STYLING TECHNOLOGY CORP
8-K, 1997-07-10
PERFUMES, COSMETICS & OTHER TOILET PREPARATIONS
Previous: DATA TRANSLATION INC /NEW/, 10-Q, 1997-07-10
Next: VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY OPPORTUNITY TRUST SER 65, S-6EL24, 1997-07-10



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



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


                Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 25, 1997



                         STYLING TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




         DELAWARE                        0-21703                 75-2665378
- ------------------------------     -------------------      -------------------
     (State or other              (Commission File No.)    (IRS Employer ID No.)
jurisdiction of incorporation)




1146 South Cedar Ridge, Duncanville, Texas                         75137
- ------------------------------------------                        --------
  (Address of principal executive office)                        (Zip Code)



       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 296-2887




================================================================================
<PAGE>
                         STYLING TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

                                CURRENT REPORT ON

                                    FORM 8-K


ITEM 2.  ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF ASSETS.

ACQUISITION OF ABBA PRODUCTS

          On June 25,  1997,  Styling  Technology  Corporation  (the  "Company")
acquired all of the issued and  outstanding  common stock of U.K. ABBA Products,
Inc., a California corporation ("ABBA"),  pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement
(the "Purchase Agreement") among the Company and James Markham, Daniel Genis and
Arline  Genis,  co-trustees  of the 1992  Genis  Family  Revocable  Trust  dated
February 28, 1992,  Arthur Benfield Bush, Arthur Benfield Bush and Gina L. Bush,
trustees of the Alan and Gina Bush Charitable  Remainder Unitrust #1, dated June
1, 1997,  Arthur  Benfield Bush and Gina L. Bush,  trustees of the Alan and Gina
Bush Remainder  Unitrust #2, dated June 1, 1997,  Yoram Fishman,  trustee of the
Yoram  Fishman  Living Trust,  dated May 18, 1987 and Yuri Levy,  trustee of the
Yoram Fishman  Charitable  Remainder Trust dated May 30, 1997 (such  individuals
and trusts collectively called "Shareholders"). ABBA produces a proprietary line
of  aromatherapy-based  professional  hair care  products.  The  Company  paid a
purchase  price of $20  million in cash for the ABBA common  stock.  The Company
will also pay an  additional  $1.1 million in  facilitation  fees,  payable over
three years, to certain former  shareholders of ABBA for pre-closing  efforts to
facilitate completion of the acquisition.  The acquisition will be accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting.

FINANCING TRANSACTION

          In connection with the acquisition of ABBA, the Company entered into a
six-year,  $28 million credit facility ("Credit  Facility") with Credit Agricole
Indosuez. The Credit Facility consists of three separate loans: the Term A Loan,
the Term B Loan, and a revolving line of credit.  The Base Rate under the Credit
Facility  is equal to the higher of the  Federal  Funds Rate plus 0.5% or Credit
Agricole Indosuez' prime lending rate.

          The $13 million Term A Loan bears  interest at the Base Rate plus 1.5%
and matures on June 30, 2002.  The $10 million Term B Loan bears interest at the
Base Rate plus 2.0% and  matures on June 30,  2003.  The  Company  utilized  $23
million from the Term A Loan and Term B Loan to finance the  purchase  price and
related costs of the  acquisition  and to repay  existing  indebtedness.  The $5
million  revolving  line of credit bears interest at the Base Rate plus 1.5% and
expires on June 30, 2002.  The revolving line of credit will be used for working
capital purposes.

          The Credit  Facility is secured by the Company's  assets and the stock
and assets of the Company's subsidiaries. The Credit Facility is also guaranteed
by the Company's  subsidiaries.  The Credit Facility contains certain provisions
that,  among other  things,  will  require  the  Company to comply with  certain
financial ratio  requirements  and will limit the ability of the Company and its
subsidiaries  to incur  additional  indebtedness,  to sell assets,  to engage in
certain mergers or consolidations, or to declare dividends.

                                        2
<PAGE>

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

(a)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF BUSINESSES ACQUIRED.

         As of the date of filing  of this  Current  Report  on Form 8-K,  it is
impracticable for the Registrant to provide the financial statements required by
this Item 7(a).  Such financial  statements  shall be filed by amendment to this
Form 8-K no later than  September 8, 1997,  in  accordance  with Item 7(a)(4) of
Form 8-K.

(b)  PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

         As of the date of filing  of this  Current  Report  on Form 8-K,  it is
impracticable for the Registrant to provide the pro forma financial  information
required  by this  Item  7(b).  Such  financial  statements  shall  be  filed by
amendment to this Form 8-K no later than  September 8, 1997, in accordance  with
Item 7(b) of Form 8-K.

(c)  EXHIBITS.

  EXHIBIT NO.                        DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
  -----------                        ----------------------

    10.18      Stock Purchase  Agreement dated as of June 25, 1997 among Styling
               Technology  Corporation;  James Markham;  Daniel Genis and Arline
               Genis, Co-Trustees of the 1992 Genis Family Revocable Trust dated
               February 28, 1992; Arthur Benfield Bush, Arthur Benfield Bush and
               Gina L.  Bush,  Trustees  of the Alan and  Gina  Bush  Charitable
               Remainder  Unitrust #1, dated June 1, 1997;  Arthur Benfield Bush
               and Gina L. Bush,  Trustees  of the Alan and Gina Bush  Remainder
               Unitrust #2, dated June 1, 1997;  Yoram  Fishman,  Trustee of the
               Yoram Fishman  Living Trust,  dated May 18, 1987,  and Yuri Levi,
               Trustee of the Yoram Fishman Charitable Remainder Trust dated May
               30, 1997.

    10.19      Credit  Agreement  dated  as of June  25,  1997  among  Styling
               Technology  Corporation  and Credit Agricole  Indosuez,  New York
               branch, as agent and the lending institutions listed therein.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



July 9, 1997                   STYLING TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION


                               By: /s/ Richard R. Ross
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Richard R. Ross
                                  Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, 
                                  and Treasurer




                                        3


                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.18


                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                            DATED AS OF JUNE 25, 1997

                                      AMONG

                         STYLING TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION;

                                 JAMES MARKHAM;

                         DANIEL GENIS AND ARLINE GENIS,
                          CO-TRUSTEES OF THE 1992 GENIS
                             FAMILY REVOCABLE TRUST
                            DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1992;

                              ARTHUR BENFIELD BUSH;
                              ARTHUR BENFIELD BUSH
                        AND GINA L. BUSH, TRUSTEES OF THE
                          ALAN AND GINA BUSH CHARITABLE
                             REMAINDER UNITRUST #1,
                               DATED JUNE 1, 1997;

                              ARTHUR BENFIELD BUSH
                        AND GINA L. BUSH, TRUSTEES OF THE
                          ALAN AND GINA BUSH REMAINDER
                        UNITRUST #2, DATED JUNE 1, 1997;

                       YORAM FISHMAN, TRUSTEE OF THE YORAM
                              FISHMAN LIVING TRUST,
                               DATED MAY 18, 1987;

                            AND YURI LEVY, TRUSTEE OF
                          THE YORAM FISHMAN CHARITABLE
                                 REMAINDER TRUST
                               DATED MAY 30, 1997



<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
SECTION 1 PURCHASE OF STOCK..................................................1
   1.1 Purchase of Stock.....................................................1

SECTION 2 PURCHASE PRICE.....................................................1

SECTION 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.....................................1
   3.1 Representations and Warranties of Shareholders........................2
        (a)  Due Incorporation, Good Standing, and Qualification.............2
        (b)  Capital Stock...................................................2
        (c)  Options, Warrants, and Rights...................................2
        (d)  Subsidiaries....................................................2
        (e)  Books and Records...............................................2
        (f)  Directors, Officers, and Bank Accounts..........................2
        (g)  Financial Statements............................................2
        (h)  Actions in the Ordinary Course of Business......................3
        (i)  No Material Change..............................................3
        (j)  Title to Properties.............................................3
        (k)  Condition of Assets and Properties..............................4
        (l)  Real Estate.....................................................4
        (m)  Liabilities.....................................................4
        (n)  Litigation......................................................4
        (o)  Rights and Licenses.............................................4
        (p)  Taxes...........................................................4
        (q)  Accounts Receivable.............................................5
        (r)  Contracts.......................................................5
        (s)  Compliance with Law and Other Regulations.......................5
        (t)  Employee Benefit and Employment Matters.........................6
        (u)  Insurance.......................................................7
        (v)  No Payments to Directors, Officers, Shareholders, or Others.....7
        (w)  No Prohibited Payments..........................................7
        (x)  Charter, Bylaws, and Minute Books...............................8
        (y)  Intellectual Property...........................................8
        (z)  Inventories.....................................................8
        (aa) Agreement Not in Breach of Other................................8
        (ab) Consents and Approvals..........................................9
        (ac) Accuracy of Statements..........................................9
        (ad) Payment of Indebtedness.........................................9
   3.2  Representations and Warranties of Buyer..............................9
        (a)  Due Incorporation, Good Standing, and Qualification.............9
        (b)  Corporate Authority............................................10
        (c)  Capital Stock..................................................10
        (d)  Options, Warrants, and Rights..................................10
        (e)  Subsidiaries...................................................10

<PAGE>

        (f)  Financial Statements...........................................10
        (g)  Actions in the Ordinary Course of Business.....................11
        (h)  No Material Change.............................................11
        (i)  Title to Assets and Properties.................................11
        (j)  Litigation.....................................................11
        (k)  Rights and Licenses............................................12
        (l)  No Violation...................................................12
        (m)  Taxes..........................................................12
        (n)  Accounts Receivable............................................12
        (o)  Contracts......................................................12
        (p)  Compliance with Law and Other Regulations......................13
        (q)  Employee Benefit and Employment Matters........................13
        (r)  Insurance......................................................14
        (s)  No Payments to Directors, Officers, Stockholders, or Others....14
        (t)  No Prohibited Payments.........................................14
        (u)  Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Minute Books.........15
        (v)  SEC Reports....................................................15
        (w)  Accuracy of Statements.........................................15
        (x)  Financing Commitments..........................................15
        (y)  Intellectual Property..........................................15
   3.3 Further Representations and Warranties of Shareholders...............16
        (a)  Ownership of Capital Stock of Company..........................16
        (b)  Rights To Acquire Shares.......................................16
        (c)  Power of Shareholders to Execute Agreement.....................16
        (d)  Agreement Not in Breach of Other Instruments
                Affecting Shareholders......................................16

SECTION 4 THE CLOSING.......................................................16
   4.1 Closing..............................................................16
   4.2  Deliveries by Shareholders..........................................17
        (a)     Stock Certificates..........................................17
        (b)     Resignation of Officers and Directors.......................17
        (c)     General Releases............................................17
        (d)     Consents....................................................17
        (e)     Opinion of Counsel for Company and Shareholders.............17
        (f)     Books and Records...........................................18
        (g)     Consulting Agreement........................................18
        (h)     Facilitation Agreement......................................18
        (i)     Facilitation Agreement......................................18
        (j)     Formulas....................................................18
   4.3 Deliveries by Buyer..................................................18
        (a)     Purchase Price..............................................18
        (b)     Opinion of Counsel for Buyer................................18
        (c)     Consents and Approvals......................................19
        (d)     Consulting Agreement........................................19
        (e)     Facilitation Agreement......................................19
        (f)     Facilitation Agreement......................................19
        (g)     Audit Report................................................20
   4.4 Further Assurances...................................................20
   4.5 Post-Closing Covenants...............................................20
<PAGE>

SECTION 5 WAIVER, MODIFICATION, ABANDONMENT.................................21
   5.1 Waivers..............................................................21
   5.2 Modification.........................................................21

SECTION 6 NON-COMPETITION...................................................21
   6.1 Non-competition......................................................21
   6.2 Duration and Extent of Restriction...................................21
   6.3 Restrictions with Respect to Customers...............................21
   6.4 Remedies for Breach..................................................22
   6.5 Certain Exceptions...................................................22

SECTION 7 INDEMNIFICATION...................................................22
   7.1 Indemnification by Shareholders......................................22
   7.2 Indemnification by Buyer.............................................23
   7.3 Notice and Right to Defend Third-Party Claims........................23
   7.4 Limitations Related to Indemnity.....................................24

SECTION 8 GENERAL...........................................................25
   8.1  Ownership of Furniture and Equipment................................25
   8.2  Indemnity Against Finders...........................................25
   8.3  Controlling Law.....................................................25
   8.4  Notices.............................................................25
   8.5  Binding Nature of Agreement; No Assignment..........................27
   8.6  Entire Agreement....................................................27
   8.7  Precedence of Other Agreements......................................27
   8.8  Paragraph Headings..................................................27
   8.9  Gender..............................................................27
   8.10 Counterparts........................................................27
   8.11 Mediation/Binding Arbitration.......................................27
   8.12 Choice of Forum.....................................................27
   8.13 Disparaging Comments................................................28


<PAGE>

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT dated June 25, 1997  ("Agreement"),  among STYLING TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATION,  a Delaware corporation ("Buyer");  and JAMES MARKHAM, DANIEL GENIS
AND ARLINE GENIS,  CO-TRUSTEES  OF THE 1992 GENIS FAMILY  REVOCABLE  TRUST DATED
FEBRUARY 28, 1992,  ARTHUR BENFIELD BUSH, ARTHUR BENFIELD BUSH AND GINA L. BUSH,
TRUSTEES OF THE ALAN AND GINA BUSH CHARITABLE  REMAINDER UNITRUST #1, DATED JUNE
1, 1997,  ARTHUR  BENFIELD BUSH AND GINA L. BUSH,  TRUSTEES OF THE ALAN AND GINA
BUSH REMAINDER  UNITRUST #2, DATED JUNE 1, 1997,  YORAM FISHMAN,  TRUSTEE OF THE
YORAM  FISHMAN  LIVING TRUST,  DATED MAY 18, 1987 AND YURI LEVY,  TRUSTEE OF THE
YORAM FISHMAN  CHARITABLE  REMAINDER TRUST DATED MAY 30, 1997 (such  individuals
and trusts collectively called "Shareholders").

         Shareholders  own 118,518 shares of Common Stock, no par value, of U.K.
ABBA PRODUCTS,  INC., a California  corporation  (hereinafter  called "Company")
comprising  all  of  the   outstanding   shares  of  capital  stock  of  Company
(hereinafter  sometimes  called the "Stock").  The business  being  conducted by
Company is the  business  of  developing,  marketing,  and  selling  products to
distributors who resell to stylists and hair care salons.

         Buyer and  Shareholders  desire that Buyer acquire all of the presently
outstanding capital stock of Company on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the foregoing recitals and of the
mutual covenants set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

                                    SECTION 1
                                PURCHASE OF STOCK

         1.1  Purchase  of  Stock.  Each  Shareholder  hereby  sells,   conveys,
transfers,  and assigns to Buyer, free and clear of all liens, pledges,  claims,
and  encumbrances  of every kind,  nature,  and  description,  and Buyer  hereby
purchases  and accepts  from each  Shareholder,  the shares set forth beside the
signature of each  Shareholder to this  Agreement,  which shares,  collectively,
comprise all of the outstanding capital stock of Company.

                                    SECTION 2
                                 PURCHASE PRICE

         2.1 Purchase  Price.  The purchase price for the Stock sold pursuant to
Section 1 above shall be $20,000,000,  payable to Shareholders pursuant to their
written instructions in accordance with their proportionate share ownerships set
forth beside their respective signatures to this Agreement.

                                    SECTION 3
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         3.1 Representations and Warranties of Shareholders. Except as otherwise
set forth in the Company  Disclosure  Schedules  attached  hereto,  Shareholders
collectively represent and warrant to Buyer as follows:
<PAGE>

                  (a)  Due  Incorporation,  Good  Standing,  and  Qualification.
Company is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing, and in good standing
under  the laws of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation  with all  requisite
corporate  power  and  authority  to own,  operate,  and lease  its  assets  and
properties and to carry on its business as now being  conducted.  Company is not
subject to any material disability by reason of the failure to be duly qualified
as a  foreign  corporation  for the  transaction  of  business  or to be in good
standing under the laws of any jurisdiction.  Schedule 3.1(a) hereto constitutes
a list setting forth,  as of the date of this  Agreement,  each  jurisdiction in
which Company is qualified to do business.

                  (b)  Capital  Stock.  As of the date  hereof,  Company  has an
authorized  capital stock  consisting of 200,000 shares of Common Stock,  no par
value, of which 118,518 shares are issued and outstanding. All of the issued and
outstanding  shares of capital  stock of Company have been duly  authorized  and
validly  issued and are fully paid and  nonassessable.  Company  has no treasury
shares.

                  (c) Options,  Warrants, and Rights. Company has no outstanding
options,  warrants,  or  other  rights  to  purchase,  or  securities  or  other
obligations  convertible  into or exchangeable  for, or contracts,  commitments,
agreements, arrangements, or understandings, to issue, any shares of its capital
stock or other securities.

                  (d)  Subsidiaries.  Company has no  subsidiaries  and does not
own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other equity securities of any
corporation or have any direct or indirect  equity or ownership  interest in any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, or other business.

                  (e)  Books  and  Records.  The  books  of  account  and  other
corporate records of Company are complete and accurate,  have been maintained in
accordance with good business  practices and the matters  contained  therein are
appropriately  reflected in Company's  financial  statements  for a  corporation
formed and operated as a close  corporation.  The minute books and stock records
of Company as set forth in  Schedule  3.1(e) are  complete  and  accurate  for a
corporation  formed  and  operated  as a close  corporation  and all  signatures
included therein are the genuine  signatures of the persons whose signatures are
required. See Schedule 3.1(e).

                  (f) Directors, Officers, and Bank Accounts. Schedule 3.1(f) is
a correct and complete list of all  directors and officers of Company,  all bank
accounts and safe deposit  boxes of Company,  and of all persons  authorized  to
sign  checks  drawn on such  accounts  and to have  access to such safe  deposit
boxes.

