Document:

<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.4(a)

                 ASSIGNMENT, AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS ASSIGNMENT, AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of May
23, 2001 (this "Agreement"), is made by and among GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP,
INC. (formerly known as GEEG, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower") and
successor by the Mergers (as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement defined
below) to each of Global Energy Equipment, L.L.C. and GEEG Holdings, L.L.C., the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower listed on the signature pages hereto under the
caption "Obligors" (together with the Borrower, the "Obligors"), the lenders
listed on the signature pages hereof under the captions "Departing Lenders" (the
"Departing Lenders"), "Continuing Lenders" (the "Continuing Lenders") and
"Additional Lenders" (the "Additional Lenders"), and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
("BTCo"), as administrative agent (the "Administrative Agent").

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Global Energy Equipment, L.L.C., GEEG Holdings, L.L.C., the
Departing Lenders, the Continuing Lenders and the Administrative Agent are
parties to a Credit Agreement dated as of August 1, 2000 (as amended, the
"Existing Credit Agreement");

         WHEREAS, the Departing Lenders and certain Continuing Lenders wish to
assign all or a portion of their interests in the loans and letters of credit
outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement to the Additional Lenders and
certain other Continuing Lenders, and the Additional Lenders and such Continuing
Lenders are willing to accept such assignments; and

         WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested, and the other parties hereto have
agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, that the
Existing Credit Agreement be amended and restated upon the effectiveness of the
assignments referred to in the immediately preceding recital in the form of the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement set forth as Exhibit A hereto (the
"Restated Credit Agreement").

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the
sufficiency and receipt of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:

         Section 1 Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Restated Credit Agreement.

         Section 2 Amendment to Existing Credit Agreement. On and as of the time
the conditions set forth in Section 8(a) hereof have been satisfied, the
Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended by inserting a new Section 11.16 to
read as follows:

                  11.16 Replacement of Non-Consenting Lenders. If, in connection
         with any proposed amendment, modification or waiver to any of the
         provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (a) through (g)
         inclusive, of the first proviso to Section 11.1.1, the consent of the
         Required Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such
         other Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then the
         Borrower shall

<PAGE>   2
         have the right to replace each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders
         with one or more financial institutions or other Persons (each a
         "Consenting Lender") pursuant to this Section 11.16 so long as at the
         time of such replacement, each such Consenting Lender consents to the
         proposed amendment, modification or waiver. At the time of any
         replacement pursuant to this Section 11.16, the Consenting Lender shall
         enter into one or more assignment agreements, in form and substance
         reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which
         the Consenting Lender shall acquire all of the Commitments and
         outstanding Loans of, and participation in Letters of Credit and Swing
         Line Loans by, the non-consenting Lender and (ii) all obligations of
         the Borrower owing to the non-consenting Lender shall be paid in full
         to such non-consenting Lender concurrently with such replacement. Upon
         the payment of amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, the
         Consenting Lender shall become a Lender hereunder and the
         non-consenting Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender hereunder.

         Section 3 Assignments. (a) On and as of the Restatement Date (as
defined in Section 14 hereof), subject to the conditions set forth in Section 8
hereof, each of the Departing Lenders, Continuing Lenders and Additional Lenders
shall sell, assign and transfer, or purchase and assume, as the case may be,
such interests in (i) the Commitments (as defined in the Existing Credit
Agreement, the "Existing Commitments"), (ii) the Loans (as defined in the
Existing Credit Agreement, the "Existing Loans") and (iii) the participations in
the Letters of Credit (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement, the
"Existing Letters of Credit"), in each case, outstanding immediately prior to
the Restatement Date, as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect
to all such assignments and purchases, the Existing Commitments, the Existing
Loans and the participations in the Existing Letters of Credit will be held by
the Continuing Lenders and Additional Lenders as set forth in Schedule 1.1(a)
hereto (or, in the case of the Existing Letters of Credit, ratably in accordance
with the Revolving Loan Commitments set forth in such Schedule). Each Additional
Lender and Continuing Lender purchasing interests of any type under this Section
3 shall be deemed to have purchased such interests from each Departing Lender
and Continuing Lender selling interests of such type ratably in accordance with
the amounts of such interests sold by such Departing Lenders and Continuing
Lenders. The purchase price for each such assignment and purchase shall equal
the principal amount of the Loans purchased. Concurrently with the effectiveness
of the assignments and purchases provided for above, the Departing Lenders shall
cease to be parties to the Existing Credit Agreement and shall be released from
all further obligations thereunder and shall have no further rights to or
interest in any of the Collateral (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement);
provided, however, that the Departing Lenders shall continue to be entitled to
the benefits of Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 11.3 and 11.4 of the Existing
Credit Agreement as in effect immediately prior to the Restatement Date. Any
Departing Lender that shall not have executed this Agreement as of the date
hereof shall, in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.16 of the Existing
Credit Agreement, (i) be deemed to have assigned and transferred its interests
in the Commitments, Loans and participations in Letters of Credit, as
applicable, as set forth above in this Section 3 and cease to be a Lender under
the Existing Credit Agreement and (ii) have no further right to any benefits
under the Existing Credit Agreement to which it would previously have been
entitled (including, without limitation, any benefits pursuant to Sections 4.4,
4.5, 4.6, 11.3 and 11.4 of the Existing Credit Agreement.

                                        2
<PAGE>   3

         (b) On the Restatement Date, (i) each Additional Lender and Continuing
Lender that is purchasing interests in the Existing Loans and Existing
Commitments pursuant to paragraph (a) above shall pay the purchase price for the
interests purchased by it pursuant to such paragraph (a) by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the Administrative Agent in New York, New York,
not later than 12:00 (noon), New York City time, and (ii) the Administrative
Agent shall pay to each Departing Lender and Continuing Lender that is assigning
interests in Existing Loans and Existing Commitments pursuant to paragraph (a)
above, out of the amounts received by the Agent from each Additional Lender and
Continuing Lender pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph (b), the purchase
price for the interests assigned by it pursuant to such paragraph (a) by wire
transfer of immediately available funds not later than 3:00 p.m., New York City
time.

         (c) Each of the parties hereto hereby consents to the assignments and
purchases provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above and agrees that (i) each
Additional Lender and Continuing Lender that is purchasing or accepting
interests in the Existing Commitments, the Existing Loans or the Existing
Letters of Credit pursuant to paragraph (a) above are assignees of the Departing
Lenders and certain Continuing Lenders permitted under Section 11.11.1 of the
Existing Credit Agreement and (ii) each Additional Lender and each Continuing
Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Restated
Credit Agreement with respect to the interests purchased by it pursuant to such
paragraphs. Each Additional Lender designates its Domestic Office and its LIBOR
Office to be the respective offices of such Additional Lender set forth under
the captions "Domestic Office" and "LIBOR Office", respectively, on its
signature page hereto.

         (d) Each of the parties hereto represents and warrants that it is
legally authorized to enter into and deliver this Agreement and that this
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person.
Each Continuing Lender and Departing Lender represents and warrants that it is
the legal and beneficial owner of such rights and obligations that it is
assigning pursuant to this Section 3, free and clear of any adverse claim
created by it. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, no Continuing
Lender or Departing Lender makes any representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations
made pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or the execution,
legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the
Existing Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document (as defined in the Existing
Credit Agreement) or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto
or thereto, including the financial condition of the Borrower or any of the
Borrower's Subsidiaries or the performance or observance by any Obligor or any
Lender of any of its obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement, any other
Loan Document (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) or any other
instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto. Each Continuing
Lender and each Additional Lender confirms and agrees that in becoming a Lender
and in making its Commitments and Loans under the Restated Credit Agreement,
such actions have and will be made without recourse to, or representation or
warranty by, the Administrative Agent.

         (e) The Administrative Agent hereby agrees to waive receipt of the
payment of processing fees that would otherwise be payable pursuant to Section
11.11.1 of the Existing Credit Agreement or Section 10.11.1 of the Restated
Credit Agreement in respect of the assignments effected under this Section 3.

                                        3
<PAGE>   4

         Section 4 Amendment and Restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement.
(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 7(b) hereof, the Borrower,
the Additional Lenders, the Continuing Lenders, and the Administrative Agent
agree that the Existing Credit Agreement (including all Exhibits and Schedules
thereto) is hereby amended and restated, effective as of the Restatement Date,
to read in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit A hereto. As used in the
Restated Credit Agreement, the terms "Agreement", "this Agreement", "herein",
"hereinafter", "hereto", "hereof" and words of similar import shall, unless the
context otherwise requires and except as provided above, mean the Existing
Credit Agreement as amended and restated by this Agreement.

         (b) On the Restatement Date, upon the effectiveness of this Agreement,
notwithstanding any provision of the Existing Credit Agreement or the Restated
Credit Agreement that would require a different application of the proceeds of
the IPO, (i) the Existing Loans constituting Term A Loans under and as defined
in the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be Term A Loans under the
Restated Credit Agreement; (ii) a portion of the Existing Loans constituting
Term B Loans under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement shall be
repaid upon consummation of the IPO and the remaining Existing Loans
constituting Term B Loans under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to be Term A Loans under the Restated Credit Agreement, (iii)
the Existing Loans constituting Term C Loans under and as defined in the
Existing Credit Agreement shall be repaid in full upon consummation of the IPO,
(iv) each Existing Loan constituting a Revolving Loan under and as defined in
the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan under the
Restated Credit Agreement and (v) each Existing Letter of Credit shall be deemed
to be a Letter of Credit issued under the Restated Credit Agreement, and the
amount of the unused Revolving Loan Commitments under the Restated Credit
Agreement shall be adjusted accordingly.

         (c) The Borrower shall cause all LIBO Rate Loans (as defined in the
Existing Credit Agreement) outstanding immediately prior to the Restatement Date
to be Base Rate Loans (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and pay to
the Administrative Agent all breakage costs pursuant to Section 4.4 of the
Existing Credit Agreement.

         Section 5 Affirmation and Acknowledgement of Obligors. The Obligors
hereby acknowledge the amendments to the Existing Credit Agreement contained in
the Restated Credit Agreement and each hereby reaffirms as of the Restatement
Date, its covenants and agreements contained in each of the Loan Documents (as
defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) to which it is a party. Each Obligor
further confirms that each such Loan Document to which it is a party is and
shall continue to be in full force and effect and the same are hereby ratified,
approved and confirmed in all respects after giving effect to this Agreement and
the Restated Credit Agreement (it being understood that upon the occurrence of
the Restatement Date, all references in such Loan Documents to the "Credit
Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof", "therein" or words of like or similar
import shall mean and be a reference to the Restated Credit Agreement). Each
Obligor hereby further acknowledges and agrees that the acceptance by the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders of this affirmation and
acknowledgement shall not be construed in any manner to establish (or indicate)
any course of dealing on the Administrative Agent's or any Lender's part,
including, without limitation, the providing of any notice or the requesting of
any acknowledgement not otherwise expressly provided for in any Loan Document
with respect to

                                        4
<PAGE>   5

any future amendment, waiver, supplement or other modification to any Loan
Document or any arrangement contemplated by any Loan Document.

         Section 6 Representations and Warranties. The Borrower hereby (i) makes
to each of the other parties hereto, as of the Restatement Date, each of the
representations and warranties contained in Article VI of the Restated Credit
Agreement, and each of such representations and warranties is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and (ii) represents and warrants to each of the
other parties hereto, that as of the Restatement Date, no Default or Event of
Default exists or is continuing.

         Section 7 Fees, Expenses and Interest. (a) On the Restatement Date,
simultaneously with the making of the assignments provided for in Section 3, the
Borrower shall pay (i) to the Administrative Agent, for the accounts of the
Lenders (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), the fees payable pursuant
to Section 3.3 of the Existing Credit Agreement which have accrued for the
period from the last date such fees were paid to but excluding the Restatement
Date and the breakage costs payable pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Existing
Credit Agreement, and (ii) for the account of the Administrative Agent, the
Continuing Lenders and the Additional Lenders, the fees and expenses referred to
in the Agent's Fee Letter (as defined in the Restated Credit Agreement). The
fees, costs and expenses described in this Section 7 shall be payable in
immediately available funds. Once paid, such fees shall not be refundable under
any circumstances.

         (b) On the Restatement Date, simultaneously with the making of the
assignments provided for in Section 3, the Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent, for the accounts of the Lenders (as defined in the
Existing Credit Agreement), all unpaid interest accrued to but excluding the
Restatement Date on the Existing Loans of each such Lender.

         Section 8 Conditions Precedent. (a) The amendment provided for in
Section 2 hereof shall be subject to the receipt by the Administrative Agent of
signed counterparts of this Agreement, duly executed and delivered by the
signatories hereto, which, when taken together, bear the signatures of the
Borrower and the Required Lenders (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement).

         (b) The obligation of each Continuing Lender and each Additional Lender
to purchase the assignments provided for in Section 3 hereof and the amendment
and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement provided for in Section 4
hereof on the Restatement Date shall be subject to the satisfaction of all of
the following conditions.

                  (i) Restated Credit Agreement Conditions. All of the
         conditions set forth in Section 5.1 of the Restated Credit Agreement
         shall have been satisfied.

                  (ii) Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received
         signed counterparts of this Agreement, duly executed and delivered by
         the signatories hereto, which, when taken together, bear the signatures
         of the following:

                           (1) the Borrower and each Obligor;

                           (2) each Continuing Lender and Additional Lender; and

                                        5
<PAGE>   6

                          (3) the Administrative Agent.

         Section 9 Applicable Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
(OTHER THAN THE LETTERS OF CREDIT, TO THE EXTENT SPECIFIED IN THE RESTATED
CREDIT AGREEMENT AND EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN A LOAN DOCUMENT)
WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING FOR SUCH PURPOSE SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE
GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK).

         Section 10 No Novation. Neither this Agreement nor the execution,
delivery or effectiveness of the Restated Credit Agreement shall extinguish the
obligations for the payment of money outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreement or discharge or release the Lien or priority of any security
agreement, any pledge agreement or any other security therefor. Nothing herein
contained shall be construed as a substitution or novation of the obligations
outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement or instruments securing the
same, which shall remain in full force and effect, except as modified hereby or
by instruments executed concurrently herewith. Nothing expressed or implied in
this Agreement, the Restated Credit Agreement or any other document contemplated
hereby or thereby shall be construed as a release or other discharge of the
Borrower under the Existing Credit Agreement or any Guarantor under any Loan
Document (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) from any of its
obligations and liabilities thereunder. Each of the Existing Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) shall
remain in full force and effect, until and except as modified hereby in
connection herewith or in connection with the Restated Credit Agreement. This
Agreement shall constitute a Loan Document for all purposes of the Existing
Credit Agreement and the Restated Credit Agreement.

         Section 11 Notices. All notices hereunder shall be given in accordance
with the provisions of Section 10.2 of the Restated Credit Agreement or, in the
case of the Departing Lenders, to the addresses referred to in Section 11.2 of
the Existing Credit Agreement.

         Section 12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which when taken together shall constitute but one
contract, and shall become effective as provided in Section 14 hereof. Delivery
of an executed signature page to this Agreement by facsimile transmission shall
be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart hereof.

         Section 13 Headings. The headings of this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and are not to be taken into
consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

         Section 14 Effectiveness; Amendment. This Agreement shall become
effective on the date (the "Restatement Date") that each of the conditions
specified in Section 8 have been satisfied. This Agreement may not be amended
nor may any provision hereof be waived except pursuant to a writing signed by
each of the parties hereto; provided that the provisions of Section 11.1 of the
Restated Credit Agreement shall govern any amendment, waiver or modification of
the Restated Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

                            [signature pages follow]

                                        6
<PAGE>   7

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

                                      GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP INC.,
                                      as the Borrower

                                      By:    /s/ Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      Obligors:

                                      DELTAK, L.L.C.

                                      By:    /s/ Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      BRADEN MANUFACTURING, L.L.C.

                                      By:    /s/ Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      DELTAK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC.

                                      By:    /s/ Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      BRADEN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC.

                                      By:    /s/ Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Chief Executive Officer
                                             -----------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   8

                                      BRADEN-EUROPE B.V.

                                      By:    /s/ Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title:
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      DELTAK B.V.

                                      By:    /s/ Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title:
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      CFI HOLDINGS, INC.

                                      By:    /s/ Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Larry Edwards
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: President
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      CONSOLIDATED FABRICATORS, INC.

                                      By:    /s/ James P. Wilson
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  James P. Wilson
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Secretary
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      CFI MEXICANA S.A. DE C.V.

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

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   9

                                      Continuing Lenders:

                                      BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                      Individually and as Administrative Agent

                                      By:    /s/ Mary Jo Jolly
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Mary Jo Jolly
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Assistant Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON

                                      By:    /s/ Jay Chall
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Jay Chall
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Director
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      NATIONAL CITY BANK, CLEVELAND

                                      By:    /s/ Julie I. Sabroff
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Julie I. Sabroff
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Senior Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      FLEET BANK (formerly Summit Bank)

                                      By:    /s/ Richard M. Williams
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Richard M. Williams
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Assistant Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------

                                      US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                      By:    /s/ Sam S. Pepper, Jr.
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  Sam S. Pepper, Jr.
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President
                                             -----------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   10

                                      Additional Lenders:

                                      BARCLAYS BANK PLC, as an Additional Lender

                                      By:    /s/ John Giannone
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Name:  John Giannone
                                             -----------------------------------
                                      Title: Director
                                             -----------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   11

                                   CITICORP USA, INC., as an Additional Lender

                                   By:    /s/ Julie Persily
                                          --------------------------------------
                                   Name:  Julie Persily
                                          --------------------------------------
                                   Title: Vice President and Managing Director
                                          --------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   12
                                   ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC, as an Additional
                                     Lender

                                   By:    /s/ John F. Farrace
                                          --------------------------------------
                                   Name:  John F. Farrace
                                          --------------------------------------
                                   Title: Senior Vice President
                                          --------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   13

                                   Departing Lenders:

                                   NORSE CBO LTD., as a Departing Lender

                                   By:  Regiment  Capital  Management,  LLC as
                                        its Investment Advisor

                                   By:  Regiment Capital Advisors, LLC
                                   Its  Manager and pursuant to delegated
                                        authority

                                   By:  /s/ Timothy Peterson
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        President
                                        ----------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   14

                                        NORTHWOODS CAPITAL, LIMITED, as
                                        a Departing Lender
                                        By: Angelo Gordon & Co., L.P. as
                                            Collateral Manager

                                        By:    /s/ John W. Fraser
                                              ----------------------------------
                                        Name:  John W. Fraser
                                              ----------------------------------
                                        Title: Managing Director
                                              ----------------------------------

                                        NORTHWOODS CAPITAL II, LIMITED, as a
                                        Departing Lender
                                        By: Angelo Gordon & Co., L.P. as
                                            Collateral Manager

                                        By:    /s/ John W. Fraser
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  John W. Fraser
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title: Managing Director
                                               ---------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   15

                                        ARES IV CLO, LTD., as a Departing Lender

                                        By: Ares CLO Management IV, L.P.
                                            Investment Manager

                                        By: Ares CLO GP IV, LLC,
                                            Its Managing Member

                                        By:    /s/ Christopher N. Jacobs
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  Christopher N. Jacobs
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title:
                                               ---------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   16

                                        BLUE SQUARE FUNDING LIMITED, as a
                                        Departing Lender

                                        By: Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee

                                        By:    /s/ Stephen T. Hessler
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  Stephen T. Hessler
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President
                                               ---------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   17

                                        FRANKLIN CLO I LTD, as a
                                        Departing Lender

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

                                        FRANKLIN FLOATING RATE MASTER
                                        SERIES, as a Departing Lender

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

                                        FRANKIN FLOATING RATE DAILY
                                        ACCESS FUND, as a Departing Lender

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

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   18

                                        FRANKLIN CLO II LTD, as a Departing
                                        Lender

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

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   19

                                    APEX (IDM) CDO I, LTD., as a Departing
                                    Lender

                                    By:    /s/ William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Name:  William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Title: Director
                                           ---------------------------------

                                    ELC (CAYMAN) LTD. 1999-II, as a Departing
                                    Lender

                                    By:    /s/ William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Name:  William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Title: Director
                                           ---------------------------------

                                    ELC (CAYMAN) LTD. 1999-III, as a Departing
                                    Lender

                                    By:    /s/ William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Name:  William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Title: Director
                                           ---------------------------------

                                    ELC (CAYMAN) LTD. 2000-I, as a Departing
                                    Lender

                                    By:    /s/ William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Name:  William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Title: Director
                                           ---------------------------------

                                    TYRON CLO LTD. 2000-1, as a Departing
                                    Lender

                                    By:    /s/ William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Name:  William A. Hayes
                                           ---------------------------------
                                    Title: Director
                                           ---------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   20

                                    GLENEAGLES TRADING LLC, as a
                                    Departing Lender

                                    By:    /s/ Ann E. Morris
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Ann E. Morris
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Assistant Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

                                    SRV-HIGHLAND, INC., as a Departing Lender

                                    By:    /s/ Ann E. Morris
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Ann E. Morris
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Assistant Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   21

                                    HELLER FINANCIAL INC., as a Departing Lender

                                    By:    /s/ Robert M. Reeg
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Robert M. Reeg
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Assistant Vice President
                                           -------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   22

                                    ELF FUNDING TRUST I, as a Departing
                                    Lender

                                    By:    /s/ Todd Travers
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Todd Travers
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Senior Portfolio Manager
                                           -------------------------------------

                                    KZH HIGHLAND-2 LLC, as a Departing
                                    Lender

                                    By:    /s/ Kimberly Rowe
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Kimberly Rowe
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Authorized Agent
                                           -------------------------------------

                                    HIGHLAND LOAN FUNDING V LTD., as a
                                    Departing Lender

                                    By:    /s/ Todd Travers
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Todd Travers
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Senior Portfolio Manager
                                           -------------------------------------

                                    HIGHLAND LEGACY LIMITED, as a
                                    Departing Lender

                                    By:    /s/ Todd Travers
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Todd Travers
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Senior Portfolio Manager
                                           -------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   23

                                    KATONAH I, LTD., as a Departing Lender

                                    By:    /s/ Ralph Della Rocca
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Ralph Della Rocca
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Authorized Officer
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Katonah Capital, L.L.C., as Manager
                                           -------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   24

                                    MET LIFE-MADISON AVENUE CDO I, as a
                                    Departing Lender

                                    By:    /s/ James R. Dingler
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  James R. Dingler
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Authorized Signatory
                                           -------------------------------------

                                    METROPOLITAN PROPERTY AND CASUALTY, as a
                                    Departing Lender

                                    By:    /s/ James R. Dingler
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Name:  James R. Dingler
                                           -------------------------------------
                                    Title: Authorized Signatory
                                           -------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   25

                        STEIN ROE FLOATING RATE LIMITED, as a
                        Departing Lender

                        By:    /s/ James R. Fellows
                               --------------------------------------------
                        Name:  James R. Fellows
                               --------------------------------------------
                        Title: Senior Vice President Stein Roe & Farnham
                               --------------------------------------------
                               Incorporated, as Advisor to the Stein Roe
                               --------------------------------------------
                               Floating Rate Limited Liability Company
                               --------------------------------------------

                         LIBERTY-STEIN ROE ADVISOR, as a
                        Departing Lender

                        By:    /s/ James R. Fellows
                               --------------------------------------------
                        Name:  James R. Fellows
                               --------------------------------------------
                        Title: Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager
                               --------------------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   26

                                       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL, as a
                                       Departing Lender

                                       By:    /s/ Brian T. Buscher
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Brian T. Buscher
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Manager Operations and Compliance
                                              ----------------------------------

                                       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL, as a
                                       Departing Lender

                                       By:    /s/ Brian T. Buscher
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Name:  Brian T. Buscher
                                              ----------------------------------
                                       Title: Manager Operations and Compliance
                                              ----------------------------------

              Signature Page to Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
                Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement

<PAGE>   27

                                  SCHEDULE 1.1

                                   COMMITMENTS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                    Revolving Loan            RL                 Term A Loan                Term A
Lender                                Commitment          Percentage             Commitment               Percentage
------                              --------------        ----------             -----------              ----------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                       <C>
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY               $ 8,333,333.34        11.1111111%           $6,666,666.66             11.1111111%
CITICORP USA, INC.                  $ 8,333,333.33        11.1111111%           $6,666,666.67             11.1111111%
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON          $ 8,333,333.33        11.1111111%           $6,666,666.67             11.1111111%
NATIONAL CITY BANK, CLEVELAND       $11,111,111.11        14.8148148%           $8,888,888.89             14.8148148%
FLEET BANK                          $11,111,111.11        14.8148148%           $8,888,888.89             14.8148148%
BARCLAYS BANK PLC                   $11,111,111.11        14.8148148%           $8,888,888.89             14.8148148%
US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION        $11,111,111.11        14.8148148%           $8,888,888.89             14.8148148%
ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC              $ 5,555,555.56         7.4074075%           $4,444,444.44              7.4074075%

TOTALS                              $75,000,000.00       100.0000000%           $60,000,000.00           100.0000000%
</Table>

<PAGE>   28
                                                              Execution Version

                                    EXHIBIT A

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

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT,

                            dated as of May 23, 2001,

                                      among

                       GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP INC.,
                                as the Borrower,

                VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER PERSONS
                        FROM TIME TO TIME PARTIES HERETO,
                                 as the Lenders,

                                       and

                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                     as Administrative Agent for the Lenders

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

                                      with

                          DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX.BROWN INC.
                                as Lead Arranger,

                           CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
                                       and
                              SALOMON SMITH BARNEY,
                            as Co-Syndication Agents,

                                       and

                          NATIONAL CITY BANK, CLEVELAND
                                       and
                          US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                           as Co-Documentation Agents

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

<PAGE>   29

                                Table of Contents

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

<S>                                                                         <C>
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS....................................3
   Section 1.1  Defined Terms.................................................3
   Section 1.2  Use of Defined Terms.........................................33
   Section 1.3  Cross-References.............................................33
   Section 1.4  Accounting and Financial Determinations......................33
ARTICLE II COMMITMENTS, BORROWING AND ISSUANCE PROCEDURES, NOTES AND
   LETTERS OF CREDIT.........................................................34
   Section 2.1  Commitments..................................................34
       2.1.1  Revolving Loan Commitment and Swing Line Loan Commitment.......34
       2.1.2  Letter of Credit Commitment....................................35
       2.1.3  Term A Loan Commitment.........................................35
   Section 2.2  Reduction of the Commitment Amounts..........................36
       2.2.1  Optional.......................................................36
       2.2.2  Mandatory..................................................... 36
   Section 2.3  Borrowing Procedures.........................................37
       2.3.1  Borrowing Procedure............................................37
       2.3.2  Swing Line Loans...............................................37
   Section 2.4  Continuation and Conversion Elections........................38
   Section 2.5  Funding......................................................39
   Section 2.6  Issuance Procedures..........................................39
       2.6.1  Other Lenders' Participation...................................39
       2.6.2  Disbursements..................................................40
       2.6.3  Reimbursement..................................................40
       2.6.4  Deemed Disbursements...........................................40
       2.6.5  Nature of Reimbursement Obligations............................41
       2.6.6  Existing Letters of Credit.....................................41
   Section 2.7  Register; Notes..............................................42
   Section 2.8  Additional Facility; Increase in Facilities..................43
ARTICLE III REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, INTEREST AND FEES.......................44
   Section 3.1  Repayments and Prepayments; Application......................44
       3.1.1  Repayments and Prepayments.....................................44
       3.1.2  Application ...................................................47
   Section 3.2  Interest Provisions..........................................47
       3.2.1  Rates..........................................................48
       3.2.2  Post-Maturity Rates............................................48
       3.2.3  Payment Dates..................................................48
   Section 3.3  Fees.........................................................49
       3.3.1  Commitment Fee.................................................49
       3.3.2  Agent's Fee ...................................................49
       3.3.3  Letter of Credit Fees..........................................49
ARTICLE IV CERTAIN EURODOLLAR RATE AND OTHER PROVISIONS......................50
   Section 4.1  Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful.............................50
   Section 4.2  Deposits Unavailable.........................................50
   Section 4.3  Increased Eurodollar Rate Loan Costs, etc....................50
</Table>

                                       i
<PAGE>   30

                                Table of Contents
                                   (continued)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

<S>                                                                         <C>
   Section 4.4  Funding Losses...............................................51
   Section 4.5  Increased Capital Costs......................................51
   Section 4.6  Taxes........................................................51
   Section 4.7  Payments, Computations, etc..................................54
   Section 4.8  Sharing of Payments..........................................54
   Section 4.9  Setoff.......................................................55
   Section 4.10  Replacement of Lenders......................................55
   Section 4.11  Change of Lending Office....................................56
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS....................................56
   Section 5.1  Effective Date...............................................56
       5.1.1  Resolutions, etc...............................................56
       5.1.2  Transactions Consummated.......................................57
       5.1.3  Revolving Loans; Cash on Hand..................................58
       5.1.4  Closing Date Certificate.......................................58
       5.1.5  Delivery of Notes..............................................58
       5.1.6  Payment of Outstanding Indebtedness, etc.......................58
       5.1.7  Effective Date Fees, Expenses, etc.............................58
       5.1.8  Financial Information, Material Adverse Change.................58
       5.1.9  Opinions of Counsel............................................59
       5.1.10  Filing Agent, etc.............................................59
       5.1.11  Solvency Certificate..........................................60
       5.1.12  Security and Pledge Agreements................................60
       5.1.13  Foreign Pledge Agreements.....................................60
       5.1.14  Patent Security Agreement, Copyright Security Agreement and
                Trademark Security Agreement.................................61
       5.1.15  Mortgage Amendments...........................................61
       5.1.16  Perfection Certificate........................................61
       5.1.17  Insurance.....................................................61
       5.1.18  Litigation....................................................61
       5.1.19  Approvals.....................................................61
   Section 5.2  All Credit Extensions........................................61
       5.2.1  Compliance with Warranties, No Default, etc....................61
       5.2.2  Credit Extension Request, etc..................................62
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES....................................62
   Section 6.1  Organization, etc............................................62
   Section 6.2  Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, etc....................62
   Section 6.3  Government Approval, Regulation, etc.........................63
   Section 6.4  Validity, etc................................................63
   Section 6.5  Financial Information........................................63
   Section 6.6  No Material Adverse Change...................................64
   Section 6.7  Litigation...................................................64
   Section 6.8  Labor Matters................................................64
   Section 6.9  Subsidiaries.................................................64
   Section 6.10  Ownership of Properties.....................................65
</Table>

                                       ii
<PAGE>   31

                                Table of Contents
                                   (continued)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

<S>                                                                         <C>
   Section 6.11  Taxes.......................................................65
   Section 6.12  Pension and Welfare Plans...................................65
   Section 6.13  Environmental Warranties....................................65
   Section 6.14  Accuracy of Information.....................................66
   Section 6.15  Regulations U and X.........................................67
   Section 6.16  Status of Obligations as Senior Indebtedness, etc...........67
   Section 6.17  Solvency....................................................67
   Section 6.18  Other Representations and Warranties........................67
ARTICLE VII COVENANTS........................................................68
   Section 7.1  Affirmative Covenants........................................68
       7.1.1  Financial Information, Reports, Notices, etc...................68
       7.1.2  Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Laws, etc............70
       7.1.3  Maintenance of Properties......................................70
       7.1.4  Insurance......................................................70
       7.1.5  Bank Meeting; Books and Records................................72
       7.1.6  Environmental Law Covenant.....................................72
       7.1.7  Use of Proceeds................................................73
       7.1.8  Mortgages .....................................................73
       7.1.9  Future Subsidiaries............................................74
       7.1.10  Additional Collateral.........................................76
   Section 7.2  Negative Covenants...........................................77
       7.2.1  Business Activities............................................77
       7.2.2  Indebtedness ..................................................77
       7.2.3  Liens..........................................................80
       7.2.4  Financial Condition and Operations.............................82
       7.2.5  Investments....................................................82
       7.2.6  Restricted Payments, etc.......................................84
       7.2.7  Capital Expenditures, etc......................................85
       7.2.8  No Prepayment of Subordinated Debt.............................86
       7.2.9  Capital Stock of Subsidiaries..................................87
       7.2.10  Consolidation, Merger, etc....................................87
       7.2.11  Permitted Dispositions........................................87
       7.2.12  Modification of Certain Agreements............................88
       7.2.13  Transactions with Affiliates..................................88
       7.2.14  Restrictive Agreements, etc...................................89
       7.2.15  Sale and Leaseback............................................90
       7.2.16  Take or Pay Contracts.........................................90
       7.2.17  Accounting Changes............................................90
ARTICLE VIII EVENTS OF DEFAULT...............................................91
   Section 8.1  Listing of Events of Default.................................91
       8.1.1  Non-Payment of Obligations.....................................91
       8.1.2  Breach of Warranty.............................................91
       8.1.3  Non-Performance of Certain Covenants and Obligations...........91
       8.1.4  Non-Performance of Other Covenants and Obligations.............91
</Table>

                                       iii
<PAGE>   32

                                Table of Contents
                                   (continued)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

<S>                                                                         <C>
       8.1.5  Default on Other Indebtedness..................................91
       8.1.6  Judgments......................................................92
       8.1.7  Pension Plans..................................................92
       8.1.8  Change in Control..............................................92
       8.1.9  Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc....................................92
       8.1.10  Impairment of Security, etc...................................93
       8.1.11  Failure of Subordination......................................93
   Section 8.2  Action if Bankruptcy.........................................93
   Section 8.3  Action if Other Event of Default.............................93
ARTICLE IX THE AGENT.........................................................94
   Section 9.1  Appointments and Authorizations; Actions.....................94
   Section 9.2  Funding Reliance, etc........................................95
   Section 9.3  Exculpation..................................................95
   Section 9.4  Successor....................................................96
   Section 9.5  Credit Extensions by each Agent..............................96
   Section 9.6  Credit Decisions.............................................97
   Section 9.7  Copies, etc..................................................97
   Section 9.8  Reliance by Agents...........................................97
   Section 9.9  Notice of Defaults...........................................97
   Section 9.10  Other Titles................................................98
ARTICLE X MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS...........................................98
   Section 10.1  Waivers, Amendments, etc....................................98
       10.1.1  Waiver and Amendment Requirements.............................98
       10.1.2  Replacement of Non-Consenting Lenders........................101
   Section 10.2  Notices; Time..............................................102
   Section 10.3  Payment of Costs and Expenses..............................102
   Section 10.4  Indemnification............................................102
   Section 10.5  Survival...................................................104
   Section 10.6  Severability...............................................104
   Section 10.7  Headings...................................................104
   Section 10.8  Execution in Counterparts..................................104
   Section 10.9  Governing Law; Entire Agreement............................104
   Section 10.10  Successors and Assigns....................................104
   Section 10.11  Sale and Transfer of Credit Extensions; Participations
                    in Credit Extensions Notes..............................105
       10.11.1  Assignments.................................................105
       10.11.2  Participations..............................................107
   Section 10.12  Other Transactions........................................108
   Section 10.13  Independence of Covenants.................................108
   Section 10.14  Confidentiality...........................................108
   Section 10.15  Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction...............109
   Section 10.16  Waiver of Jury Trial......................................109
</Table>

                                       iv
<PAGE>   33

EXHIBIT A-1  -        Form of Revolving Note
EXHIBIT A-2  -        Form of Swing Line Note
EXHIBIT A-3  -        Form of Term A Note
EXHIBIT B-1  -        Form of Borrowing Request
EXHIBIT B-2  -        Form of Issuance Request
EXHIBIT C    -        Form of Continuation/Conversion Notice
EXHIBIT D    -        Form of Borrower Closing Date Certificate
EXHIBIT E    -        Form of Compliance Certificate
EXHIBIT F    -        Form of Subsidiary Guaranty
EXHIBIT G-1  -        Form of Borrower Security and Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT G-2  -        Form of Subsidiary Security and Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT G-3  -        Form of Mortgage
EXHIBIT H    -        Form of Perfection Certificate
EXHIBIT I    -        Form of Solvency Certificate
EXHIBIT J    -        Form of Interco Subordination Agreement
EXHIBIT K    -        Form of Lender Assignment Agreement

DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
Item 1.1          Existing Management
Item 2.6.6        Existing Letters of Credit
Item 6.9          Subsidiaries
Item 6.10         Ownership of Properties
Item 6.11         Taxes
Item 7.1.4        Insurance
Item 7.2.2(c)     Indebtedness Existing as of the Effective Date
Item 7.7.3(c)     Liens Existing as of the Effective Date
Item 7.2.5(a)     Investments Exiting as of the Effective Date

                                      -v-
<PAGE>   34

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of May 23, 2001,
is made by and among GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP INC. (formerly known as GEEG,
Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower") and successor by the Mergers
defined below to each of Global Energy Equipment Group, L.L.C. and GEEG
Holdings, L.L.C., the various financial institutions and other Persons from time
to time parties hereto (the "Lenders"), and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY ("Bankers
Trust"), as administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent")
for the Lenders.

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Global Energy Equipment Group, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company ("GEEG"), GEEG Holdings, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company ("Holdings"), the Administrative Agent and certain financial
institutions (the "Existing Lenders") have entered into that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of August 1, 2000 (as amended, the "Existing Credit
Agreement"), whereunder the Existing Lenders agreed to: (i) make term loans to
GEEG in the original aggregate principal amount of $30,000,000 maturing on July
28, 2006 (the "Existing Term A Loan"), (ii) make term loans to GEEG in the
original aggregate principal amount of $110,000,000 maturing on July 28, 2008
(the "Existing Term B Loan"), (iii) make term loans to GEEG in the original
aggregate principal amount of $15,000,000 maturing on July 28, 2006 ("Existing
Term C Loan") and (iv) provide a revolving credit facility with a letter of
credit subfacility to GEEG in an aggregate amount not to exceed $55,000,000 at
any time outstanding and maturing on July 28, 2006 (the "Existing Revolving
Loan" and together with the Existing Term A Loan, the Existing Term B Loan and
the Existing Term C Loan, the "Existing Loans");

         WHEREAS, immediately prior to giving effect to the Transactions defined
below, Harvest Partners III, L.P. ("Harvest Partners") and its co-investors and
certain current equity owners and management employees of Holdings
(collectively, the "Equity Investors"), GEEG Acquisition Holdings Corp., a
Delaware corporation ("GEEG Acquisition Holdings Co.") and GEEG Acquisition
Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("GEEG Acquisition Holdings
LLC") owned 100% of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of Holdings;

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Transactions, and pursuant to the
Transaction Documents, GEEG Acquisition Holdings LLC and the Equity Investors
contributed all of the Capital Stock of Holdings owned by them to the Borrower
in exchange for Borrower Common Stock, and simultaneously therewith, GEEG
Acquisition Holdings Co. contributed substantially all of its assets (consisting
of Capital Stock of Holdings) to the Borrower in exchange for Borrower Common
Stock (collectively, the "Contributions");

         WHEREAS, immediately prior to giving effect to the Transactions,
Holdings owned all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of GEEG, and, in
connection with the Transactions, and pursuant to the Transaction Documents,
Holdings and GEEG immediately prior to giving effect to the Transactions,
consummated a merger of GEEG with and into Holdings (the "First Step Merger")
with Holdings as the surviving entity and pursuant to which Holdings assumed all
of the obligations of GEEG (including all the Existing Loans);

<PAGE>   35

         WHEREAS, immediately following the Contributions and the First Step
Merger and immediately prior to the consummation of the IPO defined below, the
Borrower owned all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of Holdings, and
in connection with the Transactions, and pursuant to the Transaction Documents,
the Borrower and Holdings consummated a merger of Holdings with and into the
Borrower (the "Second Step Merger" and together with the First Step Merger, the
"Mergers") with the Borrower as the surviving entity and pursuant to which the
Borrower assumed all of the obligations of Holdings (including all the Existing
Loans and certain options to purchase Holdings Capital Stock, which options will
be converted into options to purchase Borrower Common Stock);

         WHEREAS, substantially concurrent with the Mergers, the Borrower
consummated an initial public offering of shares of Borrower Common Stock
pursuant to an underwritten public offering registered on Form S-1 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "IPO");

         WHEREAS, the cash proceeds of the IPO were used (i) to repay Existing
Loans and related interest, costs, fees and expenses under the Existing Credit
Agreement (including, without limitation, breakage costs pursuant to Section 4.4
of the Existing Credit Agreement) aggregating to approximately $86,000,000 (the
"Prepayment"), (ii) to repay in part Subordinated Loans (including, without
limitation, premium of approximately $3,000,000) under and as defined in the
Subordinated Debt Documents aggregating to approximately $25,500,000 (as
increased pursuant to the terms of Section 5.1.2(c), the "Sub Debt Prepayment"),
(iii) to pay dividends on outstanding Preferred Membership Interests aggregating
to approximately $6,550,000 (the "Dividend Payments" and together with the
Contributions, the Mergers, the IPO, the Prepayment, the Sub Debt Prepayment and
all transactions related thereto, including those described in the recitals
hereto, the "Transactions"), (iv) to pay not more than $18,500,000 in fees and
expenses related to the Transactions and (v) for general corporate purposes
(including tax payments and excess distributions to members of Holdings in an
aggregate amount reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent);

         WHEREAS, the Continuing Lenders (as defined in the AAR Agreement) are
willing to continue to make term loans and to continue to extend commitments to
make revolving credit loans and the Additional Lenders (as defined in the AAR
Agreement) are willing to make the term loans and to extend commitments to make
revolving credit loans to the Borrower, in each case for the respective purposes
specified above and only on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
herein;

         WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Existing Lenders (including the Continuing
Lenders), the Additional Lenders and the Administrative Agent now desire to
amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement to, among other things, permit
the Transactions and to restate the Existing Credit Agreement to reflect the
amendments thereto; and

         WHEREAS, this Agreement shall become effective upon the date on which
(i) the Assignment, Amendment and Restatement Agreement dated as of the date
hereof has been duly executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the
Continuing Lenders, the Departing Lenders and the Additional Lenders (the "AAR
Agreement") and (ii) the Borrower has satisfied all of the conditions precedent
more particularly set forth in Section 5.1 (but in the event such conditions
have not been satisfied or waived on or before June 15, 2001, this Agreement
shall be of no force or effect and the Existing Credit Agreement shall continue
in full force and effect).

