  the holders of any Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section
     7.1(r) shall accelerate the maturity of all or any part of such
     Indebtedness, the terms of such Indebtedness shall be amended, supplemented
     or otherwise modified (except as permitted by Section 7.14 hereto) without
     the prior written consent of the Agent and the Majority Banks, such
     Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section
     7.1(r)(ii)) shall be prepaid, redeemed or repurchased in whole or in part
     or an offer to prepay, redeem or repurchase such Indebtedness (other than
     Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.1(r)(ii)) in whole or in part
     shall have been made;

then, and in any such event, so long as the same may be continuing, the Agent
may, and upon the request of the Majority Banks shall, by notice in writing to
the Borrower declare all amounts owing with respect to this Credit Agreement,
the Notes and the other Loan Documents to be, and they shall thereupon forthwith
become, immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or
other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the
Borrower; provided that in the event of any Event of Default specified in
          --------
(S)11.1(g), 11.1(h) or 11.1(q), all such amounts shall become immediately due
and payable automatically and without any requirement of notice from the Agent
or any Bank.
<PAGE>

                                      -73-

     11.2 Termination of Commitments. If any one or more of the Events of
          --------------------------
Default specified in (S)11.1(g) or (S)11.1(h) shall occur, any unused portion of
the credit hereunder shall forthwith terminate and each of the Banks shall be
relieved of all obligations to make Loans to the Borrower. If any other Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or if on any Drawdown Date the
conditions precedent to the making of the Loans to be made on such Drawdown Date
are not satisfied, the Agent may and, upon the request of the Majority Banks,
shall, by notice to the Borrower, terminate the unused portion of the credit
hereunder, and upon such notice being given such unused portion of the credit
hereunder shall terminate immediately and each of the Banks shall be relieved of
all further obligations to make Loans. If any such notice is given to the
Borrower the Agent will forthwith furnish a copy thereof to each of the Banks.
No termination of the credit hereunder shall relieve the Borrower of any of the
Obligations or any of its existing obligations to any of the Banks arising under
other agreements or instruments.

     11.3 Remedies. In case any one or more of the Events of Default shall have
          --------
occurred and be continuing, and whether or not the Banks shall have accelerated
the maturity of the Loans pursuant to (S)11.1, each Bank, if owed any amount
with respect to the Loans, may, with the consent of the Majority Banks but not
otherwise, proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity, action
at law or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance of
any covenant or agreement contained in this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents or any instrument pursuant to which the Obligations to such Bank are
evidenced, including as permitted by applicable law the obtaining of the ex
                                                                         --
parte appointment of a receiver, and, if such amount shall have become due, by
-----
declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the payment thereof or any other
legal or equitable right of such Bank. No remedy herein conferred upon any Bank
or the Agent or the holder of any Note is intended to be exclusive of any other
remedy and each and every remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to
every other remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in
equity or by statute or any other provision of law.

                                  12. SETOFF.
                                      ------

     The Borrower hereby grants to the Agent and each of the Banks a continuing
lien, security interest and right of setoff as security for all liabilities and
obligations to the Agent and each Bank, whether now existing or hereafter
arising, upon and against all deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or
hereafter in the possession, custody, safekeeping or control of the Agent or
such Bank or any Bank Affiliate and their successors and assigns or in transit
to any of them.  Regardless of the adequacy of any collateral, during the
continuance of any Event of Default, any deposits or other sums credited by or
due from any of the Banks to the Borrower and any securities or other property
of the Borrower in the possession of such Bank may be applied to or set off by
such Bank against the payment of Obligations and any and all other liabilities,
direct, or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing
or hereafter arising,
<PAGE>

                                      -74-

of the Borrower to such Bank. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE ANY BANK TO EXERCISE
ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE
OBLIGATIONS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH
DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF THE BORROWER ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY,
VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED. Each of the Banks agree with each other Bank
that (a) if an amount to be set off is to be applied to Indebtedness of the
Borrower to such Bank, other than Indebtedness evidenced by the Notes held by
such Bank, such amount shall be applied ratably to such other Indebtedness and
to the Indebtedness evidenced by all such Notes held by such Bank, and (b) if
such Bank shall receive from the Borrower, whether by voluntary payment,
exercise of the right of setoff, counterclaim, cross action, enforcement of the
claim evidenced by the Notes held by such Bank by proceedings against the
Borrower at law or in equity or by proof thereof in bankruptcy, reorganization,
liquidation, receivership or similar proceedings, or otherwise, and shall retain
and apply to the payment of the Note or Notes held by such Bank any amount in
excess of its ratable portion of the payments received by all of the Banks with
respect to the Notes held by all of the Banks, such Bank will make such
disposition and arrangements with the other Banks with respect to such excess,
either by way of distribution, pro tanto assignment of claims, subrogation or
                               ---------
otherwise as shall result in each Bank receiving in respect of the Notes held by
it, its proportionate payment as contemplated by this Credit Agreement; provided
that if all or any part of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such
Bank, such disposition and arrangements shall be rescinded and the amount
restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

                                13. THE AGENT.
                                    ---------

     13.1 Authorization.
          -------------

          (a)  The Agent is authorized to take such action on behalf of each of
     the Banks and to exercise all such powers as are hereunder and under any of
     the other Loan Documents and any related documents delegated to the Agent,
     together with such powers as are reasonably incident thereto, provided that
                                                                   --------
     no duties or responsibilities not expressly assumed herein or therein shall
     be implied to have been assumed by the Agent.