                  (g)  Financial  Statements.  Except  as set  forth in  Section
3.1(g),  the Balance  Sheets of Company for the three years ended  December  31,
1996, as well as the Statements of Income for the three years ended December 31,
1996, and all related  schedules and notes to the foregoing,  have been reviewed
by Eric Foumberg,  CPA, independent public accountant,  and the Balance Sheet of
Company  as of March 31,  1997 and the  Statement  of  Operations  for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 have been prepared by Company without audit.  Except
as set forth in Section 3.1(g), all of the foregoing  financial  statements have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which
were applied on a consistent basis (except as described  therein),  are complete
and present  fairly and  accurately,  in all material  respects,  the  financial
position, results of operations, and changes in financial position of Company as
of the dates and for the periods  indicated.  Company does not have any material
liabilities  or  obligations of a type that would be included in a balance sheet
prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles,  whether

                                       2
<PAGE>

related to tax or non-tax  matters,  accrued or contingent,  due or not yet due,
liquidated or unliquidated,  or otherwise, except as and to the extent disclosed
or  reflected  in the  Balance  Sheet of  Company  as of  March  31,  1997  (the
"Company's Base Balance Sheet") or incurred since the date of that balance sheet
in the ordinary course of business and as contemplated by this Agreement,  or as
set forth and described in Schedule 3.1(g) attached hereto.

                  (h) Actions in the Ordinary Course of Business.  Except as set
forth in  Schedule  3.1(h),  since the date of  Company's  Base  Balance  Sheet,
Company (i) has not taken any action  outside the  ordinary  and usual course of
business  (except as required by the transaction  described in this  Agreement);
(ii) has not borrowed any money or become contingently liable for any obligation
or  liability  of  another;  (iii)  has not  failed  to pay any of its debts and
obligations  as they become due; (iv) has not incurred any debt,  liability,  or
obligation of any nature to any party,  except for obligations  arising from the
purchase  of goods or the  rendition  of  services  in the  ordinary  course  of
business;  and (v) has not  failed  to use its  best  efforts  to  preserve  its
business  organization  intact,  to keep available the services of its employees
and  independent  contractors,   or  to  preserve  its  relationships  with  its
customers, suppliers, and others with which it deals.

                  (i) No  Material  Change.  Except  as set  forth  in  Schedule
3.1(i),  since the date of Company's Base Balance Sheet,  there has not been and
there  is not  threatened  (i) any  material  adverse  change  in the  financial
condition,  business,  assets, properties, or operating results of Company, (ii)
any loss or damage (whether or not covered by insurance) to any of the assets or
properties  of  Company,  which  materially  affects or impairs  its  ability to
conduct  its  business,  or (iii)  any  mortgage  or  pledge  of any  assets  or
properties  of Company,  or any  indebtedness  incurred  by Company,  other than
indebtedness,  not material in the aggregate, incurred in the ordinary course of
business.

                  (j)  Title to  Properties.  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule
3.1(j),  Company has good and  marketable  title to all of its real and personal
assets  and  properties,  including  all  assets  and  properties  reflected  in
Company's  Base Balance  Sheet or acquired  subsequent  to the date of Company's
Base  Balance  Sheet,  respectively,  except  assets or  properties  disposed of
subsequent to those dates in the ordinary course of business and as contemplated
by this  Agreement.  Such  assets and  properties  are  subject to no  mortgage,
indenture, pledge, lien, claim, encumbrance,  charge, security interest or title
retention,  or other security  arrangement,  except for liens for the payment of
federal,  state, and other taxes, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor
subject to penalties,  and except for other liens and encumbrances incidental to
the  conduct  of the  business  of  Company  or the  ownership  of its assets or
properties, which were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or
the obtaining of advances and which do not in the aggregate  materially  detract
from the value of the assets or properties  of Company or materially  impair the
use  thereof in the  operation  of  Company's  business,  except in each case as
disclosed in Company's Base Balance Sheet.  All leases pursuant to which Company
leases  any  substantial  amount  of real or  personal  property  are  valid and
effective in accordance with their respective terms.

                  (k) Condition of Assets and Properties. Except as set forth in
Schedule 3.1(k), the buildings,  equipment,  fixtures,  furniture,  furnishings,
office  equipment,  and all other  tangible  personal  assets and  properties of
Company  presently  used  in,  or  necessary  for the  operation  of,  Company's
business,  do not require any repairs other than normal  maintenance  and are in
good operating condition and in a state of reasonable maintenance and repair.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                  (l) Real  Estate.  Company has no  interest as owner,  lessor,
lessee, or otherwise in any real estate, except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(l).

                  (m)  Liabilities.  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  3.1(m),
Company has no  obligations  or  liabilities  whether  related to tax or non-tax
matters,   material  or  immaterial,   liquidated  or  unliquidated,   fixed  or
contingent, or otherwise, except and to the extent reflected or reserved against
on Company's Base Balance Sheet or in this Agreement  other than  obligations or
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of its business and disclosed to the
extent required by this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, Company does
not have any obligation or liability,  contingent or otherwise,  with respect to
product warranties relating to products sold by it that, in Company's reasonable
judgment,  are not adequately covered by insurance.  Company has not shipped its
products to any customer on a contingent or similar basis.

                  (n) Litigation.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(n), there
are no  actions,  suits,  proceedings,  or other  litigation  pending or, to the
knowledge of Shareholders,  threatened against Company,  at law or in equity, or
before or by any federal, state,  municipal,  or other governmental  department,
commission,  board,  bureau,  agency,  or  instrumentality  that,  if determined
adversely to Company,  would  individually  or in the aggregate  have a material
adverse  effect  on  the  business,  assets,   properties,   operating  results,
prospects, or condition, financial or otherwise, of Company.

                  (o)  Rights  and  Licenses.  Company  is  not  subject  to any
material disability or liability by reason of its failure to possess any patent,
patent right,  trademark,  trademark  right,  trade name,  trade name right,  or
license.  Schedule 3.1(o) hereto contains a true, correct,  and complete list of
all material  Licenses and Permits  necessary for the conduct of the business of
Company. Company has all material Licenses and Permits necessary for the conduct
of the  business  conducted  by it and the  ownership  and use of its assets and
properties  and the premises  occupied by it, and the conduct of its business as
presently conducted.

                  (p) Taxes. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(p), Company has
duly filed in correct form all Tax Returns relating to the activities of Company
required or due to be filed (with regard to applicable  extensions)  on or prior
to the date  hereof.  All such Tax  Returns  are  accurate  and  complete in all
material respects, and Company has paid or made provision for the payment of all
Taxes  that  have been  incurred  or are due or  claimed  to be due from them by
federal,  state, or local taxing authorities for all periods ending on or before
the date hereof,  other than Taxes or other  charges that are not  delinquent or
are being contested in good faith and have not been finally  determined and have
been  disclosed to Buyer.  The amounts set up as reserves for Taxes on the books
of Company are  sufficient  in the aggregate for the payment of all unpaid Taxes
(including any interest or penalties thereon), whether or not disputed, accrued,
or  applicable.  No  claims  for Taxes or  assessments  are  being  asserted  or
threatened  against  Company.  Company has  furnished to Buyer a list of all Tax
Returns  filed for it. For purposes of this  Agreement,  the term "Taxes"  shall
mean all taxes, charges, fees, levies, or other assessments,  including, without
limitation,  income, gross receipts, excise, property, sales, transfer, license,
payroll, and franchise taxes, imposed by the United States, or any state, local,
or foreign  government or  subdivision  or agency  thereof;  and such term shall
include any  interest,  penalties,  or  additions  to tax  attributable  to such
assessments or to the failure to file any Tax Return;  and the term "Tax Return"
shall mean any report, return, or other information required to be supplied to a
taxing  authority or required by a taxing  authority to be supplied to any other
person.

                                       4
<PAGE>
                  (q)  Accounts  Receivable.  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule
3.1(q),  to the knowledge of  Shareholders,  the accounts  receivable of Company
have  been  acquired  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,   are  valid  and
enforceable,  and are fully  collectible,  subject to no  defenses,  deductions,
set-offs,  or  counterclaims,  except to the extent of the reserve  reflected in
Company's Base Balance  Sheet,  or in such other amount which is not material in
the aggregate, or except as otherwise set forth in the agreement between Company
and the account debtor, and except to the extent of bad debt, refunds,  credits,
agreed upon rebates, or other adjustments as may occur in the ordinary course of
Company's business.

                  (r) Contracts. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(r), Company
is not a party to (i) any plan or  contract  providing  for  bonuses,  pensions,
options, stock purchases, deferred compensation,  retirement payments, or profit
sharing,  (ii) any collective bargaining or other contract or agreement with any
labor union, (iii) any lease,  installment purchase agreement, or other contract
with respect to any real or personal property used or proposed to be used in its
operations,  excepting,  in each case, items included within  aggregate  amounts
disclosed  or reflected in Company's  Base Balance  Sheet,  (iv) any  employment
agreement or other similar arrangement not terminable by it upon 30 days or less
notice without  penalty to it, (v) any contract or agreement for the purchase of
any commodity,  material,  fixed asset, or equipment in excess of $10,000,  (vi)
any contract or agreement  creating an obligation of $10,000 or more,  (vii) any
contract,  agreement,  mortgage, or lease, which by its terms does not terminate
or is not  terminable by it without  penalty to it,  (viii) any loan  agreement,
indenture,  promissory note, conditional sales agreement,  or other similar type
of arrangement,  or (ix) any material license agreement. All material mortgages,
leases,  contracts,  agreements,  and other  arrangements  to which Company is a
party are valid and enforceable in accordance with their terms,  except that (i)
such  enforcement  may be subject  to  bankruptcy,  insolvency,  reorganization,
moratorium,  or other  similar  laws now or  hereafter  in  effect  relating  to
creditor's  rights,  and (ii) the remedy of specific  performance and injunctive
and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable  defenses and to
the  discretion  of the court  before  which  any  proceeding  therefore  may be
brought;  Company and all other parties to each of the foregoing  have performed
all material  obligations  required to be performed to date; neither Company nor
any such other party is in material default or in arrears under the terms of any
of the foregoing;  and no condition  exists or event has occurred that, with the
giving of notice or lapse of time or both,  would  constitute a material default
under any of them.

                  (s) Compliance with Law and Other  Regulations.  Except as set
forth in Schedule 3.1(s), Company is in compliance in all material respects with
all requirements (including those relating to environmental matters) of federal,
state,  or local  law,  and all  requirements  of all  governmental  bodies  and
agencies having  jurisdiction  over it, the conduct of its business,  the use of
its  assets  and  properties,  and all  premises  occupied  by it.  There  is no
environmental contamination, toxic waste or other discharge, spill, construction
component,  structural  element or  condition,  adversely  affecting  any of the
properties of Company,  nor has Company received any official notice or citation
that any of its properties in any way contravene  any federal,  state,  or local
law  or  regulation  relating  to  environmental,  health,  or  safety  matters,
including   without   limitation  any   requirements   of  CERCLA  or  any  OSHA
requirements.  Without  limiting the  foregoing,  Company has properly filed all
material  reports,  paid  all  monies,  and  obtained  all  licenses,   permits,
certificates,  and  authorizations  needed or  required  for the  conduct of its
business and the use of its assets and properties  and the premises  occupied by
it in connection  therewith  and is in compliance in all material  respects with
all conditions,  restrictions,  and provisions of all of the foregoing.  Company
has not received any notice from any federal,  state,  or local authority or any
insurance or  inspection  body that any of its assets,  properties,  facilities,
equipment,  or business  procedures or practices fails to comply in any material
respect with any applicable law, ordinance,  regulation, building, or zoning law
or requirement of any public authority or body.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  (t) Employee  Benefit and  Employment  Matters.  Except as set
forth in Schedule  3.1(t),  Company and its "ERISA  Affiliates"  (as  determined
under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) (i) maintain,  administer, or
contribute  to,  or at any  time  during  the past six  years  have  maintained,
administered,  or contributed to, only those employee  pension benefit plans (as
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA,  whether or not excluded from  coverage  under
specific Titles or Subtitles of ERISA) described in Company Disclosure  Schedule
(the "ABBA Pension Plans");  and (ii) Company and its ERISA Affiliates maintain,
administer,  or  contribute  to only those  employee  welfare  benefit plans (as
defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA,  whether or not excluded from  coverage  under
specific Titles or Subtitles of ERISA) described in Company Disclosure  Schedule
(the  "ABBA  Welfare  Plans").   Company  and  all  ERISA  Affiliates  maintain,
administer,  or contribute  to only those bonus,  deferred  compensation,  stock
purchase,  stock option,  severance  plan,  insurance,  or similar  arrangements
described in Company Disclosure Schedule ("ABBA Employee Benefit Plans"). Except
as disclosed in Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  the Internal Revenue Service has
determined that each ABBA Pension Plan intended to be "qualified"  under Section
401(a) of the Code is so qualified  and that the trust forming a part thereof is
tax exempt under Section  501(a) of the Code from the date of its  establishment
until the date  hereof,  and none of the  Shareholders  know of any matter  that
would  adversely  affect such  qualified  or  tax-exempt  status of such plan or
trust.  Full payment has been made, or will be made in accordance  with Sections
404(a)(6)  and 412 of the  Internal  Revenue  Code,  of all amounts  that either
Company or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay under the terms of each of the
ABBA  Pension  Plans and ABBA Welfare  Plans,  and all such amounts are properly
accrued on Company's Base Balance  Sheet;  and none of the ABBA Pension Plans or
any  trust  established   thereunder  has  incurred  any  "accumulated   funding
deficiency" (as defined in Sections 302 of ERISA and 412 of the Internal Revenue
Code),  whether or not waived, as of the last day of the most recent fiscal year
of each of such Plans  ended  prior to the date of this  Agreement.  Neither any
ABBA Pension Plan or ABBA Welfare Plan nor any ABBA Pension Plan or ABBA Welfare
Plan  fiduciary  has engaged in any  transaction  in violation of Section 406 of
ERISA or any "prohibited  transaction" (as defined in Section  4975(c)(1) of the
Code) other than any such  transaction that is exempt under Section 408 of ERISA
or section 4975(d) of the Code. Company has furnished to Buyer true and complete
copies of each ABBA Pension Plan, ABBA Welfare Plan, and ABBA Employment Benefit
Plan and related trust agreements or annuity contracts, Internal Revenue Service
determination letters and summary plan descriptions; all of the foregoing plans,
agreements,  and commitments are valid,  binding,  in full force and effect, and
there are no  defaults  thereunder;  and none of the rights of Company or any of
its ERISA  Affiliates  thereunder  will be  impaired  by this  Agreement  or the
consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. Company is not a
party  to  any  collective  bargaining  agreement  and,  to  the  best  of  each
Shareholder's  knowledge,  there is no material request for union representation
pending or  threatened  against  Company.  Neither  Company nor any of its ERISA
Affiliates  has incurred any  liability to the PBGC as a result of the voluntary
or  involuntary  termination  of any ABBA  Pension  Plan  subject to Title IV of
ERISA;  there is  currently  no  active  filing by  Company  or any of its ERISA
Affiliates  with the PBGC (and no proceeding  has been commenced by the PBGC) to
terminate  any ABBA  Pension  Plan  subject to Title IV of ERISA  maintained  or
funded,  in whole or in part,  by  Company or any of its ERISA  Affiliates;  and
neither  Company nor any of its ERISA  Affiliates has made a complete or partial
withdrawal from a multi-employer  plan, as such term is defined in Section 3(37)
of ERISA,  resulting  in  "withdrawal  liability,"  as such term is  defined  in
Section 4201 of ERISA (without regard to subsequent  reduction or waiver of such
liability  under either  Section 4207 or 4208 of ERISA).  The employment of each
employee of Company is terminable at will without cost to Company. Except as set
forth in  Schedule  3.1(t),  Company  has  complied  with all  other  applicable
federal,  state,  and local laws relating to the employment of labor  including,
but not limited to, the provisions thereof relative to wages, hours,  collective

                                       6
<PAGE>

bargaining, working conditions, and payment of taxes of any kind, and Company is
not liable for any  arrears of wages or any taxes or  penalties  for  failure to
comply with any of the foregoing or has any obligations  for any vacation,  sick
leave, or other compensatory  time. All officers and independent  contractors of
Company are paid salaries or other  compensation  in accordance with the amounts
set forth in  Company  Disclosure  Schedule,  and  Company  Disclosure  Schedule
correctly  and  accurately  sets  forth all  salaries,  expenses,  and  personal
benefits  paid  to  or  accrued  for  all  directors,  officers,  and  principal
shareholders  of  Company  as of the date of this  Agreement,  all of which  are
reflected as appropriate in Company's Base Balance Sheet.

                  (u)  Insurance.  Company  maintains  in full  force and effect
insurance  coverage  on  its  assets,  properties,   premises,  operations,  and
personnel in such amounts as Company deems  appropriate.  Schedule 3.1(u) hereto
contains a description (identifying insurer, coverage,  premiums, named insured,
deductibles,  and expiration date) of all policies of fire, liability, and other
forms of insurance that currently are, or at any time within the past five years
have been,  maintained in force by or for the account of Company with respect to
the business and assets of Company (such policies are hereinafter referred to as
the "Policies").  Company has been  continuously,  and is presently,  insured by
insurers  unaffiliated with Company with respect to its property and the conduct
of its  business.  The  Policies  are  believed to be with  reputable  insurers,
provide  adequate  coverage for all normal risk  incident to  Company's  assets,
properties,  and the conduct of its business and are in character  and amount at
least  equivalent to that carried by persons  engaging in a business  subject to
the same or similar perils or hazards.  The insurance  coverage  provided by the
Policies presently in force will not in any material respect be affected by, and
will not terminate or lapse by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (v) No  Payments  to  Directors,  Officers,  Shareholders,  or
Others. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(v), since the date of Company's Base
Balance  Sheet,  there has not been any purchase or  redemption of any shares of
capital stock of Company or any transfer,  distribution,  or payment by Company,
directly or  indirectly,  of any assets or properties to any director,  officer,
shareholder, or other person other than the payment of such person's base salary
as in effect on the date of Company's Base Balance Sheet.