                                       2
<PAGE>   36

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants herein contained, and for other valuable consideration the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged the parties hereto agree as
follows:

                                   ARTICLE I
                        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

         Section 1.1 Defined Terms. The following terms (whether or not
underscored) when used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals,
shall, except where the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings
(such meanings to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms
thereof):

         "AAR Agreement" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Acquired Person" is defined in clause (m) of Section 7.2.2.

         "Acquisition" means the acquisition, by purchase or otherwise, of all
or substantially all of the assets (or any part of the assets constituting all
or substantially all of a business or line of business) of any Person, whether
such acquisition is direct or indirect, including through the acquisition of the
Capital Stock of, such Person, and whether such acquisition is effected in a
single transaction or in a series of related transactions.

         "Administrative Agent" is defined in the preamble and includes each
other Person appointed as the successor Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
9.4.

         "Affected Lender" is defined in Section 4.10.

         "Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person which, directly or
indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such
Person. "Control" of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly, to vote
10% or more of the Capital Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of such Person
having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing members or
general partners (as applicable); or to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such Person (whether by contract or otherwise).

         "Agent's Fee Letter" means the confidential letter captioned "Fee
Letter", dated April 16, 2001, between the Administrative Agent, Deutsche Banc
Alex. Brown and Global Energy Equipment Group, L.L.C.

         "Agreement" means, on any date, this Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement as originally in effect on the Effective Date and as thereafter from
time to time amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified
from time to time and in effect on such date.

         "Alternate Base Rate" means, on any date and with respect to all Base
Rate Loans, a fluctuating rate of interest per annum (rounded upward, if
necessary, to the next highest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the higher of

                  (a) the Reference Rate in effect on such day; and

                                       3
<PAGE>   37

                  (b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of
         1%.

         Changes in the rate of interest on that portion of any Loans maintained
as Base Rate Loans will take effect simultaneously with each change in the
Alternate Base Rate. The Administrative Agent will give notice promptly to the
Borrower and the Lenders of changes in the Alternate Base Rate; provided, that
the failure to give such notice shall not affect the Alternate Base Rate in
effect after such change.

         "Applicable Margin" means, at all times during the applicable periods
set forth below,

                  (a) from the Effective Date to (but excluding) the date upon
         which the Compliance Certificate for the first full Fiscal Quarter to
         have commenced and ended after the Effective Date is required to be
         delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
         clause (c) of Section 7.1.1, with respect to the unpaid principal
         amount of each

                           (i) Swing Line Loan (which shall be borrowed and
                  maintained only as a Base Rate Loan), Revolving Loan and Term
                  A Loan maintained as a Base Rate Loan, 0.50%; and

                           (ii) Revolving Loan and Term A Loan maintained as a
                  Eurodollar Rate Loan, 1.50%.

                  (b) at all times from and after the date the Compliance
         Certificate described in clause (a) above is required to be delivered,
         with respect to the unpaid principal amount of each Swing Line Loan
         (which shall be borrowed and maintained only as a Base Rate Loan),
         Revolving Loan and Term A Loan, the rate per annum determined by
         reference to the applicable Leverage Ratio set forth below under the
         column entitled "Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans", in the case of
         such Loans made or maintained as Base Rate Loans, or by reference to
         the applicable Leverage Ratio and at the applicable percentage per
         annum set forth below under the column entitled "Applicable Margin for
         Eurodollar Rate Loans", in the case of such Loans made or maintained as
         Eurodollar Rate Loans:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Applicable               Applicable
                             Leverage                            Margin For               Margin for
                               Ratio                           Base Rate Loans       Eurodollar Rate Loans
                             --------                          ---------------       ---------------------
<S>                                                            <C>                   <C>
         greater than or equal to 2.00:1.00                         1.25%                   2.25%

         greater than or equal to 1.50:1.00 and less than
         2.00:1.00                                                  0.75%                   1.75%

         greater than or equal to 1.00:1.00 and less than
         1.50:1.00                                                  0.25%                   1.25%

         less than 1.00:1.00                                        0.00%                   1.00%
</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>   38

The Leverage Ratio used to compute the Applicable Margin shall be the Leverage
Ratio set forth in the Compliance Certificate most recently delivered by the
Borrower to the Administrative Agent; changes in the Applicable Margin resulting
from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall become effective upon delivery by the
Borrower to the Administrative Agent of a new Compliance Certificate pursuant to
clause (c) of Section 7.1.1. If the Borrower shall fail to deliver a Compliance
Certificate by the delivery due date specified in such clause, the Applicable
Margin from and including the day immediately following such delivery due date
to (but excluding) the date the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent a
Compliance Certificate shall conclusively be equal to the highest Applicable
Margin set forth above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
definition, at any time a Payment Default exists and is continuing, the
Applicable Margin shall conclusively be equal to the highest Applicable Margin
set forth above.

         "Assignee Lender" is defined in Section 10.11.1.

         "Assignor Lender" is defined in Section 10.11.1.

         "Attributable Debt" is defined in Section 7.2.15.

         "Authorized Officer" is defined in clause (b) of Section 5.1.1.

         "Bankers Trust" is defined in the preamble.

         "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan bearing interest at a fluctuating rate
determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

         "Borrower" is defined in the preamble.

         "Borrower Closing Date Certificate" means the closing date certificate
executed and delivered by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto.

         "Borrower Common Stock" means the Borrower's common stock, $.01 par
value per share.

         "Borrower Security and Pledge Agreement" means the Amended and Restated
Security and Pledge Agreement executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of
the Borrower pursuant to Section 5.1.13, substantially in the form of Exhibit
G-1 hereto, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified
from time to time.

         "Borrowing" means the Loans of the same type and, in the case of
Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by all Lenders
required to make such Loans on the same Business Day and pursuant to the same
Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 2.1.

         "Borrowing Request" means a Loan request and certificate duly executed
by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit
B-1 hereto.

         "Business Day" means

                                       5
<PAGE>   39

                  (a) any day which is neither a Saturday or Sunday nor a legal
         holiday on which banks are authorized or required to be closed in New
         York, New York; and

                  (b) relative to the making, continuing, prepaying or repaying
         of any Eurodollar Rate Loans, any day which is a Business Day described
         in clause (a) above and which is also a day on which dealings in
         Dollars are carried on in the London interbank eurodollar market.

         "Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, the aggregate amount of
all expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for fixed or capital
assets (including capitalized costs in respect of intellectual property) made
during such period which, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as
capital expenditures.

         "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares,
interests (including membership interests in limited liability companies),
participations or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or
non-voting) of such Person's capital, whether now outstanding or issued after
the Effective Date.

         "Capitalized Lease Liabilities" means all monetary obligations of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any leasing or similar arrangement
which have been (or, in accordance with GAAP, should be) classified as
capitalized leases, and for purposes of each Loan Document the amount of such
obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance
with GAAP, and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment
of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon
which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a premium or
a penalty.

         "Cash Collateralize" means, with respect to a Letter of Credit, the
deposit of immediately available funds into a cash collateral account maintained
with (or on behalf of) the Administrative Agent on terms reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the Stated Amount of such
Letter of Credit.

         "Cash Equivalent Investment" means, at any time:

                  (a) any direct obligation of (or obligation unconditionally
         guaranteed by) the United States of America or a State thereof (or any
         agency or political subdivision thereof, to the extent such obligations
         are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States of
         America or a State thereof) maturing not more than six months after
         such time;

                  (b) commercial paper maturing not more than 180 days from the
         date of issue, which is issued by

                           (i) a corporation (other than an Affiliate of any
                  Obligor) organized under the laws of any State of the United
                  States or of the District of Columbia and rated A-1 or higher
                  by S&P or P-1 or higher by Moody's, or

                           (ii) any Lender (or its holding company);

                                       6
<PAGE>   40
                  (c) any certificate of deposit, time deposit or bankers
         acceptance, maturing not more than six months after its date of
         issuance, which is issued by either

                           (i) any bank organized under the laws of the United
                  States (or any State thereof) and which has (x) a credit
                  rating of A2 or higher from Moody's or A or higher from S&P
                  and (y) a combined capital and surplus greater than
                  $500,000,000, or

                           (ii) any Lender; or

                  (d) any repurchase agreement having a term of 7 days or less
         entered into with any Lender or any commercial banking institution
         satisfying the criteria set forth in clause (c)(i) which

                  (e) is secured by a fully perfected security interest in any
         obligation of the type described in clause (a), and

                  (f) has a market value at the time such repurchase agreement
         is entered into of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of
         such commercial banking institution thereunder.

         "Casualty Event" means the damage, destruction or condemnation, as the
case may be, of any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

         "Casualty Proceeds" means, with respect to any Casualty Event, the
amount of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards received by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith, but excluding any proceeds
or awards required to be paid to a creditor (other than any Secured Party) which
holds a first-priority Lien permitted by Section 7.2.3 on the property which is
the subject of such Casualty Event.

         "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

         "CERCLIS" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
Liability Information System List.

         "Change of Control" means (i) the sale, lease or transfer of all or
substantially all of the Borrower's assets to any Person or group (as such term
is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), (ii) the liquidation or
dissolution of the Borrower, (iii) (A) any Person or group (as such term is used
in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Permitted Holders)
shall at any time become the owner, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of
record, of shares representing more than (x) 20% of the outstanding Voting Stock
of the Borrower or (y) the aggregate number of shares of outstanding Voting
Stock of the Borrower (including fully vested options to acquire Voting Stock of
the Borrower held by the Existing Management) owned beneficially and of record
by Harvest Partners and the Existing Management, or (B) the replacement of a
majority of the directors on the board of directors of the Borrower over a
two-year period from the directors who constituted the board of directors of the
Borrower at the beginning of such period, and such replacement shall not have
been approved by a vote of at least a majority of the board of directors of the
Borrower then still in office who either were

                                       7
<PAGE>   41

members of such board of directors at the beginning of such period or whose
election as a member of such Board of Directors was previously so approved, or
(iv) a "Change of Control" (or other similarly used defined term) under and as
defined in any of the Subordinated Debt Documents.

         "Closing Date" means August 1, 2000.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the final and
temporary regulations thereunder, in each case as amended, reformed or otherwise
modified from time to time.

         "Commitment" means, as the context may require, a Lender's Term A Loan
Commitment, Revolving Loan Commitment or Letter of Credit Commitment, or the
Swing Line Lender's Swing Line Loan Commitment.

         "Commitment Amount" means, as the context may require, the Term A Loan
Commitment Amount, the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, the Letter of Credit
Commitment Amount or the Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount.

         "Commitment Fee" means, a fee which shall accrue at a rate of 1/2 of 1%
per annum.

         "Commitment Letter" means the confidential letter captioned "Commitment
Letter", dated April 16, 2001 between the Administrative Agent, Deutsche Banc
Alex. Brown Inc. and Global Energy Equipment Group, L.L.C., together with
Exhibit A thereto.

         "Commitment Termination Date" means, as the context may require, the
Term A Loan Commitment Termination Date, or the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date.

         "Commitment Termination Event" means

                  (a) the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the
         Borrower described in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9; or

                  (b) the occurrence and continuance of any other Event of
         Default and either

                           (i) the declaration of all or any portion of the
                  Loans to be due and payable pursuant to Section 8.3, or

                           (ii) the giving of notice by the Administrative
                  Agent, acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, to the
                  Borrower that the Commitments referred to in such notice have
                  been terminated.

         "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate duly completed and
executed by the chief financial or accounting Authorized Officer of the
Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto, together with such
changes thereto as the Administrative Agent may from time to time reasonably
request for the purpose of conforming the terms thereof with the terms hereof.

         "Contingent Liability" means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement
by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is contingently
liable upon (by direct or

                                       8
<PAGE>   42

indirect agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to
supply funds to, or otherwise to invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a
creditor against loss) the Indebtedness of any other Person (other than by
endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the
payment of dividends or other distributions upon the Capital Stock of any other
Person; provided that Contingent Liabilities shall not include customary
indemnities set forth in agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
business between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and their
customers on the other hand. The amount of any Person's obligation under any
Contingent Liability shall (subject to any limitation set forth therein) be
deemed to be the outstanding principal amount of the debt, obligation or other
liability guaranteed thereby.

         "Continuation/Conversion Notice" means a notice of continuation or
conversion and certificate duly executed by an Authorized Officer of the
Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

         "Contributions" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Controlled Group" means all members of a controlled group of
corporations and all members of a controlled group of trades or businesses
(whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the
Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the
Code or Section 4001 of ERISA.

         "Copyright Security Agreement" means any Copyright Security Agreement
executed and delivered by any Obligor in substantially the form of Exhibit D to
the applicable Security and Pledge Agreement, as amended, supplemented, amended
and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Credit Documents" means, collectively, the Loan Documents and each
Rate Protection Agreement.

         "Credit Extension" means, as the context may require,

                  (a) the making of a Loan by a Lender; or

                  (b) the issuance of any Letter of Credit, or the extension of
         any Stated Expiry Date of any existing Letter of Credit, by the Issuer.

         "Credit Extension Request" means, as the context may require, any
Borrowing Request or Issuance Request.

         "Current Assets" means, on any date, without duplication, all assets
which, in accordance with GAAP, would be included as current assets on a
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date as
current assets.

         "Current Liabilities" means, on any date, without duplication, all
amounts which, in accordance with GAAP, would be included as current liabilities
on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such
date, excluding current maturities of Indebtedness.

                                       9
<PAGE>   43

         "Default" means any Event of Default or any condition, occurrence or
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of
Default.

         "Disbursement" is defined in Section 2.6.2.

         "Disbursement Date" is defined in Section 2.6.2.

         "Disclosure Schedule" means the Disclosure Schedule attached hereto as
Schedule I, as it may be amended, supplemented, amended and restated or
otherwise modified from time to time by the Borrower with (unless otherwise
provided hereunder) the written consent of the Required Lenders.

         "Disposition" (or similar words such as "Dispose") means any sale,
transfer, lease, contribution or other conveyance (including by way of merger)
of, or the granting of options, warrants or other rights to, any of the
Borrower's or its Subsidiaries' assets (including accounts receivables and
Capital Stock of Subsidiaries) to any Person other than to the Borrower or
another Subsidiary in a single transaction or series of related transactions.

         "Dividend Payments" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Dollar" and the sign "$" mean lawful money of the United States.

         "Domestic Office" means the office of a Lender designated as its
"Domestic Office" on its signature page hereto or in a Lender Assignment
Agreement, or such other office within the United States as may be designated
from time to time by notice from such Lender to the Administrative Agent and the
Syndication Agent and the Borrower.

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

         "EBITDA" means, with respect to any Person for any applicable period,
the sum of

                  (a) Net Income of such Person,

         plus

                  (b) to the extent deducted in determining such Net Income
         (without duplication), the sum of (i) income tax expense (whether paid
         or deferred), (ii) Interest Expense, (iii) fees, costs and expenses
         paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of the
         Transaction in an amount not exceeding $18,500,000, (iv) amounts
         attributable to amortization and depreciation of assets and (v) other
         non-cash charges (including, and together with, non-cash charges
         resulting from the granting to officers and employees of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries of options to acquire Capital Stock of the
         Borrower to the extent such charges arise in respect of the
         differential between the exercise price of such options and the fair
         market value of such Capital Stock at the time of such grant or at any
         time thereafter prior to the exercise hereof),

         minus

                  (c) to the extent included in such Net Income, non-cash
         credits.

                                       10
<PAGE>   44

         "Effective Date" means May 23, 2001.

         "Environmental Laws" means all applicable federal, state or local
statutes, laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations and guidelines (including
consent decrees and administrative orders) relating to public health and safety
and protection of the environment, including the Clean Air Act, as amended, the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended,
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, the Toxic
Substances Control Act of 1976, as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act Amendments of 1972, the Clean Water Act of 1977, as amended, the Hazardous
Materials Transportation Act, as amended, any so-called "Superfund" and
"Superlien" law (including those already referenced in this definition), and any
other law having a similar subject matter.

         "Equity Investors" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and any successor statute thereto of similar import, together with the
regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References
to Sections of ERISA also refer to any successor Sections thereto.

         "Eurodollar Rate" means, relative to any Interest Period for Eurodollar
Rate Loans, the rate of interest determined by the Administrative Agent to be
equal to the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%)
of the rate per annum at which Dollar deposits in immediately available funds
are offered by Bankers Trust in the interbank eurodollar market as at or about
10:00 a.m. New York City time two Business Days prior to the beginning of such
Interest Period for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period, and in an
amount approximately equal to the amount of the Administrative Agent's
Eurodollar Rate Loan and for a period approximately equal to such Interest
Period.

         "Eurodollar Rate Loan" means a Loan bearing interest, at all times
during an Interest Period applicable to such Loan, at a rate of interest
determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted).

         "Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted)" means, relative to any Loan to be
made, continued or maintained as, or converted into, a Eurodollar Rate Loan for
any Interest Period, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the
nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined pursuant to the following formula:

<Table>
<Caption>
         Eurodollar Rate          =              Eurodollar Rate
                                         -------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>
          (Reserve Adjusted)             1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage
</Table>

The Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for any Interest Period for Eurodollar
Rate Loans will be determined by the Administrative Agent on the basis of the
LIBOR Reserve Percentage in effect two Business Days before the first day of
such Interest Period. The determination of the Eurodollar Rate (Reserve
Adjusted) by the Administrative Agent shall, so long as made in accordance with
the provisions of this definition, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower
absent manifest error.

                                       11
<PAGE>   45

         "Event of Default" is defined in Section 8.1.

         "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

         "Exemption Certificate" is defined in clause (e) of Section 4.6.

         "Existing Credit Agreement" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Existing Lenders" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Existing Letters of Credit" means those Letters of Credit issued by
the Issuer outstanding on the Effective Date and listed in Item 2.6.6 of the
Disclosure Schedule.

         "Existing Loans" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Existing Management" means each of the management employees of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries identified in Item 1.1 of the Disclosure Schedule.

         "Existing Revolving Loan" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Existing Term A Loan" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Existing Term B Loan" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Existing Term C Loan" is defined in the recitals hereto.

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

         "Filing Agent" is defined in Section 5.1.10.

         "Filing Statements" is defined in Section 5.1.10.

         "First Step Merger" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Fiscal Month" shall mean a period, determined by the Borrower, to be
no shorter than four (4) weeks and no longer than five (5) weeks.

         "Fiscal Quarter" means a quarter ending on a day specified in Section
7.2.17.

         "Fiscal Year" means any period of twelve consecutive calendar months
ending on a day specified in Section 7.2.17; references to a Fiscal Year with a
number corresponding to any

                                       12
<PAGE>   46
calendar year (e.g., the "2001 Fiscal Year") refer to the Fiscal Year ending on
the relevant day specified in Section 7.2.17 of such calendar year.

         "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, as of the close of any Fiscal
Quarter, the ratio computed for the period consisting of such Fiscal Quarter and
each of the three immediately preceding Fiscal Quarters of:

                  (a) EBITDA (for all such Fiscal Quarters) of the Borrower
         minus Capital Expenditures (for all such Fiscal Quarters) of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

         to

                  (b) the sum (for all such Fiscal Quarters) of, without
         duplication, (i) Interest Expense of the Borrower during such period
         and (ii) scheduled principal repayments of Indebtedness of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries required to be made during such period;

provided, that for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Net
Income, Capital Expenditures, Interest Expense, amounts referred to in
subclauses (i) and (iv) of the definition of EBITDA, and scheduled principal
repayments of Indebtedness (i) for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending the
last day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001, shall equal the actual amounts of
each such component for the period from the first day of the third Fiscal
Quarter of 2001 to the last day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001 multiplied
by four, (ii) for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending on the last day of the
fourth Fiscal Quarter of 2001, shall equal the actual amount of each such
component for the period from the first day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001
to the last day of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of 2001 multiplied by two and (iii)
for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending on the last day of the first Fiscal
Quarter of 2002, shall equal the actual amount of each such component for the
period from the first day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001 to the last day of
the first Fiscal Quarter of 2002 multiplied by 4/3.

         "Foreign Pledge Agreement" means any supplemental pledge agreement
governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or a State
thereof executed and delivered by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as may be necessary or desirable under
the laws of organization or incorporation of a Subsidiary to further protect or
perfect the Lien on and security interest in any Collateral (as defined in the
Security and Pledge Agreement).

         "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Borrower which is
organized under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States of
America.

         "F.R.S. Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System or any successor thereto.

         "GAAP" is defined in Section 1.4.

         "GEEG" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "GEEG Acquisitions Holdings Co." is defined in the recitals hereto.

                                       13
<PAGE>   47
         "GEEG Acquisitions Holdings LLC" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Governmental Authority" means the government of the United States of
America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or
local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court,
central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to
such governments.

         "Harvest Partners" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Hazardous Material" means

                  (a) any "hazardous substance", as defined by CERCLA;

                  (b) any "hazardous waste", as defined by the Resource
         Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended;

                  (c) any solid waste that is generated in the diagnosis,
         treatment (e.g., provision of medical services) or immunization of
         human beings or animals, in research pertaining thereto, or in the
         production or testing of biologicals;

                  (d) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or
         toxic chemical, material or substance (including any petroleum product)
         within the meaning of any other applicable federal, state or local law,
         regulation, ordinance or requirement (including consent decrees and
         administrative orders) relating to or imposing liability or standards
         of conduct concerning any hazardous, toxic or dangerous waste,
         substance or material, all as amended.

         "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, all
liabilities of such Person under currency exchange agreements, interest rate
swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar
agreements, and all other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such
Person against fluctuations in interest rates or currency exchange rates.

         "herein", "hereof", "hereto", "hereunder" and similar terms contained
in any Loan Document refer to such Loan Document as a whole and not to any
particular Section, paragraph or provision of such Loan Document.

         "Holdings" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Impermissible Qualification" means any qualification or exception to
the opinion or certification of any independent public accountant as to any
financial statement of the Borrower or any other Obligor

                  (a) which is of a "going concern" or similar nature;

                  (b) which relates to the limited scope of examination of
         matters relevant to such financial statement; or

                                       14
<PAGE>   48

                  (c) which relates to the treatment or classification of any
         item in such financial statement and which, as a condition to its
         removal, would require an adjustment to such item the effect of which
         would be to cause the Borrower or such other Obligor to be in Default.

         "including" and "include" means including without limiting the
generality of any description preceding such term, and, for purposes of each
Loan Document, the parties hereto agree that the rule of ejusdem generis shall
not be applicable to limit a general statement, which is followed by or
referable to an enumeration of specific matters, to matters similar to the
matters specifically mentioned.

         "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without duplication:

                  (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or
         advances and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
         debentures, notes or similar instruments;

                  (b) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, relative to the
         face amount of all letters of credit, whether or not drawn, and
         banker's acceptances issued for the account of such Person;

                  (c) all Capitalized Lease Liabilities of such Person;

                  (d) net liabilities of such Person under all Hedging
         Obligations;

                  (e) whether or not so included as liabilities in accordance
         with GAAP, all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase
         price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the
         ordinary course of business) and indebtedness secured by (or for which
         the holder of such indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
         otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on property owned or being acquired
         by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales
         or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness
         shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse
         (provided that, to the extent such indebtedness is not assumed by such
         Person or the recourse against such Person by the obligee of such
         indebtedness is limited to the assets so secured, the amount of such
         indebtedness shall be deemed to be the lesser of (x) the aggregate
         amount of such indebtedness and (y) the fair market value of the assets
         securing such indebtedness);

                  (f) obligations arising under Synthetic Leases of such Person;

                  (g) Redeemable Capital Stock of such Person; and

                  (h) all Contingent Liabilities of such Person in respect of
         any of the foregoing.

The Indebtedness of any Person shall include, without duplication, the
Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person
is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result
of such Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity,
except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is
not liable therefor.

                                       15
<PAGE>   49

         "Indemnified Liabilities" is defined in Section 10.4.

         "Indemnified Parties" is defined in Section 10.4.

         "Interco Subordination Agreement" means the Intercompany Subordination
Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto, executed and delivered
by two or more Obligors pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, as amended,
supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Intercompany Note" means, with respect to the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, as the maker thereof, a promissory note substantially in the form
of Exhibit A to the relevant Security and Pledge Agreement (with such
modifications as the Administrative Agent may consent to, such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld), which promissory note shall be duly endorsed and pledged
by the payee in favor of the Administrative Agent.

         "Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any Fiscal
Quarter, the ratio computed for the period consisting of such Fiscal Quarter and
each of the three immediately preceding Fiscal Quarters of:

                  (a) EBITDA (for all such Fiscal Quarters) of the Borrower

         to

                  (b) the sum (for all such Fiscal Quarters) of Interest Expense
         of the Borrower accrued during such period;

provided, that for purposes of calculating the Interest Coverage Ratio, Net
Income, Interest Expense and amounts referred to in subclauses (i) and (iv) of
the definition of EBITDA (i) for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending the last
day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001, shall equal the actual amounts of each
such component for the period from the first day of the third Fiscal Quarter of
2001 to the last day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001 multiplied by four,
(ii) for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending on the last day of the third
Fiscal Quarter of 2001, shall equal the actual amount of each such component for
the period from the first day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001 to the last
day of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of 2001 multiplied by two and (iii) for the
four Fiscal Quarter period ending on the last day of the first Fiscal Quarter of
2002, shall equal the actual amount of each such component for the period from
the first day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001 to the last day of the first
Fiscal Quarter of 2002 multiplied by 4/3.

         "Interest Expense" means, with respect to any Person for any Fiscal
Quarter, the aggregate interest expense (both accrued and paid) of such Person
and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter that has been paid or is payable in
cash, including the portion of any payments made in respect of Capitalized Lease
Liabilities and Synthetic Leases allocable to interest expense (net of interest
income paid during such period to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries).

         "Interest Period" means, relative to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
period beginning on (and including) the date on which such Eurodollar Rate Loan
is made or continued as, or converted into, a Eurodollar Rate Loan pursuant to
Sections 2.3 or 2.4 and shall end on (but exclude) the day which numerically
corresponds to such date one, two, three, six, or if then available to each
applicable Lender, nine or twelve months thereafter (or, if such month has no

                                       16
<PAGE>   50
numerically corresponding day, on the last Business Day of such month), as the
Borrower may select in its relevant notice pursuant to Sections 2.3 or 2.4;
provided, however, that

                  (a) the Borrower shall not be permitted to select Interest
         Periods to be in effect at any one time which have expiration dates
         occurring on more than ten different dates;

                  (b) if such Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which
         is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall end on the next
         following Business Day (unless such next following Business Day is the
         first Business Day of a calendar month, in which case such Interest
         Period shall end on the Business Day next preceding such numerically
         corresponding day); and

                  (c) no Interest Period for any Loan may end later than the
         Stated Maturity Date for such Loan.

         "Investment" means, relative to any Person,

                  (a) any loan, advance or extension of credit made by such
         Person to any other Person, including (i) the issuance of any letter of
         credit with respect to which such Person is obligated to reimburse the
         issuer thereof for drawings thereunder and any other Person is the
         account party with respect to such letter of credit and (ii) the
         purchase by such Person of any bonds, notes, debentures or other debt
         securities of any other Person (exclusive of receivables owing to such
         Person to the extent created or acquired in the ordinary course of
         business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary
         trade terms of such Person); and

                  (b) any Capital Stock held by such Person in any other Person.

The amount of any Investment shall be the original principal or capital amount
thereof less all returns of principal or equity thereon and shall, if made by
the transfer or exchange of property other than cash, be deemed to have been
made in an original principal or capital amount equal to the fair market value
of such property at the time of such Investment.

         "IPO" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "IPO Documents" means the registration statement on Form S-1, as
amended, declared effective by the Securities Exchange Commission and the
underwriting agreement executed and delivered in connection therewith.

         "ISP Rules" is defined in Section 10.9.

         "Issuance Request" means a Letter of Credit request and certificate
duly executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the
form of Exhibit B-2 hereto.

         "Issuer" means the Administrative Agent in its capacity as Issuer of
the Letters of Credit. At the request of the Administrative Agent and with the
Borrower's consent, another Lender or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent
may issue one or more Letters of Credit hereunder.

                                       17
<PAGE>   51

         "Lender Assignment Agreement" means an assignment agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit K hereto.

         "Lender Default" means (i) the refusal (which has not been retracted)
or other failure of a Lender to make available its portion of any Borrowing or
to fund its portion of any unreimbursed payment under Section 2.6.1 or (ii) a
Lender having notified the Borrower and/or the Administrative Agent in writing
that it does not intend to comply with its obligations under Section 2.1 or
2.6.1, including in either case as a result of any takeover of such Lender by
any regulatory authority or agency.

         "Lenders" is defined in the preamble and includes each Person that
becomes a Lender pursuant to Section 10.11.1.

         "Lender's Environmental Liability" means any and all losses,
liabilities, obligations, penalties, claims, litigation, demands, defenses,
costs, judgments, suits, proceedings, damages (including consequential damages),
disbursements or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever (including reasonable
attorneys' fees at trial and appellate levels and experts' fees and
disbursements and expenses incurred in investigating, defending against or
prosecuting any litigation, claim or proceeding) which may at any time be
imposed upon, incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Agent, any Lender,
the Issuer or any of such Person's Affiliates, shareholders, directors,
officers, employees, and agents in connection with or arising from:

                  (a) any Hazardous Material on, in, under or affecting all or
         any portion of any property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,
         the groundwater thereunder, or any surrounding areas thereof to the
         extent caused by Releases from the Borrower's or any of its
         Subsidiaries' or any of their respective predecessors' properties;

                  (b) any misrepresentation, inaccuracy or breach of any
         warranty, contained or referred to in Section 6.13;

                  (c) any violation or claim of violation by the Borrower or any
         of its Subsidiaries of any Environmental Laws; or

                  (d) the imposition of any lien for damages caused by or the
         recovery of any costs for the cleanup, Release or threatened Release of
         Hazardous Material by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or in
         connection with any property owned or formerly owned by the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries.

         "Letter of Credit" is defined in Section 2.1.2.

         "Letter of Credit Commitment" means the Issuer's obligation to issue
Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.1.2 and, with respect to each Revolving
Loan Lender, the obligations of each such Lender to participate in such Letters
of Credit pursuant to Section 2.6.1.

         "Letter of Credit Commitment Amount" means, on any date, a maximum
amount of $40,000,000, as such amount may be permanently reduced from time to
time pursuant to Section 2.2.

                                       18
<PAGE>   52

         "Letter of Credit Outstandings" means, on any date, an amount equal to
the sum of (i) the then aggregate amount which is undrawn and available under
all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit, and (ii) the then aggregate amount
of all unpaid and outstanding Reimbursement Obligations.

         "Leverage Ratio" means, as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, the
ratio of

                  (a) the excess of (i) Total Debt outstanding on the last day
         of such Fiscal Quarter over (ii) the lesser of (A) the amount of
         Unrestricted Cash on the last day of such Fiscal Quarter and (B)
         $35,000,000

         to

                  (b) EBITDA of the Borrower computed for the period consisting
         of such Fiscal Quarter and each of the three immediately preceding
         Fiscal Quarters;

provided, that for purposes of calculating the Interest Coverage Ratio, Net
Income, Interest Expense and amounts referred to in subclauses (i) and (iv) of
the definition of EBIDTA (i) for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending the last
day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001, shall equal the actual amounts of each
such component for the period from the first day of the third Fiscal Quarter of
2001 to the last day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001 multiplied by four,
(ii) for the four Fiscal Quarter period ending on the last day of the fourth
Fiscal Quarter of 2001, shall equal the actual amount of each such component for
the period from the first day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001 to the last
day of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of 2001 multiplied by two and (iii) for the
four Fiscal Quarter period ending on the last day of the first Fiscal Quarter of
2002, shall equal the actual amount of each such component for the period from
the first day of the third Fiscal Quarter of 2001 to the last day of the first
Fiscal Quarter of 2002 multiplied by 4/3;

provided further that (x) in calculating the Leverage Ratio for purposes of
determining the Applicable Margin, Total Debt in clause (a) above shall not be
reduced by the amount described in subclause (ii) thereof and (y)(1) for
purposes of determining Total Debt outstanding on the last day of a Fiscal
Quarter the determination thereof shall be based on the average daily utilized
portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount for the 28-day period commencing
on the fourteenth day preceding the last day of such Fiscal Quarter (inclusive
of such last day) and ending on the fourteenth day following the last day of
such Fiscal Quarter (exclusive of such last day) and (2) for purposes of
determining Unrestricted Cash on the last day of a Fiscal Quarter the
determination thereof shall be based on the average daily amount of Unrestricted
Cash for such 28-day period.

         "LIBOR Office" means the office of a Lender designated as its "LIBOR
Office" on its signature page hereto or in a Lender Assignment Agreement, or
such other office designated from time to time by notice from such Lender to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent, whether or not outside the United States,
which shall be making or maintaining the Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender.

         "LIBOR Reserve Percentage" means, relative to any Interest Period for
Eurodollar Rate Loans, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal) equal to
the maximum aggregate reserve requirements (including all basic, emergency,
supplemental, marginal and other reserves and taking into account any
transitional adjustments or other scheduled changes in reserve

                                       19
<PAGE>   53
requirements) specified under regulations issued from time to time by the F.R.S.
Board and then applicable to assets or liabilities consisting of or including
"Eurocurrency Liabilities", as currently defined in Regulation D of the F.R.S.
Board, having a term approximately equal or comparable to such Interest Period.

         "Lien" means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,
assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise),
charge against or interest in property, or other priority or preferential
arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever, to secure payment of a debt or
performance of an obligation.

         "Loan" means, as the context may require, a Revolving Loan, a Term A
Loan or a Swing Line Loan of any type.

         "Loan Documents" means, collectively, (i) this Agreement, the Letters
of Credit, the Notes, the Interco Subordination Agreement, the Agent's Fee
Letter, the Subsidiary Guaranty, each agreement pursuant to which the
Administrative Agent is granted a Lien to secure the Obligations (including,
without limitation, each Security and Pledge Agreement, each Foreign Pledge
Agreement, each Mortgage, each Patent Security Agreement and each Trademark
Security Agreement) and the provisions of the Commitment Letter relating to the
syndication of the Commitments and the Loans (including paragraphs five, six and
seven thereof) and (ii) each other agreement, certificate, document or
instrument delivered in connection with any Loan Document and designated to be a
"Loan Document", whether or not specifically mentioned herein or therein.

         "Loan Obligations" means all obligations (monetary or otherwise,
whether absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured) of each Obligor arising
under or in connection with a Loan Document, including the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency
of any proceeding of the type described in Section 8.1.9, whether or not allowed
in such proceeding) on the Loans and all Reimbursement Obligations.

         "Management Investors " is defined in clause (m) of Section 7.2.5.

         "Management Notes" is defined in clause (m) of Section 7.2.5.

         "Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on (i) the
business, operations, financial condition or prospects of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of any Obligor to perform its
respective obligations under any Loan Document to which its is a party, or (iii)
the validity or enforceability (other than in accordance with its terms) of this
Agreement or any Loan Document or the rights or remedies of the Administrative
Agent or any Lender hereunder or thereunder.

         "Material Documents" means the Reorganization Documents, the IPO
Documents, the Sub Debt Prepayment Documents, the Organic Documents of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the Subordinated Debt Documents, in each case
as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time
to time in accordance with Section 7.2.12.

         "Material Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary of the Borrower other than
a Non-Material Subsidiary.

                                       20
<PAGE>   54

         "Mergers" is defined in the recitals hereto.

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

         "Mortgage" means each mortgage, deed of trust or agreement executed and
delivered by any Obligor in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Secured Parties pursuant to the requirements of this Agreement, under which
a Lien is granted on the real property and fixtures described therein, in
substantially the form of Exhibit G-3 hereto, in each case as amended,
supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Net Debt Proceeds" means with respect to the incurrence, sale or
issuance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (other
than any Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.2.2), the excess of:

                  (a) the gross cash proceeds received by such Person from such
         incurrence, sale or issuance,

         over

                  (b) all underwriting commissions and legal, investment
         banking, brokerage and accounting and other professional fees, sales
         commissions and disbursements actually incurred in connection with such
         incurrence, sale or issuance which have not been paid to the Borrower
         or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith.

         "Net Disposition Proceeds" means, with respect to any Disposition of
any assets of the Borrower or any of its respective Subsidiaries (other than
sales permitted pursuant to clause (a), (b), (c) or (e) of Section 7.2.11), the
excess of

                  (a) the gross cash proceeds received by such Person from any
         such Disposition and any cash payments received in respect of
         promissory notes or other non-cash consideration delivered to such
         Person in respect thereof,

         over

                  (b) the sum (without duplication) of (i) all customary legal,
         investment banking, brokerage and accounting and other professional
         fees and disbursements actually incurred in connection with such
         Disposition which have not been paid to the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries in connection therewith, (ii) all taxes and other
         governmental costs and expenses actually paid or estimated by such
         Person (in good faith) to be payable in cash in connection with such
         Disposition, and (iii) payments made by such Person to retire
         Indebtedness (other than the Credit Extensions) of such Person where
         payment of such Indebtedness is required in connection with such
         Disposition;

provided, however, that if, after the payment of all taxes with respect to such
Disposition, the amount of estimated taxes, if any, pursuant to clause (b)(ii)
above exceeded the tax amount actually paid in cash in respect of such
Disposition, the aggregate amount of such excess shall, at such time, constitute
Net Disposition Proceeds.

                                       21
<PAGE>   55

         "Net Equity Proceeds" means with respect to the sale or issuance by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person of any Capital Stock, warrants
or options or the exercise of any such warrants or options, the excess of:

                  (a) the gross cash proceeds received by such Person from such
         sale, exercise or issuance,

         over

                  (b) all underwriting commissions and legal, investment
         banking, brokerage and accounting and other professional fees, sales
         commissions and disbursements actually incurred in connection with such
         sale or issuance which have not been paid to the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries in connection therewith.