          (b)  The relationship between the Agent and each of the Banks is that
     of an independent contractor.  The use of the term "Agent" is for
     convenience only and is used to describe, as a form of convention, the
     independent contractual relationship between the Agent and each of the
     Banks.  Nothing contained in this Credit Agreement nor the other Loan
     Documents shall be construed to create an agency, trust or other fiduciary
     relationship between the Agent and any of the Banks.

          (c)  As an independent contractor empowered by the Banks to exercise
     certain rights and perform certain duties and responsibilities hereunder
     and under the other Loan Documents, the Agent is
<PAGE>

                                      -75-

     nevertheless a "representative" of the Banks, as that term is defined in
     Article 1 of the Uniform Commercial Code, for purposes of actions for the
     benefit of the Banks and the Agent with respect to all collateral security
     and guaranties contemplated by the Loan Documents.

     13.2.  Employees and Agents.  The Agent may exercise its power and
            --------------------
execute its duties by or through employees or agents and shall be entitled to
take, and to rely on, advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to its
rights and duties under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The
Agent may utilize the services of such Persons as the Agent in its sole
discretion may reasonably determine, and all reasonable fees and expenses of any
such Persons shall be paid by the Borrower.

     13.3.  No Liability.  Neither the Agent nor any of its shareholders,
            ------------
directors, officers or employees nor any other Person assisting them in their
duties nor any agent or employee thereof, shall be liable for any waiver,
consent or approval given or any action taken, or omitted to be taken, in good
faith by it or them hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, or in
connection herewith or therewith, or be responsible for the consequences of any
oversight or error of judgment whatsoever, except that the Agent or such other
Person, as the case may be, may be liable for losses due to its willful
misconduct or gross negligence.

     13.4.  No Representations.
            ------------------

          13.4.1  General.
                  -------

     The Agent shall not be responsible for the execution or validity or
enforceability of this Credit Agreement, the Notes, any of the other Loan
Documents or any instrument at anytime constituting, or intended to constitute,
collateral security for the Notes, or for the value of any such collateral
security or for the validity, enforceability or collectability of any such
amounts owing with respect to the Notes, or for any recitals or statements,
warranties or representations made herein or in any of the other Loan Documents
or in any certificate or instrument hereafter furnished to it by or on behalf of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or be bound to ascertain or inquire as
to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, covenants or
agreements herein or in any instrument at any time constituting, or intended to
constitute, collateral security for the Notes or to inspect any of the
properties, books or records of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.  The
Agent shall not be bound to ascertain whether any notice, consent, waiver or
request delivered to it by the Borrower or any holder of any of the Notes shall
have been duly authorized or is true, accurate and complete.  The Agent has not
made nor does it now make any representations or warranties, express or implied,
nor does it assume any liability to the Banks, with respect to the credit
worthiness or financial conditions of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Each Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Agent or any other Bank, and based upon such information and documents as it has
<PAGE>

                                      -76-

deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this
Credit Agreement.

     13.4.2.  Closing Documentation, etc.  For purposes of determining
              --------------------------
compliance with the conditions set forth in (S)9, each Bank that has executed
this Credit Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or
accepted, or to be satisfied with, each document and matter either sent, or made
available, by the Agent to such Bank for consent, approval, acceptance or
satisfaction, or required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or
acceptable or satisfactory to such Bank, unless an officer of the Agent active
upon the Borrower's account shall have received notice from such Bank not less
than two (2) days prior to the Closing Date specifying such Bank's objection
thereto and such objection shall not have been withdrawn by notice to the Agent
to such effect on or prior to the Closing Date.

     13.5.  Payments.
            --------

          13.5.1.  Payments to Agent.  A payment by the Borrower to the Agent
                   -----------------
     hereunder or any of the other Loan Documents for the account of any Bank
     shall constitute a payment to such Bank. The Agent agrees promptly to
     distribute to each Bank such Bank's pro rata share of payments received by
                                         --- ----
     the Agent for the account of the Banks except as otherwise expressly
     provided herein or in any of the other Loan Documents.

          13.5.2.  Distribution by Agent.  If in the opinion of the Agent the
                   ---------------------
     distribution of any amount received by it in such capacity hereunder, under
     the Notes or under any of the other Loan Documents might involve it in
     liability, it may refrain from making distribution until its right to make
     distribution shall have been adjudicated by a court of competent
     jurisdiction. If a court of competent jurisdiction shall adjudge that any
     amount received and distributed by the Agent is to be repaid, each Person
     to whom any such distribution shall have been made shall either repay to
     the Agent its proportionate share of the amount so adjudged to be repaid or
     shall pay over the same in such manner and to such Persons as shall be
     determined by such court.