                  (w) No  Prohibited  Payments.  To the knowledge of Company and
Shareholders, no officer, director, employee,  independent contractor, or agent,
acting on behalf of Company,  has at any time (i) made any  contributions to any
candidate for political  office in violation of law or failed to disclose  fully
any  contributions  to any candidate for political office in accordance with any
applicable statute,  rule,  regulation,  or ordinance requiring such disclosure,
(ii) made any  payment to any local,  state,  federal,  or foreign  governmental
officer or official, or other person charged with similar public or quasi-public
duties,  other than payments  required or allowed by applicable  law, (iii) made
any payment outside the ordinary course of business to any purchasing or selling
agent or person charged with similar duties of any entity to which Company sells
products or renders services or from which Company buys products or services for
the purpose of influencing such agent or person to buy products or services from
or sell  products or services to Company,  or (iv)  engaged in any  transaction,
maintained  any  bank  account,   or  used  any  corporate  funds,   except  for
transactions,  bank accounts,  and funds that have been and are reflected in the
normally maintained books and records of Company.

                  (x) Charter,  Bylaws, and Minute Books. Company has heretofore
delivered to Buyer true and complete copies of the charter and bylaws of Company
as currently in effect.  The minute books and corporate files of Company contain
complete and accurate records of all meetings and other corporate

                                       7
<PAGE>

actions held or taken by the Boards of Directors (or committees of the Boards of
Directors)  or  shareholders  of  Company,  as the  case  may  be,  since  their
incorporation.   Schedule  3.1(x)  contains  a  true  and  complete  description
identifying the corporate documents of Company.

                  (y)  Intellectual  Property.  Except as set forth in  Schedule
3.1(y), Company owns or holds all of the rights necessary and appropriate to use
all  formulas,   packaging,  logos,  trademarks,  trade  names,  trade  secrets,
fictitious  names,  service marks,  patents,  and copyrights that are used in or
necessary  to  the  operation  of  its  business  (collectively,   "Intellectual
Property"). Schedule 3.1(y) hereto sets forth a true, complete, and correct list
of all of the  Intellectual  Property  owned  or  used by  Company.  None of the
matters  covered  by the  Intellectual  Property,  nor  any of the  products  or
services  sold or  provided  by Company,  nor any of the  processes  used or the
business  practices  followed by Company,  infringes or has  infringed  upon any
trademark,  trade name, trade secret,  fictitious name, service mark, patent, or
copyright  owned by any  person  or  entity  (or any  application  with  respect
thereto), or constitutes unfair competition. Company is not obligated to pay any
royalty or other payment with respect to any of the  Intellectual  Property.  No
person or entity is producing, providing, selling, or using products or services
in a manner that would  constitute an  infringement  of any of the  Intellectual
Property.  Company owns all rights with respect to, and has good and  marketable
title to, all of the formulas  with respect to all of its  products.  Company is
not,  and  following  the Closing  will not be,  obligated to pay any royalty or
other  payment  with  respect  to any of  such  formulas.  To the  knowledge  of
Shareholders,  no person or entity is producing,  providing,  selling,  or using
products  that  would  constitute  an  infringement  of any of the  formulas  or
Company's trade secrets with respect thereto.  Schedule 3.1(y) contains complete
and accurate copies of all of such formulas.  The formulas  attached to Schedule
3.1(y) are the exact  formulas being used routinely to batch and produce each of
the  representative   Company  products,   including  without  limitation,   the
ingredient  sources,  the correct  percentages,  mixing and cooking (heating and
cooling) instructions, and any special processing procedures necessary for exact
duplication and quality control.

                  (z) Inventories.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(z),  the
inventories of Company reflected in Company's Base Balance Sheet are in good and
merchantable  condition and are stated in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles with adequate adjustments for obsolete,  obsolescent,  or
otherwise not readily marketable items. Since the date of Company's Base Balance
Sheet,  there have not been and there are not required to be any  write-downs in
the  value  of  Company's   inventories  or  write-offs  with  respect  to  such
inventories.  The raw materials,  work in progress, and finished goods inventory
of Company are all in good condition and are usable and currently  being used in
the present  production  and sales  activities of Company,  and Company does not
have on hand or on order any raw materials,  work in progress, or finished goods
inventory  in  excess  of its  reasonable  requirements  for  products  that are
included in its current line and for which Company is now taking orders. Without
limiting  the  foregoing,  (i)  Company  does not have more than a  twelve-month
supply of raw materials,  work in progress or finished goods  inventory,  all of
which is saleable at prices  currently  quoted by Company,  and (ii) all work in
progress  and  finished  goods  inventory  are  in  accordance  with  customers'
specifications  and the sale  thereof to customers  in  accordance  with product
specifications will not result in any liability of any kind.

                  (aa)  Agreement Not in Breach of Other  Instruments  Affecting
Company.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3.1(aa), the execution and delivery of
this Agreement,  the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby, and
the  fulfillment  of the terms  hereof,  will not violate any  provision  of the
articles  of  incorporation  or bylaws of  Company,  nor will they result in the
breach of any term or

                                       8
<PAGE>

provision of, or result in the termination or  modification  of, or constitute a
default under,  or permit any party to modify or terminate,  any loan agreement,
note, debenture, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, lease, contract, agreement,
or other material  obligation of any  description to which Company is a party or
by which it is bound,  or any judgment,  decree,  order,  or award of any court,
government body, or arbitration, or any applicable law, rule, or regulation.

                  (bb) Consents and  Approvals.  Except as set forth on Schedule
3.1(ab),  Company and  Shareholders  have  obtained all  necessary  consents and
approvals  of  other  persons  to  the   performance  by   Shareholders  of  the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (cc) Accuracy of  Statements.  Neither this  Agreement nor any
statement, list, certificate,  or other information furnished or to be furnished
by Company or any  Shareholder to Buyer in connection with this Agreement or any
of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and acknowledged in writing as having
been  received  by Buyer,  contains  or will  contain an untrue  statement  of a
material fact or omits or will omit to state a material  fact  necessary to make
the statements  contained herein or therein,  in light of circumstances in which
they are made, not misleading.

                  (dd)  Payment  of  Indebtedness.  All  indebtedness  owing  to
Company by any director,  officer,  or  shareholder  of Company has been paid in
full.

         Any document,  item, or disclosure listed or attached to any one of the
schedules of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule shall be deemed  incorporated  by
this reference into such other schedules of the Company  Disclosure  Schedule to
which such document,  item, or disclosure may also apply. As such, the schedules
attached to the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed fully integrated and
all documents,  items, or disclosures shall also be deemed listed, attached, and
disclosed under each other schedule of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

         Buyer  recognizes  that  the  mere  fact  that a  Shareholder  makes  a
representation  herein  that  proves  to be false  does not mean  that it was an
intentional  misrepresentation  if the  Shareholder  did not have knowledge that
such representation was false when made.

         3.2  Representations  and Warranties of Buyer.  Except as otherwise set
forth in the Buyer Disclosure Schedule heretofore delivered by Buyer to Company,
and  except as  disclosed  in any  document  heretofore  filed by Buyer with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and delivered by Buyer to Company and
acknowledged  as  having  been  received  by  or on  behalf  of  Company,  Buyer
represents and warrants to Shareholders as follows:

                  (a) Due Incorporation,  Good Standing, and Qualification. Each
of Buyer and its subsidiaries is a corporation duly organized, validly existing,
and in good standing under the laws of its  jurisdiction of  incorporation  with
all  requisite  corporate  power and  authority to own,  operate,  and lease its
assets  and  properties  and to carry on its  business  as now being  conducted.
Neither Buyer nor any of its subsidiaries is subject to any material  disability
by reason of the failure to be duly qualified as a foreign  corporation  for the
transaction  of  business  or to be in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of any
jurisdiction.  As used in this  Agreement  with  reference  to  Buyer,  the term
"subsidiaries" shall include all direct or indirect subsidiaries of Buyer, other
than Company.  No warranty relating to Buyer or its subsidiaries shall be deemed
to be breached as a result of any  circumstances  that would constitute a breach
of warranty by Company.

                                       9
<PAGE>

                  (b) Corporate  Authority.  Buyer has the  corporate  power and
authority  to  enter  into  this  Agreement  and  carry  out  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby.  The Board of Directors of Buyer has duly  authorized  the
execution,  delivery,  and  performance of this  Agreement.  No other  corporate
proceedings on the part of Buyer or its subsidiaries,  including the approval of
Buyer's  stockholders,  are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by
Buyer  of this  Agreement  or the  consummation  by  Buyer  of the  transactions
contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by, and
constitutes a legal, valid, and binding agreement of Buyer,  enforceable against
it in accordance with its terms, except that (i) such enforcement may be subject
to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other similar laws now
or hereafter in effect  relating to  creditors'  rights,  and (ii) the remedy of
specific  performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable  relief may be
subject to equitable  defenses and to the  discretion  of the court before which
any proceeding therefore may be brought. Buyer has not filed for, nor does Buyer
contemplate,  nor has Buyer considered, the filing of a bankruptcy,  insolvency,
reorganization, or moratorium.

                  (c) Capital  Stock.  As of May 15, 1997,  Buyer has authorized
capital  stock  consisting of  10,000,000  shares of Common  Stock,  $0.0001 par
value,  of which  3,948,703  shares are issued and  outstanding,  and  1,000,000
shares of serial  preferred  stock,  $0.0001  par value,  of which no shares are
issued and  outstanding.  As of such date,  399,278 shares of Buyer Common Stock
were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding stock options. As of
such date,  223,000 shares of Buyer Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon
the exercise of outstanding  warrants.  All of the issued and outstanding shares
of capital stock of Buyer and each of its subsidiaries have been duly authorized
and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

                  (d) Options,  Warrants,  and Rights.  Neither Buyer nor any of
its  subsidiaries  has  outstanding  any options,  warrants,  or other rights to
purchase,  or securities or other  obligations  convertible into or exchangeable
for, or contracts,  commitments,  agreements,  arrangements or understandings to
issue,  any shares of its capital  stock or other  securities,  other than those
referred to in Section 4.2(c).

                  (e) Subsidiaries.  The outstanding  shares of capital stock of
the  subsidiaries of Buyer owned by Buyer or any of its  subsidiaries  are owned
free and clear of all claims, liens,  charges, and encumbrances.  Buyer does not
own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other equity securities of any
corporation or have any direct or indirect  equity or ownership  interest in any
corporation or other business, other than with respect to its subsidiaries.

                  (f) Financial  Statements.  The Consolidated  Balance Sheet of
Buyer and its  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996, as well as the Consolidated
Statements of Income,  the Consolidated  Statements of Stockholders'  Equity and
the Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows of Buyer and its subsidiaries for the
period  ended  December  31, 1996,  and all related  schedules  and notes to the
foregoing,  have been  reported on by Arthur  Andersen LLP,  independent  public
accountants.  All of the foregoing  financial  statements  have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which were applied on a
consistent basis (except as described  therein),  are correct and complete,  and
present  fairly,  in all material  respects the financial  position,  results of
operations,  and changes of financial  position of Buyer and its subsidiaries as
of their respective dates and for the periods  indicated.  Neither Buyer nor any
of its subsidiaries  has any material  liabilities or obligations of a type that
would be  included in a balance  sheet  prepared in  accordance  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles,  whether  related to tax or  non-tax  matters,
accrued  or  contingent,  due or not yet  due,  liquidated  or  unliquidated  or

                                       10
<PAGE>

otherwise,   except  as  and  to  the  extent  disclosed  or  reflected  in  the
Consolidated Balance Sheet of Buyer and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996
("Buyer's  Base Balance  Sheet"),  or incurred  since  December 31, 1996, in the
ordinary course of business and as contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (g) Actions in the Ordinary Course of Business. Since December
31, 1996,  neither  Buyer nor any of its  subsidiaries  (i) has taken any action
outside the ordinary  and usual course of business;  (ii) has borrowed any money
or become contingently liable for any obligation or liability of another;  (iii)
has failed to pay any of its debts and  obligations as they become due; (iv) has
incurred any debt,  liability,  or obligation of any nature to any party, except
for obligations  arising from the purchase of goods or the rendition of services
in the ordinary course of business; or (v) has failed to use its best efforts to
preserve its business organization intact, to keep available the services of its
employees and independent contractors, or to preserve its relationships with its
customers, suppliers, and others with which it deals.

                  (h) No Material Change. Since December 31, 1996, there has not
been  and  there  is not  threatened  (i) any  material  adverse  change  in the
financial condition, business, properties, assets, or operating results of Buyer
and its subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  (ii) any loss or damage (whether or not
covered  by  insurance)  to any of the  assets  or  properties  of  Buyer or its
subsidiaries, which materially affects or impairs their ability to conduct their
business,  or (iii) any mortgage or pledge of any material  amount of the assets
or  properties  of  Buyer  and  its  subsidiaries  taken  as  a  whole,  or  any
indebtedness  incurred by Buyer and its subsidiaries,  other than  indebtedness,
not material in the aggregate, incurred in the ordinary course of business.

                  (i) Title to Assets and Properties. Buyer and its subsidiaries
have good and  marketable  title to all of their  respective  real and  personal
assets and properties,  including all assets and properties reflected in Buyer's
Base Balance Sheet,  or acquired  subsequent to the date of Buyer's Base Balance
Sheet,  except assets or  properties  disposed of subsequent to that date in the
ordinary  course of  business.  Such  assets and  properties  are  subject to no
mortgage, indenture, pledge, lien, claim, encumbrance, charge, security interest
or title  retention,  or other  security  arrangement,  except for liens for the
payment of  federal,  state,  and other  taxes,  the payment of which is neither
delinquent nor subject to penalties, and except for other liens and encumbrances
incidental to the conduct of the business of Buyer and its  subsidiaries  or the
ownership of their assets or  properties,  which were not incurred in connection
with the  borrowing of money or the  obtaining of advances,  and which do not in
the aggregate  materially detract from the value of the net assets or properties
of Buyer and its  subsidiaries  taken as a whole or  materially  impair  the use
thereof in the operation of their respective businesses,  except in each case as
disclosed or reflected in Buyer's Base Balance Sheet or any documents filed with
the SEC. All leases pursuant to which Buyer or any of its subsidiaries lease any
substantial  amount of real or  personal  property  are valid and  effective  in
accordance with their respective terms.

                  (j) Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, proceedings,  or
other litigation pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against Buyer
or any of its  subsidiaries,  at law or in equity,  or before or by any federal,
state, municipal, or other governmental department,  commission,  board, bureau,
agency, or instrumentality  that, if determined adversely to Buyer or any of its
subsidiaries,  would  individually  or in the aggregate have a material  adverse
effect on the business, assets,  properties,  operating results, or prospects or
on the condition, financial or otherwise, of Buyer and its subsidiaries taken as
a whole.

                                       11
<PAGE>

                  (k)  Rights  and  Licenses.  Neither  Buyer  nor  any  of  its
subsidiaries is subject to any material disability or liability by reason of its
failure to possess any patent, patent right,  trademark,  trademark right, trade
name, trade name right, or license.

                  (l) No Violation. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not violate or
result  in a breach by Buyer or any of its  subsidiaries  of,  or  constitute  a
default  under,  or conflict with, or cause any  acceleration  of any obligation
with respect to, (i) any provision or restriction of any charter,  bylaw,  loan,
indenture,  or  mortgage  of  Buyer  or any of its  subsidiaries,  or  (ii)  any
provision or restriction of any lien,  lease  agreement,  contract,  instrument,
order,  judgment,   award,  decree,   ordinance,  or  regulation  or  any  other
restriction  of any kind or character to which any assets or properties of Buyer
or  any  of  its  subsidiaries  is  subject  or by  which  Buyer  or  any of its
subsidiaries is bound.

                  (m)  Taxes.  Buyer  has  duly  filed in  correct  form all Tax
Returns relating to the activities of Buyer and its subsidiaries required or due
to be filed  (with  regard  to  applicable  extensions)  on or prior to the date
hereof. All such Tax Returns are accurate and complete in all material respects,
and Buyer has paid or made provision for the payment of all Taxes that have been
incurred  or are due or claimed to be due from it by  federal,  state,  or local
taxing  authorities  for all periods ending on or before the date hereof,  other
than Taxes or other charges that are not  delinquent  or are being  contested in
good  faith and have not been  finally  determined  and have been  disclosed  to
Seller.  The amounts set up as reserves  for Taxes on the books of Buyer and its
subsidiaries are sufficient in the aggregate for the payment of all unpaid Taxes
(including any interest or penalties thereon), whether or not disputed, accrued,
or  applicable.  No  claims  for taxes or  assessments  are  being  asserted  or
threatened against Buyer or any of its subsidiaries.

                  (n) Accounts Receivable.  The accounts receivable of Buyer and
its  subsidiaries  have been  acquired in the ordinary  course of business,  are
valid and enforceable, and are fully collectible,  subject to no known defenses,
setoffs, or counterclaims,  except to the extent of the reserve reflected in the
books  of  Buyer  and its  subsidiaries  or in such  other  amount  which is not
material in the aggregate.

                  (o) Contracts.  Except for the  transactions  contemplated  by
this Agreement,  neither Buyer nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to (i) any
plan or contract  providing for bonuses,  pensions,  options,  stock  purchases,
deferred  compensation,   retirement  payments,  or  profit  sharing,  (ii)  any
collective bargaining or other contract or agreement with any labor union, (iii)
any lease, installment purchase agreement, or other contract with respect to any
real or  personal  property  used  or  proposed  to be  used  in its  operations
excepting,  in each case, items included within aggregate  amounts  disclosed or
reflected in Buyer's Base Balance Sheet, (iv) any employment  agreement or other
similar  arrangement  not  terminable by it upon 30 days or less notice  without
penalty to it, (v) any contract or agreement for the purchase of any  commodity,
material,  fixed asset,  or equipment in excess of $100,000,  (vi) any contract,
agreement,  mortgage, or lease creating an obligation of $100,000 or more, (vii)
any  contract  or  agreement  which by its terms  does not  terminate  or is not
terminable by it without  penalty to it, (viii) any loan  agreement,  indenture,
promissory  note,  conditional  sales  agreement,   or  other  similar  type  of
arrangement,  or (ix) any material license  agreement.  All material  mortgages,
leases, contracts,  agreements,  and other arrangements to which Buyer or any of
its  subsidiaries  is a party are valid and enforceable in accordance with their
terms,   except  that  (i)  such  enforcement  may  be  subject  to  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium, or other similar laws now or hereafter
in effect  relating  to  creditor's  rights,  and (ii) the  remedy  of  specific

                                       12
<PAGE>

performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
equitable  defenses  and to  the  discretion  of  the  court  before  which  any
proceeding  therefore may be brought;  Buyer,  its  subsidiaries,  and all other
parties  to  each of the  foregoing  have  performed  all  material  obligations
required to be performed to date;  neither Buyer,  nor any of its  subsidiaries,
nor any such other party is in material default or in arrears under the terms of
any of the foregoing;  and no condition  exists or event has occurred that, with
the giving of notice or lapse of time or both,  would constitute a default under
any of them.