         "Net Income" means, with respect to any Person for any period, the
aggregate of all amounts (including and together with all amounts in respect of
extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses) which would be included as net
income on the consolidated financial statements of such Person and its
Subsidiaries for such period; provided, however, that the Net Income of any
Subsidiary of such Person that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be excluded
from Net Income to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or
similar distributions by such Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of
determination permitted without any prior governmental approval that has not
been obtained or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its
Organic Documents or any agreement (other than an agreement with the Borrower or
its Subsidiaries), instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders.

         "Non-Domestic Lender" means any Lender that is not a "United States
person", as defined under Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

         "Non-Excluded Taxes" means any Taxes other than net income, profits,
gains and franchise taxes imposed with respect to any Secured Party by a
Governmental Authority under the laws of which such Secured Party is organized
or in which it maintains its applicable lending office.

         "Non-Material Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that

                  (a) accounted for no more than 5% of consolidated revenues of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the four consecutive Fiscal
         Quarters of the Borrower ending on March 31, 2001, or if later, the
         last day of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter with respect to
         which, pursuant to Section 7.1.1, financial statements have been, or
         are required to have been, delivered by the Borrower to the
         Administrative Agent, and

                  (b) has assets which represent no more than 5% of the
         consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of March
         31, 2001, or if later, the last day of the last Fiscal Quarter of the
         most recently completed Fiscal Quarter with respect to which, pursuant
         to Section 7.1.1, financial statements have been, or are required to
         have been, delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent,

                  to the extent that Non-Material Subsidiaries do not

                                       22
<PAGE>   56

                           (i) account in the aggregate for more than 10% of
                  consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
                  the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of ending on March 31,
                  2001, or if later, the last day of the most recently completed
                  Fiscal Quarter with respect to which, pursuant to Section
                  7.1.1, financial statements have been, or are required to have
                  been, delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent,
                  and

                           (ii) have assets which represent more than 10% of the
                  consolidated assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of
                  March 31, 2001, or if later, the last day of the last Fiscal
                  Quarter of the most recently completed Fiscal Quarter with
                  respect to which, pursuant to Section 7.1.1, financial
                  statements have been, or are required to have been, delivered
                  by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent.

         "Note" means, as the context may require, a Revolving Note, a Term A
Note or a Swing Line Note.

         "Obligations" means all obligations (monetary or otherwise, whether
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured) of each Obligor arising under or
in connection with a Credit Document, including the principal of and premium, if
any, and interest (including interest accruing during the pendency of any
proceeding of the type described in Section 8.1.9, whether or not allowed in
such proceeding) on the Loans and all Reimbursement Obligations.

         "Obligor" means, as the context may require, the Borrower, and each
other Person (other than a Secured Party) obligated under any Loan Document.

         "Organic Document" means, relative to any Obligor, as applicable, its
certificate of incorporation, by-laws, certificate of partnership, partnership
agreement, certificate of formation, limited liability agreement, operating
agreement or other similar governing documents and any documents setting forth
the designation, amount and/or relative rights, limitations and preferences of
any class or series of such Obligor's Capital Stock.

         "Other Person" is defined in the definition of "Subsidiary".

         "Other Taxes" means any and all stamp, documentary or similar taxes, or
any other excise or property taxes or similar levies that arise on account of
any payment made or required to be made under any Loan Document or from the
execution, delivery, registration, recording or enforcement of any Loan
Document.

         "Participant" is defined in Section 10.11.2.

         "Patent Security Agreement" means any Patent Security Agreement
executed and delivered by any Obligor in substantially the form of Exhibit B to
either Security and Pledge Agreement, as amended, supplemented, amended and
restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Payment Default" means any Default described in Section 8.1.1.

                                       23
<PAGE>   57

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any entity
succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

         "Pension Plan" means a "pension plan", as such term is defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a
multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA), and to which the
Borrower or any corporation, trade or business that is, along with the Borrower,
a member of a Controlled Group, has liability (actual or contingent), including
any liability by reason of having been a substantial employer within the meaning
of Section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the preceding five years, or by
reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under Section 4069 of ERISA.

         "Percentage" means, as the context may require, any Lender's RL
Percentage or Term A Percentage.

         "Perfection Certificate" means the Perfection Certificate executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of each Obligor that is a party to the
Security and Pledge Agreement pursuant to Section 5.1.13 or 7.1.9, substantially
in the form of Exhibit H hereto, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated
or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Permitted Acquisition" means an Acquisition (whether pursuant to a
merger or an acquisition of Capital Stock, assets or otherwise) by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary from any Person in which the following conditions are
satisfied:

                  (a) immediately before and after giving effect to such
         Acquisition, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would
         result therefrom (including under Section 7.2.1);

                  (b) such Acquisition is consummated pursuant to a negotiated
         merger, purchase or similar agreement between the Borrower and/or any
         of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and such Person and/or any of its
         Affiliates, on the other hand;

                  (c) in the case of an Acquisition of Capital Stock by the
         Borrower or a Subsidiary, such Acquisition results in the issuer of
         such Capital Stock becoming a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower;

                  (d) consideration for such Acquisition shall be comprised of
         Capital Stock of the Borrower (but not Redeemable Preferred Stock), the
         issuance of a Permitted Seller Note, the assumption of Indebtedness
         permitted under clause (m) of Section 7.2.2 and/or cash and the
         aggregate amount of the consideration for such Acquisition (based on
         the fair market value of Capital Stock issued, the amount of
         Indebtedness issued and/or assumed and the cash expended in connection
         therewith) would not exceed $100,000,000 and, when added to the total
         aggregate amount of consideration for all other Acquisitions since the
         Effective Date, would not exceed $150,000,000;

                  (e) after giving effect to such Acquisition, at least
         $25,000,000 of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount would be unused;
         and

                  (f) (i) in the case of any Acquisition the total aggregate
         amount of consideration therefor is in excess of $5,000,000, the
         Borrower shall have delivered to the

                                       24
<PAGE>   58
         Administrative Agent a Compliance Certificate for the period of four
         full Fiscal Quarters immediately preceding such Acquisition (prepared
         in good faith and in a manner and using such methodology which is
         consistent with the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant
         to Section 7.1.1) giving pro forma effect to the consummation of such
         Acquisition and evidencing compliance with the covenants set forth in
         Section 7.2.4 and a pro forma Leverage Ratio of not more than 2.00:1.0,
         in each case, as of the last day of such period and the preceding
         clauses (a) through (e) and (ii) in the case of any Acquisition the
         total aggregate amount of consideration therefor is in excess of
         $35,000,000, the Borrower shall have delivered revised Projections
         demonstrating, pro forma projected compliance with the covenants set
         forth in Section 7.2.4 for the one year period following such
         Acquisition.

         "Permitted Holders" means, collectively, (i) Harvest Partners and (ii)
each Affiliate of Harvest Partners.

         "Permitted Seller Note" means an unsecured promissory note issued by
the Borrower (including Holdings and GEEG as predecessor entities) in connection
with a Permitted Acquisition, which note (i) provides for a final stated
maturity date that is not prior to the earlier of (x) the fifth anniversary of
the closing of such Permitted Acquisition and (y) January 30, 2011, (ii) bears
interest at an annual rate not in excess of 10%, payable with the issuance of
additional promissory notes in form and substance substantially similar to such
promissory note (it being understood and agreed that each such additional
promissory note shall constitute a Permitted Seller Note) which may provide for
scheduled amortization of the original principal amount thereof to the extent
such amortization does not exceed in the aggregate during each year following
the date such promissory note is issued an amount equal to the greater of (A)
20% of the original principal amount thereof and (B) the product of (x) such
original principal amount and (y) the percentage obtained by dividing one by the
number of years (which number shall not be rounded to the nearest whole number)
from the issuance of such note to the final scheduled maturity thereof, (iii)
does not provide the holders thereof with the guaranty of any Affiliate of the
issuer thereof, (iv) does not contain any financial maintenance covenants or any
cross-default provisions (it being understood that a cross-acceleration
provision with respect to Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount in
excess of $10,000,000 shall be acceptable) and (v) contains such other terms and
provisions (including as to subordination) as are reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent.

         "Person" means any natural person, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, joint venture, association, trust or unincorporated
organization, Governmental Authority or any other legal entity, whether acting
in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

         "Pledged Subsidiary" means each Subsidiary in respect of which the
Administrative Agent has been granted a security interest in or a pledge of (i)
any of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary or (ii) any intercompany notes of
such Subsidiary owing to the Borrower or another Subsidiary.

         "Prepayment" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Pro Forma Basis" means, with respect to any determination for any
period for any Person, after giving pro forma effect to each Acquisition and
Disposition of a Person, business or

                                       25
<PAGE>   59
asset consummated during such period, together with all transactions relating
thereto consummated during such period (including any incurrence, assumption,
refinancing or repayment of Indebtedness), as if such Acquisition, Disposition
and related transactions had been consummated on the first day of such period,
in each case (i) based on historical results accounted for in accordance with
GAAP and, to the extent applicable, reasonable assumptions that are specified in
reasonable detail in the relevant Compliance Certificate or other certificate
furnished to any Agent or Lender in connection with the terms of this Agreement
and (ii) prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act, and the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial
statements.

         "Projections" is defined in clause (a)(iii) of Section 5.1.8.

         "Quarterly Payment Date" means the last Business Day of March, June,
September and December.

         "Rate Protection Agreement" means, collectively, any interest rate
swap, cap, collar or similar agreement entered into by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries under which the counterparty of such agreement is (or at the
time such agreement was entered into, was) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender,
so long as a fully executed copy of such agreement has been provided to the
Agents.

         "Redeemable Capital Stock" means Capital Stock of the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries that, either by its terms or by the terms of any security
into which it is convertible or exchangeable at the option of the holder
thereof, (i) is or upon the happening of an event (other than a voluntary call
by the issuer thereof (which call is prohibited by the terms of this Agreement
as of the date hereof)) or passage of time would be required to be redeemed (for
consideration other than Borrower Common Stock) on or prior to December 1, 2010,
(ii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (for consideration other
than Borrower Common Stock) at any time prior to such date or (iii) is
convertible at the option of the holder thereof into or exchangeable for debt
securities of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at any time prior to such
anniversary.

         "Reference Rate" means, for any day, the rate of interest in effect for
such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bankers Trust in New York,
New York, as its "reference rate." (The "reference rate" is a rate set by
Bankers Trust based upon various factors, including Bankers Trust's costs and
desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a
reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above or below
such announced rate.) Any change in the reference rate announced by Bankers
Trust shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the
public announcement of such change.

         "Refunded Swing Line Loans" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.3.2.

         "Register" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.7.

         "Reimbursement Obligation" is defined in Section 2.6.3.

                                       26
<PAGE>   60

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

         "Release" means a "release", as such term is defined in CERCLA.

         "Reorganization Agreement" means the Exchange Agreement by and among
the Borrower and Holdings dated as of May 7, 2001.

         "Reorganization Documents" means the Reorganization Agreement, the
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 16, 2001 by and between GEEG and
Holdings, with Holdings as the surviving entity, the Certificate of Merger dated
as of the Effective Date merging GEEG with and into Holdings, the Agreement and
Plan of Merger dated as of May 16, 2001 by and between Holdings and the
Borrower, with the Borrower as the surviving corporation, the Certificate of
Merger dated as of the Effective Date merging Holdings with and into the
Borrower and the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 7, 2001 by and
among the Borrower and certain shareholders of the Borrower.

         "Replacement Lender" is defined in Section 4.10.

         "Replacement Notice" is defined in Section 4.10.

         "Required Lenders" means, at any time,

                  (a) with respect to any provision of this Agreement or any
         other Loan Document other than the taking of any remedial action under
         this Agreement or any other Loan Document following the declaration of
         the acceleration of the maturity of all or any portion of the
         outstanding principal amount of the Loans and other Obligations to be
         due and payable pursuant to Section 8.3, Lenders holding at least a
         majority of the sum of (A) the Revolving Loan Commitments (or,
         following the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, the aggregate
         principal amount of the Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans then
         outstanding plus the Letter of Credit Outstandings (after giving effect
         to the participation of the Lenders therein)), and (B) the aggregate
         principal amount of the Term A Loans then outstanding; or

                  (b) with respect to the taking of any remedial action under
         this Agreement or any other Loan Document following the declaration of
         the acceleration of the maturity of all or any portion of the
         outstanding principal amount of the Loans and other Obligations to be
         due and payable pursuant to Section 8.3, Lenders holding at least a
         majority of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding
         Loans plus the Letter of Credit Outstandings (after giving effect to
         the participation of the Lenders therein).

         "Resource Conservation and Recovery Act" means the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., as amended.

         "Restricted Payment" means the declaration or payment of any dividend
(other than dividends payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Redeemable
Capital Stock) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary) on, or the making of any
payment or distribution on account of, or setting apart assets for a sinking or
other analogous fund for, the purchase, redemption,

                                       27
<PAGE>   61
defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of any class of Capital Stock of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary or any warrants or options to purchase any such
Capital Stock, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or the making of any other
payment or distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly,
whether in cash or property, obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
otherwise.

         "Revolving Loan" is defined in Section 2.1.1.

         "Revolving Loan Commitment" means, relative to any Lender, such
Lender's obligation (if any) to make Revolving Loans pursuant to clause (a) of
Section 2.1.1.

         "Revolving Loan Commitment Amount" means, on any date, $75,000,000, as
such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.2.

         "Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date" means the earliest of

                  (a) the Stated Maturity Date with respect to Revolving Loans;

                  (b) the date on which the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount is
         terminated in full or reduced to zero pursuant to the terms of this
         Agreement; and

                  (c) the date on which any Commitment Termination Event occurs.

Upon the occurrence of any event described in the preceding clause (c), the
Revolving Loan Commitments shall terminate automatically and without any further
action.

         "Revolving Loan Lender" is defined in clause (a) of Section 2.1.1.

         "Revolving Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to any
Revolving Loan Lender, in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto (as such promissory
note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time),
evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Revolving Loan
Lender resulting from outstanding Revolving Loans, and also means all other
promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal
thereof.

         "RL Percentage" means, relative to any Lender, the applicable
percentage relating to Revolving Loans set forth opposite its name under the
column "RL Percentage" on Schedule 1.1 to the AAR Agreement or set forth in a
Lender Assignment Agreement under the RL Percentage column, as such percentage
may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to Lender Assignment Agreements
executed by such Lender and its Assignee Lender and delivered pursuant to
Section 10.11.1. A Lender shall not have any Revolving Loan Commitment if its
percentage under the RL Percentage column is zero.

         "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Services, a division of
McGraw-Hill, Inc.

         "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "Second Step Merger" is defined in the recitals hereto.

                                       28
<PAGE>   62

         "Secured Parties" means, collectively, (i) the Lenders, each Issuer and
the Agents, (ii) for purposes of each agreement pursuant to which the
Administrative Agent is granted a Lien to secure any Obligation or receives a
guaranty of any Obligation or pursuant to which any Person subordinates any
obligation payable by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to it to the
Obligations or any insurance or indemnity with respect to the same (including
Section 10.4 hereof), each counterparty to a Rate Protection Agreement that is
(or at the time such Rate Protection Agreement was entered into, was) a Lender
or an Affiliate thereof, and (iii) in each case, each of their respective
successors, transferees and assigns.

         "Security and Pledge Agreement" means, as the context may require the
Borrower Security and Pledge Agreement and/or the Subsidiary Security and Pledge
Agreement.

         "Solvent" means, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries on a
particular date, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such
Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is greater than the total
amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (b) the present fair salable value of the
assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is not less
than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such
Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on its debts as they become
absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe
that it or its Subsidiaries will, incur debts or liabilities beyond the ability
of such Person and its Subsidiaries to pay as such debts and liabilities mature,
and (d) such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is not engaged
in business or a transaction, and such Person and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for
which the property of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of Contingent
Liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all
the facts and circumstances existing at such time, can reasonably be expected to
become an actual or matured liability.

         "Stated Amount" means, on any date and with respect to a particular
Letter of Credit, the total amount then available to be drawn under such Letter
of Credit.

         "Stated Expiry Date" is defined in Section 2.6.

         "Stated Maturity Date" means

                  (a) with respect to all Term A Loans, May 23, 2005; and;

                  (b) with respect to all Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans,
         May 23, 2005.

         "Sub Debt Prepayment" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "Sub Debt Prepayment Documents" means the Waiver and Amendment to
Senior Subordinated Loan Agreement dated as of May 1, 2001 among GEEG and the
various lenders party thereto, the letter agreement by and between GEEG and ARES
Leveraged Investment Fund, L.P. dated as of May 16, 2001 and the letter
agreement by and between GEEG and ARES Leveraged Investment Fund II, L.P. dated
as of May 16, 2001.

                                       29
<PAGE>   63
         "Subordinated Debt" means unsecured Indebtedness of (a) the Borrower
with respect to the Subordinated Loans, (b) the Borrower pursuant to the
Permitted Seller Notes (if any) and (c) any Obligor subordinated in right of
payment to the Obligations pursuant to documentation containing redemption and
other prepayment events, maturities, amortization schedules, covenants, events
of default, remedies, acceleration rights, subordination provisions and other
material terms satisfactory to the Required Lenders.

         "Subordinated Debt Documents" means, collectively, the Subordinated
Loan Agreement, the Permitted Seller Notes (if any), the Sub Debt Prepayment
Documents and each of the loan agreements, indentures, note purchase agreements,
promissory notes, guarantees, and other material instruments and agreements
evidencing the terms of Subordinated Debt, as amended, supplemented, amended and
restated or otherwise modified in accordance with Section 7.2.12.

         "Subordinated Loan Agreement" means the Senior Subordinated Loan
Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2000, between the Borrower and the lenders
party thereto, as amended by that certain Waiver and Amendment to Senior
Subordinated Loan Agreement dated as of May 1, 2001 and as further amended,
supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified in accordance with
Section 7.2.12.

         "Subordinated Loans" means the loans made to Borrower pursuant to the
Subordinated Loan Agreement.

         "Subordination Provisions" is defined in Section 8.1.11.

         "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
limited liability company, partnership or other entity ("Other Person") of which
more than 50% of the outstanding Voting Stock of such Other Person (irrespective
of whether at the time Capital Stock of any other class or classes of such Other
Person shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency)
is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, by
such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by one or more
other Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless the context otherwise specifically
requires, the term "Subsidiary" shall be a reference to a Subsidiary of the
Borrower.

         "Subsidiary Guarantor" means each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a
Subsidiary which has executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent the
Subsidiary Guaranty (or a supplement thereto).

         "Subsidiary Guaranty" means the subsidiary guaranty executed and
delivered by certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the
Existing Credit Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F hereto, as
supplemented by that certain Supplement No. 1 to Subsidiary Guaranty dated as of
October 31, 2000 executed by CFI Holdings, Inc. and accepted by the
Administrative Agent and by that certain Supplement No. 2 to Subsidiary Guaranty
dated as of October 31, 2000 executed by Consolidated Fabricators, Inc. and
accepted by the Administrative Agent, and as further amended, supplemented,
amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Subsidiary Security and Pledge Agreement" means the Amended and
Restated Security and Pledge Agreement executed and delivered by an Authorized
Officer of each Subsidiary Guarantor on the Effective Date pursuant to Section
5.1.13 or the Security and Pledge

                                       30
<PAGE>   64
Agreement executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of each Person that
becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor after the Effective Date pursuant to Section
7.1.9, in each case substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 hereto, as amended,
supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Swing Line Lender" means the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as
the Swing Line Lender.

         "Swing Line Loan" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.1.1.

         "Swing Line Loan Commitment" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.1.1.

         "Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount" means, on any date, $15,000,000, as
such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.2.

         "Swing Line Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to
the Swing Line Lender, in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto (as such promissory
note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time),
evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender
resulting from outstanding Swing Line Loans, and also means all other promissory
notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.

         "Syndication Period" is defined in Section 2.3.1.

         "Synthetic Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease (including
leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed) (a) that is not a capital lease in accordance
with GAAP and (b) in respect of which the lessee retains or obtains ownership of
the property so leased for federal income tax purposes, other than any such
lease under which that Person is the lessor.

         "Taxes" means any and all income, stamp or other taxes, duties, levies,
imposts, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed,
levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental Authority, and all
interest and penalties with respect thereto.

         "Term A Loan" is defined in Section 2.1.3.

         "Term A Loan Commitment" means, relative to any Lender, such Lender's
obligation (if any) to make Term A Loans pursuant to Section 2.1.3.

         "Term A Loan Commitment Amount" means, on any date, $60,000,000.

         "Term A Loan Commitment Termination Date" means the earliest of

                  (a) the Effective Date (immediately after the continuation of
         the Existing Term A Loan as Term A Loans hereunder on such date); and

                  (b) the date on which any Commitment Termination Event occurs.

                                       31
<PAGE>   65

Upon the occurrence of any event described in clause (b), the Term A Loan
Commitments shall terminate automatically and without any further action.

         "Term A Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to any
Lender, in the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto (as such promissory note may be
amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time), evidencing the
aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from outstanding
Term A Loans, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from time to
time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.

         "Term A Percentage" means, relative to any Lender, the applicable
percentage relating to Term A Loans set forth opposite its name under the column
"Term A Percentage" on Schedule 1.1 to the AAR Agreement or set forth in a
Lender Assignment Agreement under the Term A Percentage column, as such
percentage may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to Lender Assignment
Agreements executed by such Lender and its Assignee Lender and delivered
pursuant to Section 10.11.1. A Lender shall not have any Term A Loan Commitment
if its percentage under the Term A Percentage column is zero.

         "Termination Date" means the date on which all Loan Obligations (other
than any indemnities that are not then due and payable) have been paid in full
in cash, all Letters of Credit have been terminated, expired or Cash
Collateralized and all Commitments shall have terminated.

         "Total Debt" means, on any date, without duplication, the outstanding
principal amount of all Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of the
type referred to in clause (a), clause (b) (excluding obligations relative to
the face amount of letters of credit to the extent such face amount has not been
drawn or, if drawn, to the extent the amount of such drawing has been reimbursed
to the issuer thereof by the obligor with respect thereto), clause (c), clause
(e), clause (f) and clause (g), in each case of the definition of
"Indebtedness", and any Contingent Liability in respect of any of the foregoing;
provided, however, that Indebtedness in respect of Permitted Seller Notes shall
not be included in the calculation of Total Debt to the extent that such notes
(i) are issued by the Borrower and not guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the
Borrower and (ii) do not provide for any scheduled repayments or mandatory
prepayments or redemptions of the principal thereof prior to January 30, 2011 or
for any payment of cash interest or fees with respect thereto prior to such
date.

         "Total Exposure Amount" means, on any date of determination (and
without duplication), the outstanding principal amount of all Loans, the
aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Outstandings and the unfunded amount of
the Commitments.

         "Trademark Security Agreement" means any Trademark Security Agreement
executed and delivered by any Obligor substantially in the form of Exhibit C to
a Security and Pledge Agreement, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated
or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Tranche" means, as the context may require, the Loans constituting
Term A Loans, Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans.

         "Transaction Documents" means each of the Material Documents.

                                       32
<PAGE>   66

         "Transactions" is defined in the recitals hereto.

         "type" means, relative to any Loan, the portion thereof, if any, being
maintained as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

         "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time
in the State of New York; provided, that if, with respect to any Filing
Statement or by reason of any provisions of law, the perfection or the effect of
perfection or non-perfection of the security interests granted to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to the applicable Loan Document is governed by the
Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction of the United States
other than New York, UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from
time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions of each
Loan Document and any Filing Statement relating to such perfection or effect of
perfection or non-perfection.

         "United States" or "U.S." means the United States of America, its fifty
states and the District of Columbia.

         "Unrestricted Cash" means, at any time, cash and Cash Equivalent
Investments of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent such cash and
Cash Equivalent Investments are not subject to any Lien (other than a Lien in
favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to a Loan Document) or any
restriction as to its use and is included in "cash and cash equivalents" and not
"restricted cash" on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower.

         "Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any
class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors,
managers or other voting members of the managing body of such Person.

         "Welfare Plan" means a "welfare plan", as such term is defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA.

         "wholly-owned Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any
Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding common stock (or similar equity
interest) of which (other than any director's qualifying shares or investments
by foreign nationals mandated by applicable laws) is owned directly or
indirectly by such Person. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term
"wholly-owned Subsidiary" shall be a reference to a wholly-owned Subsidiary of
the Borrower.

         Section 1.2 Use of Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined or the
context otherwise requires, terms for which meanings are provided in this
Agreement shall have such meanings when used in each other Loan Document and the
Disclosure Schedule, and each notice and other communication delivered from time
to time in connection with any Loan Document.

         Section 1.3 Cross-References. Unless otherwise specified, references in
a Loan Document to any Article or Section are references to such Article or
Section of such Loan Document, and references in any Article, Section or
definition to any clause are references to such clause of such Article, Section
or definition.

         Section 1.4 Accounting and Financial Determinations.

                  (a) Unless otherwise specified, all accounting terms used in
         each Loan Document shall be interpreted, and all accounting
         determinations and computations

                                       33
<PAGE>   67
         thereunder (including under Section 7.2.4 and the definitions used in
         such calculations) shall be made, in accordance with those generally
         accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied in the preparation of
         the financial statements referred to in clause (a) of Section 5.1.8.
         Unless otherwise expressly provided, all financial covenants and
         defined financial terms shall be computed on a consolidated basis for
         Holdings and its Subsidiaries, in each case without duplication.

                  (b) For purposes of computing the Leverage Ratio, the Interest
         Coverage Ratio and the Fixed Charge Ratio (under Section 7.2.4), such
         ratios (and any financial calculations or components required to be
         made or included therein, including EBITDA) shall be determined on a
         Pro Forma Basis.

                                   ARTICLE II
                       COMMITMENTS, BORROWING AND ISSUANCE
                     PROCEDURES, NOTES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

         Section 2.1 Commitments. On the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Agreement, the Lenders and the Issuer severally agree to make Credit
Extensions as set forth below.

                  2.1.1 Revolving Loan Commitment and Swing Line Loan
Commitment. Borrower and the Lenders acknowledge the making of the Existing
Revolving Loan and each Lender that has a Revolving Loan Commitment (referred to
as a "Revolving Loan Lender"), severally and for itself alone, hereby agrees, on
the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth and in reliance
upon the representations and warranties set forth herein and in the other Loan
Documents, that such Existing Revolving Loan (to the extent not prepaid with the
proceeds of the IPO) shall continue to be outstanding as loans (each such loan,
an "Original Revolving Loan") pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement (together with loans advanced pursuant to clause (a) below, relative
to such Lender, its "Revolving Loans") such that, on the Effective Date, each
Lender that has a Revolving Loan Commitment shall be deemed to have outstanding
Revolving Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to its RL Percentage of
the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding on the Effective
Date.

                  From time to time on any Business Day occurring on and after
the Effective Date but prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date,

                      (a) each Revolving Loan Lender agrees that it will make
         Revolving Loans to the Borrower equal to such Lender's RL Percentage of
         the aggregate amount of each Borrowing of the Revolving Loans requested
         by the Borrower to be made on such day; and

                      (b) the Swing Line Lender agrees that it will make loans
         (its "Swing Line Loans") to the Borrower equal to the principal amount
         of the Swing Line Loan requested by the Borrower to be made on such
         day. The Commitment of the Swing Line Lender described in this clause
         is herein referred to as its "Swing Line Loan Commitment".

On the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, the Borrower may from time to
time borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans. No
Revolving Loan Lender shall

                                       34
<PAGE>   68
         be permitted or required to make any Revolving Loan if, after giving
         effect thereto, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all
         Revolving Loans of such Revolving Loan Lender, together with such
         Lender's RL Percentage of the aggregate amount of all Swing Line Loans
         and Letter of Credit Outstandings, would exceed such Lender's RL
         Percentage of the then existing Revolving Loan Commitment Amount.
         Furthermore, the Swing Line Lender shall not be permitted or required
         to make Swing Line Loans if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate
         outstanding principal amount of all Swing Line Loans would exceed (i)
         the then existing Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount or (ii) when
         combined with the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving
         Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings, the then existing Revolving
         Loan Commitment Amount.

                  2.1.2 Letter of Credit Commitment. From time to time on any
Business Day occurring on and after the Effective Date but prior to the
Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, the Issuer agrees that it will

                      (a) issue at sight one or more trade letters of credit or
         standby letters of credit (each, a "Letter of Credit") for the account
         of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the Stated Amount in Dollars
         requested by the Borrower on such day; or

                      (b) extend the Stated Expiry Date of an existing Letter of
         Credit previously issued hereunder.

No Stated Expiry Date shall extend beyond the earlier of (i) 30 days prior to
the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date in the case of trade Letters of
Credit or 10 days prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date in the
case of standby Letters of Credit and (ii) (A) unless otherwise agreed to by the
Issuer in its sole discretion 364 days from the date of such issuance or
extension in the case of trade Letters of Credit or (B) (1) with respect to
standby Letters of Credit having Letter of Credit Outstandings at any time of
$5,000,000 or less in the aggregate, the date 10 days prior to the Revolving
Loan Commitment Termination Date and (2) unless otherwise agreed to by the
Issuer in its sole discretion, 548 days from the date of such issuance or
extension in the case of all other standby Letters of Credit provided, however
that each standby Letter of Credit may without violating this clause (ii)
provide by its terms that it will be automatically extended for additional
successive periods of up to one (1) year on terms acceptable to the Issuer of
such Letter of Credit. The Issuer shall not be permitted or required to issue
any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect thereto, (i) the aggregate amount
of all Letter of Credit Outstandings would exceed the Letter of Credit
Commitment Amount or (ii) the sum of the aggregate amount of all Letter of
Credit Outstandings plus the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans
and Swing Line Loans then outstanding would exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment
Amount.

                  2.1.3 Term A Loan Commitment. The Borrower and the Lenders
acknowledge the making of the Existing Term A Loan and the Existing Term B Loan
and each Lender that has a Term A Commitment, severally and for itself alone,
hereby agrees, on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth
and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein and in
the other Loan Documents, that such Existing Term A Loan shall continue to be
outstanding as loans pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
(each such loan, an "Original Term A Loan") and that an aggregate principal
amount of Existing Term B Loan shall be converted to Term A Loans and shall
continue to be outstanding as Term A Loans (each

                                       35
<PAGE>   69
such loan, a "Converted Term A Loan", and together with the Original Term A
Loans, "Term A Loans") pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
such that, on the Effective Date, the aggregate principal amount of Original
Term A Loans and Converted Term A Loans (the "Effective Date Term A Amount")
shall equal $60,000,000 and each Lender that has a Term A Loan Commitment shall
be deemed to have outstanding Term A Loans in an aggregate principal amount
equal to its Term A Percentage of such Effective Date Term A Amount. No amounts
paid or prepaid with respect to Term A Loans may be reborrowed.

         Section 2.2 Reduction of the Commitment Amounts. The Commitment Amounts
are subject to reduction from time to time pursuant to this Section 2.2.

                  2.2.1 Optional. (a) The Borrower may, from time to time on any
Business Day occurring after the Effective Date, voluntarily reduce the amount
of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, the Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount
or the Letter of Credit Commitment Amount on the Business Day so specified by
the Borrower; provided, however, that all such reductions shall require at least
one Business Day's prior notice to the Administrative Agent and be permanent,
and any partial reduction of any Commitment Amount shall be in a minimum amount
of $500,000 and in an integral multiple of $100,000. Any optional or mandatory
reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement which reduces the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount below the sum of
(i) the Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount and (ii) the Letter of Credit
Commitment Amount shall result in an automatic and corresponding reduction of
the Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount and/or Letter of Credit Commitment Amount
(as directed by the Borrower in a notice to the Administrative Agent delivered
together with the notice of such voluntary reduction in the Revolving Loan
Commitment Amount or, in the absence of such direction, pro rata based upon the
respective amounts thereof) to an aggregate amount not in excess of the
Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, as so reduced, without any further action on
the part of the Swing Line Lender or the Issuer.

                  (b) In the event of refusals by a Lender to consent to
         proposed amendments, modifications or waivers with respect to this
         Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders as provided
         in Section 10.1.2, the Borrower shall have the right, upon three (3)
         Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (which
         notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the
         Lenders), to terminate the entire Revolving Loan Commitment of such
         Lender, so long as all Loans, together with accrued and unpaid
         interest, fees and all other amounts, due and owing to such Lender are
         repaid concurrently with the effectiveness of such termination. At such
         time, such Lender shall no longer constitute a "Lender" for purposes of
         this Agreement, except with respect to indemnifications under this
         Agreement which shall survive as to such repaid Lender.

                  2.2.2 Mandatory. Following the prepayment in full of the Term
A Loans, the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount shall, without any further action,
automatically and permanently be reduced on the date such Term A Loans would
otherwise have been required to be prepaid pursuant to clause (d) through (f) of
Section 3.1.1 and Section 3.1.2, in an amount equal to the amount by which such
Term A Loans would otherwise be required to be prepaid if such Term A Loans had
been outstanding.

                                       36
<PAGE>   70

         Section 2.3 Borrowing Procedures. Loans (other than Swing Line Loans)
shall be made by the Lenders in accordance with Section 2.3.1, and Swing Line
Loans shall be made by the Swing Line Lender in accordance with Section 2.3.2.

                  2.3.1 Borrowing Procedure. In the case of Loans other than
Swing Line Loans, by delivering a Borrowing Request to the Administrative Agent
not later than 2:00 p.m. on a Business Day, the Borrower may from time to time
irrevocably request, on not less than one Business Day's notice in the case of
Base Rate Loans, or three Business Days' notice in the case of Eurodollar Rate
Loans, and in either case not more than five Business Days' notice, that a
Borrowing be made, in the case of either Eurodollar Rate Loans or Base Rate
Loans, in a minimum amount of either $1,000,000 or the unused amount of the
applicable Commitment; provided, however, that, subject to the Borrower's right
to convert such Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans pursuant to Section 2.4, all of
the Loans made on the Effective Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans; and
provided, further, that prior to the earlier to occur of (a) the 60th day after
the Effective Date and (b) the date on which the Administrative Agent reasonably
determines that the primary syndication of the Loans has been completed (with
the Administrative Agent agreeing to promptly notify the Borrower of such
determination) (the "Syndication Period"), no Loan may be made as, or converted
into, a Eurodollar Rate Loan with an Interest Period in excess of one month
(with all such Interest Periods ending on the same day during such period). On
the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, each Borrowing shall
be comprised of the type of Loans, and shall be made on the Business Day,
specified in such Borrowing Request. In the case of Loans other than Swing Line
Loans, not later than 1:00 p.m. on such Business Day each Lender that has a
Commitment to make the Loans being requested shall deposit with the
Administrative Agent same day funds in an amount equal to such Lender's
Percentage of the requested Borrowing. Such deposit will be made to an account
which the Administrative Agent shall specify from time to time by notice to the
Lenders. To the extent funds are received from the Lenders, the Administrative
Agent shall promptly make such funds available to the Borrower by wire transfer
to the accounts the Borrower shall have specified in its Borrowing Request. No
Lender's obligation to make any Loan shall be affected by any other Lender's
failure to make any Loan.

                  2.3.2 Swing Line Loans. (a) By telephonic notice to the Swing
Line Lender not later than 1:00 p.m. on a Business Day (followed (within one
Business Day) by the delivery of a confirming Borrowing Request), the Borrower
may from time to time irrevocably request that Swing Line Loans be made by the
Swing Line Lender in an aggregate minimum principal amount of $50,000. All Swing
Line Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans and shall not be entitled to be
converted into Eurodollar Rate Loans. The proceeds of each Swing Line Loan shall
be made available by the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower by wire transfer to
the account the Borrower shall have specified in its notice therefor not later
than 4:00 p.m. on the Business Day telephonic notice is received by the Swing
Line Lender.

                      (b) If (i) any Swing Line Loan shall be outstanding for
         more than three Business Days, (ii) any Swing Line Loan is or will be
         outstanding on a date when the Borrower requests that a Revolving Loan
         be made, or (iii) any Default shall occur and be continuing, then each
         Revolving Loan Lender (other than the Swing Line Lender) irrevocably
         agrees that it will, at the request of the Swing Line Lender, make a
         Revolving Loan (which shall initially be funded as a Base Rate Loan) in
         an amount equal to such Lender's Revolving Loan Percentage of the
         aggregate principal amount of all such Swing

                                       37
<PAGE>   71

         Line Loans then outstanding (such outstanding Swing Line Loans
         hereinafter referred to as the "Refunded Swing Line Loans"). Not later
         than 1:00 p.m. on the first Business Day following receipt by each
         Revolving Loan Lender of a request to make Revolving Loans as provided
         in the preceding sentence, each Revolving Loan Lender shall deposit in
         an account specified by the Swing Line Lender the amount so requested
         in same day funds and such funds shall be applied by the Swing Line
         Lender to repay the Refunded Swing Line Loans. At the time the
         Revolving Loan Lenders make the above referenced Revolving Loans the
         Swing Line Lender shall be deemed to have made, in consideration of the
         making of the Refunded Swing Line Loans, Revolving Loans in an amount
         equal to the Swing Line Lender's RL Percentage of the aggregate
         principal amount of the Refunded Swing Line Loans. Upon the making (or
         deemed making, in the case of the Swing Line Lender) of any Revolving
         Loans pursuant to this clause (b), the amount so funded shall become
         outstanding under such Revolving Loan Lender's Revolving Note and shall
         no longer be owed under the Swing Line Note. All interest payable with
         respect to any Revolving Loans made (or deemed made, in the case of the
         Swing Line Lender) pursuant to this clause (b) shall be appropriately
         adjusted to reflect the period of time during which the Swing Line
         Lender had outstanding Swing Line Loans in respect of which such
         Revolving Loans were made. Each Revolving Loan Lender's obligation to
         make the Revolving Loans referred to in this clause (b) shall be
         absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
         circumstance, including (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
         defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing
         Line Lender, any Obligor or any Person for any reason whatsoever; (ii)
         the occurrence or continuance of any Default; (iii) any adverse change
         in the condition (financial or otherwise) of any Obligor; (iv) the
         acceleration or maturity of any Obligations or the termination of any
         Commitment after the making of any Swing Line Loan; (v) any breach of
         any Loan Document by any Person; or (vi) any other circumstance,
         happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the
         foregoing.

         Section 2.4 Continuation and Conversion Elections. Subject to the
second proviso in the first sentence of Section 2.3.1, by delivering a
Continuation/ Conversion Notice to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00
p.m. on a Business Day, the Borrower may from time to time irrevocably elect, on
not less than one Business Day's notice in the case of conversions into Base
Rate Loans, or three Business Days' notice in the case of continuations of or
conversions into Eurodollar Rate Loans, and in either case not more than five
Business Days' notice, that all, or any portion in an aggregate minimum amount
of $500,000 be, in the case of Base Rate Loans, converted into Eurodollar Rate
Loans or be, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, converted into Base Rate
Loans or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans (in the absence of delivery of a
Continuation/Conversion Notice with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loan at least
three Business Days (but not more than five Business Days) before the last day
of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, such Eurodollar Rate
Loan shall, on such last day, automatically convert to a Base Rate Loan);
provided, however, that (x) each such conversion or continuation shall be pro
rated among the applicable outstanding Loans of all Lenders that have made such
Loans, and (y) no portion of the outstanding principal amount of any Loans may
be continued as, or be converted into, Eurodollar Rate Loans when any Payment
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or when any other
Default has occurred and is continuing to the extent the Administrative Agent or
Required Lenders have notified the Borrower that the

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<PAGE>   72

occurrence and continuance of such Default shall prevent the Borrower from so
continuing or converting such Loans.