          13.5.3.  Delinquent Banks.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
                   ----------------
     contained in this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, any
     Bank that fails (i) to make available to the Agent its pro rata share of
                                                            --- ----
     any Loan or (ii) to comply with the provisions of (S)12 with respect to
     making dispositions and arrangements with the other Banks, where such
     Bank's share of any payment received, whether by setoff or otherwise, is in
     excess of its pro rata share of such payments due and payable to all of the
                   --- ----
     Banks, in each case as, when and to the full extent required by the
     provisions of this Credit Agreement, shall be deemed delinquent (a
     "Delinquent Bank") and shall be deemed a Delinquent Bank until such time as
     such delinquency is satisfied. A Delinquent Bank shall be deemed to have
     assigned any and all payments due to it from the
<PAGE>

                                      -77-

     Borrower, whether on account of outstanding Loans, interest, fees or
     otherwise, to the remaining nondelinquent Banks for application to, and
     reduction of, their respective pro rata shares of all outstanding
                                    --- ----
     Syndicated Loans.  The Delinquent Bank hereby authorizes the Agent to
     distribute such payments to the nondelinquent Banks in proportion to their
     respective pro rata shares of all outstanding Syndicated Loans.  A
                --- ----
     Delinquent Bank shall be deemed to have satisfied in full a delinquency
     when and if, as a result of application of the assigned payments to all
     outstanding Syndicated Loans of the nondelinquent Banks, the Banks'
     respective pro rata shares of all outstanding Syndicated Loans have
                --- ----
     returned to those in effect immediately prior to such delinquency and
     without giving effect to the nonpayment causing such delinquency.

     13.6.  Holders of Notes.  The Agent may deem and treat the payee of any
            ----------------
Note as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes hereof until it shall have
been furnished in writing with a different name by such payee or by a subsequent
holder.

     13.7.  Indemnity.  The Banks ratably agree hereby to indemnify and hold
            ---------
harmless the Agent and its Affiliates from and against any and all claims,
actions and suits (whether groundless or otherwise), losses, damages, costs,
expenses (including any expenses for which the Agent or any of its Affiliates
has not been reimbursed by the Borrower as required by (S)14), and liabilities
of every nature and character arising out of or related to this Credit
Agreement, the Notes, or any of the other Loan Documents or the transactions
contemplated or evidenced hereby or thereby, or the Agent's or any of its
Affiliate's actions taken hereunder or thereunder, except to the extent that any
of the same shall be directly caused by the Agent's or such Affiliate's willful
misconduct or gross negligence.

     13.8.  Agent as Bank.  In its individual capacity, Fleet shall have the
            -------------
same obligations and the same rights, powers and privileges in respect to its
Commitment and the Loans made by it, and as the holder of any of the Notes, as
it would have were it not also the Agent.

     13.9.  Resignation.  The Agent may resign at any time by giving sixty (60)
            -----------
days prior written notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrower. Upon any such
resignation, the Majority Banks shall have the right to appoint a successor
Agent. Unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, such successor Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Borrower.
If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Banks and
shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring
Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf
of the Banks, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be a financial institution
having a rating of not less than A or its equivalent by Standard & Poor's
Corporation. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a
successor Agent, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent,
and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
<PAGE>

                                      -78-

obligations hereunder. After any retiring Agent's resignation, the provisions of
this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue in effect for
its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while
it was acting as Agent.

     13.10.  Notification of Defaults and Events of Default.  Each Bank hereby
             ----------------------------------------------
agrees that, upon learning of the existence of a Default or an Event of Default,
it shall promptly notify the Agent thereof. The Agent hereby agrees that upon
receipt of any notice under this (S)13.10 it shall promptly notify the other
Banks of the existence of such Default or Event of Default.

     13.11.  Limitation on Duties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
             --------------------
contained in this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Arranger
shall not have any obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or
any fiduciary relationship with any Bank.

                                14.  EXPENSES.
                                     --------

     The Borrower agrees to pay (i) the reasonable costs of producing and
reproducing this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other
agreements and instruments mentioned herein, (ii) any taxes (including any
interest and penalties in respect thereto) payable by the Agent, any of its
Affiliates or any of the Banks (other than taxes based upon the Agent's, such
Affiliate's or any Bank's net income) on or with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Credit Agreement (the Borrower hereby agreeing to indemnify
the Agent and each Bank with respect thereto), (iii) the reasonable fees,
expenses and disbursements of the Agent's Special Counsel or any local counsel
to the Agent incurred in connection with the preparation, administration or
interpretation of the Loan Documents and other instruments mentioned herein,
each closing hereunder, and amendments, modifications, approvals, consents or
waivers hereto or hereunder, (iv) the reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of the Agent incurred by the Agent in connection with the
preparation, syndication, administration or interpretation of the Loan Documents
and other instruments mentioned herein, including in connection with the conduct
of any commercial finance examinations, (v) all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and costs,
which attorneys may be employees of any Bank or the Agent, and reasonable
consulting, accounting, appraisal, and similar professional fees and charges)
incurred by any Bank or the Agent in connection with (A) the enforcement of or
preservation of rights under any of the Loan Documents against the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or the administration thereof after the occurrence of a
Default or Event of Default and (B) any litigation, proceeding or dispute
whether arising hereunder or otherwise, in any way related to any Bank's or the
Agent's relationship with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (vi) all
reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any Bank or the Agent incurred in
connection with UCC searches.  The covenants of this (S)14 shall survive payment
or satisfaction of payment of amounts owing with respect to the Notes.
<PAGE>