                  (p) Compliance with Law and Other  Regulations.  Each of Buyer
and  its  subsidiaries  is in  compliance  in all  material  respects  with  all
requirements  (including  those relating to  environmental  matters) of federal,
state,  and  local  law and all  requirements  of all  governmental  bodies  and
agencies having  jurisdiction  over it, the conduct of its business,  the use of
its  assets  and  properties,  and all  premises  occupied  by it.  There  is no
environmental contamination, toxic waste or other discharge, spill, construction
component,  structural  element or  condition,  adversely  affecting  any of the
properties  of  Buyer  or  its  subsidiaries,  nor  has  Buyer  or  any  of  its
subsidiaries  received any official  notice or citation  that the  properties of
Buyer or its subsidiaries in any way contravene any federal, state, or local law
or regulation  relating to environmental,  health, or safety matters,  including
without limitation any requirements of the Comprehensive  Environmental Response
Compensation  and Liability Act  ("CERCLA") nor any OSHA  requirements.  Without
limiting the foregoing,  each of Buyer and its  subsidiaries  has properly filed
all reports, paid all monies, and obtained all licenses, permits,  certificates,
and  authorizations  needed or required  for the conduct of its business and the
use of its assets and properties  and the premises  occupied by it in connection
therewith  and is in compliance  in all material  respects with all  conditions,
restrictions,  and provisions of all of the foregoing.  Neither Buyer nor any of
its  subsidiaries  has  received any notice from any  federal,  state,  or local
authority  or  any  insurance  or  inspection  body  that  any  of  its  assets,
properties,  facilities, equipment, or business procedures or practices fails to
comply in any material respect with any applicable law,  ordinance,  regulation,
building, or zoning law or requirement of any public authority or body.

                  (q) Employee  Benefit and  Employment  Matters.  Buyer and its
"ERISA  Affiliates" (as determined under Section 414(b),  (c), (m) or (o) of the
Internal   Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended  (the  "Code"))  (i)  maintain,
administer,  or  contribute  to, or at any time  during  the past six years have
maintained, administered, or contributed to, only those employee pension benefit
plans (as defined in Section 3(2) of the Employment  Retirement  Income Security
of 1974,  as amended  ("ERISA"),  whether or not excluded  from  coverage  under
specific  Titles or  Subtitles  of  ERISA)  described  in the  Buyer  Disclosure
Schedule  (the  "Buyer  Pension  Plans");  and  (ii)  maintain,  administer,  or
contribute to only those employee  welfare  benefit plans (as defined in Section
3(1) of ERISA,  whether or not excluded from coverage under  specific  Titles or
Subtitles  of ERISA)  described  in the Buyer  Disclosure  Schedule  (the "Buyer
Welfare  Plans").  Buyer  and all  ERISA  Affiliates  maintain,  administer,  or
contribute to only those bonus,  deferred  compensation,  stock purchase,  stock
option,  severance plan,  insurance,  or similar  arrangements  described in the
Buyer Disclosure Schedule ("Buyer Employee Benefit Plans").  Except as disclosed
in the Buyer  Disclosure  Schedule,  the Internal Revenue Service has determined
that each Buyer Pension Plan intended to be "qualified"  under Section 401(a) of
the Code is so qualified and that the trust forming a part thereof is tax exempt
under Section  501(a) of the Code from the date of its  establishment  until the
date hereof,  and Buyer does not know of any matter that would adversely  affect
such qualified or tax-exempt status of such plan or trust. Full payment has been
made,  or will be made in  accordance  with  Sections  404(a)(6)  and 412 of the
Internal  Revenue Code, of all amounts that either Buyer or any ERISA  Affiliate

                                       13
<PAGE>

is required to pay under the terms of each of the Buyer  Pension Plans and Buyer
Welfare Plans, and all such amounts are properly accrued on Buyer's Base Balance
Sheet; and none of the Buyer Pension Plans or any trust  established  thereunder
has incurred any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Sections 302 of
the ERISA and 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, as of the last day of the
most  recent  fiscal  year of each of such Plans ended prior to the date of this
Agreement.  Neither any Buyer  Pension Plan or Buyer  Welfare Plan nor any Buyer
Pension Plan or Buyer Welfare Plan  fiduciary has engaged in any  transaction in
violation of Section 406 of ERISA or any "prohibited transaction" (as defined in
Section  4975(c)(1) of the Code) other than any such  transaction that is exempt
under Section 408 of ERISA or section  4975(d) of the Code.  Buyer has furnished
to Seller true and complete  copies of each Buyer  Pension  Plan,  Buyer Welfare
Plan, and Buyer Employment  Benefit Plan and related trust agreements or annuity
contracts,  Internal  Revenue  Service  determination  letters and summary  plan
descriptions; all of the foregoing plans, agreements, and commitments are valid,
binding,  in full force and effect,  and there are no defaults  thereunder;  and
none of the rights of Buyer or any of its ERISA  Affiliates  thereunder  will be
impaired by this Agreement or the  consummation of the transaction  contemplated
by this Agreement.  Neither Buyer nor any of its  subsidiaries is a party to any
collective bargaining agreement and, to the best of Buyer's knowledge,  there is
no material request for union representation pending or threatened against Buyer
or any of its  subsidiaries.  Neither Buyer nor any of its ERISA  Affiliates has
incurred any liability to the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Company  ("PBGC") as a
result of the  voluntary or  involuntary  termination  of any Buyer Pension Plan
subject to Title IV of ERISA;  there is currently  no active  filing by Buyer or
any of its ERISA  Affiliates with the PBGC (and no proceeding has been commenced
by the PBGC) to  terminate  any Buyer  Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA
maintained  or  funded,  in  whole or in  part,  by  Buyer  or any of its  ERISA
Affiliates;  and  neither  Buyer  nor any of its  ERISA  Affiliates  has  made a
complete  or partial  withdrawal  from a  multi-employer  plan,  as such term is
defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA, resulting in "withdrawal  liability," as such
term is defined in Section 4201 of ERISA (without regard to subsequent reduction
or waiver of such  liability  under either  Section 4207 or 4208 of ERISA).  The
employment of each employee of Buyer and its  subsidiaries is terminable at will
without  cost  to  Buyer  or any of its  subsidiaries.  Each  of  Buyer  and its
subsidiaries  has complied with all other applicable  federal,  state, and local
laws  relating to the  employment  of labor  including,  but not limited to, the
provisions  thereof relative to wages,  hours,  collective  bargaining,  working
conditions,  and payment of taxes of any kind,  and neither Buyer nor any of its
subsidiaries  is liable for any arrears of wages or any taxes or  penalties  for
failure  to comply  with any of the  foregoing  or has any  obligations  for any
vacation, sick leave, or other compensatory time.

                  (r) Insurance.  Buyer and each of its subsidiaries maintain in
full force and effect  insurance  coverage  with  reputable  insurers,  and such
policies  provide  adequate  coverage  for all normal  risk  incident to Buyer's
assets,  properties,  and the conduct of its business  and are in character  and
amount at least  equivalent  to that  carried by persons  engaging in a business
subject to the same or similar perils or hazards.

                  (s) No  Payments  to  Directors,  Officers,  Stockholders,  or
Others.  Since December 31, 1996,  there has not been any purchase or redemption
of any shares of capital  stock of Buyer or its  subsidiaries  or any  transfer,
distribution,  or payment by Buyer or its subsidiaries,  directly or indirectly,
of any assets or properties to any director,  officer, principal stockholder, or
other  person  other than the  payment of  compensation  for  services  actually
rendered at rates not in excess of the rates prevailing on December 31, 1996.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                  (t) No Prohibited Payments. Neither Buyer and its subsidiaries
nor, to the knowledge of Buyer, any officers, directors, employees,  independent
contractors,  or agents,  acting on behalf of Buyer or its subsidiaries,  has at
any time (i) made any  contributions  to any candidate  for political  office in
violation of law or failed to disclose fully any  contributions to any candidate
for  political  office  in  accordance  with  any  applicable   statute,   rule,
regulation, or ordinance requiring such disclosure, (ii) made any payment to any
local, state,  federal, or foreign  governmental  officer or official,  or other
person charged with similar public or quasi-public  duties,  other than payments
required  or allowed by  applicable  law,  (iii) made any  payment  outside  the
ordinary course of business to any purchasing or selling agent or person charged
with  similar  duties of any  entity  to which  Buyer or its  subsidiaries  sell
products or render services or from which Buyer or its subsidiaries buy products
or services for the purpose of influencing  such agent or person to buy products
or services from or sell products or services to Buyer or its  subsidiaries,  or
(iv)  engaged  in any  transaction,  maintained  any bank  account,  or used any
corporate funds,  except for  transactions,  bank accounts,  and funds that have
been and are reflected in the normally maintained books and records of Buyer.

                  (u) Certificate of  Incorporation,  Bylaws,  and Minute Books.
Buyer has heretofore  delivered to the Shareholders  true and complete copies of
the Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws of Buyer as currently in effect. The
minute books of Buyer contain  complete and accurate records of all meetings and
other  corporate  actions held or taken by the Board of Directors (or committees
of the Boards of Directors) or stockholders of Buyer since its incorporation.

                  (v) SEC Reports.  Buyer's  Prospectus dated November 21, 1996,
and all subsequent  reports and proxy  statements filed by Buyer thereafter with
the SEC  pursuant to Section  13(a) or 14(a) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of
1934 have been delivered by Buyer to Company and do not contain,  as of the date
of such delivery,  a misstatement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein
not  misleading  as of the  time  the  document  was  filed.  No  report,  proxy
statement,  or other document has been required to be filed by Buyer pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 14(a) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 that has not been
filed. All such reports, registrations,  and statements, which are filed between
the date hereof and the Closing Date, will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated  therein or
necessary to make the statements made therein,  in light of the circumstances in
which they are made, not misleading.

                  (w) Accuracy of  Statements.  Neither this  Agreement  nor any
statement, list, certificate,  or other information furnished or to be furnished
by Buyer to the  Shareholders  in connection  with this  Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby contains or will contain an untrue statement of
a material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements  contained  herein or therein,  in light of the  circumstances in
which they are made, not misleading.

                  (x) Financing Commitments.  Buyer represents and warrants that
it has received  investment and/or credit commitments  sufficient to fulfill its
obligations to Shareholders  under this Agreement,  which Buyer hereby covenants
will not be  impaired by or  committed  to any other  transaction  if the result
would be to limit or interfere  with Buyer's  ability to close the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement on or before 2:00 p.m.,  Phoenix time, on July 1,
1997 for the full amount of the Purchase Price stated in Section 2 hereof.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                  (y) Intellectual Property.  Each of Buyer and its subsidiaries
owns or holds all of the rights  necessary and  appropriate to use all formulas,
packaging,  logos,  trademarks,  trade names,  trade secrets,  fictitious names,
service  marks,  patents,  and  copyrights  that are used in or necessary to the
operation of its business (collectively,  "Intellectual Property").  None of the
matters  covered  by the  Intellectual  Property,  nor  any of the  products  or
services  sold or provided by Buyer or any of its  subsidiaries,  nor any of the
processes  used  or the  business  practices  followed  by  Buyer  or any of its
subsidiaries,  infringes or has infringed upon any trademark,  trade name, trade
secret,  fictitious name, service mark, patent, or copyright owned by any person
or entity (or any  application  with respect  thereto),  or  constitutes  unfair
competition.  No person or entity is  producing,  providing,  selling,  or using
products or services in a manner that would constitute an infringement of any of
the Intellectual  Property.  To the best knowledge of Buyer, no person or entity
is producing,  providing,  selling,  or using products that would  constitute an
infringement  of any of the  formulas  or Buyer's  trade  secrets  with  respect
thereto.

          3.3 Further  Representations  and  Warranties  of  Shareholders.  Each
Shareholder  represents,   warrants,  and  acknowledges  individually  for  such
Shareholder to Buyer as follows:

                  (a)  Ownership of Capital Stock of Company.  Such  Shareholder
owns the  number of shares of Common  Stock of  Company  set forth  next to such
Shareholder's   signature  to  this  Agreement.   Such   Shareholder  has  good,
marketable,  and unencumbered title to such stock, and there are no restrictions
on such  Shareholder's  right to transfer  such stock to Buyer  pursuant to this
Agreement. No transfer of record ownership of, or beneficial interest in, any of
such stock will be made between the date hereof and the Closing.

                  (b) Rights To Acquire Shares.  Such  Shareholder does not have
any outstanding options,  warrants, or other rights to purchase or subscribe to,
or contracts or commitments to sell, or any interests, instruments, evidences of
indebtedness,  or other  securities  convertible  in any manner into,  shares of
Company's capital stock.

                  (c)  Power  of   Shareholders  to  Execute   Agreement.   Such
Shareholder  has the full power and authority to execute,  deliver,  and perform
this Agreement,  and this Agreement is the legal and binding  obligation of such
Shareholder and is enforceable  against such  Shareholder in accordance with its
terms,   except  that  (i)  such  enforcement  may  be  subject  to  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium, or other similar laws now or hereafter
in effect  relating  to  creditors'  rights,  and (ii) the  remedy  of  specific
performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to
equitable  defenses  and to  the  discretion  of  the  court  before  which  any
proceeding therefore may be brought.

                  (d)  Agreement  Not in Breach of Other  Instruments  Affecting
Shareholders. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.3(d), the execution and delivery
of this Agreement, the consummation of the transactions hereby contemplated, and
the fulfillment of the terms hereof will not result in the breach of any term or
provision  of, or  constitute a default  under,  or conflict  with, or cause the
acceleration  of any obligation  under any agreement or other  instrument of any
description to which such Shareholder is a party or by which such Shareholder is
bound, or any judgment, decree, order, or award of any court, governmental body,
or arbitrator, or any applicable law, rule, or regulation.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 4
                                   THE CLOSING

         4.1  Closing.   The  closing  (the   "Closing")  of  the   transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall take place at the  offices of  O'Connor,
Cavanagh,  Anderson,  Killingsworth & Beshears, P.A., One East Camelback,  Suite
1100,  Phoenix,  Arizona on the date hereof at 10:00 a.m.,  Phoenix  time, or at
such other date, time, and place as may be agreed upon in advance, in writing by
Buyer and Seller, which date is referred to herein as the "Closing Date."

          4.2 Deliveries by  Shareholders.  At the Closing,  Shareholders  shall
deliver:

                  (a) Stock  Certificates.  Certificates  for 118,518  shares of
Company's Common Stock endorsed in blank, or with stock powers executed in blank
attached, with all required transfer stamps, if any, affixed.

                  (b)  Resignation  of  Officers  and  Directors.   The  written
resignations of all directors and officers of Company.

                  (c) General Releases.  General releases of Company, and by and
among  Shareholders,  executed by each  director,  officer,  and  Shareholder of
Company in the form of Schedule 4.2(c).

                  (d)  Consents.  Except as set forth in Schedule  3.1(aa),  the
written consents to assignment of all parties whose written consent is necessary
to the  continued  effectiveness  and  validity,  after  assignment  as provided
herein, of all contracts, agreements,  indentures, or leases to which Company is
a  party,   and  written  evidence  of  other  consents  and  approvals  of  the
transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (e)  Opinion of Counsel  for  Company  and  Shareholders.  The
opinion of Paul E. Greenwald & Associates, counsel for Company and Shareholders,
dated the Closing  Date,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to Buyer and its
counsel, to the effect that:

                              (i)  Company  is  a  corporation  duly  organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the state of California
and has the corporate  power and authority  under the laws of such state to own,
lease,  and operate its  properties,  and to carry on its  business as now being
conducted;

                              (ii)  Company was  incorporated  under the laws of
the state of  California  on  October  13,  1988 and has an  authorized  capital
consisting  of 200,000  shares of Common Stock,  no par value,  of which 118,518
shares are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, and nonassessable;

                              (iii)  Except  as  set  forth  in  the   Company's
Disclosure  Schedules,  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this  Agreement,  the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the fulfillment of the
terms  hereof,   will  not  violate  any  provision  of  Company's  articles  of
incorporation  or  bylaws  nor will  they  result  in the  breach of any term or
provision  of, or  constitute a default  under,  or conflict  with, or cause the
acceleration  of any obligation  under,  any loan  agreement,  note,  debenture,
indenture,  mortgage,  deed  of  trust,  lease,  contract,  agreement  or  other
obligation  of any  description  of which such  counsel has  knowledge  to which
Company or any  Shareholder is a party or by which any of them is bound,  or any
judgment, decree, order, or award of any court, governmental body, or arbitrator
of which such counsel has knowledge, or any applicable law, rule or regulation;

                                       17
<PAGE>

                              (iv) Each Shareholder has the power to execute and
deliver this Agreement,  and this Agreement has been duly authorized,  executed,
and  delivered by each of them and  constitutes  the legal,  valid,  and binding
obligation of each of them;

                              (v) Such  counsel  knows of no actions,  suits or,
proceedings pending or threatened against Company at law or in equity, or before
or  by  any  federal,  state,  municipal,  or  other  governmental   department,
commission,  board,  bureau,  agency, or instrumentality  that would result in a
breach of the  representation  and warranty set forth in Section  3.1(n) of this
Agreement,  or of any litigation affecting the right of any Shareholder to enter
into or perform this Agreement; and

                              (vi) Except as set forth in the Company Disclosure
Schedules,  the consummation of the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement
will not  violate  or  result  in a breach of or  constitute  a  default  by any
Shareholder or Company under any provision of any material indenture,  mortgage,
lien, lease, agreement,  contract,  instrument,  order, judgment, decree, award,
ordinance,  regulation,  or any other restriction of any kind or character known
to such counsel,  to which any Shareholder or Company is a party or by which any
of them are bound.