         Section 2.5 Funding. Each Lender may, if it so elects, fulfill its
obligation to make, continue or convert Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder by
causing one of its foreign branches or Affiliates (or an international banking
facility created by such Lender) to make or maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loan;
provided, however, that such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall nonetheless be deemed to
have been made and to be held by such Lender, and the obligation of the Borrower
to repay such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall nevertheless be to such Lender for the
account of such foreign branch, Affiliate or international banking facility. In
addition, for purposes of any determination to be made for purposes of Section
4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, it shall be conclusively assumed that each Lender elected
to fund all Eurodollar Rate Loans by purchasing Dollar deposits in its LIBOR
Office's interbank eurodollar market (as such office may be changed from time to
time pursuant to Section 4.11 or otherwise).

         Section 2.6 Issuance Procedures. By delivering to the Administrative
Agent an Issuance Request not later than 12:00 noon on a Business Day, the
Borrower may from time to time irrevocably request on not less than three nor
more than ten Business Days' notice, in the case of an initial issuance of a
Letter of Credit and not less than three Business Days' prior notice, in the
case of a request for the extension of the Stated Expiry Date of a Letter of
Credit (in each case, unless a shorter notice period is agreed to by the Issuer,
in its sole discretion), that the Issuer issue, or extend the Stated Expiry Date
of, a Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower (whether issued for the account
of or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor) in such form as may
be requested by the Borrower and approved by the Issuer (such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld), solely for the purposes described in Section 7.1.7.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any separate
application for any Letter of Credit, the Borrower hereby acknowledges and
agrees that it shall be deemed to be the obligor for purposes of each such
Letter of Credit issued hereunder (whether the account party on such Letter of
Credit is the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor) and shall be obligated to
reimburse the Issuer in accordance with the reimbursement provisions herein.
Each Letter of Credit shall by its terms be stated to expire on a date (its
"Stated Expiry Date") no later than the earlier to occur of (i) 30 days prior to
the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date in the case of standby Letters of
Credit or 10 days prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date in the
case of trade Letters of Credit or (ii) (A) unless otherwise agreed to by the
Issuer in its sole discretion 364 days from the date of its issuance in the case
of trade Letters of Credit or (B) (1) with respect to standby Letters of Credit
having Letter of Credit Outstandings at any time of $5,000,000 or less in the
aggregate, the date 10 days prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
Date and (2) unless otherwise agreed to by the Issuer in its sole discretion,
548 days from the date of its issuance in the case of all other standby Letters
of Credit, provided, however that each standby Letter of Credit may without
violating this clause (ii) provide by its terms that it will be automatically
extended for additional successive periods of up to one (1) year on terms
acceptable to the Issuer of such Letter of Credit.

                  2.6.1 Other Lenders' Participation. Upon the issuance of each
Letter of Credit, and without further action, each Revolving Loan Lender (other
than the Issuer) shall be deemed to have irrevocably purchased, to the extent of
its RL Percentage of such Letter of Credit, a participation interest in such
Letter of Credit (including the Contingent Liability and any Reimbursement
Obligation with respect thereto), and such Revolving Loan Lender shall, to the

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<PAGE>   73

extent of its RL Percentage of such Letter of Credit, be responsible for
reimbursing within one Business Day the Issuer for Reimbursement Obligations
which have not been reimbursed by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.6.3.
In addition, such Revolving Loan Lender shall be entitled to receive its RL
Percentage of the Letter of Credit fees payable pursuant to Section 3.3.3 with
respect to each Letter of Credit (other than the issuance fees payable to the
Issuer of such Letter of Credit pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3.3.3)
and of interest payable pursuant to Section 2.6.2 with respect to any
Reimbursement Obligation. To the extent that any Revolving Loan Lender has
reimbursed the Issuer for a Disbursement, such Lender shall be entitled to
receive its ratable portion of any amounts subsequently received (from the
Borrower or otherwise) in respect of such Disbursement.

                  2.6.2 Disbursements. The Issuer will notify the Borrower and
the Administrative Agent promptly of the presentment for payment of any Letter
of Credit issued by the Issuer, together with notice of the date (the
"Disbursement Date") such payment shall be made (each such payment, a
"Disbursement"). Subject to the terms and provisions of such Letter of Credit
and this Agreement, the Issuer shall make such payment to the beneficiary (or
its designee) of such Letter of Credit. Not later than 12:00 noon on the first
Business Day following the Disbursement Date, the Borrower will reimburse the
Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuer, for all amounts which the
Issuer has disbursed under such Letter of Credit in good faith, together with
interest thereon at a rate per annum equal to the rate per annum then in effect
for Base Rate Loans (with the then Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans
accruing on such amount) pursuant to Section 3.2 for the period from the
Disbursement Date through the date of such reimbursement. Without limiting in
any way the foregoing and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein or in any separate application for any Letter of Credit, the Borrower
hereby acknowledges and agrees that it shall be obligated to reimburse the
Issuer upon each Disbursement of a Letter of Credit made by the Issuer in good
faith, and it shall be deemed to be the obligor for purposes of each such Letter
of Credit issued hereunder (whether the account party on such Letter of Credit
is the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor).

                  2.6.3 Reimbursement. The obligation (a "Reimbursement
Obligation") of the Borrower under Section 2.6.2 to reimburse the Issuer with
respect to each Disbursement (including interest thereon), and, upon the failure
of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuer, each Revolving Loan Lender's obligation
under Section 2.6.1 to reimburse the Issuer, shall be absolute and unconditional
under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or
defense to payment which the Borrower or such Revolving Loan Lender, as the case
may be, may have or have had against the Issuer or any Lender, including any
defense based upon the failure of any Disbursement to conform to the terms of
the applicable Letter of Credit (if, in the Issuer's good faith opinion, such
Disbursement is determined to be appropriate) or any non-application or
misapplication by the beneficiary of the proceeds of such Letter of Credit so
long as such Disbursement is made in good faith; provided, however, that after
paying in full its Reimbursement Obligation hereunder, nothing herein shall
adversely affect the right of the Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be,
to commence any proceeding against the Issuer for any wrongful Disbursement made
by the Issuer under a Letter of Credit as a result of acts or omissions
constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuer.

                  2.6.4 Deemed Disbursements. Upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of any Default under Section 8.1.9 or upon notification by the
Administrative Agent (acting at

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<PAGE>   74
the direction of the Required Lenders) to the Borrower of its obligations under
this Section, following the occurrence and during the continuation of any other
Event of Default,

                  (a) the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit
         shall, without demand upon or notice to the Borrower or any other
         Person, be deemed to have been paid or disbursed by the Issuer of such
         Letters of Credit (notwithstanding that such amount may not in fact
         have been paid or disbursed); and

                  (b) the Borrower shall be immediately obligated to deposit
         with the Issuer the amount deemed to have been so paid or disbursed by
         the Issuer.

Amounts payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be deposited in
immediately available funds with the Administrative Agent and held as collateral
security for the Reimbursement Obligations. When all Defaults giving rise to the
deemed disbursements under this Section have been cured or waived the
Administrative Agent shall return to the Borrower all amounts then on deposit
with the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section which have not been
applied to the satisfaction of actual Reimbursement Obligations not arising by
operation of this Section 2.6.4.

                  2.6.5 Nature of Reimbursement Obligations. Each Obligor and,
to the extent set forth in Section 2.6.1, each Revolving Loan Lender shall
assume all risks of the acts, omissions or misuse of any Letter of Credit by the
beneficiary thereof. The Issuer (except to the extent of its own bad faith,
gross negligence or willful misconduct) shall not be responsible for:

                  (a) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or
         legal effect of any Letter of Credit or any document submitted by any
         party in connection with the application for and issuance of a Letter
         of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects
         invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged;

                  (b) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or
         legal effect of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting
         to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits
         thereunder or the proceeds thereof in whole or in part, which may prove
         to be invalid or ineffective for any reason;

                  (c) failure of the beneficiary to comply fully with conditions
         required in order to demand payment under a Letter of Credit;

                  (d) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission
         or delivery of any messages, by mail, telecopier, cable, telegraph,
         telex or otherwise; or

                  (e) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any
         document or draft required in order to make a Disbursement under a
         Letter of Credit.

                  2.6.6 Existing Letters of Credit. The Existing Letters of
Credit were issued pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement and were the only
letters of credit issued under the Existing Credit Agreement which were
outstanding as of the Effective Date. The Borrower, Issuer and each of the
Lenders hereby agree with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit that such
Existing Letters of Credit, for all purposes under this Agreement, including,
without limitation, Sections 2.6.1 and 2.6.3, shall be deemed to be Letters of
Credit governed by the

                                       41
<PAGE>   75
terms and conditions of this Agreement and for purposes of Section 3.3.3 hereof
(provided that the fee called for by the proviso to the second sentence thereof
shall be payable on the dates such fee was payable under the Existing Credit
Agreement), shall be deemed to be issued on the Effective Date. Each Revolving
Loan Lender agrees to participate in each Existing Letter of Credit issued by
the Issuer to the extent of its RL Percentage of such Existing Letter of Credit.

         Section 2.7 Register; Notes.

                      (a) Each Lender may maintain in accordance with its usual
         practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the
         Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender,
         including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to
         such Lender from time to time hereunder. In the case of a Lender that
         does not request, pursuant to Section 2.7(c) below, execution and
         delivery of a Note evidencing the Loans made by such Lender to the
         Borrower, such account or accounts shall, to the extent not
         inconsistent with the notations made by the Administrative Agent in the
         Register, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower absent manifest
         error; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender to maintain
         such account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect any Loan
         Obligations of the Borrower or any other Obligor.

                      (b) The Borrower hereby designates the Administrative
         Agent to serve as the Borrower's agent, solely for the purpose of this
         clause (b), to maintain a register (the "Register") in which the
         Administrative Agent will record each Lender's Commitments, the Loans
         made by each Lender and each repayment in respect of the principal
         amount of the Loans of each Lender and annexed to which the
         Administrative Agent shall retain a copy of each Lender Assignment
         Agreement delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
         10.11.1. Failure to make any recordation, or any error in such
         recordation, shall not affect the Borrower's obligation in respect of
         such Loans. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the
         absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent
         and the Lenders shall treat each Person in whose name a Loan (and as
         provided in Section 2.7(c) the Note evidencing such Loan, if any) is
         registered as the owner thereof for all purposes of this Agreement,
         notwithstanding notice or any provision herein to the contrary. A
         Lender's Commitment and the Loans made pursuant thereto may be assigned
         or otherwise transferred in whole or in part only by registration of
         such assignment or transfer in the Register. Any assignment or transfer
         of a Lender's Commitment and/or the Loans made pursuant thereto shall
         be registered in the Register only upon delivery to the Administrative
         Agent of a Lender Assignment Agreement duly executed by the assignor
         and assignee thereof. No assignment or transfer of a Lender's
         Commitment or the Loans made pursuant thereto shall be effective unless
         such assignment or transfer shall have been recorded in the Register by
         the Administrative Agent as provided in this Section.

                      (c) The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the
         Administrative Agent by any Lender, the Borrower will execute and
         deliver to such Lender, as applicable, a Revolving Note, Term A Note
         and/or Swing Line Note evidencing the Loans made by such Lender. The
         Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes each Lender to make (or cause to
         be made) appropriate notations on the grid attached to such Lender's
         Notes (or on any continuation of such grid), which notations, if made,
         shall evidence,

                                       42
<PAGE>   76
         inter alia, the date of, the outstanding principal amount of, and the
         interest rate and Interest Period applicable to the Loans evidenced
         thereby. Such notations shall, to the extent not inconsistent with the
         notations made by the Administrative Agent in the Register, be
         conclusive and binding on the Borrower absent manifest error; provided,
         however, that the failure of any Lender to make any such notations or
         any error in any such notation shall not limit or otherwise affect any
         Loan Obligations of any Obligor. The Loans evidenced by any such Note
         and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment
         pursuant to Section 10.11.1) be represented by one or more Notes
         payable to the order of the payee named therein and its registered
         assigns. A Note and the obligation evidenced thereby may be assigned or
         otherwise transferred in whole or in part only by registration of such
         assignment or transfer of such Note and the obligation evidenced
         thereby in the Register (and each Note shall expressly so provide). Any
         assignment or transfer of all or part of an obligation evidenced by a
         Note shall be registered in the Register only upon surrender for
         registration of assignment or transfer of the Note evidencing such
         obligation, accompanied by a Lender Assignment Agreement duly executed
         by the assignor thereof, and thereupon, if requested by the assignee,
         one or more new Notes shall be issued to the designated assignee and
         the old Note shall be returned by the Administrative Agent to the
         Borrower marked "exchanged". No assignment of a Note and the obligation
         evidenced thereby shall be effective unless it shall have been recorded
         in the Register by the Administrative Agent as provided in this
         Section.

         Section 2.8 Additional Facility; Increase in Facilities.

                  (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time (so long as
         (x) no Default or Event of Default then exists and (y) the Borrower
         shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Compliance
         Certificate for the period of four full Fiscal Quarters immediately
         preceding the incurrence described below (prepared in good faith and in
         a manner and using such methodology which is consistent with the most
         recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1) giving
         pro forma effect to such incurrence and evidencing compliance with the
         covenants set forth in Section 7.2.4 and a pro forma Leverage Ratio of
         not more than 2.00:1.0 as of the last day of such period, and from time
         to time after the Syndication Period to incur from one or more existing
         Lenders and/or other Persons that are eligible to be Assignee Lenders
         and which, in each case, agree to make such loans to the Borrower,
         loans and commitments to make loans in an aggregate principal amount
         not to exceed $75,000,000 minus the amount of Subordinated Debt in
         excess of $25,000,000 incurred in accordance with Section 7.2.2(k),
         which loans may be incurred either (i) as one or more tranches of
         additional term loans (the "Additional Term Loans") as determined by
         the Administrative Agent that are pari passu in all respects to the
         Loans made pursuant to Section 2.1.3 under a facility that would
         provide that the Additional Term Loans would have an average life to
         maturity and a final maturity no earlier than Term A Loans or (ii) as
         additional Revolving Loan Commitments and Revolving Loans (the
         "Additional Revolving Loans" and together with the Additional Term
         Loans, the "Additional Loans").

                  (b) In the event that the Borrower desires to incur Additional
         Loans, it will enter into an amendment with the lenders (who shall by
         execution thereof become Lenders hereunder if not theretofore Lenders)
         to provide for such Additional Loans,

                                       43
<PAGE>   77
         which amendment shall set forth any terms and conditions of the
         Additional Loans not covered by this Agreement (including, without
         limitation, the conversion to Base Rate Loans of any outstanding
         Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar Rate Loans and corresponding
         payment of any breakage costs pursuant to Section 4.4 in the case of an
         amendment providing for Additional Revolving Loans) as agreed by the
         Borrower and such Lenders, and shall provide for the issuance of
         promissory notes to evidence the Additional Loans if requested by the
         lenders advancing Additional Loans (which notes shall constitute Notes
         for purposes of this Agreement), with such amendment to be in form and
         substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and
         consistent with the terms of this Section 2.8(b) and of the other
         provisions of this Agreement. No consent of any Lender (other than any
         Lender making Additional Loans) is required to permit the Loans
         contemplated by this Section 2.8(b) or the aforesaid amendment to
         effectuate the Additional Loans.

                                  ARTICLE III
                   REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, INTEREST AND FEES

         Section 3.1 Repayments and Prepayments; Application. The Borrower
agrees that the Loans shall be repaid and prepaid pursuant to the following
terms.

                3.1.1 Repayments and Prepayments. The Borrower shall repay in
full the unpaid principal amount of each Loan upon the applicable Stated
Maturity Date therefor. Prior thereto, payments and prepayments of Loans shall
or may be made as set forth below.

                      (a) From time to time on any Business Day, the Borrower
         may make a voluntary prepayment, in whole or in part, of the
         outstanding principal amount of any

                            (i) Loans (other than Swing Line Loans); provided,
                      however, that (A) any such prepayment of the Term A Loans
                      shall be made pro rata among Term A Loans of the same type
                      and, if applicable, having the same Interest Period of all
                      Lenders that have made such Term A Loans (to be applied as
                      set forth in Section 3.1.2) and any such prepayment of
                      Revolving Loans shall be made pro rata among the Revolving
                      Loans of the same type and, if applicable, having the same
                      Interest Period of all Lenders that have made such
                      Revolving Loans; (B) all such voluntary prepayments shall
                      require at least one but no more than five Business Days'
                      prior written notice to the Administrative Agent given no
                      later than 12:00 noon; and (C) all such voluntary partial
                      prepayments shall be, in the case of Eurodollar Rate
                      Loans, in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and, in
                      the case of Base Rate Loans, in an aggregate minimum
                      amount of $100,000; and

                            (ii) Swing Line Loans; provided, that (A) all such
                      voluntary prepayments shall require prior telephonic
                      notice to the Swing Line Lender not later than 1:00 p.m.
                      (or such later time as may be agreed by the Swing Line
                      Lender) on the day of such prepayment (such notice to be
                      confirmed in writing within 24 hours thereafter); and (B)
                      all such

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<PAGE>   78

                      voluntary partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate
                      minimum amount of $50,000.

                      (b) On each date when the sum of (i) the aggregate
         outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Loans and Swing Line
         Loans and (ii) the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit
         Outstandings exceeds the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount (as it may be
         reduced from time to time pursuant to this Agreement), the Borrower
         shall make a mandatory prepayment of Revolving Loans or Swing Line
         Loans (or both) and, if necessary, Cash Collateralize Letter of Credit
         Outstandings, in an aggregate amount equal to such excess.

                      (c) On the Stated Maturity Date with respect to the Term A
         Loans and on each Quarterly Payment Date occurring during each period
         set forth below, the Borrower shall make a scheduled repayment of the
         aggregate outstanding principal amount, if any, of all Term A Loans in
         an amount equal to the amount set forth below opposite such Stated
         Maturity Date or period during which such Quarterly Payment Date
         occurs, as applicable (in each case as such amount may have been
         reduced pursuant to Section 3.1.2(b)):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Amount of Required
                                       Period                                   Principal Repayment
                                       ------                                   -------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>
                  Effective Date through (and including) 6/30/02                    $2,250,000.00
                  7/1/02 through (and including) 6/30/03                            $3,000,000.00
                  7/1/03 through (and including) 6/30/04                            $4,500,000.00
                  7/1/04 through (and including) 3/31/05                            $5,250,000.00
                  Stated Maturity Date for Term A Loans                             $5,250,000.00
                                                                     or, if different, the then outstanding
                                                                     principal amount of all Term A Loans
</TABLE>

                      (d) The Borrower shall, following the receipt by the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Casualty Proceeds in excess of
         $2,000,000 (individually or in the aggregate when taken together with
         all other Casualty Proceeds and all Net Disposition Proceeds) over the
         course of a Fiscal Year deliver to the Administrative Agent a
         calculation of the amount of such Casualty Proceeds and make a
         mandatory prepayment of the Term A Loans in an amount equal to 100% of
         such Casualty Proceeds within 30 days of the receipt thereof to be
         applied as set forth in Section 3.1.2; provided, however, that (i) no
         mandatory prepayment on account of Casualty Proceeds (other than
         proceeds of business interruption insurance) shall be required under
         this clause if the Borrower informs the Administrative Agent in writing
         no later than 30 days following the occurrence of the Casualty Event
         resulting in such Casualty Proceeds of its or such Subsidiary's good
         faith intention to apply such Casualty Proceeds to the rebuilding or
         replacement of the damaged, destroyed or condemned assets or property
         or to otherwise reinvest such proceeds in assets or property which will
         be used or useful in the business then conducted by the Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries and the Borrower or such Subsidiary

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<PAGE>   79
         in fact uses such Casualty Proceeds to rebuild, replace or acquire such
         assets or property within 360 days following the receipt of such
         Casualty Proceeds, with the amount of such Casualty Proceeds unused
         after such 360-day period being applied to the repayment of Term A
         Loans pursuant to Section 3.1.2 and (ii) no mandatory prepayment on
         account of proceeds of business interruption insurance shall be
         required under this clause if the Borrower informs the Administrative
         Agent in writing promptly following the receipt of such proceeds of its
         or such Subsidiary's good faith intention to expend such proceeds in
         the maintenance of the businesses then conducted by the Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries and/or reinvest such proceeds in assets or property
         that will be used or useful in such businesses and the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary in fact so uses such proceeds within 360 days following the
         receipt of such proceeds, with the amount of such proceeds not so used
         within such 360-day period being applied to the repayment of Term A
         Loans pursuant to Section 3.1.2; provided, further, however, that at
         any time when any Payment Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing, all Casualty Proceeds (together with Net
         Disposition Proceeds not applied as provided in clause (e) below) shall
         be deposited in an account maintained with the Administrative Agent to
         pay for such rebuilding, replacement or use whenever no Payment Default
         or Event of Default is then continuing or except as otherwise agreed to
         by the Administrative Agent for disbursement at the request of the
         Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

                      (e) The Borrower shall, following the receipt by the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Net Disposition Proceeds in excess of
         $2,000,000 (individually or in the aggregate when taken together with
         all other Net Disposition Proceeds and all Casualty Proceeds) over the
         course of a Fiscal Year deliver to the Administrative Agent a
         calculation of the amount of such Net Disposition Proceeds and make a
         mandatory prepayment of the Term A Loans in an amount equal to 100% of
         such Net Disposition Proceeds within one Business Day of the receipt
         thereof to be applied as set forth in Section 3.1.2; provided, however,
         that no mandatory prepayment on account of Net Disposition Proceeds
         shall be required under this clause if the Borrower informs the
         Administrative Agent in writing promptly following the receipt of such
         Net Disposition Proceeds of its or such Subsidiary's good faith
         intention to reinvest such Net Disposition Proceeds in assets or
         property that will be used or useful in its business and the Borrower
         or such Subsidiary in fact so reinvests such Net Disposition Proceeds
         within 360 days following the receipt of such Net Disposition Proceeds,
         with the amount of such Net Disposition Proceeds not so reinvested
         after such 360-day period being applied to the repayment of Term A
         Loans pursuant to Section 3.1.2; provided, further, however, that at
         any time when any Payment Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing, all Net Disposition Proceeds (together with
         Casualty Proceeds not applied as provided in clause (d) above) shall be
         deposited in an account maintained with the Administrative Agent to be
         so used whenever no Payment Default or Event of Default is then
         continuing or except as otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent
         for disbursement at the request of the Borrower.

                      (f) Concurrently with the receipt by the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of any Net Debt Proceeds, the Borrower shall deliver to the
         Administrative Agent a calculation of the amount of such Net Debt
         Proceeds, and make a mandatory prepayment of the Term A Loans in an
         amount equal to 100% of such Net Debt Proceeds, to be applied as set
         forth in Section 3.1.2.

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<PAGE>   80

                      (g) Immediately upon any acceleration of the Stated
         Maturity Date of any Loans pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3, the
         Borrower shall repay all the Loans, unless, pursuant to Section 8.3,
         only a portion of all the Loans is so accelerated (in which case the
         portion so accelerated shall be so repaid).

                      (h) In the event of refusals by a Lender to consent to
         proposed amendments, modifications or waivers with respect to this
         Agreement which have been approved by the Required Lenders as provided
         in Section 10.1.2, the Borrower shall have the right, upon three (3)
         Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent (which
         notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the
         Lenders), to repay all Loans, together with accrued and unpaid
         interest, fees and all other amounts due and owing to such Lender in
         accordance with said Section 10.1.2, so long as (A) in the case of the
         repayment of Revolving Loans of any Revolving Loan Lender pursuant to
         this clause (h), the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Revolving Loan
         Lender is terminated concurrently with such repayment pursuant to
         Section 2.2.1(b) and (B) in the case of the repayment of Loans of any
         Lender, the consents required by Section 10.1.2 in connection with the
         repayment pursuant to this clause (h) shall have been obtained.

Each prepayment of any Loans made pursuant to this Section shall be without
premium or penalty, except as may be required by Section 4.4.

                  3.1.2 Application. Amounts prepaid pursuant to Section 3.1.1
shall be applied as set forth in this Section.

                      (a) Subject to clause (b), each prepayment or repayment of
         the principal of the Loans shall be applied, to the extent of such
         prepayment or repayment, first, to the principal amount thereof being
         maintained as Base Rate Loans, and second, subject to the terms of
         Section 4.4, to the principal amount thereof being maintained as
         Eurodollar Rate Loans.

                      (b) Each prepayment of Term A Loans made pursuant to
         clauses (a), (d), (e), and (f) of Section 3.1.1 shall be applied (i)
         first, to a mandatory prepayment of the outstanding principal amount of
         all Term A Loans (with the amount of such prepayment of the Term A
         Loans being applied to the remaining scheduled amortization payments of
         the Term A Loans pro rata in accordance with the amount of each such
         remaining Term A Loan amortization payments after giving effect to all
         prior reductions thereto (provided, however, that any voluntary
         prepayments of Term A Loans, pursuant to clause (a) of Section 3.1.1
         may, at the Borrower's discretion, instead be applied to the remaining
         scheduled amortization payments of the Term A Loans in direct order of
         maturity)), and (ii) second, once all Term A Loans have been repaid in
         full, to the repayment of any outstanding Revolving Loans and, in the
         case of prepayments pursuant to clause (d), (e) or (f) of Section
         3.1.1, to a reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount in
         accordance with Section 2.2.2.

         Section 3.2 Interest Provisions. Interest on the outstanding principal
amount of Loans shall accrue and be payable by the Borrower in accordance with
the terms set forth below.

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<PAGE>   81

                  3.2.1 Rates. Subject to Section 2.3.2, pursuant to an
appropriately delivered Borrowing Request or Continuation/Conversion Notice, the
Borrower may elect that Loans comprising a Borrowing accrue interest at a rate
per annum:

                      (a) on that portion maintained from time to time as a Base
         Rate Loan, equal to the sum of the Alternate Base Rate from time to
         time in effect plus the Applicable Margin; provided that all Swing Line
         Loans shall always accrue interest at the then effective Applicable
         Margin for Revolving Loans maintained as Base Rate Loans; and

                      (b) on that portion maintained as a Eurodollar Rate Loan,
         during each Interest Period applicable thereto, equal to the sum of the
         Eurodollar Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for such Interest Period plus the
         Applicable Margin.

All Eurodollar Rate Loans shall bear interest from and including the first day
of the applicable Interest Period to (but not including) the last day of such
Interest Period at the interest rate determined as applicable to such Eurodollar
Rate Loan.

                  3.2.2 Post-Maturity Rates. After the date any principal amount
of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation is due and payable (whether on the
Stated Maturity Date, upon acceleration or otherwise), or after any other
monetary Obligation of the Borrower shall have become due and payable, the
Borrower shall pay interest (after as well as before judgment) on such
delinquent amounts at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate from
time to time in effect, plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans, plus a
margin of 2%.

                  3.2.3 Payment Dates. Interest accrued on each Loan shall be
payable, without duplication:

                      (a) on the Stated Maturity Date therefor;

                      (b) on the date of any payment or prepayment, in whole or
         in part, of principal outstanding on such Loan on the principal amount
         so paid or prepaid;

                      (c) with respect to Base Rate Loans, on each Quarterly
         Payment Date occurring after the Effective Date;

                      (d) with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, on the last day
         of each applicable Interest Period (and, if such Interest Period shall
         exceed three months, on the date occurring on each three-month interval
         occurring after the first day of such Interest Period);

                      (e) with respect to any Base Rate Loans converted into
         Eurodollar Rate Loans on a day when interest would not otherwise have
         been payable pursuant to clause (c), on the date of such conversion;
         and

                      (f) on that portion of any Loans the Stated Maturity Date
         of which is accelerated pursuant to Section 8.2 or Section 8.3,
         immediately upon such acceleration.

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<PAGE>   82

Interest accrued on Loans or other monetary Loan Obligations after the date such
amount is due and payable (whether on the Stated Maturity Date, upon
acceleration or otherwise) shall be payable upon demand.

         Section 3.3 Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay the fees set forth below.
All such fees shall be non-refundable.

                  3.3.1 Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Loan Lender, for the
period (including any portion thereof when the Revolving Loan Commitment is
suspended by reason of the Borrower's inability to satisfy any condition of
Section 5.1 or 5.2) commencing on the Effective Date and continuing through the
Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, a commitment fee in an amount equal
to the Commitment Fee, in each case on such Lender's Percentage of the sum of
the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount (with
Letter of Credit Outstandings and Swing Line Loans outstanding being deemed
usage thereof for purposes of this Section 3.3.1). All commitment fees payable
pursuant to this Section shall be calculated on a year comprised of 365 days or,
if appropriate, 366 days and payable by the Borrower in arrears on each
Quarterly Payment Date, commencing with the first Quarterly Payment Date
following the Effective Date and on the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
Date.

                  3.3.2 Agent's Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay the fees in the
amounts and on the dates set forth in the Agent's Fee Letter.

                  3.3.3 Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent, for the pro rata account of each Revolving Loan Lender, a
Letter of Credit fee in an amount per annum equal to the then effective
Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans maintained as Eurodollar Rate Loans,
multiplied by the Stated Amount of each such Letter of Credit, such fees being
payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date following the date
of issuance of each Letter of Credit and on the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date. The Borrower further agrees to pay to the Issuer (subject to
the proviso to this sentence) quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment
Date following the date of each issuance and extension of each Letter of Credit
issued or extended by the Issuer and on the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date, a facing fee in an amount equal to 1/8 of 1% per annum on the
Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit; provided that, if on the date any Letter
of Credit is issued and on each anniversary thereof the facing fee which would
accrue with respect to such Letter of Credit over the succeeding 365 days
(assuming such Letter of Credit would remain undrawn until its Stated Expiry
Date) would be less than $500, the Borrower shall pay the Issuer a facing fee of
$500 with respect to such Letter of Credit in advance on the date of such
issuance or anniversary. In addition to the fees described in the preceding two
sentences of this Section 3.3.3, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Issuer its
customary processing fees for issuing, modifying and making payment under each
Letter of Credit. All Letter of Credit fees payable pursuant to this Section
shall be calculated on a year comprised of 365 days or, if applicable, 366 days.

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<PAGE>   83

                                   ARTICLE IV
                  CERTAIN EURODOLLAR RATE AND OTHER PROVISIONS

         Section 4.1 Eurodollar Rate Lending Unlawful. If any Lender shall in
good faith determine (which determination shall, upon notice thereof to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent, be conclusive and binding on the
Borrower) that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of
any law makes it unlawful, or any Governmental Authority asserts that it is
unlawful, for such Lender to make or continue any Loan as, or to convert any
Loan into, a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the obligations of such Lender to make,
continue or convert any such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall, upon such
determination, forthwith be suspended until such Lender shall notify the
Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer
exist, and all outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans payable to such Lender shall
automatically convert into Base Rate Loans at the end of the then current
Interest Periods with respect thereto or sooner, if required by such law or
assertion.

         Section 4.2 Deposits Unavailable. If the Administrative Agent shall
have determined that

                      (a) Dollar deposits in the relevant amount and for the
         relevant Interest Period are not available to it in the interbank
         eurodollar market; or

                      (b) by reason of circumstances affecting the interbank
         eurodollar market, adequate means do not exist for ascertaining the
         interest rate applicable hereunder to Eurodollar Rate Loans;

then, upon notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower and the Lenders,
the obligations of all Lenders under Section 2.3 and Section 2.4 to make or
continue any Loans as, or to convert any Loans into, Eurodollar Rate Loans shall
forthwith be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower
and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.

         Section 4.3 Increased Eurodollar Rate Loan Costs, etc. The Borrower
agrees to reimburse each Secured Party for any increase in the cost to such
Secured Party of, or any reduction in the amount of any sum receivable by such
Secured Party in respect of, such Secured Party's Commitments and the making of
Credit Extensions hereunder (including the making, continuing or maintaining (or
of its obligation to make or continue) any Loans as, or of converting (or of its
obligation to convert) any Loans into, Eurodollar Rate Loans) that arise in
connection with any change in, or the introduction, adoption, effectiveness,
interpretation, reinterpretation or phase-in after the Effective Date of, any
law or regulation, directive, guideline, decision or request (whether or not
having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority, except for such changes
with respect to increased capital costs and Taxes which are governed by Sections
4.5 and 4.6, respectively. Each affected Secured Party shall promptly notify the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing of the occurrence of any such
event, stating, in reasonable detail, the reasons therefor and the additional
amount required fully to compensate such Secured Party for such increased cost
or reduced amount. Such additional amounts shall be payable by the Borrower
directly to such Secured Party within five days of its receipt of such notice,
and such notice shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and
binding on the Borrower.

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<PAGE>   84

         Section 4.4 Funding Losses. In the event any Lender shall incur any
loss or expense (including any loss or expense incurred by reason of the
liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender
to make or continue any portion of the principal amount of any Loan as, or to
convert any portion of the principal amount of any Loan into, a Eurodollar Rate
Loan (but excluding any loss of margin after the date of the relevant
conversion, repayment, prepayment or failure to borrow, continue or convert) as
a result of

                      (a) any conversion or repayment or prepayment of the
         principal amount of any Eurodollar Rate Loan on a date other than the
         scheduled last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, whether
         pursuant to Article III or otherwise;

                      (b) any Loans not being made as Eurodollar Rate Loans in
         accordance with the Borrowing Request therefor; or

                      (c) any Loans not being continued as, or converted into,
         Eurodollar Rate Loans in accordance with the Continuation/Conversion
         Notice therefor;

then, upon the written notice of such Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall, within five days of its receipt
thereof, pay directly to such Lender such amount as will (in the reasonable
determination of such Lender) reimburse such Lender for such loss or expense.
Such written notice shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and
binding on the Borrower.

         Section 4.5 Increased Capital Costs. If any change in, or the
introduction, adoption, effectiveness, interpretation, reinterpretation or
phase-in of, any law or regulation, directive, guideline, decision or request
(whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority affects
or would affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by
any Secured Party or any Person controlling such Secured Party, and such Secured
Party determines (in its good faith discretion) that the rate of return on its
or such controlling Person's capital as a consequence of the Commitments or the
Credit Extensions made, or the Letters of Credit participated in, by such
Secured Party is reduced to a level below that which such Secured Party or such
controlling Person could have achieved but for the occurrence of any such
circumstance, then upon notice from time to time by such Secured Party to the
Borrower, the Borrower shall within five days following receipt of such notice
pay directly to such Secured Party additional amounts sufficient to compensate
such Secured Party or such controlling Person for such reduction in rate of
return. A statement of such Secured Party as to any such additional amount or
amounts and setting forth in reasonable detail the calculation thereof shall, in
the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower. In
determining such amount, such Secured Party may use any reasonable method of
averaging and attribution that it (in its sole and absolute discretion) shall
deem applicable; provided that such Secured Party may not impose materially
greater costs on the Borrower than on any similarly situated borrower by virtue
of any such averaging or attribution method.

         Section 4.6 Taxes. The Borrower covenants and agrees as follows with
respect to Taxes.

                      (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower under each Loan
         Document shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or other defense,
         and free and clear of, and

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<PAGE>   85

         without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any Taxes. In
         the event that any Taxes are required by law to be deducted or withheld
         from any payment required to be made by the Borrower to or on behalf of
         any Secured Party under any Loan Document, then:

                            (i) subject to clause (f), if such Taxes are
                      Non-Excluded Taxes, the amount of such payment shall be
                      increased as may be necessary such that such payment is
                      made, after withholding or deduction for or on account of
                      such Taxes, in an amount that is not less than the amount
                      provided for in such Loan Document; and

                            (ii) the Borrower shall withhold the full amount of
                      such Taxes from such payment (as increased pursuant to
                      clause (a) (i)) and shall pay such amount to the
                      Governmental Authority imposing such Taxes in accordance
                      with applicable law.

                      (b) In addition, the Borrower shall pay any and all Other
         Taxes imposed to the relevant Governmental Authority imposing such
         Other Taxes in accordance with applicable law.

                      (c) As promptly as practicable after the payment of any
         Taxes or Other Taxes, and in any event within 45 days of any such
         payment being due, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative
         Agent a copy of an official receipt (or a certified copy thereof)
         evidencing the payment of such Taxes or Other Taxes. The Administrative
         Agent shall make copies thereof available to any Lender upon request
         therefor.

                      (d) Subject to clause (f), the Borrower shall indemnify
         each Secured Party for any Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes levied,
         imposed or assessed on (and whether or not paid directly by) such
         Secured Party (whether or not such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes
         are correctly or legally asserted by the relevant Governmental
         Authority). Promptly upon having knowledge that any such Non-Excluded
         Taxes or Other Taxes have been levied, imposed or assessed, and
         promptly upon notice thereof by any Secured Party, the Borrower shall
         pay such Non-Excluded Taxes or Other Taxes directly to the relevant
         Governmental Authority (provided, however, that no Secured Party shall
         be under any obligation to provide any such notice to the Borrower). In
         addition, the Borrower shall indemnify each Secured Party for any
         incremental Taxes that may become payable by such Secured Party as a
         result of any failure of the Borrower to pay any Taxes when due to the
         appropriate Governmental Authority (except to the extent such
         incremental Taxes result solely from the failure of the Secured Party
         to give notice to the Borrower of Taxes subject to indemnity under this
         clause (d) and the Borrower did not otherwise have knowledge of such
         Taxes) or to deliver to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to clause
         (c), documentation evidencing the payment of Taxes or Other Taxes. With
         respect to indemnification for Non-Excluded Taxes and Other Taxes
         actually paid by any Secured Party or the indemnification provided in
         the immediately preceding sentence, such indemnification shall be made
         within 30 days after the date such Secured Party makes written demand
         therefor. The Borrower acknowledges that any payment made to any
         Secured Party or to any Governmental Authority in respect of the

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<PAGE>   86
         indemnification obligations of the Borrower provided in this clause
         shall constitute a payment in respect of which the provisions of clause
         (a) and this clause shall apply.

                      (e) Each Non-Domestic Lender, on or prior to the date on
         which such Non-Domestic Lender becomes a Lender hereunder (and from
         time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the
         Administrative Agent, but only for so long as such Non-Domestic Lender
         is legally entitled to do so), shall deliver to the Borrower and the
         Administrative Agent either

                            (i) two duly completed copies of either (A) Internal
                      Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or (B) Internal Revenue
                      Service Form W-8ECI, or in either case an applicable
                      successor form; or

                            (ii) in the case of a Non-Domestic Lender that is
                      not legally entitled to deliver either form listed in
                      clause (e)(i), (x) a certificate of a duly authorized
                      officer of such Non-Domestic Lender to the effect that
                      such Non-Domestic Lender is not (A) a "bank" within the
                      meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a "10
                      percent shareholder" of the Borrower within the meaning of
                      Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a controlled
                      foreign corporation receiving interest from a related
                      person within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the
                      Code (such certificate, an "Exemption Certificate") and
                      (y) two duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service
                      Form W-8BEN or applicable successor form.

                      (f) The Borrower shall not be obligated to gross up any
         payments to any Lender pursuant to clause (a)(i), or to indemnify any
         Lender pursuant to clause (d), in respect of United States federal
         withholding taxes to the extent imposed as a result of (i) the failure
         of such Lender to deliver to the Borrower the form or forms and/or an
         Exemption Certificate, as applicable to such Lender, pursuant to clause
         (e), (ii) such form or forms and/or Exemption Certificate not
         establishing a complete exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax or
         the information or certifications made therein by the Lender being
         untrue or inaccurate on the date delivered in any material respect, or
         (iii) the Lender designating a successor lending office at which it
         maintains its Loans which has the effect of causing such Lender to
         become obligated for tax payments in excess of those in effect
         immediately prior to such designation; provided, however, that the
         Borrower shall be obligated to gross up any payments to any such Lender
         pursuant to clause (a)(i), and to indemnify any such Lender pursuant to
         clause (d), in respect of United States federal withholding taxes if
         (i) any such failure to deliver a form or forms or an Exemption
         Certificate or the failure of such form or forms or Exemption
         Certificate to establish a complete exemption from U.S. federal
         withholding tax or inaccuracy or untruth contained therein resulted
         from a change in any applicable statute, treaty, regulation or other
         applicable law or any case law, revenue ruling or notice or
         pronouncement by a Governmental Authority interpreting any of the
         foregoing occurring after the Effective Date, which change rendered
         such Lender no longer legally entitled to deliver such form or forms or
         Exemption Certificate or otherwise ineligible for a complete exemption
         from U.S. federal withholding tax, or rendered the information or
         certifications made in such form or forms or Exemption Certificate
         untrue or inaccurate in a material respect or (ii) the obligation to
         gross up payments to any such Lender

                                       53
<PAGE>   87
         pursuant to clause (a)(i) or to indemnify any such Lender pursuant to
         clause (d) is with respect to an Assignee Lender that becomes an
         Assignee Lender as a result of an assignment made at the request of the
         Borrower.