                                      -79-

                             15.  INDEMNIFICATION.
                                  ---------------

     The Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent and the Banks
and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, agents, Subsidiaries and
Affiliates (the "Indemnified Parties") from and against any and all claims,
actions and suits whether groundless or otherwise, and from and against any and
all liabilities, losses, damages and costs and expenses of every nature and
character arising out of this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby including, without limitation,
(i) any actual or proposed use by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the
proceeds of any of the Loans, (ii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
entering into or performing this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents or (iii) with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their
respective properties and assets, the violation of any Environmental Law, the
presence, disposal, escape, seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission,
release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substances or any action, suit,
proceeding or investigation brought or threatened with respect to any Hazardous
Substances (including, but not limited to claims with respect to wrongful death,
personal injury or damage to property), in each case including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs
of internal counsel incurred in connection with any such investigation,
litigation or other proceeding.  In litigation, or the preparation therefor, the
Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to select their own counsel and, in
addition to the foregoing indemnity, the Borrower agrees to pay promptly the
reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  If, and to the extent that the
obligations of the Borrower under this (S)15 are unenforceable for any reason,
the Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment in
satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under applicable law.  The
covenants contained in this (S)15 shall survive payment of satisfaction in full
of all other obligations.

                       16.  SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS, ETC.
                            --------------------------

     All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein, in
the Notes, in any of the other Loan Documents or in any documents or other
papers delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant hereto shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the Banks and the
Agent, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter made by any of
them, and shall survive the making by the Banks of the Loans, as herein
contemplated, and shall continue in full force and effect so long as any amount
due under this Credit Agreement or the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents
remains outstanding or any Bank has any obligation to make any Loans, and for
such further time as may be otherwise expressly specified in this Credit
Agreement.  All statements contained in any certificate or other paper delivered
to any Bank or the Agent at any time by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries pursuant hereto or in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby shall constitute representations and warranties by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary hereunder.
<PAGE>

                                      -80-

                      17.  ASSIGNMENT AND PARTICIPATION.
                           ----------------------------

     17.1.  Conditions to Assignment by Banks.  Except as provided herein, each
            ---------------------------------
Bank may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its
interests, rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all or
a portion of its Commitment Percentage and Commitment and the same portion of
the Loans at the time owing to it) and the Notes held by it; provided that (i)
                                                             --------
each of the Agent and, unless a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, the Borrower shall have given its prior written consent to
such assignment, which consent, in the case of the Borrower and the Agent, will
not be unreasonably withheld, (ii) each such assignment shall be of a constant,
and not a varying, percentage of all the assigning Bank's rights and obligations
under this Credit Agreement, (iii) each assignment shall be in an amount that is
a whole multiple of $5,000,000, and (iv) each Bank which is a Bank on the date
hereof shall retain, free of any such assignment, an amount of its Commitment of
not less than $5,000,000, and (v) the parties to such assignment shall execute
and deliver to the Agent, for recording in the Register (as hereinafter
defined), an Assignment and Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit H
                                                                     ------- -
hereto (an "Assignment and Acceptance"), together with any Notes subject to such
assignment. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and
after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, which
effective date shall be at least five (5) Business Days after the execution
thereof, (i) the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent
provided in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Bank hereunder, and (ii) the assigning Bank shall, to the extent provided in
such assignment and upon payment to the Agent of the registration fee referred
to in (S)17.3, be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement.

     17.2.  Certain Representations and Warranties; Limitations; Covenants.  By
            --------------------------------------------------------------
executing and delivering an Assignment and Acceptance, the parties to the
assignment thereunder confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties
hereto as follows:

          (a)  other than the representation and warranty that it is the legal
     and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned thereby free and clear
     of any adverse claim, the assigning Bank makes no representation or
     warranty, express or implied, and assumes no responsibility with respect to
     any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with
     this Credit Agreement or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,
     genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
     Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or
     the attachment, perfection or priority of any security interest or
     mortgage;

          (b)  the assigning Bank makes no representation or warranty and
     assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any other Person primarily or secondarily
     liable in respect of any of the Obligations, or the performance
<PAGE>

                                      -81-

     or observance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any other Person
     primarily or secondarily liable in respect of any of the Obligations of any
     of their obligations under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
     Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or
     thereto;

          (c)  such assignee confirms that it has received a copy of this Credit
     Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements
     referred to in (S)5.4 and (S)6.4 and such other documents and information
     as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision
     to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;

          (d)  such assignee will, independently and without reliance upon the
     assigning Bank, the Agent or any other Bank and based on such documents and
     information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its
     own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Credit
     Agreement;

          (e)  such assignee represents and warrants that it is an Eligible
     Assignee;

          (f)  such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such
     action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under this Credit
     Agreement and the other Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the
     terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably
     incidental thereto;

          (g)  such assignee agrees that it will perform in accordance with
     their terms all of the obligations that by the terms of this Credit
     Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank; and

          (h)  such assignee represents and warrants that it is legally
     authorized to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance.