                              (vii)  Shareholders  have  effectively   conveyed,
transferred, and assigned to Buyer, good and marketable title to the Stock, free
and clear of all liens, pledges, claims, and encumbrances.

         Such opinion may be based as to factual  matters upon a certificate  or
certificates  of  Shareholders  or of an officer or officers of Company and such
other  matters as such counsel deems  appropriate,  and such counsel may rely on
opinions of other counsel  reasonably  satisfactory  to Buyer,  which opinion is
delivered in connection with this Agreement.

                  (f) Books and Records. All of the books, records, and files of
Company, including Company's corporate minute books, stock books or records, and
employee and tax records.

                  (g)  Consulting   Agreement.   A  fully  executed   Consulting
Agreement  between  James  Markham and Buyer in the form agreed to between James
Markham and Buyer.

                  (h)  Facilitation  Agreement.  A fully  executed  Facilitation
Agreement  between  James  Markham and Buyer in the form agreed to between James
Markham and Buyer.

                  (i)  Facilitation  Agreement.  A fully  executed  Facilitation
Agreement  between Arthur  Benfield Bush and Buyer in the form agreed to between
Arthur Benfield Bush and Buyer.

                  (j) Formulas. The formulas contemplated by Schedule 3.1(y).

         All assignments,  consents, certificates, and other documents delivered
by Shareholders shall be in form reasonably satisfactory to counsel for Buyer.

        4.3 Deliveries by Buyer. At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver:

                  (a) Purchase Price. Payment of the purchase price provided for
in Section 2 in immediately available funds by cashier's check or wire transfer.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                  (b)  Opinion of Counsel for Buyer.  The  opinion of  O'Connor,
Cavanagh,  Anderson,  Killingsworth  &  Beshears,  a  professional  association,
counsel for Buyer, dated the Closing Date, satisfactory in form and substance to
Shareholders and their counsel, to the effect that:

                              (i)  Buyer  and  each  of  its   subsidiaries  are
corporations duly organized,  validly  existing,  and in good standing under the
laws of the  state of their  incorporations  and have the  corporate  power  and
authority  under  the  laws of such  state  to own,  lease,  and  operate  their
properties,  to  carry on  their  businesses  as then  being  conducted,  and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;

                              (ii) all necessary  corporate  proceedings  of the
Board of Directors and stockholders of Buyer and its subsidiaries to approve and
adopt this  Agreement and authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement have
been duly and validly taken;

                              (iii) Buyer has the corporate  power and authority
to execute and deliver this  Agreement and the other  agreements  referred to in
this Agreement, and this Agreement and the other agreements referenced to herein
have been duly  authorized,  executed,  and delivered by it and  constitutes its
legal, valid, and binding obligation;

                              (iv) such counsel knows of no actions,  suits,  or
proceedings  pending or threatened  against Buyer or any of its  subsidiaries at
law or in  equity,  or  before or by any  federal,  state,  municipal,  or other
governmental department,  commission,  board, bureau, agency, or instrumentality
that would  result in a breach of the  representation  and warranty set forth in
Section 3.2(j) of this Agreement; and

                              (v) The execution and delivery of this  Agreement,
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the fulfillment of
the terms  hereof,  will not violate any  provision  of Buyer's  certificate  of
incorporation  or bylaws  nor will they  result in a breach of or  constitute  a
default by Buyer or any of its subsidiaries  under any provision of any material
indenture,  mortgage,  lien,  lease,  agreement,  contract,  instrument,  order,
judgment, decree, award, ordinance,  regulation, or any other restriction of any
kind  or  character  known  to  such  counsel,  to  which  Buyer  or  any of its
subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them are bound.

          With  respect to the opinions  expressed  pursuant to clauses (iv) and
(v) of this  subparagraph,  such  opinion  may be based  upon a  certificate  or
certificates  of an officer or  officers of Buyer or its  subsidiaries  and such
other  matters as such counsel deems  appropriate,  and such counsel may rely on
opinions of other counsel reasonably satisfactory to Shareholders, which opinion
is delivered in connection with this Agreement.

                  (c) Consents and Approvals.  Written  evidence of all consents
and approvals of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  (d)  Consulting   Agreement.   A  fully  executed   Consulting
Agreement  between  James  Markham and Buyer in the form agreed to between James
Markham and Buyer.

                  (e)  Facilitation  Agreement.  A fully  executed  Facilitation
Agreement  between  James  Markham and Buyer in the form agreed to between James
Markham and Buyer.

                                       19
<PAGE>

                  (f)  Facilitation  Agreement.  A fully  executed  Facilitation
Agreement  between Arthur  Benfield Bush and Buyer in the form agreed to between
Arthur Benfield Bush and Buyer.

                  (g) Audit Report. Buyer shall furnish Shareholders with a copy
of Arthur  Andersen  LLP's audit  report (and  request  Arthur  Andersen  LLP to
provide  Company  with all other  documents,  reports,  opinions,  observations,
reviews,  and analysis  delivered  by Arthur  Andersen to Buyer) with respect to
Company,  at no cost to  Shareholders.  Buyer will instruct  Arthur  Andersen to
furnish Shareholders a copy of the aforementioned  documents concurrent with the
delivery to Buyer.

         All  certificates  and other  documents  delivered by Buyer shall be in
form reasonably satisfactory to counsel for Shareholders.

         4.4  Further  Assurances.  Shareholders  and Buyer  shall  execute  and
deliver all such other  instruments  and take all such other action as any party
may reasonably request from time to time, before or after the Closing,  in order
to effectuate the transactions  provided for herein. The parties shall cooperate
with each other and with their respective  counsel and accountants in connection
with any steps to be taken as a part of their respective  obligations under this
Agreement, including the preparation of financial statements. Shareholders agree
to cause  Company  to make all of its  books  and  records  available  to Arthur
Andersen  LLP and to  cooperate  fully  with  Buyer  and  Arthur  Andersen  LLP,
including  making any standard  representations  and signing any standard  audit
representations  letters,  in order to  complete  any audit that may be required
under   applicable   rules  and  regulations  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission, as determined by Arthur Andersen LLP.

         4.5  Post-Closing  Covenants.  In addition to the foregoing  covenants,
the parties hereby covenant and agree to the following post-closing obligations:

                  (a)  Maintenance  of Insurance.  Buyer shall  maintain in full
force and effect insurance coverage for Company for all normal risks incident to
Company's assets,  properties, and the conduct of its business, and in character
and amount at least equivalent to that carried by persons engaging in a business
subject  to the same or  similar  perils or  hazards,  and shall  maintain  such
coverage at least  through the  Indemnification  Period (as defined in Section 7
hereof) with carriers  with an industry  rating equal to or greater than that of
the carriers with whom Company maintained such coverage prior to the Closing.

                  (b) Satisfaction of Accounts  Payable.  Buyer shall timely pay
in full the  accounts  payable  obligations  of Company  arising in the ordinary
course of business and existing as of the Closing.

                  (c)  Performance of Company  Obligations.  Buyer shall perform
all contracts, obligations,  agreements,  arrangements, and other commitments of
Company  reflected in Company's  Base  Balance  Sheet or otherwise  disclosed to
Buyer in connection  with this  Agreement,  in accordance with the terms of such
contracts, obligations, agreements, and other commitments.

                  (d)  Access  to  Records.   Buyer  shall  make   available  to
Shareholders and their  representatives  for inspection at all reasonable times,
all of the  records,  agreements,  and  financial  statements  of Company as the
Shareholders  shall  reasonably  request,   and  allow  Shareholders  and  their
representatives the right to make whatever copies of such materials they require
to  enable  such  Shareholders  to  assemble   information   necessary  for  the
preparation of personal tax returns and for such other reasonable purposes.

                                       20
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 5
                        WAIVER, MODIFICATION, ABANDONMENT

         5.1 Waivers.  The failure of any  Shareholder to comply with any of its
obligations,  agreements,  or conditions  as set forth in this  Agreement may be
waived  expressly in writing by Buyer, by action of its Board of Directors.  The
failure  of  Buyer  to  comply  with  any of  its  obligations,  agreements,  or
conditions as set forth in this Agreement may be waived  expressly in writing by
Shareholders.

         5.2  Modification.  This  Agreement may be modified at any time in any
respect by the mutual written consent of all of the parties.

                                    SECTION 6
                                 NON-COMPETITION

         6.1  Non-competition.  Because of the importance of Shareholders to the
development and operation of the business of Company, as well as their knowledge
of and  reputation in Company's  industry,  Buyer is unwilling to enter into and
perform this Agreement unless  Shareholders  all enter into the  non-competition
agreement  contained  in this  Section  6. To  induce  Buyer to enter  into this
Agreement and for the benefit of Buyer, Shareholders agree as follows:

         6.2  Duration  and Extent of  Restriction.  Subject  to  Buyer's  full,
complete,  and timely performance of this Agreement and the agreements  referred
to herein,  Shareholders  shall not,  for a period  ending three years after the
Closing  Date,  within  the  United  States or  foreign  countries,  engage in a
business the same as,  similar to, or in general  competition  with the business
being conducted by Company, as defined in the recitals of this Agreement,  at or
within 12 months prior to the Closing Date.  The term "engage in" shall include,
but shall  not be  limited  to,  activities,  whether  direct  or  indirect,  as
proprietor,  partner,  shareholder,  principal,  agent, employee,  consultant or
lender;  provided,  however,  that  the  ownership  of not  more  than 5% in the
aggregate by Shareholders of the stock of a publicly held corporation  shall not
be included in such term.

         6.3  Restrictions  with Respect to Customers.  In  furtherance  of, and
without in any way  limiting  the  restriction  in Section  6.1,  for the period
specified  in  Section  6.2,  subject  to  Buyer's  full,  complete,  and timely
performance  of  this   Agreement  and  the   agreements   referred  to  herein,
Shareholders shall not, directly or indirectly,

                  (a) request any past,  present, or future customers of Company
to curtail or cancel their business with Buyer or any of its subsidiaries;

                  (b)  disclose  the  identity of any past,  present,  or future
customers of Company,  Buyer,  or any  subsidiary  of Buyer to any other person,
firm or corporation engaged in a business the same as, similar to, or in general
competition  with the business  being  conducted  by Company,  as defined in the
recitals of this Agreement,  within the territorial  limits described in Section
6.2;

                  (c) solicit,  canvas, or accept, or authorize any other person
to solicit,  canvas, or accept,  from any past,  present, or future customers of
Company,  Buyer or any  subsidiary of Buyer,  any business for any other person,


                                       21
<PAGE>

firm,  or  corporation  engaged in a  business  the same as,  similar  to, or in
general competition with the business of Company being conducted,  as defined in
the  recitals of this  Agreement,  within the  territorial  limits  described in
Section 6.2; or

                  (d) induce or attempt to  influence  any  employee of Company,
Buyer,  or any  subsidiary  of  Buyer to  terminate  their  employment  with the
exception  of James  Markham  hiring  Kelly  Luna or  Cheryl  Markham  or Arthur
Benfield Bush hiring Gina Bush.

As used in this Section 6.3 "future  customer"  shall mean a customer  with whom
business  will have been  transacted  between the date hereof and the end of the
term specified in Section 6.2.

         6.4 Remedies for Breach. Shareholders acknowledge that the restrictions
contained  in this  Section  6, in view of the nature of the  business  in which
Company is engaged,  are  reasonable  and  necessary  to protect the  legitimate
interests  of  Buyer  and its  subsidiaries  and  that  any  violation  of these
restrictions  would result in irreparable  injury to Buyer and its subsidiaries.
Shareholders   agree  that,  in  the  event  of  a  violation  of  any  of  such
restrictions,  Buyer shall be entitled to preliminary  and permanent  injunctive
relief as well as an equitable  accounting of all earnings,  profits,  and other
benefits  arising from such  violation,  which rights shall be cumulative and in
addition to any other rights or remedies to which Buyer may be entitled.  In the
event of a violation by any Shareholder,  the period of non-competition referred
to in Section  6.2 for such  Shareholders  shall be extended by a period of time
equal to that period beginning when such violation commenced and ending when the
activities  constituting  such violation  shall have been finally  terminated in
good faith.

         6.5 Certain Exceptions.

                  (a) This extension of time of the term shall apply only to the
Shareholder   who  violated   the  terms  of  this   Section  6  regarding   the
non-competition, and shall not effect the other Shareholders.

                  (b) Notwithstanding this Section 6, Yoram Fishman is not to be
prohibited from continuing to conduct  businesses that may involve beauty,  hair
care,  and  skin  care  products.   Such  businesses   include  operating  2-2-0
Laboratories and other  manufacturing  and distributing  businesses and also his
ownership of stock in, and his holding office in, companies that are involved in
hair  and  skin  care  products  and  other  chemical  products  as  well as the
distribution for all such products.

                  (c)  Notwithstanding  this  Section  6,  this  non-competition
clause shall not apply to any  activities  of Bush  including but not limited to
Arthur  Benfield Bush being employed by,  consulting  with,  owning,  operating,
selling, or conducting training schools,  educational programs, seminars, all in
any media form or format,  videos,  tapes,  salons,  stores,  and other  related
operations,  provided that any such activities or businesses  shall not promote,
use, sell any liquid or wet professional  salon hair products that competes with
any such products that are sold by Company, either as of the Closing or any time
during the time period  described in section 6.2. The products shall not include
hard goods.

                                       22
<PAGE>
                                    SECTION 7
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         7.1 Indemnification by Shareholders. Shareholders covenant and agree to
defend,  indemnify,  and hold Buyer  harmless for, from, and against any and all
damages, losses, liabilities (absolute and contingent), fines, penalties, costs,
and expenses (including,  without limitation,  reasonable counsel fees and costs
and expenses incurred in the  investigation,  defense or settlement of any claim
covered by this indemnity) with respect to or arising out of any demand,  claim,
inquiry,  investigation,  proceeding,  action or cause of action  that Buyer may
suffer  or  incur  by  reason  of:  (a) the  material  inaccuracy  of any of the
representations or warranties of any Shareholder contained in this Agreement, or
any of the agreements, certificates,  documents, exhibits or schedules delivered
pursuant to this Agreement; or (b) the failure to comply with, or the breach, or
the default by any Shareholder of any of the covenants, warranties or agreements
made by any Shareholder  contained in this Agreement,  or any of the agreements,
certificates,  documents,  exhibits  or  schedules  delivered  pursuant  to this
Agreement.

         7.2  Indemnification  by Buyer.  Buyer  covenants and agrees to defend,
indemnify,  and hold  Shareholders  harmless for,  from, and against any and all
damages, losses, liabilities (absolute and contingent), fines, penalties, costs,
and expenses (including,  without limitation,  reasonable counsel fees and costs
and expenses incurred in the  investigation,  defense or settlement of any claim
covered by this indemnity) with respect to or arising out of any demand,  claim,
inquiry,  investigation,  proceeding,  action,  or  cause  of  action  that  any
Shareholder  may suffer or incur by reason of (a) the  inaccuracy  of any of the
representations or warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement or any of the
agreements,  certificates,   documents,  exhibits,  or  schedules  delivered  in
connection with this Agreement; or (b) the failure to comply with, the breach or
the default by Buyer of any of the covenants,  warranties, or agreements made by
Buyer  in this  Agreement  or any of the  agreements,  certificates,  documents,
exhibits, or schedules delivered in connection with this Agreement.

        7.3  Notice  and Right to Defend  Third-Party  Claims.  Promptly  upon
receipt of notice of any claim, demand, or assessment or the commencement of any
suit,  action,  or  proceeding  with  respect to which  indemnity  may be sought
pursuant to this Agreement, the party seeking to be indemnified or held harmless
(the "Indemnitee") shall notify in writing, if possible,  within sufficient time
to respond to such claim or answer or otherwise plead in such action (but in any
event  within  ten days,  the party  from whom  indemnification  is sought  (the
"Indemnitor").  In case any claim,  demand, or assessment shall be asserted,  or
suit,  action, or proceeding  commenced  against the Indemnitee,  the Indemnitor
shall be entitled,  at the Indemnitor's expense, to participate therein, and, to
the extent  that it may wish,  to assume the  defense,  conduct,  or  settlement
thereof, at its own expense, with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnitee,  whose
consent  to the  selection  of counsel  shall not be  unreasonably  withheld  or
delayed,  provided that the Indemnitor  confirms to the Indemnitee  that it is a
claim to which its rights of  indemnification  apply.  The Indemnitor shall have
the right to  settle or  compromise  monetary  claims  without  the  consent  of
Indemnitee;  however,  as to any other claim,  the Indemnitor shall first obtain
the prior written consent from the Indemnitee,  which consent shall be exercised
in the sole  discretion of the  Indemnitee.  After notice from the Indemnitor to
the  Indemnitee  of  Indemnitor's  intent so to  assume  the  defense,  conduct,
settlement,  or compromise of such action, the Indemnitor shall not be liable to
the Indemnitee for any legal or other expenses  (including,  without limitation,
settlement costs) subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the
defense,  conduct,  or  settlement  of  such  action  while  the  Indemnitor  is
diligently  defending,  conducting,  settling,  or compromising such action. The
Indemnitor shall keep the Indemnitee apprised of the status of the suit, action,
or proceeding and shall make  Indemnitor's  counsel available to the Indemnitee,


                                       23
<PAGE>

at the Indemnitor's expense, upon the request of the Indemnitee.  The Indemnitee
shall  cooperate with the Indemnitor in connection with any such claim and shall
make personnel,  books and records and other  information  relevant to the claim
available to the Indemnitor to the extent that such personnel, books and records
and other information are in the possession and/or control of the Indemnitee. If
the Indemnitor decides not to participate,  the Indemnitee shall be entitled, at
the Indemnitor's sole cost and expense, to defend, conduct, settle or compromise
such matter with counsel  satisfactory to the  Indemnitor,  whose consent to the
selection of counsel shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

          7.4 Limitations Related to Indemnity.  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein:

                  (a) Each  Shareholder  shall be  individually  responsible for
indemnification  arising out of any breach of a representation and warranty made
pursuant to Section 3.3;

                  (b)  Except  as  set  forth  in  Section  7.4(a)  above,  each
Shareholder's  responsibility for any indemnification under this Section 7 shall
be limited to the result  obtained by  multiplying  the total  indemnity  by the
proportionate ownership interest each Shareholder had in the Stock, as set forth
beside their respective signatures to this Agreement;

                  (c)  Shareholders  shall have no  obligation  to indemnify any
loss by Buyer under this Agreement, unless, and only to the extent that all such
losses in the aggregate exceed $250,000;

                  (d) Buyer shall have no  obligation  to indemnify  any loss by
Shareholders under this Agreement,  unless, and only to the extent that all such
losses in the aggregate exceed $250,000;

                  (e)  In no  event  shall  the  aggregate  liabilities  of  the
Shareholders under this Agreement exceed $20,000,000;

                  (f) In no event shall the aggregate liabilities of Buyer under
this Agreement exceed $20,000,000; and

                  (g) The obligations of the  Shareholders  under this Section 7
shall expire on the date that their representations and warranties shall expire,
which shall be June 30, 1999 (the "Indemnification Period").