                      (g) If the Administrative Agent or any Lender receives a
         refund in respect of Taxes as to which it has been grossed up by the
         Borrower pursuant to clause (a)(i) or indemnified by the Borrower
         pursuant to clause (d) and the Administrative Agent or the Lender, as
         applicable, determines in its sole, good faith judgment that such
         refund is attributable to such gross up or indemnification, then the
         Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, shall pay such
         amount to the Borrower as the Lender or the Administrative Agent
         determines to be the proportion of the refund as will leave it, after
         such payment, in no better or worse financial position with respect to
         Tax liabilities and related expenses than it would have been in absent
         such payment. Neither the Lenders nor the Administrative Agent shall be
         obligated to disclose information regarding its tax affairs or
         computations to the Borrower in connection with this clause (g) or any
         other provision of this Section 4.6.

         Section 4.7 Payments, Computations, etc. Unless otherwise expressly
provided in a Loan Document, all payments by the Borrower pursuant to each Loan
Document shall be made by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent for the pro
rata account of the Secured Parties entitled to receive such payment. All
payments shall be made without setoff, deduction or counterclaim not later than
12:00 noon on the date due in same day or immediately available funds to such
account as the Administrative Agent shall specify from time to time by notice to
the Borrower. Funds received after that time shall be deemed to have been
received by the Administrative Agent on the next succeeding Business Day. The
Administrative Agent shall promptly remit in same day funds to each Secured
Party its share, if any, of such payments received by the Administrative Agent
for the account of such Secured Party. All interest (other than interest on
Eurodollar Rate Loans) and fees shall be computed on the basis of the actual
number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring
during the period for which such interest or fee is payable over a year
comprised of 365 days or, if appropriate, 366 days. All interest on Eurodollar
Rate Loans shall be computed on the basis of actual number of days (including
the first day but excluding the last day), occurring during the period for which
such interest or fee is payable over a year comprised of 360 days. Payments due
on other than a Business Day shall (except as otherwise required by clause (c)
of the definition of the term "Interest Period") be made on the next succeeding
Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing interest
and fees in connection with that payment.

         Section 4.8 Sharing of Payments. If any Secured Party shall obtain any
payment or other recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of
setoff or otherwise) on account of any Credit Extension or Reimbursement
Obligation (other than pursuant to the terms of Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 or 4.6)
in excess of its pro rata share of payments obtained by all Secured Parties,
such Secured Party shall purchase from the other Secured Parties such
participations in Credit Extensions made by them as shall be necessary to cause
such purchasing Secured Party to share the excess payment or other recovery
ratably (to the extent such other Secured Parties were entitled to receive a
portion of such payment or recovery) with each of them; provided, however, that
if all or any portion of the excess payment or other recovery is thereafter
recovered from such purchasing Secured

                                       54
<PAGE>   88

Party, the purchase shall be rescinded and each Secured Party which has sold a
participation to the purchasing Secured Party shall repay to the purchasing
Secured Party the purchase price to the ratable extent of such recovery together
with an amount equal to such selling Secured Party's ratable share (according to
the proportion of (a) the amount of such selling Secured Party's required
repayment to the purchasing Secured Party to (b) total amount so recovered from
the purchasing Secured Party) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by
the purchasing Secured Party in respect of the total amount so recovered. The
Borrower agrees that any Secured Party purchasing a participation from another
Secured Party pursuant to this Section may, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, exercise all its rights of payment (including pursuant to Section 4.9) with
respect to such participation as fully as if such Secured Party were the direct
creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation. If under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law any Secured Party
receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section applies, such
Secured Party shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect
of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Secured
Parties entitled under this Section to share in the benefits of any recovery on
such secured claim.

         Section 4.9 Setoff. Each Secured Party shall, upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of any Event of Default described in clauses (a) through
(d) of Section 8.1.9 or, with the consent of the Required Lenders, upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, have the
right to appropriate and apply to the payment of the Obligations owing to it
(whether or not then due), and (as security for such Obligations) the Borrower
hereby grants to each Secured Party a continuing security interest in, any and
all balances, credits, deposits, accounts or moneys of the Borrower then or
thereafter maintained with such Secured Party; provided, however, that any such
appropriation and application shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4.8.
Each Secured Party agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Secured Party;
provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such setoff and application. The rights of each Secured Party under
this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other
rights of setoff under applicable law or otherwise) which such Secured Party may
have.

         Section 4.10 Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender (an "Affected
Lender") (x) makes a demand upon the Borrower for (or if the Borrower is
otherwise required to pay) amounts pursuant to Section 4.3, 4.5 or 4.6 (and the
payment of such amounts are more onerous in the reasonable judgment of the
Borrower than with respect to the other Lenders), or gives notice pursuant to
Section 4.1 requiring a conversion of such Affected Lender's Eurodollar Rate
Loans to Base Rate Loans or suspending such Lender's obligation to make Loans
as, or to convert Loans into, Eurodollar Rate Loans, or (y) is then subject to a
Lender Default, the Borrower may, within 30 days of receipt by the Borrower of
such demand or notice, as the case may be, give notice (a "Replacement Notice")
in writing to the Administrative Agent and such Affected Lender of its intention
to replace such Affected Lender with a financial institution or other Person (a
"Replacement Lender") designated in such Replacement Notice; provided, however,
that no Replacement Notice may be given by the Borrower and no such replacement
may occur if (i) such replacement conflicts or would conflict with any
applicable law or regulation, (ii) unless the Administrative Agent otherwise
consents, any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time
of the giving of such notice or the time of such replacement or (iii) prior to
the giving of such notice or the time of any such replacement, such Lender, in
the Borrower's reasonable judgment, shall have taken any necessary action under
Section 4.3, 4.5 or 4.6 (if applicable) so as to eliminate the continued need
for payment of amounts owing pursuant to Section 4.3, 4.5 or 4.6 or shall have
cured the failure or other event that resulted in any

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<PAGE>   89
relevant Lender Default. If the Administrative Agent shall, in the exercise of
its reasonable discretion and within five Business Days of its receipt of such
Replacement Notice, notify the Borrower and such Affected Lender in writing that
the Replacement Lender is satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (such consent
not being required where the Replacement Lender is already a Lender), then such
Affected Lender shall, subject to the payment of any amounts due to the Affected
Lender pursuant to Section 4.4, assign, in accordance with Section 10.11.1, all
of its Commitments, Loans, Notes (if any) and other rights and obligations under
this Agreement and all other Loan Documents (including Reimbursement
Obligations, if applicable) to such Replacement Lender; provided, however, that
(i) such assignment shall be without recourse, representation or warranty and
shall be on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to such Affected Lender
and such Replacement Lender, (ii) the purchase price paid by such Replacement
Lender shall be in the amount of such Affected Lender's Loans and its Percentage
of outstanding Reimbursement Obligations, together with all accrued and unpaid
interest and fees in respect thereof, plus all other amounts (including the
amounts demanded and unreimbursed under Sections 4.3, 4.5 and 4.6), owing to
such Affected Lender hereunder and (iii) the Borrower shall pay to the Affected
Lender and the Administrative Agent to the extent so requested all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Affected Lender and the Administrative
Agent in connection with such assignment and assumption (including the
processing fees described in Section 10.11.1). Upon the effective date of an
assignment described above, the Replacement Lender shall become a "Lender" for
all purposes under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

         Section 4.11 Change of Lending Office. Each Lender agrees that if it
makes any demand for payment under Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 or 4.6, or if any
introduction or change of the type described in Section 4.1 shall occur with
respect to it, it will use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal
policy and legal and regulatory restrictions and so long as such efforts would
not be disadvantageous to it, as determined in its sole discretion) to designate
a different lending office if the making of such a designation would reduce or
obviate the need for the Borrower to make payments under Section 4.3, 4.4, 4.5
or 4.6, or would eliminate or reduce the effect of any introduction or change
described in Section 4.1.

                                   ARTICLE V
                         CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

         Section 5.1 Effective Date. The effectiveness of this Agreement shall
be subject to the prior or concurrent satisfaction of each of the conditions
precedent set forth in this Section 5.1.

                  5.1.1 Resolutions, etc. The Administrative Agent shall have
received from each Obligor, as applicable, (i) a copy of a good standing
certificate, dated a date reasonably close to the Effective Date, for each such
Person and (ii) a certificate, dated the Effective Date, duly executed and
delivered by such Person's Secretary or Assistant Secretary, managing member or
general partner, as applicable, as to

                      (a) resolutions of each such Person's Board of Directors
         (or other managing body, in the case of other than a corporation) then
         in full force and effect authorizing, to the extent relevant, all
         aspects of the Transactions applicable to such Person and the
         execution, delivery and performance of each Loan Document to be
         executed by such Person and the transactions contemplated hereby and
         thereby;

                                       56
<PAGE>   90

                      (b) the incumbency and signatures of those of its
         officers, managing member or general partner, as applicable, authorized
         to act with respect to each Loan Document to be executed by such Person
         (each, an "Authorized Officer"); and

                      (c) the full force and validity of each Organic Document
         of such Person and copies thereof;

upon which certificates each Secured Party may conclusively rely until it shall
have received a further certificate of the Secretary, Assistant Secretary,
managing member or general partner, as applicable, of any such Person canceling
or amending the prior certificate of such Person.

                  5.1.2 Transactions Consummated. (a) The Dividend Payments, the
Contributions and the Mergers, shall have been duly approved by the Board of
Directors and (if required by applicable law) the shareholders and/or any other
organizational bodies of the parties thereto, and all Reorganization Documents
shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and shall be
in full force and effect. The structure and all terms of the Dividend Payments,
the Contribution and the Mergers and all Reorganization Documents shall be
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent. Each
material condition precedent to the obligations of each Person party to the
Reorganization Agreement to consummate the Mergers as set forth in the
Reorganization Documents shall have been satisfied to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Administrative Agent or waived with the consent of the
Administrative Agent, and the Dividend Payments, the Contributions and the
Mergers shall have been consummated in accordance with the Delaware General
Corporation Law and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act in all material
respects and all other material requirements of applicable law (including the
filing of the Certificates of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware with respect to the First Step Merger and the Second Step Merger) and
with the Reorganization Documents (without giving effect to any material
amendment, modification or waiver with respect thereto unless consented to by
the Administrative Agent).

                      (b) The Borrower shall have received gross cash proceeds
         in an aggregate amount of not less than $100,000,000 from the IPO. All
         terms and conditions (and the documentation) in connection with the IPO
         shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                      (c) The structure and all terms of the Sub Debt Prepayment
         and all Sub Debt Prepayment Documents (including an amendment to the
         Subordinated Loan Agreement in form and substance reasonably
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) shall be reasonably
         satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent. The
         Borrower shall have consummated the Sub Debt Prepayment pursuant to the
         terms of the Sub Debt Prepayment Documents (without giving effect to
         any amendment, modification or waiver with respect thereto unless
         consented to by the Administrative Agent). In the event that the gross
         cash proceeds from the IPO on the Effective Date exceed $105,000,000,
         the Borrower may, in its discretion, increase the amount of
         Subordinated Loans to be redeemed pursuant to the Sub Debt Prepayment
         by an amount equal to the lesser of $20,000,000 and the amount of such
         excess (rounded to the nearest multiple of $1,000,000), together with
         premium in an aggregate amount reasonably satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent.

                                       57
<PAGE>   91

                      (d) The Borrower shall have made the Prepayment in
         accordance with the terms of the Existing Credit Agreement and the AAR
         Agreement, including the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and
         fees and any breakage costs pursuant to Section 4.4 of the Existing
         Credit Agreement.

                      (e) The fees and expenses incurred by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries, with respect to the Transactions shall not exceed
         $18,500,000.

                  5.1.3 Revolving Loans; Cash on Hand. After giving effect to
the Transactions, the Borrower shall not have outstanding Revolving Loans or
Swing Line Loans in excess of $20,000,000 in the aggregate.

                  5.1.4 Closing Date Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall
have received the Borrower Closing Date Certificate, dated the Effective Date
and duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, in
which certificate the Borrower shall agree and acknowledge that the statements
made therein shall be deemed to be true and correct representations and
warranties of the Borrower as of such date, and, at the time such certificate is
delivered, such statements shall in fact be true and correct in all material
respects. All material documents and agreements required to be appended to the
Borrower Closing Date Certificate shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  5.1.5 Delivery of Notes. The Administrative Agent shall have
received, for the account of each Lender, such Lender's Note or Notes duly
executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

                  5.1.6 Payment of Outstanding Indebtedness, etc. On the
Effective Date and after giving effect to the IPO, neither the Borrower nor any
of its Subsidiaries shall have any existing Indebtedness other than (i) the Loan
Obligations, (ii) existing Subordinated Debt in an aggregate principal amount
not exceeding $45,000,000 and (iii) other indebtedness existing prior to giving
effect to the Transactions incurred in accordance with the Existing Credit
Agreement which is not being repaid in connection with the Transactions or which
is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  5.1.7 Effective Date Fees, Expenses, etc. The Administrative
Agent shall have received for its account, or for the account of each Lender, as
the case may be, all fees, costs and expenses due and payable in accordance with
the Agent's Fee Letter and pursuant to Section 3.3 and, to the extent invoiced,
Section 10.3.

                  5.1.8 Financial Information, Material Adverse Change. (a) The
Administrative Agent shall have received, with counterparts for each Lender, and
be reasonably satisfied with the form and scope (which shall be consistent with
the financial statements previously delivered to the Administrative Agent) of

                            (i) unaudited consolidated financial statements of
                      GEEG and its Subsidiaries, including balance sheets and
                      income and cash flow statements, as of the end of and for
                      each of the first three Fiscal Months in 2001 certified as
                      complete and correct by the chief financial or accounting
                      Authorized Officer of the Borrower;

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<PAGE>   92

                            (ii) consolidated pro forma balance sheet of the
                      Borrower, as of the end of the most recently available
                      Fiscal Month of the Borrower occurring prior to the
                      Effective Date, certified by the chief financial or
                      accounting Authorized Officer of the Borrower, giving
                      effect to the consummation of the Transactions and the
                      other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
                      Transaction Documents to be consummated on the Effective
                      Date and reflecting estimated transaction related
                      accounting adjustments and the proposed corporate and
                      capital structures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
                      prepared in accordance in all material respects with
                      Regulation S-X; and

                            (iii) projected financial statements (including
                      balance sheets and statements of operations, stockholders'
                      equity and cash flows) of the Borrower and its
                      Subsidiaries for the five-year period following the
                      Effective Date, in form and substance reasonably
                      satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (the
                      "Projections").

                      (b) Since December 31, 2000, nothing shall have occurred
         which is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the
         rights or remedies of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, or on
         the ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to perform their
         obligations to the Lenders or which is reasonably likely to constitute
         or give rise to any material adverse change in the business,
         operations, prospects or financial condition of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  5.1.9 Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall have
received opinions, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Administrative
Agent and all Lenders, from:

                      (a) White & Case LLP, counsel to the Obligors, in form and
         substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

                      (b) such opinions of local counsel to the Obligors as may
         be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, in form and
         substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  5.1.10 Filing Agent, etc. All UCC financing statements (Form
UCC-1) or other similar financing statements and UCC amendment statements (Form
UCC-3) (collectively, the "Filing Statements") required to be delivered on the
Effective Date pursuant to the Credit Documents shall have been delivered to CT
Corporation System or another similar filing service company acceptable to the
Administrative Agent (the "Filing Agent"). The Filing Agent shall have
acknowledged in a writing satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (i) the
Filing Agent's receipt of all Filing Statements, (ii) that the Filing Statements
have either been submitted for filing in the appropriate filing offices or will
be submitted for filing in the appropriate offices within ten days following the
Effective Date and (iii) that the Filing Agent will notify the Administrative
Agent of the results of such submissions within 30 days following the Effective
Date.

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<PAGE>   93

                  5.1.11 Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall
have received, with counterparts for each Lender, a certificate duly executed
and delivered by the chief financial Authorized Officer of the Borrower, dated
the Effective Date, in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto.

                  5.1.12 Security and Pledge Agreements. The Administrative
Agent shall have received, with counterparts for each Lender, each Security and
Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date and duly executed and delivered
by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor, as
applicable, together with

                      (a) certificates evidencing all of the issued and
         outstanding Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the applicable Security
         and Pledge Agreement, which certificates in each case shall be
         accompanied by undated instruments of transfer duly executed in blank,
         or, if any such shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to such
         Security and Pledge Agreement are uncertificated securities, the
         Administrative Agent shall have obtained "control" (as defined in the
         UCC) over such shares of Capital Stock) and such other instruments and
         documents as may be necessary under applicable law, in the reasonable
         opinion of the Administrative Agent, to perfect the first priority
         security interest of the Administrative Agent in such shares of Capital
         Stock; provided, however, that (i) no more than 65% of the shares of
         Capital Stock held by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower of a
         Foreign Subsidiary will be required to be pledged and (ii) no shares of
         Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary held by another Foreign
         Subsidiary will be required to be pledged to the Administrative Agent;

                      (b) all Intercompany Notes, if any, pledged pursuant to
         the Security and Pledge Agreement;

                      (c) executed copies of Filing Statements naming each such
         Obligor as a debtor and the Administrative Agent as the secured party,
         or other similar instruments or documents to be filed under the Uniform
         Commercial Code of all jurisdictions, as the Administrative Agent may
         reasonably require to perfect the security interests (or maintain the
         perfected security interests) of the Administrative Agent pursuant to
         the Security and Pledge Agreement;

The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that (i) the Lien granted to the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the collateral
described above is a first priority (or local equivalent thereof) security
interest subject only to Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.3; and (ii) no
Lien exists on any of the collateral described above other than the Lien created
in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties,
pursuant to a Loan Document and Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.3.

                  5.1.13 Foreign Pledge Agreements. All Foreign Pledge
Agreements (if any), or amendments thereto, shall have been duly executed and
delivered by all parties thereto and shall remain in full force and effect, and
all Liens granted to the Administrative Agent thereunder shall be duly perfected
to provide the Administrative Agent with a security interest in and Lien on all
collateral granted thereunder free and clear of other Liens, except to the
extent consented to by the Administrative Agent.

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<PAGE>   94

                  5.1.14 Patent Security Agreement, Copyright Security Agreement
and Trademark Security Agreement. The Administrative Agent shall have received
the Patent Security Agreement, the Copyright Security Agreement and the
Trademark Security Agreement, as applicable, each dated as of the Effective
Date, duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of each Obligor that
has delivered a Security and Pledge Agreement.

                  5.1.15 Mortgage Amendments. Amendments to all existing
Mortgages shall have been duly executed and delivered by all parties thereto,
and all Liens granted to the Administrative Agent thereunder shall remain in
full force and effect, and all Liens granted to the Administrative Agent
thereunder shall be duly perfected to provide the Administrative Agent with a
security interest in and Lien on all collateral granted thereunder free and
clear of other Liens, except to the extent consented to by the Administrative
Agent.

                  5.1.16 Perfection Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall
have received updated Perfection Certificates, dated as of the Effective Date,
duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of each Obligor that is a
party to a Security and Pledge Agreement.

                  5.1.17 Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received
insurance certificates, from one or more insurance companies reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, evidencing coverage required to be
maintained pursuant to the Loan Documents.

                  5.1.18 Litigation. There shall exist no pending or threatened
action, suit, inquiry, investigation, litigation or proceeding pending or
threatened in any court or before any arbitrator or governmental instrumentality
(a) with respect to the Transactions (other than an action with respect to the
IPO that is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the IPO)
or the legality or validity of any Loan Document or any Material Document or (b)
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There shall not
exist any judgment, order, injunction or other restraint prohibiting or imposing
materially adverse conditions upon the Transactions or the related financing.

                  5.1.19 Approvals. All material governmental, shareholder and
third party consents and approvals necessary in connection with the consummation
of the Transactions, and the related financings and other transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been duly obtained and all applicable waiting
periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any competent
authority that could restrain, prevent or impose any materially adverse
conditions on the Transactions or the continued operations of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries. After giving effect to the Transactions, the financings
incurred in connection therewith and the other transactions contemplated hereby,
there shall be no conflict with, or default under, any material agreement of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the Transaction Documents).

         Section 5.2 All Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender and
the Issuer to make any Credit Extension (including the initial Credit Extension)
shall be subject to, and the satisfaction of, each of the conditions precedent
set forth below.

                  5.2.1 Compliance with Warranties, No Default, etc. At the time
of each Credit Extension and after giving effect thereto:

                      (a) the representations and warranties set forth in each
         Loan Document shall, in each case, be true and correct in all material
         respects with the same

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<PAGE>   95
        effect as if then made (unless stated to relate to a specified earlier
        date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true
        and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date); and

                      (b) no Default shall have then occurred and be continuing.

                  5.2.2 Credit Extension Request, etc. Subject to Section 2.3.2,
the Administrative Agent shall have received a Borrowing Request if Loans are
being requested, or an Issuance Request if a Letter of Credit is being requested
or extended. Each of the delivery of a Borrowing Request or Issuance Request and
the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such Credit Extension shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that on the date of
such Credit Extension (both immediately before and after giving effect to such
Credit Extension and the application of the proceeds thereof) the statements
made in Section 5.2.1 are true and correct in all material respects.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         In order to induce the Secured Parties to enter into this Agreement and
to make Credit Extensions hereunder, the Borrower makes the following
representations, warranties and agreements as of the Effective Date (both before
and after giving effect to the Credit Extensions occurring on such date and
after giving effect to the Transactions, and all references to the Secured
Parties herein and elsewhere in this Agreement, shall, unless otherwise
specifically indicated, be references to the Secured Parties after giving effect
to the Transactions) and as of the date of each Credit Extension, which
representations, warranties and agreements shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Notes and the occurrence of each Credit
Extension (with the occurrence of each Credit Extension being deemed to
constitute a representation and warranty that the matters specified in this
Article VI are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date
of such Credit Extension unless, in the case of a Credit Extension subsequent to
the Closing Date, such representations and warranties are stated to relate to a
specific earlier date in which case such representations and warranties shall be
true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

         Section 6.1 Organization, etc. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower (i) is validly organized and existing and in good standing under the
laws of the state or jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (ii) is
duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign entity in
each jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification
and where the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect) and (iii) has full corporate, partnership or limited
liability company power and authority, as the case may be, to own and hold under
lease its property and to conduct its business substantially as currently
conducted by it.

         Section 6.2 Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, etc. The execution,
delivery and performance by each Obligor of each Loan Document executed or to be
executed by it, each such Obligor's participation in the consummation of all
aspects of the Transactions, and the execution, delivery and performance by such
Obligor of the agreements executed and delivered by it in connection with the
Transactions are in each case within each such Person's corporate, partnership
or limited liability company powers, as the case may be, have been duly
authorized

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<PAGE>   96
by all necessary corporate, partnership or limited liability company action, as
the case may be, and do not

                      (a) contravene any (i) Obligor's Organic Documents, (ii)
         material contractual restriction binding on or affecting any Obligor,
         (iii) court decree or order binding on or affecting any Obligor or (iv)
         material law or governmental regulation binding on or affecting any
         Obligor; or

                      (b) result in, or require the creation or imposition of,
         any Lien on any Obligor's properties (except as permitted by this
         Agreement).

         Section 6.3 Government Approval, Regulation, etc. No material
authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with,
any Governmental Authority or other Person (other than those that have been, or
on the Effective Date, will be, or, in the case of Filing Statements delivered
on the Effective Date, will be within 10 days of the Effective Date, duly
obtained or made and which are, or on the Effective Date will be, or, in the
case of Filing Statements delivered on the Effective Date, will be within 10
days of the Effective Date, in full force and effect) is required for (a) the
due execution, delivery or performance by any Obligor of any Loan Document to
which it is a party or (b) the due execution, delivery and/or performance by any
Obligor of the Transaction Documents to which each is a party, or (c) the
conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as currently
conducted following the Closing Date. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, or a "holding company", or a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of
a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", within the meaning of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

         Section 6.4 Validity, etc. Each Loan Document and the Transaction
Documents to which each Obligor is a party constitute, or will, on the due
execution and delivery thereof by such Obligor, constitute, the legal, valid and
binding obligations of such Obligor, enforceable against it in accordance with
their respective terms (except, in any case, as such enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by principles of equity).

         Section 6.5 Financial Information.

                      (a) The financial statements furnished to the
         Administrative Agent and each Lender pursuant to Section 5.1.8(a)(i)
         and Section 7.1.1(b) of the Existing Credit Agreement have been
         prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and present
         fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial condition of
         the Persons and/or businesses covered thereby as at the dates thereof
         and the results of their operations for the periods then ended.

                      (b) The pro forma balance sheets furnished to the
         Administrative Agent and each Lender pursuant to Section 5.1.8(a)(ii)
         fairly presents in all material respects the pro forma estimated
         financial condition of the Borrower as of such date giving effect to
         the Transactions.

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<PAGE>   97

                      (c) The Projections were prepared by the Borrower in good
         faith on the basis of information and assumptions that the Borrower and
         its senior management believed to be reasonable as of the date of the
         Projections (it being understood that projections are not to be viewed
         as facts and that actual results during the period covered by the
         Projections may differ from projected results and such differences may
         be material).

                      (d) All balance sheets, all statements of operations,
         shareholders' equity and cash flow and all other financial information
         relating to the Borrower furnished pursuant to Section 7.1.1 have been
         and will for periods following the Effective Date be prepared in
         accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and present fairly in all
         material respects the consolidated financial condition of the Persons
         covered thereby as at the dates thereof and the results of their
         operations for the periods then ended.

         Section 6.6 No Material Adverse Change. There has been no material
adverse change in the business, operations, financial condition or prospects of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since December 31, 2000.

         Section 6.7 Litigation. There is no pending or, to the knowledge of the
Borrower, threatened litigation, action or proceeding

                      (a) affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
         any of their respective properties, businesses, assets or revenues,
         which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
         or

                      (b) which purports to affect the legality, validity or
         enforceability of any Loan Document, any Material Document (other than
         the Subordinated Debt Documents) or the Transactions.

         Section 6.8 Labor Matters. There is no labor strike, work stoppage,
lockout or other work action or other labor controversy, and no such dispute or
controversy is actually pending or, to the Borrower's or any of its
Subsidiaries' knowledge, threatened against or affecting the Borrower of any of
its Subsidiaries that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         Section 6.9 Subsidiaries. The Borrower has no Subsidiaries, except
those Subsidiaries

                      (a) which are identified in Item 6.9 of the Disclosure
         Schedule; or

                      (b) which are permitted to have been organized or acquired
         in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Item 6.9 of the Disclosure Schedule (a) lists, with respect to each Subsidiary,
(i) the state or jurisdiction of such Subsidiary's incorporation or organization
and (ii) the percentage of shares of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary owned
by the Borrower or another Subsidiary, (b) identifies each Subsidiary which is a
Foreign Subsidiary and (c) identifies each Subsidiary which is a Non-Material
Subsidiary.

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<PAGE>   98

         Section 6.10 Ownership of Properties. The Borrower and each Subsidiary
of the Borrower maintains (a) in the case of owned real property, good and
marketable fee title to, (b) in the case of material owned personal property,
good and valid title to, or (c) in the case of material leased real or personal
property, valid and enforceable leasehold interests (as the case may be) in, all
of its properties and assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible, of any
nature whatsoever, free and clear in each case of all Liens or claims, except
for Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.3. Item 6.10 of the Disclosure
Schedule contains a complete and accurate description, by owner/lessor and
location (by street address) of all owned and/or leased real properties as of
the Effective Date (as supplemented from time to time with information provided
by the Borrower in the Compliance Certificate delivered by the Borrower to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (c) of Section 7.1.1; provided, that
Item 6.10 shall not be required to be supplemented at any time other than such
times as the Compliance Certificate is delivered or required to be delivered
hereunder.

         Section 6.11 Taxes. Except as disclosed in Item 6.11 of the Disclosure
Schedule, each of Holdings, GEEG, the Borrower and each of their respective
Subsidiaries has filed all material Tax returns and reports required by law to
have been filed by it, has withheld all material Taxes that were required to be
withheld in respect of compensation or other amounts paid to any employee or
independent contractor (or, in the case of independent contractors, Holdings,
GEEG, the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary has the right to indemnification
with respect thereto) and has paid all material Taxes and governmental charges
thereby shown or required to be due and owing, except any such Taxes or charges
which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set
aside on its books.

         Section 6.12 Pension and Welfare Plans. During the
twelve-consecutive-month period prior to the date of the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and prior to the date of any Credit Extension hereunder, no
steps have been taken to terminate any Pension Plan, and no contribution failure
has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien
under Section 302(f) of ERISA, that could (individually or in the aggregate)
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No condition exists or
event or transaction has occurred with respect to any Pension Plan which could
reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence by the Borrower or any member
of the Controlled Group of any material liability, fine or penalty, that could
(individually or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has
any contingent liability with respect to any post-retirement benefit under a
Welfare Plan, other than liability for continuation coverage described in Part 6
of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, which could reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect.

         Section 6.13 Environmental Warranties. The Borrower represents and
warrants that:

                      (a) all facilities and property (including underlying
         groundwater) owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         have been, and continue to be, owned or leased by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in material compliance with all Environmental Laws;

                      (b) there have been no past, and there are no pending or
         threatened () claims, complaints, notices or requests for information
         received by the Borrower or any

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<PAGE>   99

         of its Subsidiaries with respect to any alleged violation of any
         Environmental Law, or (ii) complaints, notices or inquiries to the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries regarding potential liability under
         any Environmental Law, that could (individually or in the aggregate)
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                      (c) there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at,
         on or under any property now or previously owned or leased by the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could (individually or in the
         aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                      (d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i) have been issued
         all permits, certificates, approvals, licenses and other authorizations
         relating to environmental matters necessary for their business (except
         to the extent the failure to have such permits, certificates,
         approvals, licenses or authorizations so issued could not (individually
         or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect) and (ii) are in material compliance therewith;

                      (e) no property now or previously owned or leased by the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is listed or proposed for listing
         (with respect to owned property only) on the National Priorities List
         pursuant to CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any similar state list of
         sites requiring investigation or clean-up;

                      (f) there are no underground storage tanks, active or
         abandoned, including petroleum storage tanks, on or under any property
         now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries that could (individually or in the aggregate) reasonably
         be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

                      (g) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has
         directly transported or directly arranged for the transportation of any
         Hazardous Material to any location which is listed or proposed for
         listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, on the
         CERCLIS or on any similar state list or which is the subject of
         federal, state or local enforcement actions or other investigations
         which may lead to material claims against the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary for any remedial work, damage to natural resources or
         personal injury, including claims under CERCLA, which could
         (individually or in the aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect;

                      (h) there are no polychlorinated biphenyls or friable
         asbestos present at any property now or previously owned or leased by
         the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that could (individually or in
         the aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect; and

                      (i) no conditions exist at, on or under any property now
         or previously owned or leased by Holdings, GEEG or the Borrower or any
         of its Subsidiaries that could, with the passage of time, or the giving
         of notice or both, reasonably be expected (individually or in the
         aggregate) to have a Material Adverse Effect under any Environmental
         Law.

         Section 6.14 Accuracy of Information. None of the factual information
(which shall not for purposes of this Section 6.14 include the Projections)
heretofore or contemporaneously

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<PAGE>   100

furnished in writing to any Secured Party by or on behalf of any Obligor in
connection with any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated hereby
(including the Transactions), taken as a whole, contains any untrue statements
of material fact, or omits to state any material facts necessary in either case
to make such information taken as a whole not materially misleading in light of
the circumstances under which such information was provided, and no other
factual information hereafter furnished in connection with any Loan Document by
or on behalf of any Obligor to any Secured Party will contain any untrue
statements of material fact or will omit to state any material facts in either
case necessary to make such information taken as a whole not materially
misleading on the date as of which such information is dated or certified in
light of the circumstances under which such information was provided.

         Section 6.15 Regulations U and X. Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries is engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying margin stock, and no proceeds of any Credit Extensions
will be used to purchase or carry margin stock or otherwise for a purpose which
violates, or would be inconsistent with, F.R.S. Board Regulation U or Regulation
X. Terms for which meanings are provided in F.R.S. Board Regulation U or
Regulation X or any regulations substituted therefor, as from time to time in
effect, are used in this Section with such meanings.

         Section 6.16 Status of Obligations as Senior Indebtedness, etc. The
subordination provisions relating to the Subordinated Debt (including the
subordination provisions set forth in the Subordinated Loan Agreement) are
enforceable against the holders of the applicable Subordinated Debt by the
holder of any "Senior Indebtedness" or similar term referring to the Obligations
(as defined in the applicable Subordinated Debt Documents). All Obligations,
including those to pay principal of and interest (including interest accruing
subsequent to the filing of, or which would have accrued but for the filing of,
a petition for bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding, whether or not
allowed as a claim under such proceeding) on the Loans and Reimbursement
Obligations, and fees and expenses in connection therewith, constitute "Senior
Indebtedness" or similar term relating to the Obligations (as defined in the
applicable Subordinated Debt Documents) and all such Obligations are entitled to
the benefits of the subordination created by such Subordinated Debt Documents.
The Borrower acknowledges that the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the
Issuer is entering into this Agreement and is extending its Commitments in
reliance upon the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Debt Documents.

         Section 6.17 Solvency. After giving effect to each Credit Extension
hereunder, the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor is Solvent.

         Section 6.18 Other Representations and Warranties. All representations
and warranties made by Holdings, GEEG, the Borrower or to the best knowledge of
the Borrower, made by each other party to a Transaction Document, under such
Transaction Document and all representations and warranties made by the Borrower
under the Subordinated Debt Documents relating to the Subordinated Loans are, in
each case, true and correct in all material respects as of the Effective Date
(except to the extent any such representation and warranty is stated to relate
solely to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date) and
no material default has occurred and is continuing under any such Transaction
Document.

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<PAGE>   101

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                   COVENANTS

         Section 7.1 Affirmative Covenants. The Borrower agrees with each
Secured Party hereto that, until the Termination Date has occurred, the Borrower
will perform, or cause to be performed, the obligations set forth below.

                  7.1.1 Financial Information, Reports, Notices, etc. The
Borrower will furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Administrative Agent
copies of the following financial statements, reports, notices and information:

                      (a) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days
         after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal
         Year, the unaudited consolidated and consolidating (by operating
         segment) balance sheets of the Borrower and consolidated balance sheets
         of each operating segment of the Borrower, in each case, as of the end
         of such Fiscal Quarter and consolidated and consolidating (by operating
         segment) statements of income and cash flow of the Borrower and
         consolidated statements of income and cash flow of each operating
         segment of the Borrower, in each case, for such Fiscal Quarter and for
         the elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year ended with the end of such
         Fiscal Quarter, and including (in each case), in comparative form the
         figures for the corresponding Fiscal Quarter in, and year to date
         portion of, the immediately preceding Fiscal Year and comparable
         budgeted figures for such period, certified by the chief financial or
         accounting Authorized Officer of the Borrower, that they fairly present
         in all material respects in accordance with GAAP the financial
         condition of the Borrower, as of the date indicated and the results of
         its operations and changes in its respective cash flows for the periods
         indicated, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence
         of footnotes;

                      (b) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days
         after the end of each Fiscal Year, a copy of the consolidated and
         consolidating (by operating segment) balance sheets of the Borrower and
         the consolidated balance sheets of each operating segment of the
         Borrower, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements (by
         operating segment) of income and cash flow of the Borrower and
         consolidated statements of income and cash flow of each operating
         segment of the Borrower, in each case, for such Fiscal Year, setting
         forth in comparative form the figures for the immediately preceding
         Fiscal Year and comparable budgeted figures for such period and, in the
         case of such consolidated balance sheets and statements of income and
         cash flow of the Borrower, in each case audited (without any
         Impermissible Qualification) by a "Big Five" accounting firm or other
         independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the
         Administrative Agent, which shall include a statement that, in
         performing the examination necessary to deliver the audited financial
         statements of the Borrower, no knowledge was obtained of any Event of
         Default and, in the case of such consolidating balance sheets and
         statements of income and cash flow, certified by the chief financial or
         accounting Authorized Officer of the Borrower, that they fairly present
         in all material respects in accordance with GAAP the financial
         condition of the Borrower, as the case may be, as of the date indicated
         and the results of its operations and changes in its respective cash
         flows for the periods indicated;

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<PAGE>   102

                      (c) concurrently with the delivery of the financial
         information pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), a Compliance Certificate,
         executed by the chief financial or accounting Authorized Officer of the
         Borrower, showing compliance with the financial covenants set forth in
         Section 7.2.4 and stating that no Default has occurred and is
         continuing (or, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details of
         such Default and the action that the applicable Obligor has taken or
         proposes to take with respect thereto);

                      (d) as soon as available and in any event within 60 days
         after the end of each Fiscal Year, capital and operating budgets for
         the Borrower in form and scope customarily prepared by management for
         its internal use and consistent with past practice prepared by the
         Borrower (and approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower) for
         each Fiscal Month of the succeeding Fiscal Year prepared in reasonable
         detail with discussion of the principal assumptions upon which such
         budgets are based;

                      (e) as soon as possible and in any event within three
         Business Days after any officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge of
         the occurrence of a Default, a statement of an Authorized Officer of
         the Borrower setting forth details of such Default and the action which
         such Obligor has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

                      (f) as soon as possible and in any event within three
         Business Days after any officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge of
         the commencement of any litigation, action, proceeding or labor
         controversy or of an adverse development in any existing litigation,
         action, proceeding or labor controversy which could reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, notice thereof and, to the
         extent the Administrative Agent requests, copies of all material
         documentation relating thereto;

                      (g) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies
         of all reports, notices, prospectuses and registration statements which
         any Obligor files with the SEC or any national securities exchange;

                      (h) as soon as possible and in any event within three
         Business Days of any officer of the Borrower becoming aware of any of
         the following which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably
         be expected to result in liabilities in excess of $5,000,000 or a
         Material Adverse Effect: (i) the institution of any steps by any Person
         to terminate any Pension Plan, (ii) the failure to make a required
         contribution to any Pension Plan if such failure is sufficient to give
         rise to a Lien under Section 302(f) of ERISA, (iii) the taking of any
         action with respect to a Pension Plan which could result in the
         requirement that any Obligor furnish a bond or other security to the
         PBGC or such Pension Plan, or (iv) the occurrence of any event with
         respect to any Pension Plan which could result in the incurrence by any
         Obligor of any liability, fine or penalty, notice thereof and copies of
         all documentation relating thereto;

                      (i) promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all final
         "management letters" submitted to any Obligor by the independent public
         accountants referred to in clause (b) in connection with each audit
         made by such accountants;

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<PAGE>   103

                      (j) promptly following the mailing or receipt of any
         notice or report delivered under the terms of any Subordinated Debt
         with respect to a breach or default thereunder, copies of such notice
         or report;

                      (k) to the extent required to disclose information not
         previously disclosed pursuant to the Loan Documents concurrently with
         the delivery of the financial information pursuant to clause(b), an
         updated Perfection Certificate for each Obligor, executed by an
         Authorized Officer of such Obligor; and

                      (l) such other financial and other information as the
         Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent may from time to time
         reasonably request.