     17.3.  Register.  The Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment and
            --------
Acceptance delivered to it and a register or similar list (the "Register") for
the recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks and the Commitment
Percentage of, and principal amount of the Loans owing to the Banks from time to
time. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of
manifest error, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks may treat each Person
whose name is recorded in the Register as a Bank hereunder for all purposes of
this Credit Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the
Borrower and the Banks at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice. Upon each such recordation, the assigning Bank agrees
to pay to the Agent a registration fee in the sum of $3,500.

     17.4.  New Notes.  Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance
            ---------
executed by the parties to such assignment, together with each Note subject to
such assignment, the Agent shall (i) record the information contained therein in
<PAGE>

                                      -82-

the Register, and (ii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and the Banks
(other than the assigning Bank). Within five (5) Business Days after receipt of
such notice, the Borrower, at its own expense, shall execute and deliver to the
Agent, in exchange for each surrendered Note, a new Note to the order of such
Eligible Assignee in an amount equal to the amount assumed by such Eligible
Assignee pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance and, if the assigning Bank
has retained some portion of its obligations hereunder, a new Note to the order
of the assigning Bank in an amount equal to the amount retained by it hereunder.
Such new Notes shall provide that they are replacements for the surrendered
Notes, shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of the surrendered Notes, shall be dated the effective date of
such Assignment and Acceptance and shall otherwise be in substantially the form
of the assigned Notes. Within five (5) days of issuance of any new Notes
pursuant to this (S)17.4, the Borrower shall deliver an opinion of counsel,
addressed to the Banks and the Agent, relating to the due authorization,
execution and delivery of such new Notes and the legality, validity and binding
effect thereof, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Banks. The
surrendered Notes shall be cancelled and returned to the Borrower.

     17.5.  Participations. Each Bank may sell participations to one or more
            --------------
banks or other entities in all or a portion of such Bank's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided
                                                                      --------
that (i) each such participation shall be in an amount of not less than
$5,000,000, (ii) any such sale or participation shall not affect the rights and
duties of the selling Bank hereunder to the Borrower and (iii) the only rights
granted to the participant pursuant to such participation arrangements with
respect to waivers, amendments or modifications of the Loan Documents shall be
the rights to approve waivers, amendments or modifications that would reduce the
principal of or the interest rate on any Loans, extend the term or increase the
amount of the Commitment of such Bank as it relates to such participant, reduce
the amount of any facility fees to which such participant is entitled or extend
any regularly scheduled payment date for principal or interest.

     17.6.  Disclosure.  The Borrower agrees that in addition to disclosures
            ----------
made in accordance with standard and customary banking practices any Bank may
disclose information obtained by such Bank pursuant to this Credit Agreement to
assignees or participants and potential assignees or participants hereunder;
provided that such assignees or participants or potential assignees or
--------
participants shall agree (i) to treat in confidence such information unless such
information otherwise becomes public knowledge, (ii) not to disclose such
information to a third party, except as required by law or legal process and
(iii) not to make use of such information for purposes of transactions unrelated
to such contemplated assignment or participation.

     17.7.  Assignee or Participant Affiliated with the Borrower.  If any
            ----------------------------------------------------
assignee Bank is an Affiliate of the Borrower, then any such assignee Bank shall
have no right to vote as a Bank hereunder or under any of the other Loan
<PAGE>

                                      -83-

Documents for purposes of granting consents or waivers or for purposes of
agreeing to amendments or other modifications to any of the Loan Documents or
for purposes of making requests to the Agent pursuant to (S)11.1 or (S)11.2, and
the determination of the Majority Banks shall for all purposes of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents be made without regard to such assignee Bank's
interest in any of the Loans. If any Bank sells a participating interest in any
of the Loans to a participant, and such participant is the Borrower or an
Affiliate of the Borrower, then such transferor Bank shall promptly notify the
Agent of the sale of such participation. A transferor Bank shall have no right
to vote as a Bank hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for
purposes of granting consents or waivers or for purposes of agreeing to
amendments or modifications to any of the Loan Documents or for purposes of
making requests to the Agent pursuant to (S)11.1 or (S)11.2 to the extent that
such participation is beneficially owned by the Borrower or any Affiliate of the
Borrower, and the determination of the Majority Banks shall for all purposes of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents be made without regard to the
interest of such transferor Bank in the Loans to the extent of such
participation.