                  (h) Buyer  shall make a claim under any  applicable  insurance
policy  prior to  making a claim for  indemnity.  The  amount  of the  indemnity
payment  required  by this  Section  7 shall be  reduced  by any  recoveries  of
insurance proceeds received by Company, provided that the applicable Shareholder
shall be responsible for any increased insurance premiums for the subsequent two
year period.

                  (i) No Shareholder  shall be responsible  for the violation of
the provisions of Section 6 of this Agreement by another Shareholder.

                                       24
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 8
                                     GENERAL

         8.1  Ownership of Furniture  and  Equipment.  James  Markham and Arthur
Benfield Bush shall each keep,  retain,  and own after the Closing,  any Company
furniture and equipment they each have at their respective  homes, in their home
offices as of June 1, 1997 as their individual property.

         8.2  Indemnity  Against Finders.  Each party hereto shall indemnify and
hold the other  parties  harmless  against any claim for finders'  fees based on
alleged retention of a finder by it.

         8.3 Controlling Law. This Agreement,  and all questions relating to its
validity, interpretation, performance, and enforcement, shall be governed by and
construed  in  accordance  with  the  laws of  California,  notwithstanding  any
California or other conflict-of-law provisions to the contrary.

         8.4  Notices.  Except to the extent  otherwise  set forth  herein,  all
notices, requests, demands, and other communications required or permitted under
this Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given,
made and received  when  personally  delivered  or when  deposited in the United
States mails,  first class postage prepaid,  return receipt  requested,  or when
sent by overnight  express  delivery  with a signature  required  upon  receipt,
addressed as set forth below:

                         If to Buyer:

                         Styling Technology Company
                         1146 South Cedar Ridge
                         Duncanville, Texas  75137
                         Phone:  (972) 296-2887
                         Fax:  (972) 296-4634
                         Attention:  Sam Leopold

                         with a copy given in the manner
                         prescribed above, to:

                         O'Connor,  Cavanagh,  Anderson,   
                         Killingsworth  & Beshears, P.A. 
                         One East Camelback Road, Suite 1100
                         Phoenix,  Arizona 85012 
                         Phone: (602) 263-2606 
                         Fax: (602) 263-2900 
                         Attention: Robert S. Kant, Esq.

                         If to Shareholders:

                         Daniel Genis and Arline Genis, as trustees
                         695 Toro Canyon Road
                         Montecito, California 93108
                         Phone: (805) 565-3370
                         Fax: (805) 565-0625

                                       25
<PAGE>

                         James Markham
                         2 Vienna
                         Newport Beach, California 92660
                         Phone: (714) 759-3555
                         Fax: (714) 759-1185

                         Yoram Fishman or Yuri Levy, as trustees
                         3300 Wonderview Plaza
                         Los Angeles, California 90068
                         Phone: (213) 874-1623
                         Fax: (213) 876-4627

                         Arthur Benfield Bush and Gina L. Bush, personally
                          or as trustees
                         4405 Lucera Circle
                         Palos Verdes Estate, California 90274
                         Phone: (310) 780-0626
                         Fax: (310) 375-4503

                         With a copy to:

                         William Conkle, Esq.
                         Conkle & Olesten, APC
                         3130 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500
                         Santa Monica, California 90403
                         Phone: (310) 998-9100
                         Fax: (310) 998-9109

                         With a copy to:

                         C. Michael Chapman, Esq.
                         Three Park Plaza, Suite 1735
                         Irvine, California 92614
                         Phone: (714) 252-8355
                         Fax: (714) 442-8962

                         with a copy given in the manner
                         prescribed above, to:

                         Paul E. Greenwald, Esq.
                         500 North State College Blvd.
                         Suite 420
                         Orange, California 92868
                         Phone: (714) 937-0099
                         Fax: (714) 937-0088

                                       26
<PAGE>

         Any party may alter the address to which  communications  or copies are
to be sent by giving  notice to such  other  parties  of  change of  address  in
conformity with the provisions of this paragraph for the giving of notice.

         8.5 Binding Nature of Agreement; No Assignment. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns,  except that no party may assign,  delegate, or transfer
its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent
of  the  other   parties   hereto.   Shareholders   recognize  and  agree  that,
notwithstanding  anything  to  contrary  in this  Agreement,  Buyer may  assign,
delegate, or transfer its rights under this Agreement to any of Buyer's lenders.
Any  assignment,  delegation,  or transfer made in violation of this Section 8.4
shall be null and void.

         8.6  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement,  the  Schedules  hereto,  the
Non-disclosure  Agreement  and  the  Consulting  Agreement  contain  the  entire
understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and  supersede  all prior and  contemporaneous  agreements  and  understandings,
inducements or conditions, express or implied, oral or written, except as herein
contained.  The  express  terms  hereof  control  and  supersede  any  course of
performance and/or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof.
This  Agreement  may not be modified or amended  other than by an  agreement  in
writing.

         8.7 Precedence of Other  Agreements.  To the extent there is a conflict
between  any  provision  in this  Agreement  and a provision  in the  Consulting
Agreement and/or Facilitation  Agreement,  both by and between James Markham and
Company,  or in the Facilitation  Agreement by and between Arthur Benfield Bush,
the  provision  of such  other  agreement  shall  prevail  over the  conflicting
provision in this Agreement.

         8.8  Paragraph  Headings.  The paragraph headings in this Agreement are
for  convenience  only; they form no part of this Agreement and shall not affect
its interpretation.

         8.9  Gender.  Words used  herein,  regardless  of the number and gender
specifically  used,  shall be deemed and  construed to include any other number,
singular or plural, and any other gender, masculine,  feminine or neuter, as the
context requires.

         8.10  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in two or  more
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.

         8.11  Mediation/Binding  Arbitration.  Any dispute  between the parties
arising out of or related to this  Agreement,  shall be resolved  first  through
mediation and if not successful by BINDING arbitration. Mediation and/or BINDING
arbitration  shall be at  JAMS/Endispute  ("JAMS/Endispute"),  in Orange County,
California,  or its successor.  If mediation is  unsuccessful,  then the dispute
shall be resolved by BINDING  arbitration  in accordance  with  JAMS/Endispute's
then current rules.  The parties hereto shall be bound by the results of BINDING
arbitration.  The prevailing party in BINDING  arbitration  shall be entitled to
recover costs and fees,  including actual  attorney's fees. The arbitrator shall
determine the identity of the  prevailing  party whether or not the  arbitration
proceeds to decision.  The parties  hereto agree to pay one-half of all fees and
costs to conduct the mediation and/or BINDING arbitration.

                                       27
<PAGE>

         8.12 Choice of Forum.  The  parties  agree that any and all actions and
proceedings  arising in connection with this Agreement shall be brought before a
tribunal having situs within Orange County, California.

         8.13  Disparaging  Comments.  Neither  Buyer nor Buyer's  directors  or
officers shall make any statements or comments,  orally or in writing,  intended
to  defame,  disparage,  or call into  question  the  character,  integrity,  or
reputation of any Shareholder,  and no Shareholder  shall make any statements or
comments,  orally or in  writing,  intended to defame,  disparage,  or call into
question  the  character,  integrity,  or  reputation  of  Buyer  or  any of its
directors or officers;  provided,  however, the foregoing shall not prohibit the
reasonable and legitimate  exercise of rights by any such person, the conduct of
any legal proceedings, or the ordinary and reasonable conduct of business.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.

                                  STYLING TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION



                                  By: /s/ Sam Leopold
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     Chairman of the Board and 
                                     Chief Executive Officer

     Number of Shares:                   Shareholders:
     -----------------                   -------------

         40,000                      /s/ James Markham
                                     ---------------------------------
                                         James Markham


         7,407                       /s/ Arthur Benfield Bush
                                     ---------------------------------
                                         Arthur Benfield Bush


         26,666                      Daniel Genis and Arline Genis,
                                     Co-trustees under the 1992 
                                     Genis Family Revocable Trust 
                                     dated February 28, 1992

                                     By:/s/ Daniel Genis
                                     ---------------------------------
                                            Daniel Genis

                                     By:/s/ Arline Genis
                                     ---------------------------------
                                            Arline Genis


                                       28
<PAGE>

        17,778                       Arthur Benfield Bush and Gina 
                                     L. Bush, Trustees of the Alan
                                     and Gina Bush Charitable 
                                     Remainder Unitrust #1, dated 
                                     June 1, 1997


                                     By:/s/ Alan Benfield Bush
                                     ---------------------------------
                                            Alan Benfield Bush


                                     By:/s/ Gina L. Bush
                                     ---------------------------------
                                            Gina L. Bush


         14,815                      Arthur Benfield Bush and Gina 
                                     L. Bush, Trustees of the Alan
                                     and Gina Bush Charitable 
                                     Remainder Trust #2, dated 
                                     June 1, 1997


                                     By:/s/ Alan Benfield Bush
                                     ---------------------------------
                                            Alan Benfield Bush


                                     By:/s/ Gina L. Bush
                                     ---------------------------------
                                            Gina L. Bush


          5,926                      Yoram Fishman, Trustee of the 
                                     Yoram Fishman Living Trust 
                                     dated May 18, 1987


                                     By:/s/ Yoram Fishman
                                     ---------------------------------
                                            Yoram Fishman

          5,926                      Yuri Levy, Trustee of the 
                                     Yoram Fishman Charitable
                                     Remainder Trust, dated 
                                     May 30, 1997


                                     By:/s/ Yuri Levy
                                     ---------------------------------
                                            Yuri Levy

                                       29


                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19

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



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      among

                         STYLING TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION,

                                       and

                   CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ, NEW YORK BRANCH,
                                    AS AGENT,

                                       and

                     THE LENDING INSTITUTIONS LISTED HEREIN

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

                            Dated as of June 25, 1997

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

                                   $28,000,000



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

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

SECTION 1.  Amount and Terms of Credit........................................1

   1.01.  Commitments.........................................................1
   1.02.  Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing; Maximum Number of Borrowings......2
   1.03.  Notice of Borrowings................................................3
   1.04.  Disbursement of Funds...............................................3
   1.05.  Notes...............................................................4
   1.06.  Pro Rata Borrowings.................................................6
   1.07.  Interest............................................................6
   1.08.  Capital Requirements................................................6
   1.09.  Total Loan Commitments; Limitations on Outstanding Loan Amounts.....7
   1.10.  Letters of Credit...................................................7

SECTION 2.  Commitments......................................................16

   2.01.  Voluntary Reduction of Commitments.................................16
   2.02.  Mandatory Adjustments of Commitments, etc..........................17
   2.03.  Commitment Commission..............................................17

SECTION 3.  Payments ........................................................18

   3.01.  Voluntary Prepayments..............................................18
   3.02.  Mandatory Prepayments..............................................18
   3.03.  Method and Place of Payment........................................21
   3.04.  Net Payments.......................................................22

SECTION 4.  Conditions Precedent.............................................23

   4.01.  Conditions Precedent to Initial Loans..............................23
   4.02.  Conditions Precedent to All Loans..................................31
   4.03.  Conditions Precedent to All Letters of Credit......................33

SECTION 5.  Representations, Warranties and Agreements.......................34

   5.01.  Status ............................................................34
   5.02.  Corporate Power and Authority; Business............................34
   5.03.  No Violation.......................................................35
   5.04.  Litigation.........................................................35

                                      -i-
<PAGE>

  5.05.  Use of Proceeds.....................................................35
  5.06.  Governmental Approvals, etc.........................................36
  5.07.  Investment Company Act..............................................36
  5.08.  Public Utility Holding Company Act..................................36
  5.09.  True and Complete Disclosure........................................37
  5.10.  Transaction.........................................................37
  5.11.  Financial Condition; Financial Statements; Projections..............37
  5.12.  Security Interests..................................................40
  5.13.  Tax Returns and Payments............................................40
  5.14.  ERISA...............................................................41
  5.15.  Subsidiaries........................................................42
  5.16.  Patents, etc........................................................42
  5.17.  Compliance with Laws, etc...........................................43
  5.18.  Properties..........................................................43
  5.19.  Securities..........................................................43
  5.20.  Collective Bargaining Agreements....................................44
  5.21.  Indebtedness Outstanding; Prior Liens...............................44
  5.22.  Environmental Protection............................................44
  5.23.  Environmental Investigations........................................46
  5.24.  Certain Liens.......................................................46

SECTION 6.  Affirmative Covenants............................................46

  6.01.  Information Covenants...............................................46
  6.02.  Books, Records and Inspections......................................51
  6.03.  Maintenance of Property; Insurance..................................52
  6.04.  Payment of Taxes....................................................52
  6.05.  Corporate Franchises................................................53
  6.06.  Compliance with Statutes, etc.......................................53
  6.07.  ERISA...............................................................53
  6.08.  Performance of Obligations..........................................54
  6.09.  End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters................................54
  6.10.  Use of Proceeds.....................................................54
  6.11.  Interest Rate Protection............................................54
  6.12.  Equal Security for Loans and Notes; No Further Negative Pledges.....54
  6.13.  Lender Meeting......................................................55
  6.14.  Pledge of Additional Collateral.....................................55
  6.15.  Security Interests..................................................56
  6.16.  Subsidiary Guarantees...............................................56
  6.17.  Environmental Events................................................56
  6.18.  Landlord Lien Assurance.............................................57

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

SECTION 7.  Negative Covenants...............................................57

  7.01.  Conduct of Business.................................................58
  7.02.  Amendments or Waivers of Certain Documents..........................58
  7.03.  Liens...............................................................58
  7.04.  Indebtedness........................................................60
  7.05.  Capital Expenditures................................................62
  7.06.  Advances, Investments and Loans.....................................62
  7.07.  Prepayments of Indebtedness, etc....................................63
  7.08.  Dividends, etc......................................................63
  7.09.  Transaction with Affiliates.........................................63
  7.10.  Total Interest Coverage Ratio.......................................64
  7.11.  Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.........................................65
  7.12.  Leverage Ratio......................................................65
  7.13.  Minimum Consolidated EBITDA.........................................66
  7.14.  Issuance of Subsidiary Stock........................................67
  7.15.  Disposition of Assets...............................................67
  7.16.  Contingent Obligations..............................................69
  7.17.  ERISA...............................................................70
  7.18.  Merger and Consolidations...........................................71
  7.19.  Sale and Lease-Backs................................................71
  7.20.  Sale or Discount of Receivables.....................................71
  7.21.  Gena Payments.......................................................72

SECTION 8.  Events of Default................................................72

  8.01.  Payments............................................................72
  8.02.  Representations, etc................................................72
  8.03.  Covenants...........................................................72
  8.04.  Default Under Other Agreements......................................72
  8.05.  Bankruptcy, etc.....................................................73
  8.06.  ERISA...............................................................73
  8.07.  Security Documents..................................................74
  8.08.  Guarantees..........................................................74
  8.09.  Judgments...........................................................74
  8.10.  Ownership...........................................................75

SECTION 9.  Definitions......................................................76


SECTION 10.  The Agent......................................................103

 10.01.  Appointment........................................................103
 10.02.  Delegation of Duties...............................................103
 10.03.  Exculpatory Provisions.............................................104
 10.04.  Reliance by the Agent..............................................104
 10.05.  Notice of Default..................................................105
 10.06.  Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks..............................105

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>

 10.07.  Indemnification....................................................106
 10.08.  The Agent in Its Individual Capacity...............................106
 10.09.  Successor Agent....................................................107
 10.10.  Resignation by Agent...............................................107

SECTION 11.  Miscellaneous..................................................108

 11.01.  Payment of Expenses, etc...........................................108
 11.02.  Right of Setoff....................................................109
 11.03.  Notices............................................................109
 11.04.  Benefit of Agreement...............................................110
 11.05.  No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.....................................112
 11.06.  Payments Pro Rata..................................................112
 11.07.  Calculations; Computations.........................................113
 11.08.  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue...................113
 11.09.  Counterparts.......................................................114
 11.10.  Effectiveness......................................................114
 11.11.  Headings Descriptive...............................................114
 11.12.  Amendment or Waiver................................................115
 11.13.  Survival...........................................................115
 11.14.  Domicile of Loans..................................................115
 11.15.  Waiver of Jury Trial...............................................115
 11.16.  Independence of Covenants..........................................115



                                      -iv-
<PAGE>

Annex I     -   List of Banks
Annex II    -   Bank Addresses

Schedule 4.01(t)(i) -   List of Mortgaged Real Property
Schedule 5.15       -   Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.19       -   Securities
Schedule 5.20       -   Schedule of Collective Bargaining
                           Agreements
Schedule 5.21(a)    -   Schedule of Existing Debt
Schedule 5.21(b)    -   Prior Liens
Schedule 5.22       -   Environmental
Schedule 5.24       -   Certain Liens
Schedule 6.01(i)    -   Summary of Corporate Insurance Policies