                  7.1.2 Maintenance of Existence; Compliance with Laws, etc. The
Borrower will:

                      (a) preserve and maintain (i) its legal existence and (ii)
         its qualification as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where
         the nature of its business or the location of its assets requires it to
         be so qualified, except to the extent the failure to be so qualified
         would not result in a Material Adverse Effect;

                      (b) cause each of its Subsidiaries to, except as otherwise
         permitted by Section 7.2.10, preserve and maintain its legal existence
         and qualification as a foreign entity in each jurisdiction where the
         nature of the business or the location of its assets requires it to be
         so qualified, except to the extent the failure to be so qualified would
         not result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

                      (c) comply in all material respects with all applicable
         laws, rules, regulations and orders, including the payment (before the
         same become delinquent) of all material taxes, assessments and
         governmental charges imposed upon the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries or upon their property except to the extent being
         diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for
         which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP have been set aside on
         the books of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary, as applicable.

                  7.1.3 Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain, preserve, protect and keep its and
their respective material properties in good repair, working order and condition
(ordinary wear and tear excepted), and make necessary repairs, renewals and
replacements to the extent necessary to operate the business carried on by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as it is currently conducted, unless the Borrower
or any such Subsidiary determines in good faith that the continued maintenance
of such property is no longer economically desirable.

                  7.1.4 Insurance. The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain insurance with financially sound and reputable
insurance companies, and with respect to property and risks of a character
usually maintained by Persons of comparable size engaged in the same or similar
business and similarly situated, against loss, damage and liability of the kinds
and in the amounts customarily maintained by such Persons. In any event, unless
otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, insurance will be maintained in at
least such amounts and against at least such risks as are set forth in Item
7.1.4 of the Disclosure Schedule. The Borrower

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<PAGE>   104
and its Subsidiaries shall furnish to each Lender, upon written request, full
information as to the insurance carried. At any time that insurance at levels
described in Item 7.1.4 of the Disclosure Schedule is not being maintained by an
Obligor, the Borrower will notify the Agents in writing within two (2) Business
Days thereof and, if thereafter notified by the Required Lenders to do so, such
Obligor, as the case may be, shall obtain insurance at such levels at least
equal to those set forth in Item 7.1.4 of the Disclosure Schedule. The
provisions of this Section 7.1.4 shall be deemed to be supplemental to, but not
duplicative of, the provisions of any other Loan Document that requires the
maintenance of insurance.

         All such insurance shall be written by financially responsible
companies selected by the Borrower and (except for automobile insurance) having
an A.M. Best rating of "A" or better and being in a financial size category of
VII or larger (or an equivalent rating of any successor publication of a similar
nature), or by other companies acceptable to the Administrative Agent. The
Borrower shall, and shall cause each of the other Obligors to, keep its property
insured in favor of the Administrative Agent, and all policies (including
mortgage title insurance policies) or certificates (or certified copies thereof)
with respect to such insurance (and any other insurance maintained by the
Obligors (other than workers' compensation, employee benefit insurance and
directors and officers liability insurance)) (i) shall be endorsed to the
Administrative Agent's satisfaction for the benefit of the Administrative Agent
and (ii) shall name the Administrative Agent as loss payee (to the extent
covering risk of loss or damage to tangible property) and as an additional named
insured as its interests may appear (to the extent covering any other risk).
Each policy referred to in this Section 7.1.4 shall provide that (i) the
respective insurers irrevocably waive any and all rights of subrogation with
respect to the Administrative Agent, (ii) it will not be canceled or reduced, or
allowed to lapse without renewal, except after not less than 30 days' written
notice to the Administrative Agent and (iii) the interests of the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders shall not be invalidated by (A) any act or negligence of
the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any Person having an interest in any
property covered by a Mortgage, (B) occupancy or use of any such property for
purposes more hazardous than permitted by such policy or (C) any foreclosure or
other proceedings relating to such property. The Borrower will advise the
Administrative Agent promptly of any significant policy cancellation (other than
any such cancellation in connection with the replacement thereof), reduction or
amendment. The Administrative Agent agrees to turn over to the Borrower or
relevant Subsidiary any insurance proceeds received by it as loss payee
following receipt by the Administrative Agent of written notice from the
Borrower or its relevant Subsidiary of its intended use of such proceeds, to the
extent such proceeds are not required to be (i) applied at such time to repay
Loans or Cash Collateralize Letter of Credit Outstandings or held in an account
by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.1.1 or (ii) held by the Agents
pursuant to the terms of any Mortgage or Security and Pledge Agreement.

         On or before the Effective Date, the Borrower will deliver to the
Administrative Agent certificates of insurance reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent evidencing the existence of all insurance required to be
maintained by the Borrower hereunder setting forth the respective coverages,
limits of liability, carrier, policy number and period of coverage. The Borrower
will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, obtain or
carry separate insurance concurrent in form or contributing in the event of loss
with that required by this Section 7.1.4 unless the Administrative Agent is the
named insured thereunder, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, with loss
payable as provided herein. The Borrower will

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<PAGE>   105
immediately notify the Administrative Agent whenever any such separate insurance
is obtained and shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates
evidencing the same.

         Without limiting the obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
under the foregoing provisions of this Section 7.1.4, in the event the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, shall fail to maintain in full
force and effect insurance as required by the foregoing provisions of this
Section 7.1.4, or if the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may
be, shall fail to endorse and deposit all policies or certificates with respect
thereto, then the Administrative Agent may (upon notice to the Borrower or its
Subsidiary, as the case may be), but shall have no obligation so to do, procure
insurance covering the interests of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent in
such amounts and against such risks as the Administrative Agent (or the Required
Lenders) shall deem reasonably appropriate, and the Borrower or such Subsidiary,
as the case may be, shall reimburse the Administrative Agent in respect of any
premiums, costs and expenses paid by the Administrative Agent in procuring such
insurance to the extent such premiums, costs and expenses do not exceed the
premiums, costs and expenses necessary to obtain the insurance required above
pursuant to this Section 7.1.4.

                  7.1.5 Bank Meeting; Books and Records. (a) The Required
Lenders or the Administrative Agent may request, at their election upon
reasonable notice to the Borrower, a bank meeting to be held by the Borrower at
a location reasonably determined by the Required Lenders or Administrative
Agent, as the case may be; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to
hold more than one bank meeting in any Fiscal Year; provided, further, that, if
a Default has occurred and is continuing and a bank meeting pursuant to this
Section 7.1.5(a) has theretofore been held in the Fiscal Year in which such
Default has occurred, the Required Lenders or the Administrative Agent may
request, at their election at reasonable times and intervals upon reasonable
notice to the Borrower, a bank meeting by conference telephone.

                      (b) The Borrower will, and will cause each of its
         Subsidiaries to, keep books and records in accordance with GAAP which
         accurately reflect in all material respects its business affairs and
         transactions and permit the Administrative Agent or any Lender or
         Issuer whose visit is coordinated with the Administrative Agent or any
         of their respective designated representatives, at reasonable times and
         intervals upon reasonable notice to the chief financial officer or an
         Authorized Officer of the Borrower to visit each of such Person's
         offices, to discuss such Person's financial matters with its officers
         and employees, and its independent public accountants (and the Borrower
         hereby authorizes such independent public accountant to so discuss each
         of such Person's financial matters whether or not any representative of
         such Person is present) and to examine (and photocopy extracts from)
         any of such Person's books and records; provided that so long as no
         Default has occurred and is continuing, no Lender or Issuer shall
         request more than two visits pursuant to this clause (b) per Fiscal
         Year; provided, further, that if the bank meeting pursuant to clause
         (a) of this Section 7.1.5 is held in any Fiscal Year, such bank meeting
         shall constitute one visit by such Lenders or Issuer in such Fiscal
         Year (whether or not such Lender or Issuer is present at such bank
         meeting). The Borrower shall pay any fees of its independent public
         accountant incurred in connection with any consultation pursuant to
         this Section 7.1.5.

                  7.1.6 Environmental Law Covenant. The Borrower will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to,

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<PAGE>   106

                      (a) (i) use and operate all of its and their facilities
         and properties in compliance with all Environmental Laws (except to the
         extent the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to
         have a Material Adverse Effect), (ii) keep all necessary permits,
         approvals, certificates, licenses and other authorizations relating to
         environmental matters in effect and remain in compliance therewith
         (except to the extent the failure to so keep or comply could not
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect), and (iii)
         handle all Hazardous Materials in compliance with all applicable
         Environmental Laws (except to the extent the failure to so comply could
         not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect); and

                      (b) promptly notify the Administrative Agent and provide
         copies upon receipt of all written claims, complaints, notices or
         inquiries relating to the condition of its facilities and properties in
         respect of, or as to compliance with, Environmental Laws, which claims,
         complaints, notices or inquiries could (individually or in the
         aggregate) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
         and shall promptly resolve, subject to good faith disputes, any
         material non-compliance with Environmental Laws and keep its property
         free of any Lien imposed by any Environmental Law.

                  7.1.7 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower will:

                      (a) apply the proceeds of the Loans

                            (i) in the case of the Term A Loans, to partially
                      finance the consummation of the Transaction (as defined in
                      the Existing Credit Agreement) and to pay fees and
                      expenses incurred in connection therewith; and

                            (ii) in the case of Revolving Loans and Swing Line
                      Loans, for post-closing working capital and general
                      corporate purposes of the Borrower and the Subsidiary
                      Guarantors (including working capital adjustments under
                      the Merger Documents); provided that up to $20,000,000 of
                      the Revolving Loans may remain outstanding on the
                      Effective Date.

                      (b) use Letters of Credit only for purposes of supporting
         working capital and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its
         respective Subsidiaries.

                  7.1.8 Mortgages. At the request of the Administrative Agent or
the Required Lenders (in their sole discretion), the Borrower and/or each
Subsidiary Guarantor shall cause the Administrative Agent and the Secured
Parties to have, at all times, a first priority perfected security interest
(subject only to Liens permitted hereunder) in all of the fee owned real
property located in the United States of the Borrower or the Subsidiary
Guarantors, so long as the book value or fair market value of each such property
made subject to a Mortgage hereunder exceeds $3,000,000, by executing and
delivering Mortgages that may be necessary in the reasonable opinion of the
Administrative Agent to create a valid, first priority perfected Lien (subject
only to Liens permitted hereunder) against such real property.

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<PAGE>   107

                  Should the Administrative Agent or Required Lenders elect to
exercise the option described in the immediately preceding paragraph, in
connection with the execution and delivery of such Mortgages, the Borrower
shall, and shall cause each such Subsidiary Guarantor to:

                      (a) provide evidence of the completion (or satisfactory
         arrangements for the completion) of all recordings and filings of each
         such Mortgage as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the
         Administrative Agent, desirable to create a valid, first priority
         perfected Lien (subject only to Liens permitted hereunder) against the
         properties purported to be covered thereby;

                      (b) obtain mortgagee's title insurance policies in favor
         of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in
         amounts and in form and substance and issued by insurers, reasonably
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, with respect to the property
         purported to be covered by each Mortgage, insuring that title to such
         property is marketable and that the interests created by each Mortgage
         constitute valid first Liens thereon free and clear of all material
         defects and encumbrances other than as permitted hereunder or as
         otherwise approved by the Administrative Agent, and such policies shall
         also include a survey reading, and, if required by the Administrative
         Agent and if available, revolving credit endorsement, comprehensive
         endorsement, variable rate endorsement, access and utilities
         endorsements, mechanic's lien endorsement and such other endorsements
         as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and shall be
         accompanied by evidence of the payment in full of all premiums thereon;
         and

                      (c) provide such other approvals, opinions, or documents
         as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to such
         real property, including consents and estoppel agreements from
         landlords, and a reasonably current survey of each property purported
         to be covered by a Mortgage in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent and the title insurer; provided that the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to use more than
         commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any such documentation from
         third parties.

                  7.1.9 Future Subsidiaries. Without limiting the effect of any
provision contained herein, upon any Person becoming either a direct or indirect
Subsidiary of the Borrower,

                      (a) such Person, if not theretofore a party to the
         Subsidiary Security and Pledge Agreement and the Subsidiary Guaranty,
         shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a supplement to
         each of the Subsidiary Security and Pledge Agreement and the Subsidiary
         Guaranty for the benefit of the Secured Parties; provided, however,
         that, in the event that such Subsidiary is a Foreign Subsidiary, such
         Subsidiary shall not be required to become a guarantor under the
         Subsidiary Guaranty or execute and deliver a supplement to the
         Subsidiary Security and Pledge Agreement, provided further, however,
         that (x) in the event of any change in, or the introduction, adoption,
         effectiveness, interpretation, reinterpretation or phase-in of, any law
         or regulation, directive or guideline of any Governmental Authority
         that would eliminate the increase in income tax attributable to the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries that would result from the execution and
         delivery of a Subsidiary Guaranty by such Foreign Subsidiary (including

                                       74
<PAGE>   108
         with respect to the operation of Section 956 (or any successor
         provision thereto) of the Code), the Administrative Agent or the
         Required Lenders may require the execution and delivery by such Foreign
         Subsidiary (to the extent such Foreign Subsidiary is a Material
         Subsidiary) of a supplement to each of the Subsidiary Guaranty and the
         Subsidiary Security and Pledge Agreement and (y) in no event shall a
         Foreign Subsidiary be required to grant a security interest in its
         assets and properties except for the Capital Stock of Subsidiaries held
         by it and required to be pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant
         to the immediately succeeding clause (b);

                      (b) the Borrower or, if not the Borrower, the Subsidiary
         of the Borrower that will own shares of the Capital Stock of such
         Person (which Subsidiary, if not theretofore a party to the Subsidiary
         Security and Pledge Agreement, shall, unless such Subsidiary is a
         Foreign Subsidiary that is not required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor
         pursuant to the provisos to the immediately preceding clause (a),
         execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a supplement to the
         Subsidiary Security and Pledge Agreement for the purpose of becoming a
         pledgor thereunder) shall, pursuant to the applicable Security and
         Pledge Agreement, deliver to the Administrative Agent:

                            (i) certificates evidencing all of the issued and
                      outstanding Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the
                      applicable Security and Pledge Agreement, which
                      certificates in each case shall be accompanied by undated
                      instruments of transfer duly executed in blank, or, if any
                      such shares of Capital Stock pledged pursuant to such
                      Security and Pledge Agreement are uncertificated
                      securities, the Administrative Agent shall have obtained
                      "control" (as defined in the UCC) over such shares of
                      Capital Stock and such other instruments and documents as
                      may be necessary under applicable law, in the reasonable
                      opinion of the Administrative Agent, to perfect the first
                      priority security interest of the Administrative Agent in
                      such shares of Capital Stock; provided, however, that (i)
                      no more than 65% of the shares of Capital Stock held by
                      the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower of any
                      Foreign Subsidiary that is not required to be a Subsidiary
                      Guarantor pursuant to the provisos to the immediately
                      preceding clause (a) will be required to be pledged and
                      (ii) no shares of Capital Stock of any Foreign Subsidiary
                      held by another Foreign Subsidiary that is not required to
                      be a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the provisos to the
                      immediately preceding clause (a) will be required to be
                      pledged to the Administrative Agent; provided further,
                      however, that, in the event of any change in, or the
                      introduction, adoption, effectiveness, interpretation,
                      reinterpretation or phase-in of, any law or regulation,
                      directive or guideline of any Governmental Authority that
                      would eliminate the increase in income tax attributable to
                      the Borrower and its Subsidiaries referred to in the
                      immediately preceding subclause (i) and the provisos to
                      the immediately preceding clause (a) (including with
                      respect to the operation of Section 956 (or any successor
                      provision thereto) of the Code), the Administrative Agent
                      or the Required Lenders may require the pledge of more
                      than 65% of such shares of Capital Stock;

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<PAGE>   109

                            (ii) all Intercompany Notes, if any, pledged
                      pursuant to the applicable Security and Pledge Agreement;

                            (iii) executed copies of Filing Statements naming
                      such Obligor as a debtor and the Administrative Agent as
                      the secured party, or other similar instruments or
                      documents to be filed under the Uniform Commercial Code of
                      all jurisdictions as may be necessary, in the reasonable
                      opinion of the Administrative Agent, to perfect the
                      security interests of the Administrative Agent pursuant to
                      the applicable Security and Pledge Agreement;

                            (iv) executed copies of proper UCC termination
                      statements (Form UCC-3), if any, necessary to release all
                      Liens and other rights of any Person in any collateral
                      described in the applicable Security and Pledge Agreement
                      previously granted by any Person, except to the extent
                      such Liens are otherwise permitted hereunder; and

                            (v) to the extent requested by the Administrative
                      Agent, certified copies of UCC Requests for Information or
                      Copies (Form UCC-11) or a similar search report listing
                      all effective financing statements which name such Person
                      (under its present name and any previous names under which
                      it has conducted business during the five-year period
                      prior to the Closing Date) as the debtor and which are
                      filed in the jurisdictions in which filings are to be made
                      pursuant to clause (iii) above, together with copies of
                      such financing statements (none of which shall cover any
                      collateral described in any Loan Document, except to the
                      extent such Liens are otherwise permitted hereunder or are
                      being released pursuant to clause (iv) above),

together, in each case, with such opinions of legal counsel as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request, which legal opinions shall be in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

         The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that the Lien granted to
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the
collateral described above is a first priority (or local equivalent thereof)
security interest, subject only to Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.3 and
no Lien exists on any of the collateral described above other than the Lien
created in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured
Parties, pursuant to a Loan Document, and the other Liens permitted pursuant to
Section 7.2.3.

                  7.1.10 Additional Collateral. Without limiting the provisions
of Sections 7.1.8 and 7.1.9, the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries (except to the extent exempted from the requirement of granting
certain security interests as a result of the provisos to clause (a) of Section
7.1.9) to, cause the Lenders to have at all times a first priority perfected
security interest (subject only to Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.3) in
all of the personal property and, to the extent required pursuant to Section
7.1.8, real property, owned from time to time by the Borrower and such
Subsidiary to the extent the same constitutes or would constitute collateral
under the applicable Security and Pledge Agreement; provided that it shall not
constitute a default under this Section 7.1.10 unless the aggregate fair market
value of all assets

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<PAGE>   110

otherwise subject to this Section 7.1.10 in which the Lenders do not have a
perfected security interest exceeds $1,000,000. In addition, the Borrower shall
cause each of their respective Material Foreign Subsidiaries on the Closing Date
which did not execute and deliver a Subsidiary Guaranty or did not have more
than 65% of its Capital Stock pledged to the Administrative Agent, in the event
of any change in, or the introduction, adoption, effectiveness, interpretation,
reinterpretation or phase-in of, any law or regulation, directive or guideline
of any Governmental Authority that would eliminate the increase in amount of
income tax attributable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries referred to in
subclauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5.1.11 and the proviso to clause (a) of
Section 5.1.13 (including with respect to the operation of Section 956 (or any
successor provision thereto) of the Code), to the extent requested by the
Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, to execute and deliver the
Subsidiary Guaranty and the Subsidiary Security and Pledge Agreement (or
supplements thereto) and/or have 100% of such shares of Capital Stock pledged to
the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of Section 7.1.9;
together, in each case, with such opinions of legal counsel as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably request, which legal opinions shall be in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;
provided, however, that any such Foreign Subsidiary shall not be required to
grant a security interest in its assets and properties except for the Capital
Stock of Subsidiaries held by it and required to be pledged to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section.

         Section 7.2 Negative Covenants. The Borrower covenants and agrees with
each Secured Party hereto that, until the Termination Date has occurred, the
Borrower will perform, or cause to be performed, the obligations set forth
below.

                  7.2.1 Business Activities. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business activity except those
business activities in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on
the Effective Date, business activities which are reasonable extensions thereof
and activities reasonably incidental thereto.

                  7.2.2 Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any
Indebtedness, other than:

                      (a) Indebtedness in respect of the Loan Obligations,
         including Additional Loans made pursuant to Section 2.8;

                      (b) Intentionally Omitted;

                      (c) Indebtedness existing as of the Effective Date which
         is identified in Item 7.2.2(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, and
         refinancing of such Indebtedness by the Borrower or, if other than the
         Borrower, the original obligor thereof;

                      (d) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in respect of performance, surety or appeal bonds or
         completion guarantees provided in the ordinary course of business, but
         excluding (in each case), Indebtedness incurred through the borrowing
         of money or Contingent Liabilities in respect thereof;

                      (e) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (i)
         in respect of industrial revenue bonds or other similar governmental or
         municipal bonds, (ii) evidencing the deferred purchase price of newly
         acquired property or incurred to finance

                                       77
<PAGE>   111

         the acquisition of equipment of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         (pursuant to purchase money mortgages or otherwise, whether owed to the
         seller or a third party) used in the ordinary course of business of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries (provided, that such Indebtedness is
         incurred within 90 days of the acquisition of such property) and (iii)
         Capitalized Lease Liabilities; provided, that the aggregate amount of
         all Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to this clause shall not at any
         time exceed $10,000,000;

                      (f) Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor owing to the
         Borrower or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, which Indebtedness shall,
         if payable to the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary, be evidenced by
         one or more Intercompany Notes, duly executed and delivered in pledge
         to the Administrative Agent pursuant to a Security and Pledge
         Agreement, and shall not be forgiven or otherwise discharged for any
         consideration other than payment in full or in part in cash (provided,
         that only the amount repaid in part shall be discharged);

                      (g) Indebtedness of a Foreign Subsidiary owing to the
         Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor (including (i) the then aggregate
         amount which is undrawn and available under letters of credit with
         respect to which the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor is obligated to
         reimburse the issuer thereof for drawings thereunder and a Foreign
         Subsidiary is the account party with respect to such letters of credit
         and (ii) the then aggregate amount which has been drawn under such
         letters of credit with respect to which the issuer thereof has not been
         reimbursed) which, when aggregated with the amount of Investments made
         by the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors in Foreign Subsidiaries
         under clause (f) of Section 7.2.5, does not exceed $20,000,000, and
         which shall be evidenced by one or more Intercompany Notes duly
         executed and delivered in pledge to the Administrative Agent pursuant
         to a Security and Pledge Agreement, and shall not be forgiven or
         otherwise discharged for any consideration other than payment in full
         or in part in cash (provided, that only the amount repaid in part shall
         be discharged); provided, however, that the aggregate amount of
         Indebtedness permitted under this clause (h) that is funded in cash at
         any time shall not exceed $10,000,000;

                      (h) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries that are
         wholly-owned Subsidiaries owing to other Foreign Subsidiaries;

                      (i) Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries incurred for
         working capital purposes in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding
         not to exceed $6,000,000;

                      (j) unsecured Indebtedness (not evidenced by a note or
         other instrument) of the Borrower owing to (i) a Subsidiary Guarantor
         or (ii) a Subsidiary that has previously executed and delivered to the
         Administrative Agent the Interco Subordination Agreement (or a
         supplement thereto);

                      (k) Subordinated Debt of the Borrower in an initial
         aggregate principal amount which, when aggregated with the amount of
         Additional Loans incurred in accordance with Section 2.8, does not
         exceed $100,000,000 (as reduced by any repayment of principal thereof)
         issued pursuant the Subordinated Debt Documents, in each case on terms
         and conditions no more restrictive than the Subordinated Loan
         Agreement, the proceeds of such additional Subordinated Debt being used
         by the

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<PAGE>   112
         Borrower (i) to pay fees, costs and expenses in connection with the
         issuance of such Subordinated Debt and (ii) for general corporate and
         working capital purposes, including Permitted Acquisitions; provided
         that: (A) no Default or Event of Default exists at the time of issuance
         thereof or would result therefrom and (B) the Borrower shall have
         delivered to the Administrative Agent a Compliance Certificate for the
         period of four full Fiscal Quarters immediately preceding such issuance
         (prepared in good faith and in a manner and using such methodology
         which is consistent with the most recent financial statements delivered
         pursuant to Section 7.1.1) giving pro forma effect to such issuance and
         evidencing compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.2.4 and
         a pro forma Leverage Ratio of not more than 2.00:1.0 as of the last day
         of such period;

                      (l) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of
         Permitted Seller Notes, so long as the aggregate principal amount of
         Permitted Seller Notes issued, when aggregated with the aggregate
         amount of Indebtedness assumed or acquired pursuant to clause (m) of
         this Section 7.2.2, does not exceed $40,000,000;

                      (m) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such
         Person became a Subsidiary of the Borrower (such Person, an "Acquired
         Person"), together with all Indebtedness assumed by the Borrower or any
         of its Subsidiaries in connection with any Permitted Acquisition
         (including any Permitted Acquisition of assets) (all such Indebtedness
         being referred to in this clause (m) as "Assumed Indebtedness"), which,
         when aggregated with the aggregate principal amount of Permitted Seller
         Notes issued, does not exceed $40,000,000, but only to the extent that
         such Indebtedness was not created or incurred in contemplation of such
         Person becoming a Subsidiary or such Permitted Acquisition; provided
         that the terms and provisions of all Assumed Indebtedness which would
         at the time it is assumed or acquired by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries result in the aggregate principal amount of Assumed
         Indebtedness assumed or acquired hereunder to exceed $20,000,000 or any
         amount in excess of $20,000,000 shall have been previously consented to
         by the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably
         withheld);

                      (n) Indebtedness of the Borrower in respect of Hedging
         Obligations (i) incurred (A) pursuant to Section 7.2.11 or (B) with
         respect to Indebtedness of the Borrower that bears interest at
         fluctuating rates of interest and is otherwise permitted to be incurred
         hereunder to the extent the notional principal amount with respect to
         the relevant Hedging Obligation does not exceed the principal amount of
         the Indebtedness to which such Hedging Obligation relates or (ii)
         pursuant to agreements designed to protect the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries against fluctuations in currency exchange rates to the
         extent entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for
         speculative purposes;

                      (o) Indebtedness of the Borrower incurred in connection
         with repurchases of Borrower Common Stock from full-time employees of
         the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that (i) the
         aggregate amount of such repurchases funded with Indebtedness does not
         exceed $7,500,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any time and (ii)
         such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Obligations on terms no less
         favorable to the Secured Parties than those set forth on Exhibit J
         hereto;

                      (p) Intentionally Omitted;

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<PAGE>   113

                      (q) guaranties by the Borrower and the Subsidiary
         Guarantors of each other's Indebtedness to the extent that such
         Indebtedness is otherwise permitted under this Section 7.2.2;

                      (r) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or
         other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument
         inadvertently (except in the case of daylight overdrafts) drawn against
         insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business so long as such
         Indebtedness is extinguished within three Business Days of the
         incurrence thereof;

                      (s) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower arising from agreements of the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the
         Borrower providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or
         similar obligations in respect of the disposition of any business,
         assets or a Subsidiary of the Borrower that is permitted under this
         Agreement; provided, however, that the maximum liability in respect of
         such Indebtedness shall at no time exceed the gross cash proceeds
         actually received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection
         with such disposition; and

                      (t) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries owing to
         the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor) in an aggregate amount at any
         time outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000;

provided, however, that no Indebtedness otherwise permitted by clause (e)(i),
(i), (k), (l), (m), (o) or (t) shall be assumed or otherwise incurred if a
Default has occurred and is then continuing or would result therefrom.

                  7.2.3 Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien upon any
of its property (including Capital Stock of any Person), revenues or assets,
whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

                      (a) Liens securing payment of the Obligations;

                      (b) Intentionally Omitted;

                      (c) Liens existing as of the Effective Date and disclosed
         and described in Item 7.2.3(c) of the Disclosure Schedule securing
         Indebtedness described in clause (c) of Section 7.2.2, and refinancings
         of such Indebtedness; provided, that no such Lien shall encumber any
         additional property and the amount of Indebtedness secured by such Lien
         is not increased from that existing on the Effective Date (as such
         Indebtedness may have been permanently reduced subsequent to the
         Effective Date);

                      (d) Liens securing Indebtedness of the type permitted
         under clause (e)(ii) or (iii) of Section 7.2.2; provided, that (i) such
         Lien is granted within 90 days after such Indebtedness is incurred or
         any refinancing thereof permitted under such clause and (ii) such Lien
         secures only the assets that are the subject of the Indebtedness
         referred to in such clause;

                                       80
<PAGE>   114

                      (e) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted by clause (m) of
         Section 7.2.2; provided, that such Liens existed prior to such Person
         becoming a Subsidiary or such Permitted Acquisition occurring, were not
         created in anticipation thereof and do not attach to any other asset of
         the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries theretofore or thereafter
         existing;

                      (f) Liens in favor of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
         materialmen and landlords granted in the ordinary course of business
         for amounts not overdue or being diligently contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance
         with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books;

                      (g) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course
         of business in connection with worker's compensation, unemployment
         insurance or other forms of governmental insurance or benefits (other
         than Liens in favor of the PBGC), or to secure performance of tenders,
         statutory obligations, bids, leases or other similar obligations (other
         than for borrowed money) entered into in the ordinary course of
         business;

                      (h) Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments
         under circumstances which do not otherwise result in an Event of
         Default under Section 8.1.6;

                      (i) easements, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions, minor
         defects or irregularities in title and other similar encumbrances not
         interfering in any material respect with the value or use of the
         property to which such Lien is attached;

                      (j) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental
         charges or levies not at the time delinquent or thereafter payable
         without penalty or being diligently contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance
         with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books;

                      (k) Liens securing Indebtedness of the type permitted by
         clause (i) of Section 7.2.2 and covering only assets of the Foreign
         Subsidiary obligated under such Indebtedness;

                      (l) Liens arising from precautionary UCC-1 financing
         statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in the ordinary course of
         business;

                      (m) licenses, leases or subleases granted to
         non-Affiliated Persons in the ordinary course of business not
         interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower
         or any of its Subsidiaries;

                      (n) restrictions imposed in the ordinary course of
         business on the sale or distribution of designated inventory that arise
         from the sale of such inventory to one or more customers;

                      (o) Liens in favor of customs or revenue authorities
         arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in
         connection with the importation of goods;

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<PAGE>   115

                      (p) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to
         clause (n) of Section 7.2.2; and

                      (q) other Liens on property of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries, provided that the fair market value of the property
         encumbered by Liens described in this clause (q), and the Indebtedness
         and other obligations secured thereby, does not exceed $3,000,000.

                  7.2.4 Financial Condition and Operations. The Borrower will
not permit any of the events set forth below to occur.

                      (a) the Borrower will not permit the Leverage Ratio as of
         the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the third Fiscal
         Quarter of the 2001 Fiscal Year, to be greater than the ratio set forth
         opposite such Fiscal Quarter below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  Fiscal Quarter                       Leverage Ratio
                                  --------------                       --------------
<S>                                                                    <C>
                  Fiscal Quarters ending after the Effective
                  Date and prior to June 1, 2003                          2.50:1.0

                  Fiscal Quarters ending thereafter                       2.00:1.0
</TABLE>

                      (b) the Borrower will not permit the Interest Coverage
         Ratio as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the
         third Fiscal Quarter of the 2001 Fiscal Year, to be less than the ratio
         set forth opposite such Fiscal Quarter below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Interest
                                  Fiscal Quarter                       Coverage Ratio
                                  --------------                       --------------
<S>                                                                   <C>
                  Fiscal Quarters ending after the Effective
                  Date and prior to June 1, 2003                          4.00:1.0

                  Fiscal Quarters ending thereafter                       5.00:1.0
</TABLE>

                      (c) the Borrower will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage
         Ratio as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the
         third Fiscal Quarter of the 2001 Fiscal Year, to be less than
         2.00:1.00.

                  7.2.5 Investments. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase, make, incur, assume or permit to exist any
Investment in any other Person, except:

                      (a) Investments existing on the Effective Date and
         identified in Item 7.2.5(a) of the Disclosure Schedule;

                      (b) Cash Equivalent Investments;

                                       82
<PAGE>   116

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

                      (d) Capital Expenditures to the extent permitted pursuant
         to Section 7.2.7;

                      (e) Investments by way of contributions to capital or
         purchases of Capital Stock (i) by the Borrower in any Subsidiary
         Guarantor or by any Subsidiary Guarantor in other Subsidiary Guarantors
         or (ii) by any Subsidiary in the Borrower;

                      (f) Investments by the Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor
         in Foreign Subsidiaries (other than Investments described in clause (g)
         of Section 7.2.2 (which are hereby permitted pursuant to this clause
         (f))) to the extent the aggregate amount of such Investments does not
         exceed $20,000,000 (net of any repayments thereof) and provided that
         the aggregate amount of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clause (g)
         of Section 7.2.2 and Investments made pursuant to this clause (f) does
         not exceed $20,000,000 (net of any repayments thereof);

                      (g) Investments by a Foreign Subsidiary in any other
         Foreign Subsidiary that is a wholly-owned Subsidiary;

                      (h) Investments (without duplication) that are permitted
         as Indebtedness pursuant to Section 7.2.2;

                      (i) Investments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         that constitute (i) accounts receivable arising, (ii) trade debt
         granted, or (iii) deposits made in connection with the purchase price
         of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

                      (j) Investments in respect of Permitted Acquisitions;

                      (k) Investments consisting of any deferred portion of the
         sales price received by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection
         with any Disposition permitted under Section 7.2.11;

                      (l) Investments in respect of loans and advances made by
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business
         and consistent with past practices to their respective employees for
         moving, travel and emergency expenses and other similar expenses or for
         income tax liabilities, so long as the aggregate principal amount
         thereof at any one time outstanding (determined without regard to any
         write-downs or write-offs of such loans and advances) does not exceed
         $1,500,000;

                      (m) Investments in respect of loans made by the Borrower
         ("Management Notes") to certain of its executives and other managers
         ("Management Investors") in connection with their purchase of Borrower
         Common Stock), so long as the proceeds of such notes are used
         concurrently dollar-for-dollar for the purchase of such Borrower Common
         Stock;

                                       83
<PAGE>   117

                      (n) Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section
         7.2.6;

                      (o) Intentionally Omitted;

                      (p) Investments pursuant to Hedging Obligations permitted
         hereunder;

                      (q) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may own the Capital
         Stock of their respective Subsidiaries created or acquired in
         accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

                      (r) advances to subcontractors in the ordinary course of
         business;

                      (s) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may acquire and hold
         non-cash consideration issued by the purchaser of assets in connection
         with a sale of such assets to the extent permitted by Section 7.2.11;

                      (t) other Investments made by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 over the term of
         this Agreement; and

                      (u) Investments constituting the Transactions;

provided, however, that

                            (i) any Investment which when made complies with the
                      requirements of clause (a), (b) or (c) of the definition
                      of the term "Cash Equivalent Investment" may continue to
                      be held notwithstanding that such Investment if made
                      thereafter would not comply with such requirements; and

                            (ii) no Investment otherwise permitted by clause (f)
                      (other than Investments described in clause (g) of Section
                      7.2.2), (j) or (t) shall be permitted to be made if any
                      Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
                      therefrom.

                  7.2.6 Restricted Payments, etc. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, declare or make a
Restricted Payment, or make any deposit for any Restricted Payment, except:

                      (a) so long as at the time of such purchase (and after
         giving effect thereto) there shall exist no Default, the Borrower may
         repurchase Borrower Common Stock from any Management Investor (i) with
         proceeds of the key-man life insurance maintained on the life of such
         Management Investor, (ii) with cash in an aggregate amount not
         exceeding $3,000,000 per year or (iii) with Indebtedness permitted in
         accordance with clause (o) of Section 7.2.2;

                      (b) so long as at the time of such payment (and after
         giving effect thereto) there shall exist no Payment Default or Event of
         Default described in Section 8.1.3 or 8.1.9, the Borrower may pay fees
         to Harvest Partners and its respective Affiliates in respect of
         management services rendered by them to the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries

                                       84
<PAGE>   118
         to the extent the aggregate amount of such fees in any Fiscal Year (or
         portion thereof) does not exceed $1,250,000 per year, and so long as
         such fees accrue ratably throughout such year and are payable in
         advance or semi-annually;

                      (c) (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may make Restricted
         Payments to the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) any
         non-wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower may make Restricted
         Payments to its shareholders generally so long as the Borrower or its
         Subsidiary which owns the equity interest in the Subsidiary making such
         Restricted Payment receives at least its proportionate share thereof
         (based upon its relative holding of the equity interests in the
         Subsidiary making such Restricted Payment);

                      (d) repurchases of Capital Stock of the Borrower deemed to
         occur upon the exercise of stock options if such Capital Stock
         represents a portion of the exercise price thereof and so long as no
         cash is paid or distributed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         in connection therewith;

                      (e) so long as (i) at the time of such Restricted Payment
         there shall exist no Default or Event of Default, (ii) the Borrower
         shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Compliance
         Certificate for the period of four full Fiscal Quarters immediately
         preceding such Restricted Payment (prepared in good faith and in a
         manner and using such methodology which is consistent with the most
         recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1) giving
         pro forma effect to such Restricted Payment and evidencing compliance
         with the covenants set forth in Section 7.2.4 and a pro forma Leverage
         Ratio of not more than 2.00:1.0, in each case, as of the last day of
         such period, and (iii) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment
         at least $25,000,000 of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount would be
         unused, the Borrower may make Restricted Payments that, when aggregated
         with (A) all Restricted Payments previously made after the Effective
         Date pursuant to this Section 7.2.6(e) and (B) without duplication
         payments of principal of, and premium and interest on, Subordinated
         Debt previously made after the Effective Date pursuant to Section
         7.2.8(a)(i)(y), do not exceed an amount equal to 25% of the cumulative
         positive Net Income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period
         from January 1, 2001 through the end of the most recent Fiscal Quarter
         or Fiscal Year for which the Borrower has delivered the financial
         statements required pursuant to Section 7.1.1(a) or (b); and

                      (f) the Transactions shall be permitted.

                  7.2.7 Capital Expenditures, etc.

                      (a) Subject (in the case of Capitalized Lease Liabilities)
         to clause (e) of Section 7.2.2, the Borrower will not, and will not
         permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or commit to make Capital
         Expenditures other than Capital Expenditures made or committed to be
         made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in any Fiscal Year which in
         the aggregate do not exceed $10,000,000:

provided, however, to the extent that Capital Expenditures made by the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries during any Fiscal Year (or portion thereof) are less than
the maximum amount

                                       85
<PAGE>   119

permitted to be made for such Fiscal Year (or portion thereof), 50% of such
unused amount (each such amount, a "carry-forward amount") may be carried
forward to the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year and utilized to make Capital
Expenditures in such succeeding Fiscal Year in the event the amount permitted in
such succeeding Fiscal Year has been used (it being understood and agreed that
no carry-forward amount may be carried beyond the Fiscal Year immediately
succeeding the Fiscal Year in which it arose and that no portion of the
carry-forward amount available for any Fiscal Year may be used until the entire
amount of Capital Expenditures permitted to be made in such Fiscal Year (without
giving effect to such carry-forward amount) shall be made).

                      (b) In addition to any Capital Expenditures permitted
         pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may
         make (i) Capital Expenditures with Casualty Proceeds and Net
         Disposition Proceeds to the extent permitted by clauses (d) and (e) of
         Section 3.1.1, and (ii) Capital Expenditures with Net Equity Proceeds.
         For the avoidance of doubt, any portion of any Permitted Acquisition
         that is permitted under Section 7.2.5 that is accounted for as Capital
         Expenditure shall not constitute a Capital Expenditure for purposes of
         this Section 7.2.7 (provided that the aggregate limit for Permitted
         Acquisitions shall be decreased dollar-for-dollar by the amount
         expended in respect of such Acquisition that is so accounted as a
         Capital Expenditure).