     17.8.  Miscellaneous Assignment Provisions.  Any assigning Bank shall
            -----------------------------------
retain its rights to be indemnified pursuant to (S)15 with respect to any claims
or actions arising prior to the date of such assignment. If any assignee Bank is
not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof, it shall, prior to the date on which any interest or fees are payable
hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents for its account, deliver to
the Borrower and the Agent certification as to its exemption from deduction or
withholding of any United States federal income taxes in accordance with
(S)4.3.3. If Fleet transfers all of its interest, rights and obligations under
this Credit Agreement, the Agent shall, in consultation with the Borrower and
with the consent of the Borrower and the Majority Banks, appoint another Bank to
act as a reference bank hereunder for purposes of the definition of Eurodollar
Rate. Anything contained in this (S)17 to the contrary notwithstanding, any Bank
may at any time pledge all or any portion of its interest and rights under this
Credit Agreement (including all or any portion of its Notes) to any of the
twelve Federal Reserve Banks organized under (S)4 of the Federal Reserve Act, 12
U.S.C. (S)341. No such pledge or the enforcement thereof shall release the
pledgor Bank from its obligations hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents.

     17.9.  Assignment by Borrower.  The Borrower shall not assign or transfer
            ----------------------
any of its rights or obligations under any of the Loan Documents without the
prior written consent of each of the Banks.

                              18.  NOTICES, ETC.
                                   ------------

     Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, all
notices and other communications made or required to be given pursuant to this
Credit Agreement or the Notes shall be in writing and shall be delivered in
hand, mailed by United States registered or certified first class mail, postage
prepaid, sent by overnight courier, or sent by telegraph, telecopy, telefax or
<PAGE>

                                      -84-

telex and confirmed by delivery via courier or postal service, addressed as
follows:

          (a)  if to the Borrower, at 500 Main Street, Groton, Massachusetts
     01471, Attention:  Daniel M. Junius, or at such other address for notice as
     the Borrower shall last have furnished in writing to the Person giving the
     notice;

          (b)  if to the Agent, at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts
     02110, USA, Attention: Harvey H. Thayer, Jr., Managing Director, or such
     other address for notice as the Agent shall last have furnished in writing
     to the Person giving the notice; and

          (c)  if to any Bank, at such Bank's address set forth on Schedule 1
                                                                   -------- -
     hereto, or such other address for notice as such Bank shall have last
     furnished in writing to the Person giving the notice.

     Any such notice or demand shall be deemed to have been duly given or made
and to have become effective (i) if delivered by hand, overnight courier or
facsimile to a responsible officer of the party to which it is directed, at the
time of the receipt thereof by such officer or the sending of such facsimile and
(ii) if sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid, on
the third Business Day following the mailing thereof.

                              19.  GOVERNING LAW.
                                   -------------

     THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND EACH OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED THEREIN, ARE CONTRACTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH  OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES BE CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SAID COMMONWEALTH  OF MASSACHUSETTS
(EXCLUDING THE LAWS APPLICABLE TO CONFLICTS OR CHOICE OF LAW).  THE BORROWER
AGREES THAT ANY SUIT FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH  OF
MASSACHUSETTS OR ANY FEDERAL COURT SITTING THEREIN AND CONSENT TO THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURT AND THE SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ANY SUCH
SUIT BEING MADE UPON THE BORROWER BY MAIL AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED IN (S)18.
THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO
THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT OR ANY SUCH COURT OR THAT SUCH SUIT IS BROUGHT IN AN
INCONVENIENT COURT.

                                20.  HEADINGS.
                                     --------

     The captions in this Credit Agreement are for convenience of reference only
and shall not define or limit the provisions hereof.
<PAGE>

                                      -85-

                              21.  COUNTERPARTS.
                                   ------------

     This Credit Agreement and any amendment hereof may be executed in several
counterparts and by each party on a separate counterpart, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be an original, and all of which together shall
constitute one instrument.  In proving this Credit Agreement it shall not be
necessary to produce or account for more than one such counterpart signed by the
party against whom enforcement is sought.  Delivery by facsimile by any of the
parties hereto of an executed counterpart hereof or of any amendment or waiver
hereto shall be as effective as an original executed counterpart hereof or of
such amendment or waiver and shall be considered a representation that an
original executed counterpart hereof or such amendment or waiver, as the case
may be, will be delivered.

                          22.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC.
                               ---------------------

     The Loan Documents and any other documents executed in connection herewith
or therewith express the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby.  Neither this Credit Agreement nor any term
hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except as provided in
(S)24.