Exhibit A-1         -   Form of A Term Note
Exhibit A-2         -   Form of B Term Note
Exhibit B           -   Form of Revolving Note
Exhibit C-1         -   Form of Opinion of O'Connor, Cavanagh,
                          Anderson, Killingsworth & Beshears
Exhibit C-2         -   Form of Local Counsel Opinions
Exhibit D           -   Form of Mortgage
Exhibit E           -   Form of Subsidiary Guarantee
Exhibit F-1         -   Form of Borrower Securities Pledge Agreement
Exhibit G-1         -   Form of Borrower Intellectual Property
                          Security Agreement
Exhibit G-2         -   Form of Subsidiary Intellectual Property
                          Security Agreement
Exhibit H-1         -   Form of Borrower General Security Agreement
Exhibit H-2         -   Form of Subsidiary General Security Agreement
Exhibit I-1         -   Form of Notice of Assignment
Exhibit I-2         -   Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement
Exhibit J           -   Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit K           -   Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit L           -   Form of Officers' Certificate Regarding
                          Environmental Review
Exhibit M           -   Form of Officers' Solvency Certificate
Exhibit N           -   Form of Landlord Lien Assurance


                                       -v-
<PAGE>
                                        1


                  CREDIT  AGREEMENT,  dated as of June 25, 1997,  among  STYLING
TECHNOLOGY  CORPORATION,  a Delaware  corporation (the "Borrower"),  the lending
institutions  listed in Annex I (each a "Bank" and,  collectively,  the "Banks")
and  CREDIT  AGRICOLE  INDOSUEZ  ("Indosuez"),  as agent  for the Banks (in such
capacity  "Agent") and as collateral agent for the Banks (in such capacity,  the
"Collateral Agent"). Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms used
herein and defined in Section 9 are used herein as so defined.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

                  WHEREAS,  the  Borrower  has  entered  into a  Stock  Purchase
Agreement (the "Stock  Purchase  Agreement")  with James Markham,  Daniel Genis,
Arthur Benfield Bush and Yoram Fishman (the  "Sellers"),  to effect the purchase
by the Borrower of the stock of ABBA (the "Transaction");

                  WHEREAS,  the Borrower  desires to incur Loans from the Banks,
the proceeds of which will be applied,  to the extent necessary,  to finance the
Transaction,  to pay certain fees and expenses  incurred in connection  with the
Transaction,  to repay certain  Indebtedness,  to provide working capital to the
Borrower  and  for  general  corporate   purposes  of  the  Borrower  after  the
Transaction;

                  WHEREAS,  the  Guarantors,  in  accordance  with the terms and
conditions  hereinafter  set forth,  have agreed to guarantee the obligations of
the Borrower hereunder; and

                  WHEREAS,  the Banks are willing to make  available  the credit
facilities provided for herein.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

                  SECTION 1. Amount and Terms of Credit.

                  1.01.   Commitments.   Subject  to  and  upon  the  terms  and
conditions  herein  set  forth,  each Bank  severally  agrees in the case of any
Borrowing  under the A Term Loan Facility or the B Term Loan  Facility,  in each
case, on the Closing Date, and in the case of any Borrowing  under the Revolving
Portion,  at any time and from time to time after the Closing  Date and prior to
the Revolving Loan Commitment  Termination  Date, to make a Loan or Loans to the
Borrower,  which  Loans shall be drawn under the Loan  Facility  (including  the
Revolving Portion and Term Portion thereof), as set forth below.
<PAGE>
                                       2


                  (a) Loans under the Term Portion of the Loan Facility  (each a
         "Term Loan" and, collectively,  the "Term Loans") may be made under the
         A Term Loan Facility (each an "A Term Loan" and,  collectively,  the "A
         Term  Loans") and the B Term Loan  Facility  (each a "B Term Loan" and,
         collectively,  the "B Term Loans").  Once repaid, Term Loans may not be
         reborrowed.

                            (i) Each A Term Loan under the A Term Loan  Facility
                  (a) shall be made as a single  drawing on the Closing  Date in
                  an  amount  not to exceed  the  Total A Term Loan  Commitment;
                  provided,  that  the  full  amount  of the  Total B Term  Loan
                  Commitment  has been used on the  Closing  Date,  (b) shall be
                  made as a Base  Rate Loan and,  (c) shall not  exceed  for any
                  Bank at any time outstanding  that aggregate  principal amount
                  which equals the A Term Loan Commitment of such Bank.

                           (ii) Each B Term Loan under the B Term Loan  Facility
                  (a) shall be made as a single  drawing on the Closing  Date in
                  an amount not to exceed the Total B Term Loan Commitment,  (b)
                  shall be made as a Base Rate Loan and (c) shall not exceed for
                  any  Bank at any time  outstanding  that  aggregate  principal
                  amount which equals the B Term Loan Commitment of such Bank.

                  (b) Loans  under the  Revolving  Portion of the Loan  Facility
         (each a "Revolving Loan" and, collectively,  the "Revolving Loans") (i)
         shall be made at any time and from time to time after the Closing  Date
         and prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date, (ii) shall
         be made as a Base Rate  Loan,  (iii) may be repaid  and  reborrowed  in
         accordance  with the provisions  hereof,  (iv) shall not exceed for any
         Bank at any time outstanding the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank
         at such  time and (v)  shall  not in any case be made if the  aggregate
         principal  amount of  Revolving  Loans then  outstanding,  after giving
         effect  to the  Revolving  Loan  requested  by the  relevant  Notice of
         Borrowing,  plus the then  outstanding  Letters of Credit Usage,  after
         giving  effect to the  issuance  of all  Letters  of Credit  subject to
         outstanding  requests  for  issuance,  would  exceed  the lesser of the
         Borrowing Base as shown in the Borrowing Base Certificate that was last
         required  to be  delivered  pursuant  to  Section  6.01  or  the  Total
         Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect.

                  1.02.  Minimum  Amount of Each  Borrowing;  Maximum  Number of
Borrowings. The minimum aggregate principal amount of a Borrowing of Loans shall
be the Minimum Borrowing Amount and, if greater,  shall be in integral multiples
of $100,000;  provided,  however,  that the Borrowing of the A Term Loan portion
and the B Term  Loan  portion  of the  Initial  Loans  shall be in an  aggregate

<PAGE>
                                       3


principal  amount of  $13,000,000  and  $10,000,000,  respectively.  The minimum
aggregate  principal  amount of a  Borrowing  of  Revolving  Loans  shall be the
Minimum  Borrowing  Amount  (other than a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans such that
the total amount of Revolving  Loans to be  outstanding  after giving  effect to
such  Borrowing  shall be equal  to the  Total  Revolving  Commitment)  and,  if
greater, shall be in integral multiples of $100,000. More than one Borrowing may
be incurred on any date.

                  1.03. Notice of Borrowings. Whenever the Borrower desires that
the Banks make the Initial  Loans,  an Authorized  Officer of the Borrower shall
give the Agent at the Agent's  Office prior to Noon (New York time) at least two
Business Days' prior written notice (or telephone  notice promptly  confirmed in
writing) of such  Borrowing.  Whenever the Borrower  desires that the Banks make
Base Rate Loans under the Loan  Facility  after the Closing  Date an  Authorized
Officer of the Borrower shall give the Agent at the Agent's Office prior to Noon
(New York time) on the proposed date of such Borrowing  prior written notice (or
telephonic notice promptly  confirmed in writing) of each such Borrowing of Base
Rate  Loans.  Each such  notice,  which  shall be  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit J hereto (each a "Notice of Borrowing"),  shall be irrevocable, shall be
deemed a  representation  by the Borrower that all conditions  precedent to such
Borrowing have been satisfied and shall specify (i) whether such Borrowing is to
be made from the A Term Loan Facility, the B Term Loan Facility or the Revolving
Loan Facility, (ii) the aggregate principal amount in Dollars of the Loans to be
made pursuant to such Borrowing,  all of which shall be specified in such manner
as is necessary to comply with all limitations on Term Loans and Revolving Loans
outstanding  hereunder,  including without  limitation,  availability  under the
Borrowing Base, and (iii) the date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day).
The Agent shall as promptly as  practicable  give each Bank  written  notice (or
telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each proposed Borrowing,  of
such Bank's  proportionate share thereof and of the other matters covered by the
Notice of Borrowing.

                  1.04.  Disbursement of Funds. (a) No later than 3:00 P.M. (New
York time) on the date  specified  in each Notice of  Borrowing,  each Bank will
make  available to the Agent in New York its pro rata portion of each  Borrowing
requested to be made on such date in the manner provided below.

                  (b) Each Bank shall make  available  all amounts it is to fund
under any Borrowing on or after the Closing Date in immediately  available funds

<PAGE>
                                       4


to the Agent to the account specified  therefor by the Agent or if no account is
so specified at the Agent's Office and the Agent will make such funds  available
to the Borrower by depositing to the account specified  therefor by the Borrower
or if no account  is so  specified  to its  account  at the  Agent's  Office the
aggregate of the amounts so made available in the type of funds received. Unless
the Agent  shall  have been  notified  by any Bank prior to the date of any such
Borrowing  that  such Bank does not  intend to make  available  to the Agent its
portion of the Borrowing or  Borrowings  to be made on such date,  the Agent may
assume that such Bank has made such amount  available  to the Agent on such date
of Borrowing, and the Agent, in reliance upon such assumption,  may (in its sole
discretion and without any obligation to do so) make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact made available
to the  Agent by such Bank and the  Agent  has made  such  corresponding  amount
available  to the  Borrower,  the Agent shall be entitled to recover such amount
from such Bank. If such Bank does not pay such  corresponding  amount  forthwith
upon the Agent's demand therefor,  the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower,
and the Borrower shall immediately pay such  corresponding  amount to the Agent.
The Agent shall also be entitled to recover from such Bank or the  Borrower,  as
the case may be,  interest on such  corresponding  amount in respect of each day
from the date such  corresponding  amount was made available by the Agent to the
Borrower to the date such amount is recovered by the Agent,  at a rate per annum
equal to (x) if paid by such Bank,  the Federal Funds Rate or (y) if paid by the
Borrower (and/or one or more other Credit Parties),  the then applicable rate of
interest,  calculated in accordance with Section 1.07, for the respective Loans.
The Agent shall also be entitled to recover from any Bank an amount equal to any
other  losses  incurred  by the Agent as a result of the failure of such Bank to
provide such amount as provided in this Agreement.

                  (c)  Nothing  herein  shall be deemed to relieve any Bank from
its  obligation to fulfill its  Commitment  hereunder or to prejudice any rights
which the  Borrower  or any other  Credit  Party may have  against any Bank as a
result of any default by such Bank hereunder.

                  1.05.  Notes.  (a)  The  Borrower's   obligation  to  pay  the
principal  of and  interest  on all the Loans  made to it by each Bank  shall be
evidenced:  (i) if A Term Loans,  by a promissory  note (each,  an "A Term Note"
and,  collectively,  the "A Term  Notes")  duly  executed  and  delivered by the
Borrower,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit  A-1  hereto,  each with blanks
appropriately  completed  in  conformity  herewith;  (ii) if B Term Loans,  by a
promissory  note (each, a "B Term Note" and,  collectively,  the "B Term Notes")

<PAGE>
                                       5


duly  executed  and  delivered  by the  Borrower,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit  A-2 hereto,  each with blanks  appropriately  completed  in  conformity
herewith; and (iii) if Revolving Loans, by a promissory note (each, a "Revolving
Note" and,  collectively,  the "Revolving Notes") duly executed and delivered by
the  Borrower  substantially  in the  form of  Exhibit  B  hereto,  with  blanks
appropriately completed in conformity herewith.

                  (b) The A Term Note of the Borrower  issued to each Bank shall
(i) be executed by the  Borrower,  (ii) be payable to the order of such Bank and
be dated the Effective Date,  (iii) be in a stated principal amount equal to the
A Term Loan  Commitment of such Bank and be payable in the  aggregate  principal
amount of the A Term Loans evidenced thereby,  (iv) mature, with respect to each
Loan evidenced  thereby,  on the Final A Term Loan Maturity Date, (v) be subject
to  mandatory  prepayment  as provided in Section  3.02,  (vi) bear  interest as
provided in the  appropriate  clause of Section 1.07 in respect of the Base Rate
Loans evidenced  thereby and (vii) be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement
and the other applicable Credit Documents.

                  (c) The B Term Note of the Borrower  issued to each Bank shall
(i) be executed by the  Borrower,  (ii) be payable to the order of such Bank and
be dated the Effective Date,  (iii) be in a stated principal amount equal to the
B Term Loan  Commitment of such Bank and be payable in the  aggregate  principal
amount of the B Term Loans evidenced thereby,  (iv) mature, with respect to each
Loan evidenced  thereby,  on the Final B Term Loan Maturity Date, (v) be subject
to  mandatory  prepayment  as provided in Section  3.02,  (vi) bear  interest as
provided in the  appropriate  clause of Section 1.07 in respect of the Base Rate
Loans evidenced  thereby and (vii) be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement
and the other applicable Credit Documents.

                  (d) The  Revolving  Note of the  Borrower  issued to each Bank
shall (i) be executed by the Borrower, (ii) be payable to the order of such Bank
and be dated the Effective Date,  (iii) be in a stated principal amount equal to
the  Revolving  Loan  Commitment  of such Bank and be payable  in the  aggregate
principal  amount of the Revolving Loans evidenced  thereby,  (iv) mature,  with
respect to each Loan evidenced thereby, on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, (v)
be subject to  mandatory  prepayment  as  provided  in Section  3.02,  (vi) bear
interest as provided in the appropriate clause of Section 1.07 in respect of the
Base Rate Loans evidenced  thereby and (vii) be entitled to the benefits of this
Agreement and the other applicable Credit Documents.
<PAGE>
                                       6


                  (e) Each Bank will note on its internal  records the amount of
each Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof and will,  prior to any
transfer  of  any  of  its  Notes,  endorse  on the  reverse  side  thereof  the
outstanding  principal  amount of Loans evidenced  thereby.  Failure to make any
such notation shall not affect the Borrower's or any Credit Party's  obligations
hereunder  or under the other  applicable  Credit  Documents  in respect of such
Loans.

                  1.06. Pro Rata Borrowings. All Borrowings under this Agreement
shall  be  loaned  by the  Banks  pro rata on the  basis  of  their A Term  Loan
Commitments, B Term Loan Commitments or Revolving Loan Commitments,  as the case
may be. No Bank shall be  responsible  for any  default by any other Bank in its
obligation to make Loans  hereunder and each Bank shall be obligated to make the
Loans  provided  to be made by it  hereunder,  regardless  of the failure of any
other Bank to fulfill its commitments hereunder.

                  1.07.  Interest.  (a) The unpaid principal amount of each Base
Rate Loan shall  bear  interest  from the date of the  Borrowing  thereof  until
maturity  (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate per annum which shall
at all  times be equal to the sum of (i) the Base  Rate in  effect  from time to
time and (ii) the applicable Interest Margin.

                  (b) The  unpaid  principal  amount  of  each  Loan,  upon  the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,  overdue principal
and, to the extent  permitted by law,  overdue  interest in respect of each Loan
shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to 2% plus the rate (including any
applicable margin) in effect from time to time.

                  (c) Interest  shall accrue from and  including the date of any
Borrowing  to but  excluding  the date of any  repayment  thereof  and  shall be
payable (i) quarterly in arrears on the last  Business Day of each March,  June,
September and December beginning September 30, 1997; and (ii) in respect of each
Loan,  on any  prepayment  (on the amount  prepaid),  at  maturity  (whether  by
acceleration or otherwise) and, after such maturity, on demand.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing, interest payable at the rate provided in Section 1.07(b) shall be
payable on demand.

                  (d) All  computations  of interest  hereunder shall be made in
accordance with Section 11.07(b).

                  1.08. Capital Requirements.  If any Bank shall have determined
that the adoption or  effectiveness  after the Effective  Date of any applicable
law, rule or regulation  regarding capital adequacy,  or any change therein,  or

<PAGE>
                                       7


any change in the  interpretation or administration  thereof by any governmental
authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration  thereof,  or  compliance by such Bank or such Bank's parent with
any request or directive  regarding  capital adequacy (whether or not having the
force  of  law)  of any  such  authority,  central  bank  or  comparable  agency
(including in each case any such change  proposed or published prior to the date
hereof but taking effect  thereafter),  has or would have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on such Bank's or such Bank's parent's capital or assets as a
consequence  of such Bank's  obligations  hereunder  to a level below that which
such Bank or such  Bank's  parent  could have  achieved  but for such  adoption,
effectiveness  or change or as a  consequence  of an  increase  in the amount of
capital required to be maintained by such Bank (including in each case,  without
limitation,  with respect to any Bank's  Commitment or any Loan), then from time
to time,  within 15 days after  demand by such Bank (with a copy to the  Agent),
the Borrower  shall pay to such Bank such  additional  amount or amounts as will
compensate  such  Bank or such  Bank's  parent,  as the  case  may be,  for such
reduction. Each Bank, upon determining in good faith that any additional amounts
will be payable  pursuant to this Section 1.08, will give written notice thereof
to the Borrower,  which notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis of
the calculation of such additional amounts.

                  1.09. Total Loan Commitments;  Limitations on Outstanding Loan
Amounts.  The original amount of the (i) Total Commitments is $28,000,000,  (ii)
Total A Term Loan Commitment is $13,000,000,  (iii) Total B Term Loan Commitment
is $10,000,000 and (iv) Total Revolving Loan Commitment is $5,000,000, including
up to $2,500,000 of Letters of Credit.  Anything  contained in this Agreement to
the  contrary  notwithstanding,  (a) in no event shall the sum of the  aggregate
principal  amount of all Term Loans and Revolving  Loans of any Bank at any time
exceed such Bank's portion of the Total  Commitments,  (b) in no event shall the
sum of the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans and Revolving Loans from
all Banks at any time exceed the Total Commitments and (c) in no event shall the
Total  Utilization  of Revolving  Loan  Commitments  and Letters of Credit Usage
exceed the lesser of the Total Revolving Loan Commitments or the Borrowing Base.