                  7.2.8 No Prepayment of Subordinated Debt. The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,

                      (a) make any payment or prepayment of principal of, or
         premium or interest on, any Subordinated Debt (i) other than (x) the
         stated, scheduled payment of interest and, in the case of any Permitted
         Seller Notes, principal set forth in the applicable Subordinated Debt
         Documents, (y) so long as (A) at the time of such payment or prepayment
         there shall exist no Default or Event of Default, (B) the Borrower
         shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Compliance
         Certificate for the period of four full Fiscal Quarters immediately
         preceding such payment or prepayment (prepared in good faith and in a
         manner and using such methodology which is consistent with the most
         recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.1.1) giving
         pro forma effect to such payment or prepayment and evidencing
         compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.2.4 and a pro
         forma Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such period of not more than
         2.00:1.0, in each case, as of the last day of such period, and (C)
         after giving effect to such payment or prepayment at least $25,000,000
         of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount would be unused, payments and
         prepayments that, when aggregated with (1) all Restricted Payments
         previously made after the Effective Date pursuant to Section 7.2.6(e)
         and (2) without duplication payments of principal of, and premium and
         interest on, Subordinated Debt previously made after the Effective Date
         pursuant to this Section 7.2.8(a)(i)(y), do not exceed an amount equal
         to 25% of the cumulative positive Net Income of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for the period from January 1, 2001 through the end of the
         most recent Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year for which the Borrower has
         delivered the financial statements required pursuant to Section
         7.1.1(a) or (b) and (z) so long as at the time of such payment or
         prepayment there shall exist no Default, other payments and prepayments
         in an aggregate amount not to exceed

                                       86
<PAGE>   120
         $10,000,000 over the term of this Agreement, or (ii) which would
         violate the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Subordinated Debt
         Documents;

                      (b) except as permitted by clause (a), redeem, retire,
         purchase, defease or otherwise acquire any Subordinated Debt; or

                      (c) expect as permitted by clause (a), make any deposit
         (including the payment of amounts into a sinking fund or other similar
         fund) for any of the foregoing purposes;

provided, that the Transactions shall be permitted.

                  7.2.9 Capital Stock of Subsidiaries. (a) The Borrower will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to issue any Capital Stock (whether for value or
otherwise), to any Person other than the Borrower or another Subsidiary of the
Borrower.

                      (a) The Borrower will not issue any Redeemable Capital
         Stock not otherwise permitted to be issued pursuant to Section 7.2.2.

                  7.2.10 Consolidation, Merger, etc. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, liquidate or dissolve, consolidate
with, or merge into or with, any other Person, or otherwise enter into or
consummate any Acquisition, except

                      (a) any Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve voluntarily
         into, and may merge with and into, the Borrower (so long as the
         Borrower is the continuing or surviving corporation) or any other
         Subsidiary (provided, however, that a Subsidiary Guarantor may only
         liquidate or dissolve into, or merge with and into, the Borrower or
         another Subsidiary Guarantor), and the assets or Capital Stock of any
         Subsidiary may be purchased or otherwise acquired by the Borrower or
         any other Subsidiary (provided, however, that the assets or Capital
         Stock of any Subsidiary Guarantor may only be purchased or otherwise
         acquired by the Borrower or another Subsidiary Guarantor); provided,
         further, that in no event shall any Pledged Subsidiary consolidate with
         or merge with and into any Subsidiary other than another Pledged
         Subsidiary unless after giving effect thereto, the Administrative Agent
         shall have a perfected pledge of, and security interest in and to, at
         least the same percentage of the issued and outstanding interests of
         Capital Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the surviving Person as the
         Administrative Agent had immediately prior to such merger or
         consolidation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
         Agent, pursuant to such documentation and opinions as shall be
         necessary in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to
         create, perfect or maintain the collateral position of the Secured
         Parties therein;

                      (b) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing
         or would occur after giving effect thereto, the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries may consummate a Permitted Acquisition; and

                      (c) in connection with the Transactions.

                  7.2.11 Permitted Dispositions. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, Dispose of any of the Borrower's or such
Subsidiaries' assets (including

                                       87
<PAGE>   121

accounts receivable and Capital Stock of Subsidiaries to any Person in one
transaction or series of transactions unless:

                      (a) such Disposition is of (i) inventory Disposed of in
         the ordinary course of its business or (ii) equipment which is
         obsolete, worn out or otherwise no longer useful in the business of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the good faith opinion of management;

                      (b) such Disposition is permitted by Section 7.2.10;

                      (c) such Disposition is pursuant to a non-exclusive
         licensing arrangement entered into by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries with respect to any of its intellectual property in the
         ordinary course of its business consistent with past practice;

                      (d) (i) such Disposition is for not less than the fair
         market value of the assets to be Disposed, (ii) the consideration
         received by the Borrower or applicable Subsidiary consists of at least
         80% cash, (iii) the net book value of such assets, together with the
         net book value of all other assets Disposed of pursuant to this clause
         (d), does not exceed $3,000,000 in any Fiscal Year or $12,000,000 over
         the term of this Agreement and (iv) immediately prior to and after
         giving effect to such Disposition no Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing; or

                      (e) such Disposition is in respect of the sale or exchange
         of specific items of equipment, so long as the purpose of each such
         sale or exchange is to acquire (and results within 120 days of such
         sale or exchange in the acquisition of) replacement items of equipment
         which are the functional equivalent of the item of equipment so sold or
         exchanged.

                  7.2.12 Modification of Certain Agreements. The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, consent to any amendment,
supplement, waiver or other modification of, or enter into any forbearance from
exercising any rights with respect to the terms or provisions contained in,

                      (a) the Subordinated Debt Documents, other than (i)
         pursuant to the Sub Debt Prepayment Documents and (ii) any amendment,
         supplement, waiver or modification for which no fee is payable to the
         holders of the relevant Subordinated Debt and which (A) extends the
         date or reduces the amount of any required repayment, prepayment or
         redemption of the principal of such Subordinated Debt, (B) reduces the
         rate or extends the date for payment of the interest, premium (if any)
         or fees payable on such Subordinated Debt or (C) makes the covenants,
         events of default or remedies in such Subordinated Debt Documents less
         restrictive on the obligors thereunder; or

                      (b) any of the other Material Documents, other than any
         amendment, supplement, waiver or modification which would not be
         materially adverse to the rights, interests or obligations of any
         Secured Party under any Loan Document.

                  7.2.13 Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or cause or permit to
exist any arrangement, transaction or

                                       88
<PAGE>   122

contract (including for the purchase, lease or exchange of property or the
rendering of services) with any of its other Affiliates, unless such
arrangement, transaction or contract is on terms customary for similar
arrangements, transactions or contracts entered into by Persons generally and
such terms are no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than it
could obtain in an arm's-length transaction with a Person that is not an
Affiliate, except:

                      (a) Restricted Payments may be made to the extent provided
         in Section 7.2.6;

                      (b) transactions exclusively between or among the Borrower
         and one or more Subsidiary Guarantors that are wholly-owned
         Subsidiaries of the Borrower and not Foreign Subsidiaries or
         exclusively between or among such Subsidiary Guarantors;

                      (c) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make purchases
         of materials at prevailing market prices in the ordinary course of
         business consistent with past practices from Edgein Corp.;

                      (d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may conduct any
         transaction otherwise permitted pursuant to Sections 7.2.2(c), (f),
         (g), (h), (j), (p) and (q), 7.2.3(c) and (i), 7.2.5(a), (e), (f), (g),
         (l), (m) and (o), 7.2.6 and 7.2.10(a); and

                      (e) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may enter into and
         perform their respective obligations under the Material Documents (and
         otherwise consummate the Transactions) and may pay customary directors
         fees in the ordinary course of business.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, except for
transactions specifically permitted by clauses (a) - (e), (i) prior to entering
into any transaction or series related transactions with any Affiliate of the
Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower's Subsidiaries involving or having a
value in excess of $3,000,000 the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer stating that, in the good faith
determination of the Board of Directors of the Borrower (as evidenced by a
resolution), the transaction is on terms in all material respects no less
favorable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, than
could be obtained from an unaffiliated party and (ii) the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries shall not enter into any transaction with any of their respective
Affiliates involving or having a value of more than $10,000,000 or if there is
no member of the Board of Directors of the Borrower who does not have any direct
or indirect financial interest in or with respect to the transaction being
considered, unless the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, has
received an opinion from an independent financial advisor to the effect that
such transaction (or series of transactions) is fair to the Borrower or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view; provided, that
if the Borrower is required by the terms of any Subordinated Debt Document to
deliver an officer's certificate and resolutions of the type described in clause
(i) above and/or an opinion of the type described in clause (ii) above, the
Borrower shall also deliver such officer's certificate and resolutions and/or
opinion to the Administrative Agent.

                  7.2.14 Restrictive Agreements, etc. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement prohibiting

                                       89
<PAGE>   123

                      (a) the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its
         properties, revenues or assets, whether now owned or hereafter
         acquired, for the benefit of any Secured Party;

                      (b) the ability of any Obligor to amend or otherwise
         modify any Loan Document; or

                      (c) the ability of any Subsidiary to make any payments,
         directly or indirectly, to the Borrower, including by way of dividends,
         advances, repayments of loans, reimbursements of management and other
         intercompany charges, expenses and accruals or other returns on
         investments, or transfer any of its assets or property to the Borrower.

The foregoing prohibitions shall not apply to restrictions contained (i) in any
Loan Document, (ii) in the case of clauses (a) and (c), in (A) any agreement
governing any Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section 7.2.2 as to the
assets financed with the proceeds of such Indebtedness or (B) any agreement of a
Foreign Subsidiary governing the Indebtedness permitted by clause (i) of Section
7.2.2 as to the assets of such Foreign Subsidiary and (iii) in the case of
clause (c), pursuant to (A) applicable law, (B) customary non-assignment
provisions in leases or (C) customary provisions restricting the transfer of
property or assets that are subject to an agreement to transfer such property or
assets.

                  7.2.15 Sale and Leaseback. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly enter into any
agreement or arrangement providing for the sale or transfer by it of any
property (now owned or hereafter acquired) to a Person and the subsequent lease
or rental of such property or other similar property from such Person; provided
that the Borrower may enter into any agreement or arrangement providing for the
sale or transfer by it of any property (now owned or hereafter acquired) to a
Person and the subsequent lease or rental of such property or other similar
property from such Person so long as at the time of determination the present
value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in the lease) of the obligation
of the lessee of the property subject to such sale and leaseback transaction for
rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such
transaction (such present value, "Attributable Debt"), including any period for
which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be
extended or until the earliest date on which the lessee may terminate such lease
without penalty or upon payment of penalty (in which case the rental payments
shall include such penalty), after excluding all amounts required to be paid on
account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water,
utilities and similar charges, does not exceed at any time $4,000,000.

                  7.2.16 Take or Pay Contracts. The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or be a party to any
arrangement for the purchase of materials, supplies, other property or services
if such arrangement by its express terms requires that payment be made by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary regardless of whether such materials, supplies,
other property or services are delivered or furnished to it.

                  7.2.17 Accounting Changes. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, end its fiscal year (each, a "Fiscal Year")
on a day other than the last Saturday in each calendar year and its first three
(3) Fiscal Quarters (each, a "Fiscal Quarter") in each

                                       90
<PAGE>   124

Fiscal Year to end on the dates other than those that are thirteen (13) weeks,
twenty-six (26) weeks and thirty-nine (39) weeks after the end of the
immediately preceding Fiscal Year, respectively; provided, however, to the
extent required by applicable law, a Foreign Subsidiary may end its fiscal year
on the last of the relevant calendar year and may end each of its fiscal
quarters on the last day of the relevant calendar quarter.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         Section 8.1 Listing of Events of Default. Each of the following events
or occurrences described in this Article shall constitute an "Event of Default".

                  8.1.1 Non-Payment of Obligations. The Borrower shall default
in the payment or prepayment when due of

                      (a) any principal of any Loan, or any Reimbursement
         Obligation or any deposit of cash for collateral purposes pursuant to
         Section 2.6.4; or

                      (b) any interest on any Loan or fee described in Article
         III or any other monetary Loan Obligation, and such default shall
         continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days after such
         amount was due.

                  8.1.2 Breach of Warranty. Any representation or warranty of
any Obligor made or deemed to be made in any Loan Document (including any
certificates delivered pursuant to Article V) is or shall be incorrect when made
or deemed to have been made in any material respect.

                  8.1.3 Non-Performance of Certain Covenants and Obligations.
The Borrower shall default in the due performance or observance of any of its
obligations under Section 7.1.1(e), 7.1.2(a)(i) or 7.2.

                  8.1.4 Non-Performance of Other Covenants and Obligations. (a)
The Borrower shall default in the due performance or observance of any of its
obligations under Section 7.1.8, 7.1.9 or 7.1.10 and such default shall continue
unremedied for a period of 30 days.

                      (b) Any Obligor shall default in the due performance and
         observance of any agreement contained in any Loan Document executed by
         it (other than the agreements described in Section 8.1.1, 8.1.2, 8.1.3
         or 8.1.4(a)), and such default shall continue unremedied for a period
         of 30 days after notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower
         by any Agent or the Required Lenders.

                  8.1.5 Default on Other Indebtedness. A default shall occur in
the payment of any amount when due (subject to any applicable grace period),
whether by acceleration or otherwise, of any principal or stated amount of, or
interest or fees on, any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness described in
Section 8.1.1) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries having a principal or
stated amount, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $5,000,000, or a
default shall occur in the performance or observance of any obligation or
condition with respect to such Indebtedness if the effect of such default is to
accelerate the maturity of any such Indebtedness or such default shall continue
unremedied for any applicable period of time sufficient to permit the

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holder or holders of such Indebtedness, or any trustee or agent for such
holders, to cause or declare such Indebtedness to become due and payable or to
require such Indebtedness to be prepaid, redeemed, purchased or defeased, or
require an offer to purchase or defease such Indebtedness to be made, prior to
its expressed maturity.

                  8.1.6 Judgments. Any judgment or order for the payment of
money, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of $5,000,000 (exclusive of
any amounts fully covered by insurance (less any applicable deductible) to the
extent the provider of such insurance is not denying its liability with respect
thereto) shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and
such judgment shall not have been vacated or discharged or stayed or bonded
pending appeal within 30 days after the entry thereof or enforcement proceedings
shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order.

                  8.1.7 Pension Plans. Any of the following events shall occur
with respect to any Pension Plan

                      (a) the institution of any steps by the Borrower, any
         member of its Controlled Group or any other Person to terminate a
         Pension Plan if, as a result of such termination, the Borrower or any
         such member is required to make a contribution to such Pension Plan, or
         could reasonably be expected to incur a liability or obligation to such
         Pension Plan, in excess of $5,000,000; or

                      (b) a contribution failure occurs with respect to any
         Pension Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien under section 302(f) of
         ERISA in an amount in excess of $5,000,000.

                  8.1.8 Change in Control. Any Change in Control shall occur.

                  8.1.9 Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc. the Borrower or any
Material Subsidiary shall

                      (a) become insolvent or generally fail to pay, or admit in
         writing its inability or unwillingness generally to pay, debts as they
         become due;

                      (b) apply for, consent to or suffer to exist the
         appointment of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for
         any substantial part of the property of any thereof, or make a general
         assignment for the benefit of creditors;

                      (c) in the absence of such application, consent,
         sufferance or assignment, permit or suffer to exist the appointment of
         a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for a substantial
         part of the property of any thereof, and such trustee, receiver,
         sequestrator or other custodian shall not be discharged within 60 days;
         provided, that the Borrower (for itself and its Material Subsidiaries)
         hereby expressly authorize each Secured Party to appear in any court
         conducting any relevant proceeding during such 60-day period to
         preserve, protect and defend their rights under the Credit Documents;

                      (d) permit or suffer to exist the commencement of any
         bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement or other case or
         proceeding under any bankruptcy or

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         insolvency law or any dissolution, winding up or liquidation
         proceeding, in respect thereof, and, if any such case or proceeding is
         not commenced by the Borrower or any such Material Subsidiary, such
         case or proceeding shall be consented to or acquiesced in by such
         Person or shall result in the entry of an order for relief or shall
         remain for 60 days undismissed; provided, that the Borrower (for itself
         and its Material Subsidiaries) hereby expressly authorize each Secured
         Party to appear in any court conducting any such case or proceeding
         during such 60-day period to preserve, protect and defend their rights
         under the Credit Documents; or

                      (e) take any action authorizing, or in furtherance of, any
         of the foregoing.

                  8.1.10 Impairment of Security, etc. Any material provision of
any Loan Document or any Lien granted thereunder with respect to any material
assets shall (except in accordance with its terms), in whole or in part,
terminate, cease to be effective or cease to be the legally valid, binding and
enforceable obligation of any Obligor party thereto; any Obligor shall contest
in any manner such effectiveness, validity, binding nature or enforceability;
or, except as permitted under any Loan Document, any Lien securing any
Obligation shall, in whole or in part, cease to be a perfected first priority
Lien.

                  8.1.11 Failure of Subordination. The subordination provisions
relating to any Subordinated Debt (the "Subordination Provisions") shall for any
reason be revoked or invalidated or otherwise cease to be in full force and
effect or to be enforceable by the Lenders, the Agents and the Issuers in
material accordance with the terms thereof or the monetary Obligations shall
fail to constitute "Senior Indebtedness" (or a similar term) referring to the
Obligations; or any Obligor of Subordinated Debt shall disavow or contest in any
manner (i) the effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any of the material
Subordination Provisions, (ii) that the Subordination Provisions exist for the
benefit of the Lenders, the Agents and the Issuers or (iii) that all payments of
principal of or premium and interest on the Subordinated Debt, or realized from
the liquidation of any property of any Obligor, shall be subject to any of such
Subordination Provisions.

         Section 8.2 Action if Bankruptcy. If any Event of Default described in
clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9 shall occur with respect to the
Borrower, the Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) shall automatically
terminate and the outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all
other Loan Obligations (including Reimbursement Obligations) shall automatically
be and become immediately due and payable by the Borrower, without notice or
demand to any Person, and the Borrower shall automatically and immediately be
obligated to Cash Collateralize all Letter of Credit Outstandings.

         Section 8.3 Action if Other Event of Default. If any Event of Default
(other than any Event of Default described in clauses (a) through (d) of Section
8.1.9) shall occur for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary, and be
continuing, the Administrative Agent, upon the direction of the Required
Lenders, shall by notice to the Borrower declare all or any portion of the
outstanding principal amount of the Loans and other Loan Obligations (including
Reimbursement Obligations) to be due and payable by the Borrower and/or the
relevant Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) to be terminated, whereupon
the full unpaid amount of such Loans and other Loan Obligations which shall be
so declared due and payable shall be

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and become immediately due and payable, without further notice, demand or
presentment, and/or, as the case may be, the relevant Commitments shall
terminate and the Borrower shall automatically and immediately be obligated to
Cash Collateralize all Letter of Credit Outstandings.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                    THE AGENT

         Section 9.1 Appointments and Authorizations; Actions.

                      (a) Each Lender hereby appoints Bankers Trust as its
         Administrative Agent under and for purposes of each Loan Document. Each
         Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to act on behalf of such
         Lender under each Loan Document and, in the absence of other written
         instructions from the Required Lenders received from time to time by
         the Administrative Agent (with respect to which the Administrative
         Agent agrees that it will comply, except as otherwise provided in this
         Section or as otherwise advised by counsel in order to avoid
         contravention of applicable law), to exercise such powers hereunder and
         thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the
         Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with
         such powers as may be reasonably incidental thereto. Each Lender hereby
         indemnifies (which indemnity shall survive any termination of this
         Agreement) the Administrative Agent, pro rata according to such
         Lender's proportionate Total Exposure Amount, from and against any and
         all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, costs or
         expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be
         imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against, the Administrative Agent
         in any way relating to or arising out of any Loan Document, including
         reasonable attorneys' fees, and as to which the Administrative Agent is
         not reimbursed by the Borrower; provided, however, that no Lender shall
         be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities,
         obligations, losses, damages, claims, costs or expenses which are
         determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final proceeding
         to have resulted from the Administrative Agent's gross negligence or
         willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to
         take any action under any Loan Document, or to prosecute or defend any
         suit in respect of any Loan Document, unless it is indemnified
         hereunder to its satisfaction. If any indemnity in favor of the
         Administrative Agent shall be or become, in the Administrative Agent's
         determination, inadequate, such Agent may call for additional
         indemnification from the Lenders and cease to do the acts indemnified
         against hereunder until such additional indemnity is given.
         Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in
         any Loan Document, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duties
         or responsibilities except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall
         the Administrative Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary
         relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions,
         responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into
         any Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

                      (b) The Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with
         respect to the Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents
         associated therewith until such time and except for so long as the
         Administrative Agent may agree at the request of the Required Lenders
         to act for the Issuer with respect thereto; provided, however, that the
         Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to
         the Administrative Agent in this

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         Section 9.1 with respect to any acts taken or omissions of the Issuer
         in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be
         issued by it and the applications and agreements for letters of credit
         pertaining to the Letters of Credit as fully as if the term
         "Administrative Agent", as used in this Section 9.1, included the
         Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (ii) as additionally
         provided in this Agreement with respect to the Issuer.

                      (c) The Swing Line Lender shall have all of the benefits
         and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in this Section
         9.1 with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by the Swing
         Line Lender in connection with Swing Line Loans made or proposed to be
         made by it as fully as if the term "Administrative Agent", as used in
         this Section 9.1, included the Swing Line Lender with respect to such
         acts or omissions and (ii) as additionally provided in this Agreement
         with respect to the Swing Line Lender.

                      (d) The Lenders authorize the Administrative Agent to
         hold, for and on behalf of the Lenders, security in the assets and
         properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries securing the
         Obligations.

         Section 9.2 Funding Reliance, etc. Unless the Administrative Agent
shall have been notified in writing by any Lender by 3:00 p.m. on the Business
Day prior to a Borrowing that such Lender will not make available the amount
which would constitute its Percentage of such Borrowing on the date specified
therefor, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such
amount available to the Administrative Agent and, in reliance upon such
assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If and to the
extent that such Lender shall not have made such amount available to the
Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to repay the
Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with
interest thereon, for each day from the date the Administrative Agent made such
amount available to the Borrower to the date such amount is repaid to the
Administrative Agent, at the interest rate applicable at the time to Loans
comprising such Borrowing (in the case of the Borrower) and (in the case of a
Lender), at the Federal Funds Rate, for the first two Business Days after which
such amount has not been repaid, and thereafter at the interest rate applicable
to Loans comprising such Borrowing.

         Section 9.3 Exculpation. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of
its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable to any Lender for
any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under any Loan Document, in
connection herewith or therewith, except for its own willful misconduct or gross
negligence, nor responsible for any recitals, statements, representations or
warranties herein or therein or in any certificate, report, statement or other
document referred to or provided for herein or therein, nor for the
effectiveness, enforceability, validity or due execution of any Loan Document,
nor for the creation, perfection or priority of any Liens purported to be
created by any of the Loan Documents, or the validity, genuineness,
enforceability, existence, value or sufficiency of any collateral security, nor
to make any inquiry respecting the observance or performance by any Obligor of
its Obligations. Any such inquiry which may be made by either the Administrative
Agent shall not obligate it to make any further inquiry or to take any action.
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon advice of counsel
concerning legal matters and upon any notice, consent, certificate, statement or
writing

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which the Administrative Agent believes to be genuine and to have been presented
by a proper Person.

         Section 9.4 Successor. The Administrative Agent may resign as such at
any time upon at least 30 days' prior notice to the Borrower and all Lenders. If
the Administrative Agent at any time shall resign, the Required Lenders may
appoint another Lender as a successor Administrative Agent which shall thereupon
become the Administrative Agent hereunder. If no successor Administrative Agent
shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted
such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent's
giving notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on
behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be
one of the Lenders or a commercial banking institution organized under the laws
of the U.S. (or any State thereof) or a U.S. branch or agency of a commercial
banking institution, and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$250,000,000 to act as Administrative Agent until such time, if any, as the
Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided above;
provided, however, that if, such retiring Administrative Agent is unable to find
a commercial banking institution which is willing to accept such appointment and
which meets the qualifications set forth in above, the retiring Administrative
Agent's resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the
Lenders shall assume and perform all of the duties of the Administrative Agent
hereunder until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor
as provided for above. The appointment of any successor Administrative Agent
pursuant to the fifth sentence of this Section 9.4 shall require the consent of
the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed and
which consent shall not be required if a Default has occurred and is then
continuing. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such successor Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to receive from the retiring Administrative Agent such
documents of transfer and assignment as such successor Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, and shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and
the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under the Loan Documents. After any retiring Administrative Agent's
resignation hereunder as the Administrative Agent, the provisions of this
Article shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be
taken by it while it was the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents, and
Sections 10.3 and 10.4 shall continue to inure to its benefit.

         Section 9.5 Credit Extensions by each Agent. Each of the Administrative
Agent and the Issuer shall have the same rights and powers with respect to
(x)(i) in the case of an Agent, the Credit Extensions made by it or any of its
Affiliates and (ii) in the case of the Issuer, the Loans made by it or any of
its Affiliates, and (y) the Notes held by it or any of its Affiliates as any
other Lender and may exercise the same as if it were not an Agent or the Issuer.
Each Agent, the Issuer and each and each of their respective Affiliates may
accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of
business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Borrower as if
the Administrative Agent or the Issuer were not the Administrative Agent or the
Issuer hereunder. The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities,
Bankers Trust or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Borrower
or its Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality
obligations in favor of the Borrower or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that
Bankers Trust and its Affiliates shall be under no obligation to provide such
information to them.

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         Section 9.6 Credit Decisions. Each Lender acknowledges that it has,
independently of the Administrative Agent and each other Lender, and based on
such Lender's review of the financial information of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, the Loan Documents (the terms and provisions of which being
satisfactory to such Lender) and such other documents, information and
investigations as such Lender has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
decision to extend its Commitments. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will,
independently of the Administrative Agent and each other Lender, and based on
such other documents, information and investigations as it shall deem
appropriate at any time, continue to make its own credit decisions as to
exercising or not exercising from time to time any rights and privileges
available to it under the Loan Documents.

         Section 9.7 Copies, etc. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt
notice to each Lender of each notice or request required or permitted to be
given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the
Loan Documents (unless concurrently delivered to the Lenders by the Borrower).
The Administrative Agent will distribute to each Lender each document or
instrument received for its account and copies of all other communications
received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for distribution to the
Lenders by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of the Loan
Documents.

         Section 9.8 Reliance by Agents. The Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any
certification, notice or other communication (including any thereof by
telephone, telecopy, telegram or cable) believed by it to be genuine and correct
and to have been signed, sent or made by or on behalf of the proper Person, and
upon advice and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other
experts selected by the Administrative Agent. As to any matters not expressly
provided for by the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall in all cases
be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder or
thereunder in accordance with instructions given by the Required Lenders or all
of the Lenders as is required in such circumstance or as the Administrative
Agent deems appropriate, and such instructions of such Lenders and any action
taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all Secured
Parties; prior to acting, or refraining from acting, in any such circumstance,
either such Agent may request confirmation from the Lenders of their obligation
to indemnify the Administrative Agent against any and all liability and expense
which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such
action. For purposes of applying amounts in accordance with this Section, the
Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any Secured Party that has
entered into a Rate Protection Agreement with any Obligor for a determination
(which such Secured Party agrees to provide or cause to be provided upon request
of the Administrative Agent) of the outstanding Obligations owed to such Secured
Party under any Rate Protection Agreement. Unless it has actual knowledge
evidenced by way of written notice from any such Secured Party and the Borrower
to the contrary, the Administrative Agent, in acting in such capacity under the
Loan Documents, shall be entitled to assume that no Rate Protection Agreements
or Obligations in respect thereof are in existence or outstanding between any
Secured Party and any Obligor.

         Section 9.9 Notice of Defaults. The Administrative Agent shall not be
deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of a Default or an Event of
Default unless the Administrative Agent has received a written notice from a
Lender or the Borrower specifying such Default or Event of Default and stating
that such notice is a "Notice of Default". In the event that the Administrative
Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or

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Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to
the Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall (subject to Section 10.1) take such
action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be directed by
the Required Lenders (or, if required, all Lenders) and in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement; provided, that unless and until the Administrative
Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but
shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action,
with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in
the best interest of the Lenders except to the extent that this Agreement
expressly requires that such action be taken, or not be taken, only with the
consent or upon the authorization of the Required Lenders or all Lenders, as
applicable.

         Section 9.10 Other Titles. None of the institutions identified as
"Syndication Agent" or "Documentation Agent" on the title page to this Agreement
shall have any obligations, liabilities or duties under this Agreement other
than those applicable to a Lender (but only if such institution is a Lender) as
such, and no such institution shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary
relationship with any Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied,
and will not rely, on any such institution in deciding to enter into this
Agreement or in taking or not taking any action hereunder.

                                   ARTICLE X
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         Section 10.1 Waivers, Amendments, etc.

                  10.1.1 Waiver and Amendment Requirements. The provisions of
each Loan Document may from time to time be amended, modified or waived, if such
amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and consented to by the Borrower
and the Required Lenders; provided, however, that no such amendment,
modification or waiver shall:

                      (a) modify this Section without the consent of all Lenders
         except that this Section may be modified with the consent of the
         Required Lenders (or in the case of loans pursuant to Section 2.8,
         those lenders making such loans) as required to include any additional
         Tranche herein on the same basis as those Tranches existing on the date
         hereof are included herein on the date hereof;

                      (b) increase the aggregate amount of any Credit Extensions
         required to be made by a Lender pursuant to a Commitment (it being
         understood that waivers or modifications (x) of conditions precedent,
         covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or (y) of a mandatory
         reduction in the Commitment Amount relating to such Commitment shall
         not constitute an increase of the aggregate amount of Credit Extensions
         that may be required to be made by such Lender pursuant to such
         Commitment), extend any final Commitment Termination Date or reduce any
         fees described in Article III payable to any Lender without the consent
         of such Lender;

                      (c) extend any Stated Maturity Date for any Lender's Loan
         (it being understood that amending the mandatory prepayment provisions
         (other than the Stated Maturity Date) or financial covenants (or
         component definitions thereof) shall not constitute an extension of any
         Lender's Loan) or extend the stated maturity of any Letter

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         of Credit beyond the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, or
         reduce the principal amount of, rate of interest or fees on any Loan or
         Reimbursement Obligations (which shall in each case include the
         conversion of all or any part of the Loan Obligations into equity of
         any Obligor) (it being understood that amending the financial covenants
         or component definitions thereof shall not constitute a reduction in
         the rate of interest applicable to any Loan or Reimbursement
         Obligation), or extend the date on which interest or fees are payable
         in respect of such Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, in each case,
         without the consent of the Lender which has made such Loan or, in the
         case of a Reimbursement Obligation, the Issuer owed, and those Lenders
         participating in, such Reimbursement Obligation (it being understood
         and agreed, however, that any vote to rescind any acceleration made
         pursuant to Section 8.2 and Section 8.3 of amounts owing with respect
         to the Loans and other Loan Obligations shall only require the vote of
         the Required Lenders);

                      (d) reduce the percentage set forth in the definition of
         "Required Lenders" or modify any requirement hereunder that any
         particular action be taken by all Lenders without the consent of all
         Lenders (it being understood that, with the consent of the Required
         Lenders (or in the case of loans pursuant to Section 2.8, those lenders
         making such loans), additional extensions of credit pursuant to this
         Agreement (including, without limitation, any new or additional
         Tranche) may be included in the determination of Required Lenders on
         substantially the same basis as the extensions of Term A Loans and
         Revolving Loan Commitments are included in such determination on the
         date hereof);

                      (e) except as otherwise expressly provided in a Loan
         Document, release (i) the Borrower from its Loan Obligations under the
         Loan Documents, or any Subsidiary Guarantor from its Obligations under
         the Subsidiary Guaranty (other than in connection with a Disposition of
         all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary
         Guarantor in a transaction permitted by Section 7.2.11 or consented to
         by the Required Lenders) or (ii) all or substantially all of the
         collateral under the Loan Documents, or consent to the assignment or
         transfer by the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor of any of its
         rights and obligations under this Agreement, in each case without the
         consent of all Lenders; provided that the Required Lenders may consent
         to the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor that (A) accounted for no
         more than 15% of consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower
         ending on March 31, 2001, or if later, the last day of the most
         recently completed Fiscal Quarter with respect to which, pursuant to
         Section 7.1.1, financial statements have been, or are required to have
         been, delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and (B) has
         assets which represent no more than 15% of the consolidated assets of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2001, or if later,
         the last day of the last Fiscal Quarter of the most recently completed
         Fiscal Quarter with respect to which, pursuant to Section 7.1.1,
         financial statements have been, or are required to have been, delivered
         by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent;

                      (f) amend, modify or waive clause (b) of Section 3.1.1 in
         a manner adverse to the holders of Revolving Loan Commitments unless
         such amendment, modification or waiver shall have been consented to by
         the holders of at least a majority of the Revolving Loan Commitments;

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                      (g) amend, modify or waive the provisions of clause
         (a)(i), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of Section 3.1.1 or clause (b) of Section
         3.1.2 although the Required Lenders may waive in whole or in part, any
         prepayment or repayment pursuant to clause (a)(i), (d), (e) or (f) of
         Section 3.1.1 so long as the application, as amongst the various
         Tranches, of any such prepayment or repayment which is still required
         to be made is not altered), unless such amendment, modification or
         waiver shall have been consented to by the holders of at least a
         majority of the aggregate amount of Loans outstanding under the Tranche
         or Tranches adversely affected by such modification (it being agreed
         that, in the event consented to by the Required Lenders, any increase
         in a Commitment Amount or the inclusion of another commitment to extend
         credit under this Agreement shall not be deemed for purposes of this
         clause (g) to constitute a modification that would adversely affect a
         Tranche);

                      (h) change any of the terms of Section 2.3.2 without the
         consent of the Swing Line Lender;

                      (i) change any of the terms of Section 2.6 without the
         consent of the Issuer;

                      (j) amend, waive or modify any provision of Article XI as
         it applies to the Administrative Agent or any other provision in any
         manner that affects adversely the interests, rights or obligations of
         the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as the Administrative Agent)
         or the Issuer, unless consented to by the Administrative Agent or the
         Issuer, as the case may be; or

                      (k) amend, modify or waive the definition of "Percentage",
         "RL Percentage" or "Term A Percentage" without the consent of each
         Lender affected thereby (it being understood that with the consent of
         the Required Lenders (or in the case of loans pursuant to Section 2.8,
         those lenders making such loans), the definition of "Percentage" and
         this clause (k) may be amended to reflect additional extensions of
         credit pursuant to this Agreement (including, without limitation, any
         new or additional Tranche) on substantially the same basis as RL
         Percentage and Term A Percentage are included therein on the date
         hereof).

No failure or delay on the part of the Administrative Agent, the Issuer or any
Lender in exercising any power or right under any Loan Document shall operate as
a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power or
right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other power or right. No notice to or demand on any Obligor in any case shall
entitle it to any notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. No waiver
or approval by the Administrative Agent, the Issuer or any Lender under any Loan
Document shall, except as may be otherwise stated in such waiver or approval, be
applicable to subsequent transactions. No waiver or approval hereunder shall
require any similar or dissimilar waiver or approval thereafter to be granted
hereunder.

         For purposes of this Section 10.1, the Administrative Agent shall have
primary responsibility, together with the Borrower, in the negotiation,
preparation and documentation relating to any amendment, modification or waiver
under this Agreement, any other Loan

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Document or any other agreement or document related hereto or thereto
contemplated pursuant to this Section.

                  10.1.2 Replacement of Non-Consenting Lenders. If, in
connection with any proposed amendment, modification or waiver to any of the
provisions of this Agreement as contemplated by clauses (a) through (g),
inclusive, of the first proviso to Section 10.1.1, the consent of the Required
Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders whose
consent is required is not obtained, then the Borrower shall have the right, so
long as all non-consenting Lenders whose individual consent is required are
treated as described in either clauses (A) or (B) below, to either (A) replace
each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders (or, at the option of the Borrower if
the respective Lender's consent is required with respect to less than all Loans,
to replace only the respective Loans of the respective non-consenting Lender
which gave rise to the need to obtain such Lender's individual consent) with one
or more financial institutions or other Persons (each a "Consenting Lender")
pursuant to this Section 10.1.2 so long as at the time of such replacement, each
such Consenting Lender consents to the proposed amendment, modification, or
waiver or (B) terminate such non-consenting Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment
and repay all outstanding Loans of such Lender which gave rise to the need to
obtain such Lender's consent, in accordance with Section 2.2.1(b) and/or
3.1.1(h); provided that, unless the Revolving Loan Commitment terminated and
Loans repaid pursuant to the preceding clause (B) are immediately replaced in
full at such time through the addition of new Lenders or the increase of the
Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of existing Lenders (who in each case must
specifically consent thereto), then in the case of any action pursuant to
preceding clause (B) the Required Lenders (determined before giving effect to
the proposed action) shall specifically consent thereto, provided, further, that
in any event Borrower shall not have the right to replace a Lender, terminate
its Revolving Loan Commitment or repay its Loans solely as a result of the
exercise of such Lender's rights (and the withholding of any required consent by
such Lender) contemplated by the first proviso to this Section 10.1.2. At the
time of any replacement pursuant to this Section 10.1.2, the Consenting Lender
shall enter into one or more assignment agreements, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to which the
Consenting Lender shall acquire all of the Commitments and outstanding Loans of,
and participation in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans by, the
non-consenting Lender and (ii) all obligations of the Borrower owing to the
non-consenting Lender (including, without limitation, such increased costs and
excluding those specifically described in clause (i) above in respect of which
the assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently being paid) shall be
paid in full to such non-consenting Lender concurrently with such replacement.
Upon the execution of the respective assignment documentation, the payment of
amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above and, if so requested by the
Consenting Lender, delivery to the Consenting Lender of the appropriate Note or
Notes executed by the Borrower, the Consenting Lender shall become a Lender
hereunder and the non-consenting Lender shall cease to constitute a Lender
hereunder, except with respect to indemnification provisions under this
Agreement, which shall survive as to such non-consenting Lender. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained above, no Lender that acts as an Issuer may
be replaced hereunder at any time which it has Letters of Credit outstanding
hereunder unless arrangements reasonably satisfactory to such Issuer (including
the furnishing of a standby letter of credit in form and substance, and issued
by an issuer reasonably satisfactory to such Issuer or the Cash Collateralizing
of Letter of Credit Outstandings in amounts and pursuant to arrangements
reasonably satisfactory to such Issuer) have been made with respect to such
outstanding Letters of Credit.

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         Section 10.2 Notices; Time. All notices and other communications
provided under each Loan Document shall be in writing (including by facsimile)
and addressed, delivered or transmitted, if to the Administrative Agent, the
Borrower, at its address or facsimile number set forth below its signature in
this Agreement, and if to a Lender or the Issuer to the applicable Person at its
address or facsimile number set forth below its signature in this Agreement or
set forth in the Lender Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it became a
Lender hereunder, or at such other address or facsimile number as may be
designated by any such party in a notice to the other parties. Any notice, if
mailed and properly addressed with postage prepaid or if properly addressed and
sent by pre-paid courier service, shall be deemed given when received; any
notice, if transmitted by facsimile, shall be deemed given when the confirmation
of transmission thereof is received by the transmitter. Unless otherwise
indicated, all references to the time of a day in a Loan Document shall refer to
New York City time.

         Section 10.3 Payment of Costs and Expenses. The Borrower agrees to pay
on demand all reasonable expenses of the Administrative Agent (including the
fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of Winston & Strawn, counsel to the
Administrative Agent, and of local counsel, if any, who may be retained by or on
behalf of the Administrative Agent) in connection with

                      (a) the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery
         and ongoing administration of each Loan Document, including schedules
         and exhibits, the syndication of the Loans and any amendments, waivers,
         consents, supplements or other modifications to any Loan Document as
         may from time to time hereafter be required, whether or not the
         transactions contemplated hereby are consummated;

                      (b) the filing or recording of any Loan Document
         (including the Filing Statements) and all amendments, supplements,
         amendment and restatements and other modifications to any thereof,
         searches made following the Closing Date in jurisdictions where Filing
         Statements (or other documents evidencing Liens in favor of the Secured
         Parties) have been recorded and any and all other documents or
         instruments of further assurance required to be filed or recorded by
         the terms of any Loan Document; and

                      (c) the preparation and review of the form of any document
         or instrument relevant to any Loan Document.