                          23.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
                               --------------------

     THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL WITH RESPECT TO ANY
ACTION OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF ANY DISPUTE IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CREDIT
AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, ANY RIGHTS OR
OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS (WHETHER
VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PARTY, INCLUDING ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT,
COURSE OF DEALINGS, STATEMENTS OR ACTIONS OF THE AGENT OR ANY BANK RELATING TO
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LOANS OR ENFORCEMENT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND AGREES
THAT IT WILL NOT SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH ACTION WITH ANY OTHER ACTION IN
WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED.  Except as prohibited by
law, the Borrower hereby waives any right it may have to claim or recover in any
litigation referred to in the preceding sentence any special, exemplary,
punitive or consequential damages or any damages other than, or in addition to,
actual damages.  The Borrower (a) certifies that no representative, agent or
attorney of any Bank or the Agent has represented, expressly or otherwise, that
such Bank or the Agent would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce
the foregoing waivers and (b) acknowledges that the Agent and the Banks have
been induced to enter into this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents to
which it is a party by, among other things, the waivers and certifications
contained herein.
<PAGE>

                                      -86-

                   24.  CONSENTS, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.
                         ----------------------------------

     Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, any
consent or approval required or permitted by this Credit Agreement to be given
by the Banks may be given, and any term of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or any other instrument related hereto or mentioned herein may be
amended, and the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries of any terms of this Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or
such other instrument or the continuance of any Default or Event of Default may
be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively
or prospectively) with, but only with, the written consent of the Borrower and
the written consent of the Majority Banks. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
amendment, modification or waiver shall:

          (a) without the written consent of the Borrower and each Bank directly
     affected thereby:

               (i) reduce or forgive the principal amount of any Loans, or
          reduce the rate of interest on the Notes or the amount of the facility
          fee or utilization fee (other than  interest accruing pursuant to
          (S)4.11.2 following the effective date of any waiver by the Majority
          Banks of the Default or Event of Default relating thereto);

               (ii) increase the amount of such Bank's Commitment or extend the
          expiration date of such Bank's Commitment;

               (iii) postpone or extend the Revolving Credit Loan Maturity Date
          or any other regularly scheduled dates for payments of principal of,
          or interest on, the Loans or any fees or other amounts payable to such
          Bank (it being understood that (A) a waiver of the application of the
          default rate of interest pursuant to (S)4.11.2, and (B) any vote to
          rescind any acceleration made pursuant to (S)11.1 of amounts owing
          with respect to the Loans and other Obligations and (C) any
          modifications of the provisions relating to amounts, timing or
          application of prepayments of Loans and other Obligations, shall
          require only the approval of the Majority Banks); and

               (iv) other than pursuant to a transaction permitted by the terms
          of this Credit Agreement, release all or substantially all of the
          Guarantors from their guaranty obligations under the Guaranty;

          (b) without the written consent of the Borrower and all of the Banks,
     amend or waive this (S)24 or the definition of Majority Banks;
<PAGE>

                                      -87-

          (c) without the written consent of the Agent, amend or waive (S)13,
     the amount or time of payment of the Agent's fee payable for the Agent's
     account or any other provision applicable to the Agent.

No waiver shall extend to or affect any obligation not expressly waived or
impair any right consequent thereon.  No course of dealing or delay or omission
on the part of the Agent or any Bank in exercising any right shall operate as a
waiver thereof or otherwise be prejudicial thereto.  No notice to or demand upon
the Borrower shall entitle the Borrower to other or further notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances.

                              25.  SEVERABILITY.
                                   ------------

     The provisions of this Credit Agreement are severable and if any one clause
or provision hereof shall be held invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part
in any jurisdiction, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only
such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction, and shall not
in any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdiction, or any
other clause or provision of this Credit Agreement in any jurisdiction.

              26. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
                  ---------------------------------------------

     26.1.  Confidentiality.  Each of the Agent and the Banks agrees to keep any
            ---------------
information delivered or made available to it by or on behalf of the Borrower or
any its Subsidiaries confidential from anyone other than its employees,
officers, attorneys and other advisors or any Section 20 Subsidiary, provided
                                                                     --------
that nothing herein shall prevent the Agent or such Bank from disclosing such
information upon the order or request of any court or administrative agency or
authority, upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority, to
the extent that such information has been publicly disclosed other than as a
result of a disclosure by the Agent or such Bank, otherwise as required by law
or to any actual or potential assignee or participant hereof pursuant to
(S)17.6. The Borrower agrees that it will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, keep any information delivered or made available to it by or on
behalf of the Agent or any of the Banks confidential from anyone other than its
employees, officers, attorneys and other advisors, provided that nothing herein
                                                   --------
shall prevent the Borrower from disclosing such information upon the order or
request of any court or administrative agency or authority, upon the request or
demand of any regulatory agency or authority, to the extent that such
information has been publicly disclosed other than as a result of disclosure by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or otherwise as required by law.

     26.2.  Prior Notification.  Unless specifically prohibited by applicable
            ------------------
law or court order, each of the Banks and the Agent shall, prior to disclosure
thereof, notify the Borrower of any request for disclosure of any such non-
public information by any governmental agency or representative thereof (other
than any such request in connection with an examination of the financial
condition of such Bank by such governmental agency) or pursuant to legal
process.
<PAGE>

                                      -88-

     26.3.  Other.  In no event shall any Bank or the Agent be obligated or
            -----
required to return any materials furnished to it or any Section 20 Subsidiary by
the Borrower. The obligations of each Bank under this (S)26 shall supersede and
replace the obligations of such Bank under any confidentiality letter in respect
of the financing contemplated by this Credit Agreement or the Original Credit
Agreement and signed and delivered by such Bank to the Borrower prior to the
date hereof, and shall be binding upon any assignee of, or purchaser of any
participation in, any interest in any of the Loans from any Bank.