The Borrower further agrees to pay, and to save each Secured Party harmless from
all liability for, any stamp or other taxes which may be payable in connection
with the execution or delivery of each Loan Document, the Credit Extensions or
the issuance of the Notes. The Borrower also agrees to reimburse each Secured
Party upon demand for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses of counsel to each Secured Party)
incurred by such Secured Party in connection with the enforcement of any Loan
Obligations.

         Section 10.4 Indemnification. In consideration of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by each Secured Party, the Borrower hereby
indemnifies, exonerates and holds each Secured Party, each of their Affiliates
and each of their respective officers, directors, employees and agents
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties") free and harmless from and against any
and all actions, causes of action, suits, losses, costs, liabilities and
damages, and expenses incurred in connection therewith (irrespective of whether
any such Indemnified Party is a party to the action

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for which indemnification hereunder is sought), including reasonable attorneys'
fees and disbursements, whether incurred in connection with actions between or
among the parties hereto or the parties hereto and third parties (collectively,
the "Indemnified Liabilities"), incurred by the Indemnified Parties or any of
them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to

                      (a) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or
         in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of any Credit
         Extension, including all Indemnified Liabilities arising in connection
         with the Transactions;

                      (b) the entering into and performance of any Loan Document
         by any of the Indemnified Parties (including any action brought by or
         on behalf of the Borrower as the result of any determination by the
         Required Lenders pursuant to Article V not to fund any Credit
         Extension, provided that any such action is resolved pursuant to a
         final judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction in favor of such
         Indemnified Party);

                      (c) any investigation, litigation or proceeding related to
         any acquisition or proposed acquisition by any Obligor or any
         Subsidiary thereof of all or any portion of the Capital Stock or assets
         of any Person, whether or not an Indemnified Party is party thereto;

                      (d) any investigation, litigation or proceeding related to
         any environmental cleanup, audit, compliance or other matter relating
         to the protection of the environment arising from the Release or
         threatened Release by any Obligor or any Subsidiary thereof of any
         Hazardous Material;

                      (e) any investigation, claim, litigation, or proceeding
         related to personal injury arising from exposure or alleged exposure to
         Hazardous Materials handled by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

                      (f) the presence on or under, or the escape, seepage,
         leakage, spillage, discharge, emission, discharging or releases from,
         any real property owned or operated by any Obligor or any Subsidiary
         thereof of any Hazardous Material (including any losses, liabilities,
         damages, injuries, costs, expenses or claims asserted or arising under
         any Environmental Law), regardless of whether caused by, or within the
         control of, such Obligor or Subsidiary; or

                      (g) each Lender's Environmental Liability (the
         indemnification herein shall survive repayment of the Obligations and
         any transfer of the property of any Obligor or its Subsidiaries by
         foreclosure or by a deed in lieu of foreclosure for any Lender's
         Environmental Liability, regardless of whether caused by, or within the
         control of, such Obligor or such Subsidiary);

except for Indemnified Liabilities arising for the account of a particular
Indemnified Party by reason of such Indemnified Party's gross negligence or
willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final
proceeding. Each Obligor and its successors and assigns hereby waive, release
and agree not to make any claim or bring any cost recovery action against any
Indemnified Party under CERCLA or any state equivalent, or any similar law now
existing or hereafter enacted, with respect to any liabilities subject to
indemnification under this Section 10.4. It is expressly understood and agreed
that to the extent that any Indemnified Party

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is strictly liable under any Environmental Laws, each Obligor's obligation to
such Indemnified Party under this indemnity shall likewise be without regard to
fault on the part of any Obligor with respect to the violation or condition
which results in liability of an Indemnified Party. If and to the extent that
the foregoing undertaking may be unenforceable for any reason, each Obligor
agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each
of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.

         Section 10.5 Survival. The obligations of the Borrower under Sections
4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 10.3 and 10.4 and the obligations of the Lenders under
Section 10.1, shall in each case survive any assignment from one Lender to
another (in the case of Sections 10.3 and 10.4) and the occurrence of the
Termination Date. The representations and warranties made by each Obligor in
each Loan Document shall survive the execution and delivery of such Loan
Document.

         Section 10.6 Severability. Any provision of any Loan Document which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such provision and
such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or
unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions of such Loan
Document or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any
other jurisdiction.

         Section 10.7 Headings. The various headings of each Loan Document are
inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation
of such Loan Document or any provisions thereof.

         Section 10.8 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed
by the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be an
original and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same
agreement.

         Section 10.9 Governing Law; Entire Agreement. EACH LOAN DOCUMENT (OTHER
THAN THE LETTERS OF CREDIT, TO THE EXTENT SPECIFIED BELOW AND EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN A LOAN DOCUMENT) WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A
CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING
FOR SUCH PURPOSE SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK). EACH LETTER OF CREDIT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OR RULES DESIGNATED IN SUCH LETTER OF
CREDIT, OR IF NO LAWS OR RULES ARE DESIGNATED, THE INTERNATIONAL STANDBY
PRACTICES (ISP98--INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PUBLICATION NUMBER 590 (THE
"ISP RULES")) AND, AS TO MATTERS NOT GOVERNED BY THE ISP RULES, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK. The Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding among
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter thereof and supersede any
prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

         Section 10.10 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns; provided, however, that the Borrower may not assign or
transfer its rights or obligations hereunder without the consent of all of the
Lenders.

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         Section 10.11 Sale and Transfer of Credit Extensions; Participations in
Credit Extensions Notes. Each Lender may assign, or sell participations in, its
Loans, Letters of Credit and Commitments to one or more other Persons in
accordance with this the terms set forth below.

                  10.11.1 Assignments. Any Lender (an "Assignor Lender"),

                      (a) (i) with the written consents of the Borrower, the
         Administrative Agent and (in the case of any assignment of Revolving
         Loan Commitments and related participations in Letters of Credit and
         Letter of Credit Outstandings) the Issuer (which consents (A) shall not
         be unreasonably delayed or withheld, (B) of the Borrower shall not be
         required in connection with assignments made by the Administrative
         Agent during the Syndication Period, between two Lenders or upon the
         occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default and (C)
         of the Administrative Agent and the Issuer shall not be required in the
         case of any assignment made by or to Bankers Trust or any of its
         Affiliates) and (ii) with notice to, and the acknowledgment of, the
         Administrative Agent, may at any time assign and delegate to one or
         more commercial banks, funds that are regularly engaged in making,
         purchasing or investing in loans or securities, or other financial
         institutions, and

                      (b) with notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent,
         and (in the case of any assignment of Revolving Loan Commitments and
         related participations in Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit
         Outstandings) the Issuer, but without the consent of the Borrower, the
         Administrative Agent or the Issuer, may assign and delegate to any of
         its Affiliates or Related Funds or to any other Lender or any Affiliate
         or Related Fund of any other Lender

(each Person described in either of the foregoing clauses as being the Person to
whom such assignment and delegation is to be made, being hereinafter referred to
as an "Assignee Lender"), all or any fraction of such Assignor Lender's Loans
and Commitments (and, in the case of any assignment of Revolving Loan
Commitments, related participations in Letters of Credit, Letter of Credit
Outstandings and Swing Line Loans) (which assignment and delegation shall be, as
among Revolving Loan Commitments, Revolving Loans and participations in Letters
of Credit, Letter of Credit Outstandings and Swing Line Loans, of a constant,
and not a varying, percentage) is in a minimum aggregate amount of the lesser of
(i) $5,000,000 (provided that (1) assignments that are made on the same day to
funds that (x) invest in commercial loans and (y) are managed or advised by the
same investment advisor or any Affiliate of such investment advisor may be
treated as a single assignment for purposes of the minimum amount and (2) no
minimum amount shall be required in the case of any assignment between two
Lenders so long as the Assignor Lender has an aggregate amount of Loans and
Commitments of at least $2,000,000 following such assignment) unless the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent or (ii) the then
remaining amount of such Assignor Lender's Loans and Commitments; provided,
however, that any such Assignee Lender will comply, if applicable, with the
provisions contained in Section 4.6 and each Obligor, the Administrative Agent
shall be entitled to continue to deal solely and directly with such Assignor
Lender in connection with the interests so assigned and delegated to an Assignee
Lender until

                  (A) written notice of such assignment and delegation, together
                  with payment instructions, addresses and related information
                  with respect to such Assignee

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                  Lender, shall have been given to the Borrower and the
                  Administrative Agent by such Assignor Lender and such Assignee
                  Lender;

                  (B) such Assignee Lender shall have executed and delivered to
                  the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a Lender Assignment
                  Agreement, accepted by the Administrative Agent;

                  (C) the processing fees described below shall have been paid;
                  and

                  (D) the Administrative Agent shall have registered such
                  assignment and delegation in the Register pursuant to clause
                  (b) of Section 2.7.

From and after the date that the Administrative Agent accept such Lender
Assignment Agreement and such assignment and delegation is registered pursuant
to clause (b) of Section 2.7, (x) the Assignee Lender thereunder shall be deemed
automatically to have become a party hereto and to the extent that rights and
obligations hereunder have been assigned and delegated to such Assignee Lender
in connection with such Lender Assignment Agreement, shall have the rights and
obligations of a Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and (y)
the Assignor Lender, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have
been assigned and delegated by it in connection with such Lender Assignment
Agreement, shall be released from its obligations hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents. Any Assignor Lender that shall have previously requested and
received any Note or Notes in respect of any Tranche to which any such
assignment applies shall, upon the acceptance by the Administrative Agent of the
applicable Lender Assignment Agreement, mark such Note or Notes "exchanged" and
deliver them to the Borrower (against, if the Assignor Lender has retained Loans
or Commitments with respect to the applicable Tranche and has requested
replacement Notes pursuant to clause (b)(ii) of Section 2.7, its receipt from
the Borrower of replacement Notes in the principal amount of the Loans and
Commitments of the applicable Tranche retained by it). Such Assignor Lender or
such Assignee Lender (unless the Assignor Lender or the Assignee Lender is
Bankers Trust or one of its Affiliates) must also pay a processing fee to the
Administrative Agent upon delivery of any Lender Assignment Agreement in the
amount of $3,500, unless such assignment and delegation is by a Lender to its
Affiliate or Related Fund or if such assignment and delegation is by a Lender to
a Federal Reserve Bank, as provided below or the Administrative Agent otherwise
agrees in writing. Any attempted assignment and delegation not made in
accordance with this Section 10.11.1 shall be null and void. Nothing contained
in this Section 10.11.1 shall prevent or prohibit any Lender from pledging its
rights (but not its obligations to make Loans or participate in Letters of
Credit, Letter of Credit Outstandings or Swing Line Loans) under this Agreement
and/or its Loans hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of borrowings
made by such Lender from such Federal Reserve Bank and any Lender that is a fund
that invests in bank loans may pledge all or any portion of its rights (but not
its obligations to make Loans or participate in Letters of Credit or Letter of
Credit Outstandings) hereunder to any trustee or any other representative of
holders of obligations owed or securities issued by such fund as security for
such obligations or securities. In the event that S&P, Moody's or Thompson's
BankWatch (or Insurance Watch Ratings Service, in the case of Lenders that are
insurance companies (or Best's Insurance Reports, if such insurance company is
not rated by Insurance Watch Ratings Service)) shall, after the date that any
Lender with a Commitment to make Revolving Loans or participate in Letters of
Credit, Letter of Credit Outstandings or Swing Line Loans becomes a Lender,
downgrade the long-term certificate of deposit rating or long-term senior
unsecured debt rating

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of such Lender, and the resulting rating shall be below BBB-, Baa3 or C (or BB,
in the case of Lender that is an insurance company (or B, in the case of an
insurance company not rated by InsuranceWatch Ratings Service)) respectively,
then the Issuer or the Borrower shall have the right, but not the obligation,
upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, to replace such Lender
with an Assignee Lender in accordance with and subject to the restrictions
contained in this Section, and such Lender hereby agrees to transfer and assign
without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained
in this Section) all its interests, rights and obligations in respect of its
Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement to such Assignee Lender;
provided, however, that (i) no such assignment shall conflict with any law,
regulation or order of any governmental authority and (ii) such Assignee Lender
shall pay to such Lender in immediately available funds on the date of such
assignment the principal of and interest and fees (if any) accrued to the date
of payment on the Loans made, and Letters of Credit participated in, by such
Lender hereunder and all other amounts accrued for such Lender's account or owed
to it hereunder.

                  10.11.2 Participations. Any Lender may sell to one or more
commercial banks or other Persons (each of such commercial banks and other
Persons being herein called a "Participant") participating interests in any of
the Loans, Commitments, or other interests of such Lender hereunder; provided,
however, that

                      (a) no participation contemplated in this Section shall
         relieve such Lender from its Commitments or its other obligations under
         any Loan Document;

                      (b) such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the
         performance of its Commitments and such other obligations;

                      (c) each Obligor and the Administrative Agent shall
         continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection
         with such Lender's rights and obligations under each Loan Document;

                      (d) no Participant, unless such Participant is an
         Affiliate of such Lender or is itself a Lender, shall be entitled to
         require such Lender to take or refrain from taking any action under any
         Loan Document, except that such Lender may agree with any Participant
         that such Lender will not, without such Participant's consent, take any
         actions of the type described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of Section
         10.1 with respect to Loan Obligations participated in by such
         Participant; and

                      (e) the Borrower shall not be required to pay any amount
         under this Agreement that is greater than the amount which it would
         have been required to pay had no participating interest been sold.

The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that each Participant, for purposes of
Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 7.1.1, 10.3 and 10.4, shall be considered
a Lender. Each Participant shall only be indemnified for increased costs and
taxes pursuant to Section 4.3, 4.5 or 4.6 if and to the extent that the Lender
which sold such participating interest to such Participant concurrently is
entitled to make, and does make, a claim on the Borrower for such increased
costs. Any Lender that sells a participating interest in any Loan, Commitment or
other interest to a Participant under this Section shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from

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and against any taxes, penalties, interest or other costs or losses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred or payable by the Borrower or
the Administrative Agent as a result of the failure of the Borrower or the
Administrative Agent to comply with its obligations to deduct or withhold any
Taxes from any payments made pursuant to this Agreement to such Lender or the
Administrative Agent, as the case may be, which Taxes would not have been
incurred or payable if such Participant had been a Non-Domestic Lender that was
entitled to deliver to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or such Lender,
and did in fact so deliver, a duly completed and valid Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI (or
applicable successor form) entitling such Participant to receive payments under
this Agreement without deduction or withholding of any United States federal
taxes.

         Each Lender shall, as agent of the Borrower solely for the purpose of
this Section, record in book entries maintained by such Lender the name and the
amount of the participating interest of each Participant entitled to receive
payments in respect of any participating interests sold pursuant to this
Section.

         Section 10.12 Other Transactions. Nothing contained herein shall
preclude the Administrative Agent, the Issuer or any other Lender from engaging
in any transaction, in addition to those contemplated by the Loan Documents,
with the Borrower or any of its Affiliates in which the Borrower or such
Affiliate is not restricted hereby from engaging with any other Person.

         Section 10.13 Independence of Covenants. All covenants contained in
this Agreement and each other Loan Document shall be given independent effect
such that, in the event a particular action or condition is not permitted by any
of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or be
otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not, unless
expressly so provided in such first covenant, avoid the occurrence of a Default
or an Event of Default if such action is taken or such condition exists.

         Section 10.14 Confidentiality. Each of the Lenders severally agrees to
keep confidential all information pertaining to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries furnished in connection with this Agreement which is provided to it
by any such parties or from any other Person to the extent such Lender receives
such information subject to an obligation of confidentiality or has actual
knowledge that such information is subject to an obligation of confidentiality
in accordance with such Lender's customary procedures for handling confidential
information of this nature and in a prudent fashion, and shall not disclose such
information to any Person except (i) to the extent such information is public
when received by such Lender or becomes public thereafter due to the act or
omission of any party other than a Lender, (ii) to an Affiliate of such Lender
(subject to the confidentiality provisions provided herein), counsel, auditors,
examiners of any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such Lender,
accountants and other consultants retained by the Administrative Agent or any
Lender, (iii) in connection with any litigation regarding this Agreement or any
Loan Document or the enforcement of the rights of any Lender or the
Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iv) to
the extent required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation or court order
(including , without limitation, by way of subpoena) or pursuant to the request
of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any Lender or the
Administrative Agent; provided, however, that in such event, if the Lender(s)
are able to do so, the Lender shall provide the Borrower with prompt notice of
such requested disclosure so that the Borrower may seek a protective order or
other

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appropriate remedy, and, in any event, the Lenders will endeavor in good faith
to provide only that portion of such information which, in the reasonable
judgment of the Lender(s), is relevant and legally required to be provided, or
(v) to the extent disclosure to other entities is appropriate in connection with
any proposed or actual assignment or grant of a participation by any of the
Lenders of interests in this Agreement and/or any of the other Loan Documents to
such other financial institutions (subject to the confidentiality provisions
provided herein). In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be
obligated or required to return any such information or other materials
furnished by the Borrower.

         Section 10.15 Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction. ANY
LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY
LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER
ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE LENDERS, THE ISSUER
OR THE BORROWER IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH MAY BE BROUGHT AND
MAINTAINED IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR IN THE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT
ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE
BROUGHT, AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION
WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY
CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY
PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE STATE OF NEW YORK AT THE ADDRESS FOR
NOTICES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 10.2. THE BORROWER HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE
OR HEREAFTER MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH LITIGATION BROUGHT IN
ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH LITIGATION HAS BEEN
BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BORROWER, AS THE CASE
MAY BE, HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT
OR FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OR NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR
TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION OR OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF
OR ITS PROPERTY, THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS LOAN OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE LOAN
DOCUMENTS.

         Section 10.16 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EACH
LENDER, THE ISSUER AND THE BORROWER HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND
INTENTIONALLY WAIVE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY
HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING
OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, EACH LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF
CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF
SUCH AGENT, SUCH LENDER, THE ISSUER OR THE BORROWER IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. THE
BORROWER

                                       109
<PAGE>   143

ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT CONSIDERATION
FOR THIS PROVISION (AND EACH OTHER PROVISION OF EACH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT TO
WHICH IT IS A PARTY) AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR EACH
AGENT, EACH LENDER AND THE ISSUER ENTERING INTO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS.

                                       110<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.4(b)

                         CONSENT AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO
                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

         THIS CONSENT AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT
AGREEMENT (this "Amendment"), dated as of June 15, 2001, is by and among GLOBAL
POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the
financial institutions party to the Credit Agreement (as defined below)
signatory hereto, in their capacities as lenders (collectively, the "Lenders,"
and each individually, a "Lender"), and Bankers Trust Company, as administrative
agent (the "Administrative Agent") for the Lenders.

                                   WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are
parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May
23, 2001 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect
from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), pursuant to which the Lenders have
provided to the Borrower credit facilities and other financial accommodations;
and

         WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders amend the Credit Agreement in certain respects as set forth herein
and the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are agreeable to the same, subject
to the terms and conditions hereof;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration the
receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby
agree as follows:

         1. Defined Terms. Terms capitalized herein and not otherwise defined
herein are used with the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit
Agreement.

         2. Consent and Acknowledgements. (a) The Administrative Agent and the
Required Lenders hereby consent to the repayment in full of the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Subordinated Loans (which shall not, for
purposes of this Section 2(a), exceed $40,000,000 plus payments of up to
$11,000,000 in accrued interest, premium and related fees and expenses in
respect thereto), such repayment aggregating to approximately $51,000,000 (the
"Sub Debt Repayment") pursuant to assignment agreements in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto (the "Sub Debt Prepayment Documents") or otherwise reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent.

                  (b) The Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders
acknowledge that the Additional Term A Loans made hereunder are not being made
pursuant to Section 2.8 of the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent and
the Required Lenders also acknowledge that each lender signatory hereto that is
not heretofore a "Lender" under the Credit Agreement shall become a "Lender"
under the Credit Agreement by execution hereof.

         3. Amendments to Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is, as of the
First Amendment Effective Date (as defined below), hereby amended as follows:

<PAGE>   2

         (a) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by inserting the
following definitions in alphabetical order therein:

          "Additional Term A Loan" is defined in Section 2.1.3.

          "Additional Term A Loan Commitment" means, relative to any Lender,
     such Lender's obligation (if any) to make Additional Term A Loans pursuant
     to Section 2.1.3. A Lender's Additional Term A Loan Commitment is a portion
     of, not in addition to, its Term A Loan Commitment.

          "Additional Term A Loan Commitment Amount" means, on any date,
     $35,000,000.

          "Additional Term A Loan Commitment Termination Date" means the
     earliest of

               (a) the First Amendment Effective Date (immediately after the
               extension of the Additional Term A Loans hereunder on such date);
               and

               (b) the date on which any Commitment Termination Event occurs.

          Upon the occurrence of any event described in clause (b) the
          Additional Term A Loan Commitments shall terminate automatically and
          without any further action.

          "Additional Term A Percentage" means, relative to any Lender, the
     applicable percentage relating to Additional Term A Loans set forth
     opposite its name under the column "Additional Term A Percentage" in
     Schedule I to the First Amendment.

          "First Amendment" means the Consent and First Amendment to Amended and
     Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 15, 2001 by and among the
     Borrower, the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

          "First Amendment Effective Date" has the meaning set forth in the
     First Amendment.

         (b) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by amending and
restating the definition of "Lenders" to read as follows:

          "Lenders" is defined in the preamble and includes each Person that
     becomes a Lender pursuant to the First Amendment, Section 2.8 or Section
     10.11.1.

         (c) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by amending and
restating the definition of "Term A Loan Commitment Amount" contained therein to
read as follows:

         "Term A Loan Commitment Amount" means, on any date, $95,000,000.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3

         (d) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the
words "Schedule 1.1 to the AAR Agreement" from the definition of "Term A
Percentage" and inserting in lieu thereof the words "Schedule I to the First
Amendment".

         (e) Section 2.1.3 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated in
its entirety to read as follows:

                  2.1.3 Term A Loan Commitment. The Borrower and the Lenders
         acknowledge the making of the Existing Term A Loan and the Existing
         Term B Loan and each Lender that has a Term A Loan Commitment,
         severally and for itself alone, hereby agrees, on the terms and subject
         to the conditions hereinafter set forth and in reliance upon the
         representations and warranties set forth herein and in the other Loan
         Documents, that such Existing Term A Loan shall continue to be
         outstanding as loans pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
         Agreement (each such loan, an "Original Term A Loan") and that an
         aggregate principal amount of Existing Term B Loan shall be converted
         to Term A Loans and shall continue to be outstanding as Term A Loans
         (each such loan, a "Converted Term A Loan") pursuant to the terms and
         conditions of this Agreement, such that, on the Effective Date, the
         aggregate principal amount of Original Term A Loans and Converted Term
         A Loans (the "Effective Date Term A Amount") shall equal $60,000,000
         and each Lender that has a Term A Loan Commitment shall be deemed to
         have outstanding Term A Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to
         its Term A Percentage as of the Effective Date of such Effective Date
         Term A Amount. Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 5.2, in a
         single draw on any Business Day occurring on or prior to the Additional
         Term A Loan Commitment Date, each Lender that has an Additional Term A
         Loan Commitment agrees that it will make loans (relative to such
         Lender, its "Additional Term A Loans", and together with the Converted
         Term A Loans and the Original Term A Loans, the "Term A Loans") to the
         Borrower equal to such Lender's Additional Term A Percentage of the
         aggregate amount of the Borrowings of Additional Term A Loans requested
         by the Borrower to be made on such day. No amounts paid or prepaid with
         respect to Term A Loans may be reborrowed

         (f) Section 3.1.1(c) of the Credit Agreement is amended by amending and
restating the table contained therein to read as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                        Amount of Required
                       Period                                          Principal Repayment
                       ------                                          -------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>
         7/1/01 through (and including) 6/30/02                            $3,562,500
         7/1/02 through (and including) 6/30/03                            $4,750,000
         7/1/03 through (and including) 6/30/04                            $7,125,000
         7/1/04 through (and including) 6/30/05                            $8,312,500
         Stated Maturity Date for Term A Loans                             $8,312,500 or, if different,
                                                                the then outstanding principal amount of
                                                                all Term A Loans
</Table>

         (g) Section 7.2.8 of the Credit Agreement is amended by amending and
restating clause (a)(i)(z) thereof to read as follows:

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

                  (z) so long as at the time of such prepayment (or the giving
         of irrevocable notice thereof) there shall exist no Default,
         prepayments of Subordinated Loans in an aggregate principal amount not
         to exceed $40,000,000, plus up to $11,000,000 of accrued interest,
         premium and related fees and expenses) on or before July 2, 2001,

         4. Representations and Warranties. In order to induce the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Amendment, the Borrower
hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, in
each case after giving effect to this Amendment, as follows:

                  (a) The Borrower has the right, power and capacity and has
been duly authorized and empowered by all requisite corporate or limited
liability company and shareholder or member action to enter into, execute,
deliver and perform this Amendment and all agreements, documents and instruments
executed and delivered pursuant to this Amendment.

                  (b) This Amendment constitutes the Borrower's legal, valid and
binding obligation, enforceable against it, except as enforcement thereof may be
subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and general
principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is sought in a
proceeding in equity or at law or otherwise).

                  (c) The representations and warranties contained in the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material
respects at and as of the First Amendment Effective Date as though made on and
as of the First Amendment Effective Date (except to the extent specifically made
with regard to a particular date, in which case such representation and warranty
is true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

                  (d) The Borrower's execution, delivery and performance of this
Amendment do not and will not violate its Articles or Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws, any material law, rule, regulation, order, writ,
judgment, decree or award applicable to it or any material contractual provision
to which it is a party or to which it or any of its property is subject.

                  (e) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing or registration with, any governmental authority or
regulatory body (other than those which have been obtained and are in force and
effect) is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance
by the Borrower or any other Obligor of this Amendment and all agreements,
documents and instruments executed and delivered pursuant to this Amendment.

                  (f) No Default or Event of Default exists under the Credit
Agreement as of the date hereof or would exist as of the First Amendment
Effective Date after giving effect to the amendments and transactions
contemplated by this Amendment.

         5. Conditions to Effectiveness of Amendment. This Amendment shall
become effective on the date (the "First Amendment Effective Date") each of the
following conditions precedent is satisfied:

                  (a) Execution and Delivery of Amendment. The Borrower, the
Administrative Agent, each Lender having an Additional Term A Loan Commitment,
Lenders

                                      -4-

<PAGE>   5

holding a majority of the aggregate amount of Term A Loans outstanding and the
Required Lenders shall have executed and delivered this Amendment.

                  (b) Additional Term A Notes. The Administrative Agent shall
have received, for the account of each Lender having an Additional Term A Loan
Commitment such Lender's Term A Note duly executed by an Authorized Officer of
the Borrower;

                  (c) Secretary's Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall
have received a certificate, dated the First Amendment Effective Date, duly
executed and delivered by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower
as to resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower then in full force
and effect authorizing the incurrence of the Additional Term A Loans and the
execution, delivery and performance of the First Amendment and the Term A Notes;

                  (d) Opinion of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall have
received an opinion from White & Case LLP, counsel to the Borrower, addressed to
the Administrative Agent and all Lenders, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

                  (e) Payment of Outstanding Indebtedness. The structure and all
terms of the Sub Debt Repayment and all Sub Debt Repayment Documents shall
comply with the provisions of the consent set forth in Section 2(a) hereof. The
Borrower shall have consummated the Sub Debt Repayment pursuant to the terms of
the Sub Debt Repayment Documents (without giving effect to any amendment,
modification or waiver with respect thereto unless consented to by the
Administrative Agent).

                  (f) Conversion of Eurodollar Loans. The Borrower shall have
caused all Term A Loans that are Eurodollar Loans outstanding immediately prior
to the First Amendment Effective Date, if any, to be Base Rate Loans and shall
have paid to the Administrative Agent all breakage costs pursuant to Section 4.4
of the Credit Agreement, if any.

                  (g) Payment of Fees. The Administrative Agent shall have
received all fees referenced in that certain fee letter dated as of the date
hereof by and between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to the extent
due.

                  (h) No Defaults. No Default or Event of Default under the
Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) shall have occurred and be continuing.

                  (i) Representations and Warranties. After giving effect to
this Amendment, the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the other
Obligors contained in this Amendment, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the First
Amendment Effective Date, with the same effect as though made on such date,
except to the extent that any such representation or warranty relates to an
earlier date, in which case such representation or warranty shall be true and
correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
                  (j) Officer's Certificate. The Borrower shall have duly
executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of an
Authorized Officer of the Borrower dated as of the First Amendment Effective
Date in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

                  (k) Reaffirmation of Guaranty. The Administrative Agent shall
have received a Reaffirmation of Guaranty dated as of the First Amendment
Effective Date in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto duly executed by each
Subsidiary Guarantor.

         6.  Miscellaneous.  The parties hereto hereby further agree as follows:

                  (a) Costs, Expenses and Taxes. The Borrower hereby agrees to
pay all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent incurred
in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Amendment
and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, the
reasonable fees and expenses of Winston & Strawn, counsel to the Administrative
Agent.

                  (b) Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed
to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall
constitute but one and the same document with the same force and effect as if
the signatures of all of the parties were on a single counterpart, and it shall
not be necessary in making proof of this Amendment to produce more than one (1)
such counterpart.

                  (c) Headings. Headings used in this Amendment are for
convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this
Amendment.

                  (d) Integration. This Amendment and the Credit Agreement (as
amended hereby) constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof.

                  (e) Governing Law. THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS AND DECISIONS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REFERENCE TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES).

                  (f) Binding Effect. This Amendment shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Borrower, the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders and their respective successors and assigns. Except as
expressly set forth to the contrary herein, this Amendment shall not be
construed so as to confer any right or benefit upon any Person other than the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.

                  (g) Amendment; Waiver. The parties hereto agree and
acknowledge that nothing contained in this Amendment in any manner or respect
limits or terminates any of the provisions of the Credit Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents other than as expressly set forth herein and further agree
and acknowledge that the Credit Agreement (as amended hereby) and each of the
other Loan Documents remain and continue in full force and effect and are hereby
ratified and confirmed. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, the
execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a
waiver of any rights, power or remedy of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent
under the Credit Agreement or any other

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
Loan Document, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Credit Agreement
or any other Loan Document. No delay on the part of any Lender or the
Administrative Agent in exercising any of their respective rights, remedies,
powers and privileges under the Credit Agreement or any of the Loan Documents or
partial or single exercise thereof, shall constitute a waiver thereof. On and
after the First Amendment Effective Date each reference in the Credit Agreement
to "this Agreement," "hereunder," "hereof," "herein" or words of like import,
and each reference to the Credit Agreement in the Loan Documents and all other
documents delivered in connection with the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a
reference to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby. The Borrower acknowledges
and agrees that this Amendment constitutes a "Loan Document" for purposes of the
Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 9.1 of the Credit
Agreement. None of the terms and conditions of this Amendment may be changed,
waived, modified or varied in any manner, whatsoever, except in accordance with
Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement.

                            [signature pages follow]

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date
first written above.

                                        GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP  INC.

                                        By:    /s/ Michael H. Hackner
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Name:  Michael H. Hackner
                                               ---------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President of Finance and CFO
                                               ---------------------------------

                       Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
      Consent and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

<PAGE>   9

                                        BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                        individually and as Administrative Agent

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

                       Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
      Consent and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

<PAGE>   10

                                                 CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON

                                                 By:    /s/ James M. Moran
                                                        ------------------------
                                                 Name:  James M. Moran
                                                        ------------------------
                                                 Title: Director
                                                        ------------------------

                                                 By:    /s/ Lalita Advani
                                                        ------------------------
                                                 Name:  Lalita Advani
                                                        ------------------------
                                                 Title: Assistant Vice President
                                                        ------------------------

                       Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
      Consent and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
<PAGE>   11

                                                    US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                                   By:    /s/ Sam S. Pepper, Jr.
                                                          ---------------------
                                                   Name:  Sam S. Pepper, Jr.
                                                          ---------------------
                                                   Title: Vice President
                                                          ---------------------

                       Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
      Consent and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
<PAGE>   12

                                        BARCLAYS BANK PLC

                                        By:    /s/ Douglas Bernegger
                                               --------------------------------
                                        Name:  Douglas Bernegger
                                               --------------------------------
                                        Title: Director
                                               --------------------------------

                       Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
      Consent and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
<PAGE>   13

                                             CITICORP USA, INC.

                                             By:    /s/ Nicolas T. Erni
                                                    ----------------------------
                                             Name:  Nicolas T. Erni
                                                    ----------------------------
                                             Title: Vice President
                                                    ----------------------------

                       Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
      Consent and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
<PAGE>   14

                                                  ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC

                                                  By:    /s/ John F. Farrace
                                                         -----------------------
                                                  Name:  John F. Farrace
                                                         -----------------------
                                                  Title: Senior Vice President
                                                         -----------------------

                       Global Power Equipment Group Inc.
      Consent and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
<PAGE>   15

                                   SCHEDULE I

                             TERM A LOAN COMMITMENTS

<Table>
<Caption>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Term A Loan
                                   Commitment           Additional        Additional
                                    as of the          Term A Loan           Term A            Term A Loan             Term A
Lender                            Effective Date        Commitment         Percentage          Commitment             Percentage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>               <C>                    <C>              <C>                       <C>
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY             $  6,666,666.66   $  20,000,000.00       57.1428572%      $  26,666,666.66         28.0701756%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITICORP USA, INC.                $  6,666,666.67   $   2,500,000.00        7.1428571%      $   9,166,666.67          9.6491228%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON        $  6,666,666.67   $   2,500,000.00        7.1428571%      $   9,166,666.67          9.6491228%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL CITY BANK, CLEVELAND     $  8,888,888.89                                           $   8,888,888.89          9.3567251%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLEET BANK                        $  8,888,888.89                                           $   8,888,888.89          9.3567251%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BARCLAYS BANK PLC                 $  8,888,888.89                                           $   8,888,888.89          9.3567251%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION      $  8,888,888.89   $   5,000,000.00       14.2857143%      $  13,888,888.89         14.6198830%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIED IRISH BANKS PLC            $  4,444,444.44   $   5,000,000.00       14.2857143%      $   9,444,444,44          9.9415205%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTALS                            $ 60,000,000.00   $  35,000,000.00      100.0000000%      $  95,000,000.00        100.0000000%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>

<PAGE>   16
                                    EXHIBIT A

                       FORM OF SUB DEBT REPAYMENT DOCUMENT

                        GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP INC.

                  We refer to Section 10.5 of the Senior Subordinated Loan
Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2000 (as amended, supplemented, amended and
restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the "Loan Agreement"), among
Global Power Equipment Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (as successor to
Global Energy Equipment Group, L.L.C.) (the "Borrower"), and the lenders from
time to time party thereto (the "Lenders"). Unless otherwise defined herein,
terms used herein and in Schedule I hereto have the meanings provided in the
Loan Agreement.

                  As of the date specified on the signature page hereto as the
assignment date (the "Assignment Date"), the party designated on the signature
page hereto as assignor (the "Assignor") irrevocably sells, transfers, conveys
and assigns, without recourse, representation or warranty (except as expressly
set forth herein), to the party designated on the signature page hereto as
assignee (the "Assignee") and the Assignee irrevocably purchases from the
Assignor, that portion (the "Assigned Portion") of the Loans of the Assignor as
set forth on the signature page hereto at the purchase price set forth on the
signature page hereto.

                  Any accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other payments
related to the Assigned Portion assigned hereunder applicable to any period of
time prior to but excluding the Assignment Date shall be for the account of the
Assignor. Any accrued and unpaid interest, fees and other payments related to
the Assigned Portion assigned hereunder applicable to a period from and after
the Assignment Date shall be for the account of the Assignee. Each of the
Assignor and the Assignee severally agrees that it will hold for the other party
any interest, fees and other amounts which it may receive to which the other
party is entitled pursuant to any agreement between the parties and pay to the
other party any such amounts which it may receive promptly upon receipt thereof.
Assignee agrees to make all payments to Assignor by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the account of Assignor specified on the signature page
hereto.

                  The Assignee hereby acknowledges and confirms that it has
received a copy of the Loan Agreement and the exhibits related thereto, together
with, to the extent requested by the Assignee in writing, copies of the
documents which were required to be delivered under the Loan Agreement as a
condition to the making of the Loans thereunder.

                  The Assignor represents and warrants that it is legally
authorized to enter into and deliver this agreement and represents that it is
the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Portion and that such Assigned
Portion is free and clear of any adverse claim. Except as set forth in the
previous sentence, the Assignor makes no representation or warranty and assumes
no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations
made pursuant to or in connection with this agreement, or the execution,
legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this
agreement, the Loan Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other instrument
or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto, including

<PAGE>   17

the financial condition of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the
performance or observance by any Lender of any of its obligations under the Loan
Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant hereto or thereto. The Assignee represents and warrants that
it is legally authorized to enter into and deliver this agreement and confirms
that it has received a copy of the Loan Agreement, together with copies of the
most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.4 or 6.1 of the
Loan Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this
agreement. In addition, the Assignee independently and without reliance upon the
Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it
shall deem appropriate at the time, shall continue to make its own credit
decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Documents and the
other instruments and documents delivered in connection therewith.

                  Except as otherwise provided in the Loan Agreement, effective
as of the Assignment Date

                  (a) the Assignee

                  (i)    shall be deemed automatically to have become a party to
                         the Loan Agreement and shall have all the rights and
                         obligations of a Lender under the Credit Documents as
                         if it were an original signatory thereto to the extent
                         specified in the second paragraph hereof;

                  (ii)   agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions set
                         forth in the Credit Documents as if it were an original
                         signatory thereto; and

                  (b) the Assignor shall be released from its obligations under
the Credit Documents to the extent specified in the second paragraph hereof.

                  This agreement may be executed by the Assignor and Assignee in
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same agreement.

                  THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING FOR SUCH PURPOSE
SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK).

                [REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

<PAGE>   18

                                    EXHIBIT B

                             CERTIFICATE OF OFFICER

         I, the undersigned, Chief Executive Officer of Global Power Equipment
Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), in accordance with Section
4(h) of that certain Consent and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement dated as of June 15, 2001 (the "Amendment") among the Borrower,
Bankers Trust Company, as Administrative Agent, and the financial institutions
party thereto, do hereby certify on behalf of the Borrower, the following:

         1.       The representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 of
                  the Amendment are true and correct in all material respects as
                  of the date hereof except to the extent such representations
                  and warranties are expressly made as of a specified date in
                  which event such representations and warranties were true and
                  correct in all material respects as of such specified date;

         2.       No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;
                  and

         3.       The conditions of Section 5 of the Amendment have been fully
                  satisfied.

         Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall
have the meanings set forth in the Amendment.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered on
behalf of the Borrower this Certificate of Officer on this ___ day of
____________, 2001.

                                       GLOBAL POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP INC.

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

<PAGE>   19
                                    EXHIBIT C

                           REAFFIRMATION OF GUARANTEE

         Each of the undersigned acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Consent
and First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Amendment";
capitalized terms used herein shall, unless otherwise defined herein, have the
meanings provided in the Amendment) dated as of June 15, 2001, by and among
Global Power Equipment Group Inc., Bankers Trust Company, as administrative
agent, and the financial institutions party thereto as Lenders, consents to such
amendment and each of the transactions referenced in the Amendment and hereby
reaffirms its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty, as applicable.

Dated as of __________, 2001.

DELTAK, L.L.C.                          BRADEN CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC.

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

BRADEN MANUFACTURING, L.L.C.            CFI HOLDINGS, INC.

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

DELTAK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC.      CONSOLIDATED FABRICATORS, INC.

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

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00028-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00028-of-00352.parquet"}]]