                        27.  TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
                             -------------------------

     27.1.  First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Superseded. This
            ------------------------------------------------------
Agreement shall supersede the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in its
entirety, except as provided in this (S)27. On the Closing Date, the rights and
obligations of the parties under the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
and the "Notes" (as defined in the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement)
issued in favor of the Banks under the First Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement (as defined therein) shall (other than any rights available to the
Agent and the Banks under (S)16 and (S)17 of the First Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement), be subsumed within and be governed by this Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents; provided, however, that each of the "Loan" (as
                              --------  -------
defined in the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) outstanding under
the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement on the Closing Date shall, for
purposes of this Credit Agreement, be Loans (with (i) each Bank being deemed to
make such purchases (in the case of (A) any Bank which was not party to the
First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and (B) any Bank which was a party
to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and whose Commitment
Percentage under this Agreement exceeds its "Commitment Percentage" (as defined
in the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) under the First Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement)), dispositions (in the case of any Bank which was a
party to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement whose Commitment
Percentage under this Agreement is less than its "Commitment Percentage" (as
defined under the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) under the First
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement)) and arrangements with the other Banks
with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans in existence on the Closing Date as
shall result in each Bank being deemed to hold its pro rata share (in accordance
                                                   --------
with its Commitment Percentage) of each such Eurodollar Rate Loan until the end
of the Interest Period applicable thereto, and (ii) each Bank party to the First
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement hereby waiving any breakage costs to which
it might have otherwise have been entitled under (S)4.10 of First Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans existing on the
Closing Date; and provided further that each of the "Loans" (as defined in the
                  -------- -------
First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) outstanding under the First Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement on the Closing Date shall continue to bear
interest or be subject to fees at the respective rates in effect immediately
prior to the Closing Date, in the case of Base Rate Loans, and immediately prior
to the end of the applicable
<PAGE>

                                      -89-

Interest Period, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans and Competitive Bid Loans
(with the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin to be applied on and after the
Closing Date to be equal to the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin set forth
herein and the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin to be applied before the
Closing Date to be the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin (as defined in the
First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement)).

     27.2.  Return and Cancellation of Notes.  Upon its receipt of its Note or
            --------------------------------
Notes hereunder on the Closing Date, each Bank will promptly return to the
Borrower, marked "Canceled", any notes of the Borrower held by such Bank
pursuant to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

     27.3.  Fees Under First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.  All
            ------------------------------------------------------
facility, Agent's and other fees and expenses owing or accruing under or in
respect of the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement through the Closing
Date shall be calculated as of the Closing Date (prorated in the case of any
fractional periods), and shall be paid in accordance with the method, and on the
dates, specified in the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as if the
First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were still in effect.

     28.  Replacement Documents.
          ---------------------

     Upon receipt of an affidavit (reasonably satisfactory in form and substance
to the Borrower) of an officer of any Bank or the Agent as to the loss, theft,
destruction or mutilation of any Note or the Guaranty, the Borrower will or will
cause each of the Guarantors to issue, in lieu thereof, a replacement Note or a
replacement Guaranty, as applicable, in the form previously executed and
delivered by the Borrower or the Guarantors to such Bank or the Agent; provided,
                                                                       --------
however, that the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that any such affidavit need
-------
not contain an indemnification from the Agent or, as the case may be, such Bank.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Credit
Agreement as a sealed instrument as of the date first set forth above.

                              BORROWER:

                              NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS SERVICE, INC.

                              By:  /s/ Daniel M. Junius
                                  Name:  Daniel M. Junius
                                  Title: Senior Vice President, CFO and
                                         Treasurer

<PAGE>

                              BANKS:

                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK formerly
                              known as BankBoston, N.A.,
                              individually and as Agent

                              By:  /s/ Irene Bertozzi Bartenstein
                                  Name:  Irene Bertozzi Bartenstein
                                  Title: Vice President
<PAGE>

                              KEY BANK N.A.

                              By:  /s/ Lisa Turilli
                                 Name:  Lisa Turilli
                                 Title: Vice President
<PAGE>

                              CITIZENS BANK OF
                              MASSACHUSETTS,
                              as successor to USTrust

                              By:  /s/ Daniel Bernard
                                 Name:  Daniel Bernard
                                 Title: Vice President
<PAGE>

                              SUNTRUST BANK

                              By:  /s/ Karen C. Copeland
                                 Name:  Karen Copeland
                                 Title: Vice President
<PAGE>

                              THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

                              By:  /s/ T.M. Pitcher
                                 Name:  T.M. Pitcher
                                 Title: Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>

                              NATIONAL CITY BANK

                              By:  /s/ Tara M. Handforth
                                 Name:  Tara M. Handforth
                                 Title: Assistant Vice President
<PAGE>

                              WEBSTER BANK

                              By:  /s/ Juliana B. Dalton
                                 Name:  Juliana B. Dalton
                                 Title: Vice President

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