                  1.10.  Letters of Credit.

                  (a) Letters of Credit.  Subject to the terms and conditions of
this  Agreement and in reliance upon the  representations  and warranties of the
Borrower  set forth  herein and in the other  Credit  Documents,  in addition to
requesting  that the Banks make  Revolving  Loans  pursuant to Section 1.03, the

<PAGE>
                                       8


Borrower may request,  in accordance  with the  provisions of this Section 1.10,
that one or more  Issuing  Banks issue  Letters of Credit for the account of the
Borrower;  provided that (i) the Borrower  shall not request that any Bank issue
any Letter of Credit  and a Bank shall not issue any Letter of Credit,  if after
giving effect to such issuance the sum of (A) the Letters of Credit Usage on the
date of such  issuance,  after  giving  effect to the issuance of all Letters of
Credit subject to outstanding  requests for issuance of a Letter of Credit, plus
(B) the aggregate  principal amount of Revolving Loans then  outstanding,  after
giving  effect to the  making  of all  Revolving  Loans  then  requested  by all
outstanding  but unfunded  Notices of Borrowing,  would exceed the lesser of the
Borrowing Base as would be shown in the Borrowing Base Certificate that was last
required to be delivered  pursuant to Section 6.01 or the Total  Revolving  Loan
Commitment then in effect, (ii) in no event shall any Issuing Bank issue (A) any
Letter of Credit having an expiration  date later than thirty (30) Business Days
prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity  Date,  after giving effect to any possible
renewal of such Letter of Credit pursuant to the proviso to the following clause
(ii)(B),  (B)  subject to the  foregoing  clause  (ii)(A),  any Letter of Credit
having  an  expiration  date  more  than one year  after  its date of  issuance;
provided that,  subject to the foregoing  clause (ii)(A),  this clause (B) shall
not  prevent  any  Issuing  Bank from  issuing a Letter of Credit  containing  a
provision to the effect that such Letter of Credit will automatically be renewed
annually for a period not to exceed one year, so long as such  renewable  Letter
of Credit  provides  that it shall not at any time be renewed for an  additional
year if (I) the  Borrower  notifies the Issuing Bank in writing one Business Day
prior to the  applicable  renewal  date  that the  Borrower  elects to allow the
Letter of Credit to expire  without being  renewed,  or (II) the Issuing Bank or
the Required  Banks notify the Borrower in writing,  prior to the date set forth
in such Letter of Credit as the date by which the  beneficiary  thereof is to be
notified  whether  such Letter of Credit is to be  renewed,  that such Letter of
Credit shall not be so renewed, in which case such Letter of Credit shall not be
so renewed,  (C) any Letter of Credit the initial stated amount of which is less
than  $5,000,  or (D) any Letter of Credit (I) which is  governed  by laws other
than the laws of the State of New York,  without  regard  to the  principles  of
conflicts  of laws,  or (II) as to which the  beneficiary  is not  required,  by
acceptance of the Letter of Credit, to be subject to the exclusive  jurisdiction
of any competent  state or federal court in the State of New York with regard to
such Letter of Credit and (iii) the Borrower  shall not request that any Issuing
Bank issue and no Issuing Bank shall issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving
effect to such  issuance  and the  issuance  of all other  requested  Letters of

<PAGE>
                                       9


Credit,  the then outstanding  Letters of Credit Usage in respect of all Letters
of Credit  would  exceed  $2,500,000.  The  issuance  of any Letter of Credit in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.10 shall be given effect in the
calculation of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans outstanding and
the Letters of Credit Usage and shall require the satisfaction of each condition
set forth in Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 4.03.

                  Immediately  upon the  issuance  of each  Letter  of Credit in
compliance with this  Agreement,  each Bank other than the Issuing Bank or Banks
shall be deemed to, and hereby agrees to, have  irrevocably  purchased  from the
Issuing Bank a participation  (such participation of each Bank in each Letter of
Credit being hereinafter referred to as its "Letter of Credit Participation") in
such Letter of Credit and each  drawing  thereunder  in an amount  equal to such
Bank's pro rata share  (determined  on the basis of such Bank's  Revolving  Loan
Commitment) of the maximum  amount which is or at any time may become  available
to be drawn thereunder.

                  Each  Letter of Credit may provide  that the Issuing  Bank may
(but shall not be required to) pay the  beneficiary  thereof upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default and the  acceleration  of the  maturity of the  Revolving
Loans or, if payment is not then due to the beneficiary, provide for the deposit
of funds in an account to secure payment to the  beneficiary  and that any funds
so  deposited  shall be paid to the  beneficiary  of the  Letter  of  Credit  if
conditions  to such  payment are  satisfied  or returned to the Issuing Bank for
distribution to the Banks (or, if all Obligations  shall have been paid in full,
to the  Borrower) if no payment to the  beneficiary  has been made and the final
date available for drawings under the Letter of Credit has passed.  Each payment
or deposit of funds by an Issuing  Bank as provided in this  paragraph  shall be
treated for all  purposes of this  Agreement  as a drawing  duly honored by such
Issuing Bank under the related Letter of Credit.

                  (b) Request for  Issuance.  Whenever the Borrower  desires the
issuance  of a Letter of Credit,  it shall  deliver  to the Agent a request  for
issuance of a Letter of Credit no later than Noon (New York time) at least three
Business Days, or such shorter period as may be agreed to by any Issuing Bank in
any  particular  instance,  in advance of the  proposed  date of  issuance.  The
request for issuance  with respect to any Letter of Credit shall specify (i) the
proposed  date of issuance  (which shall be a business day under the laws of the
jurisdiction of the Issuing Bank) of such Letter of Credit, (ii) the face amount
of such Letter of Credit, (iii) the expiration date of such Letter of Credit and
(iv) the name and address of the  beneficiary of such Letter of Credit.  As soon

<PAGE>
                                       10


as  practicable  after  delivery  of such  request  for  issuance of a Letter of
Credit,  the  Issuing  Bank for such  Letter of Credit  shall be  determined  as
provided in Section 1.10(c).  Prior to the date of issuance,  the Borrower shall
specify a precise  description  of the  documents  and the verbatim  text of any
certificate  to be presented by the  beneficiary of such Letter of Credit which,
if presented by such  beneficiary  prior to the expiration date of the Letter of
Credit,  would  require the  Issuing  Bank to make  payment  under the Letter of
Credit;  provided  that the  Issuing  Bank,  in its sole  judgment,  may require
changes in any such documents and certificates;  and provided,  further, that no
Letter of Credit shall  require  payment  against a conforming  draft to be made
thereunder  earlier  than  Noon  in the  time  zone of the  Issuing  Bank on the
Business Day (which  shall be a business day under the laws of the  jurisdiction
of the Issuing Bank) next succeeding the Business Day (which shall be a Business
Day under the laws of the  jurisdiction  of the Issuing Bank) that such draft is
presented. In determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing
Bank shall be responsible  only to determine that the documents and certificates
required to be  delivered  under that Letter of Credit have been  delivered  and
that they comply on their face with the  requirements  of that Letter of Credit.
Promptly  after  receipt of a request for issuance of a Letter of Credit and the
determination  of the Issuing Bank thereof,  the Agent shall notify each Bank of
the proposed  issuance,  the identity of the Issuing Bank and the amount of each
other Bank's  respective  participation  therein,  determined in accordance with
Section 1.10(a).

                  (c)  Determination of Issuing Bank.

                  (1) Upon  receipt  by the  Agent of a request  for  issuance
pursuant to Section 1.10(b) with respect to a Letter of Credit, in the event the
Agent  elects to issue  such  Letter of  Credit,  the Agent  shall so notify the
Borrower,  and the Agent shall be the Issuing Bank with respect thereto.  In the
event that the Agent, in its sole discretion, elects not to issue such Letter of
Credit,  the Agent shall  promptly so notify the Borrower,  and the Borrower may
request  any  other  Bank to issue  such  Letter  of  Credit.  Each such Bank so
requested to issue such Letter of Credit shall promptly  notify the Borrower and
the Agent whether or not, in its sole  discretion,  it has elected to issue such
Letter of  Credit,  and any such Bank  that so  elects to issue  such  Letter of
Credit shall be the Issuing Bank with  respect  thereto.  In the event that each
other Bank elects not to issue such Letter of Credit,  the Agent agrees to issue
such  Letter of Credit  and to be the  Issuing  Bank with  respect  thereto.  No
Issuing Bank shall issue any Letter of Credit  denominated  in a currency  other
than Dollars.
<PAGE>
                                       11


                  (2) Each  Issuing Bank that elects to issue a Letter of Credit
shall  promptly  give  written  notice to the Agent and each  other  Bank of the
information  required  under Section  1.10(b)(i)-(iv)  relating to the Letter of
Credit.

                  (d) Payment of Amounts Drawn Under  Letters of Credit.  In the
event of any request for drawing  under any Letter of Credit by the  beneficiary
thereof,  the Issuing  Bank shall notify the Borrower and the Agent on or before
the date on which such  Issuing  Bank  intends to honor  such  drawing,  and the
Borrower  shall  reimburse such Issuing Bank on the day on which such drawing is
honored  in an  amount in same day funds  equal to the  amount of such  drawing;
provided   that,   anything   contained  in  this   Agreement  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  (i) unless the Borrower shall have notified the Agent and such
Issuing  Bank prior to Noon (New York time) on the  Business  Day of the date of
such drawing that the  Borrower  intends to reimburse  such Issuing Bank for the
amount of such drawing  with funds other than the  proceeds of Revolving  Loans,
the  Borrower  shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Borrowing to the
Agent  requesting  the Banks to make  Revolving  Loans on the date on which such
drawing is honored in an amount  equal to the amount of such  drawing,  and (ii)
subject to satisfaction  or waiver of the conditions  specified in Section 4.02,
the Banks shall, on the date of such drawing, make Revolving Loans that are Base
Rate Loans in the amount of such drawing, the proceeds of which shall be applied
directly  by the Agent to  reimburse  such  Issuing  Bank for the amount of such
drawing;  and further  provided  that if, for any reason,  proceeds of Revolving
Loans are not  received by such  Issuing Bank on such date in an amount equal to
the amount of such drawing,  the Borrower shall  reimburse such Issuing Bank, on
the  Business  Day  (which  shall  be a  business  day  under  the  laws  of the
jurisdiction  of such  Issuing  Bank)  immediately  following  the  date of such
drawing,  in an amount in same day funds  equal to the  excess of the  amount of
such  drawing  over the  amount of such  Revolving  Loans,  if any,  that are so
received,  plus accrued interest on such amount at the rate set forth in Section
1.10(f)(1)(i).

                  (e)  Payment by Banks.  In the event that the  Borrower  shall
fail to reimburse  an Issuing  Bank as provided in Section  1.10(d) in an amount
equal to the amount of any drawing  honored by such  Issuing Bank under a Letter
of Credit issued by it, such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify each Bank of the
unreimbursed amount of such drawing and of such Bank's respective  participation
therein.  Each Bank shall make available to such Issuing Bank an amount equal to
its respective  participation  in same day funds,  at the office of such Issuing
Bank  specified in such notice,  not later than 1:00 P.M. (New York time) on the
Business Day (which  shall be a business day under the laws of the  jurisdiction

<PAGE>
                                       12


of such Issuing Bank) after the date notified by such Issuing Bank. In the event
that any Bank fails to make  available  to such  Issuing Bank the amount of such
Bank's  participation  in such  Letter  of Credit as  provided  in this  Section
1.10(e),  such  Issuing  Bank shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand
from such Bank together with interest at the customary rate set by the Agent for
the  correction of errors among banks for three  Business Days and thereafter at
the Federal  Funds Rate.  Each Issuing Bank shall  distribute to each other Bank
which has paid all amounts payable by it under this Section 1.10(e) with respect
to any Letter of Credit  issued by such  Issuing Bank such other Bank's pro rata
share of all  payments  received  by such  Issuing  Bank  from the  Borrower  in
reimbursement  of  drawings  honored by such  Issuing  Bank under such Letter of
Credit when such payments are received. Nothing in this Section 1.10(e) shall be
deemed to relieve any Bank from its obligation to pay all amounts  payable by it
under this Section  1.10(e)  with  respect to any Letter of Credit  issued by an
Issuing Bank or to prejudice  any rights that the Borrower or any other Bank may
have against a Bank as a result of any default by such Bank hereunder.

                  (f)  Compensation.

                  (1) The Borrower  agrees to pay the  following  amounts with
respect to all Letters of Credit:

                    (i) with  respect  to  drawings  made  under  any  Letter of
         Credit, interest, payable on demand, on the amount paid by such Issuing
         Bank in respect of each such drawing from and including the date of the
         drawing  through the date such  amount is  reimbursed  by the  Borrower
         (including  any such  reimbursement  out of the  proceeds of  Revolving
         Loans  pursuant  to  Section  1.10(d))  at a rate which is equal to the
         interest  rate then  applicable  to Base Rate Loans for the period from
         the date of such drawing to and including the first  Business Day after
         the date of such drawing and thereafter at a rate equal to 2% per annum
         in  excess  of the  rate  of  interest  otherwise  payable  under  this
         Agreement for Base Rate Loans during such period; provided that amounts
         reimbursed  after 1:00 p.m. (New York time) on any date shall be deemed
         to be reimbursed on the next succeeding Business Day; and

                   (ii) with respect to the  issuance,  amendment or transfer of
         each Letter of Credit and each drawing made thereunder, documentary and
         processing  charges in  accordance  with such Issuing  Bank's  standard
         schedule  for such  charges  in effect  at the time of such  amendment,
         transfer or drawing, as the case may be.
<PAGE>
                                       13


                    (2) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for distribution
to each Bank in respect of each  Letter of Credit  outstanding  such  Bank's pro
rata  share of a  commission  equal to 2.00%  per  annum of the  maximum  amount
available  from  time to time to be drawn  under  such  outstanding  Letters  of
Credit, payable in arrears on and through the last day of each fiscal quarter of
the Borrower and calculated on the basis of a 365-day year and the actual number
of days elapsed.  Upon the happening and during the  continuance  of an Event of
Default  described in Section 8.01, the commission  referred to in the preceding
sentence shall be 4.00% per annum.

                    (3)  The  Borrower  agrees  to pay to each  Issuing  Bank in
respect of each Letter of Credit on the date of issuance a  commission  equal to
(i) with respect to any Standby Letter of Credit, 0.25% per annum of the maximum
amount  available at any time to be drawn under such Letter of Credit  issued by
such Issuing Bank, payable in arrears on and through the last day of each fiscal
quarter of the  Borrower and  calculated  on the basis of a 365-day year and the
actual number of days elapsed and (ii) with respect to any Commercial  Letter of
Credit, on the issuance date thereof,  the greater of (A) 0.25% per annum of the
minimum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit or (B) $250.

                  Amounts  payable under clauses  (1)(i) and (2) of this Section
1.10(f)  shall be paid to the  Agent on  behalf of the  Banks.  The Agent  shall
distribute  promptly  to each Bank its pro rata  share of such  amount.  Amounts
payable  under  clauses  (1)(ii) and (3) of this Section  1.10(f)  shall be paid
directly to the Issuing Bank.

                    (g) Obligations  Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to
reimburse each Issuing Bank for drawings made under the Letters of Credit issued
by it  and  the  obligations  of  the  Banks  under  Section  1.10(e)  shall  be
unconditional  and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement under all circumstances  including,  without limitation,
the following circumstances:

                    (1) any lack of validity or  enforceability of any Letter of
          Credit;

                    (2) the  existence  of any claim,  setoff,  defense or other
          right that the Borrower or any  Affiliate of the Borrower or any other
          Person may have at any time against a beneficiary or any transferee of
          any Letter of Credit (or any  persons  or  entities  for whom any such

<PAGE>
                                       14


          beneficiary or transferee may be acting),  such Issuing Bank, any Bank
          or any other Person,  whether in connection with this  Agreement,  the
          transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction;

                    (3) any draft,  demand,  certificate  or any other  document
          presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent,
          invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement  therein being
          untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

                    (4) payment by such  Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit
          against  presentation  of a  demand,  draft  or  certificate  or other
          document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

                    (5) any other  circumstance or happening  whatsoever that is
          similar to any of the foregoing; or

                    (6) the fact that a Default or Event of  Default  shall have
          occurred and be continuing.

                    (h) Additional Payments. If by reason of (a)any change after
the Effective Date in applicable  law,  regulation,  rule,  decree or regulatory
requirement or any change in the  interpretation  or application by any judicial
or  regulatory  authority of any law,  regulation,  rule,  decree or  regulatory
requirement  or (b)  compliance  by  any  Issuing  Bank  or any  Bank  with  any
direction,  request or  requirement  (whether or not having the force of law) of
any governmental or monetary authority including, without limitation, Regulation
D:

                    (i) such  Issuing  Bank or any Bank  shall be subject to any
          tax,  levy,  charge or  withholding  of any nature or to any variation
          thereof  or  to  any  penalty  with  respect  to  the  maintenance  or
          fulfillment  of its  obligations  under  this  Section  1.10,  whether
          directly or by such being  imposed on or suffered by such Issuing Bank
          or any Bank;

                    (ii) any reserve, deposit or similar requirement is or shall
          be applicable,  imposed or modified in respect of any Letter of Credit
          issued by such Issuing Bank or participations therein purchased by any
          Bank; or
<PAGE>
                                       15


                  (iii) there shall be imposed on such  Issuing Bank or any Bank
         any other  condition  regarding this Section 1.10, any Letter of Credit
         or any participation therein;

and the result of the foregoing is to directly or  indirectly  increase the cost
to such Issuing Bank or any Bank of issuing, making or maintaining any Letter of
Credit or of purchasing or maintaining any participation  therein,  or to reduce
the amount  receivable in respect thereof by such Issuing Bank or any Bank, then
and in any such case  such  Issuing  Bank or such Bank  shall,  as  promptly  as
practical  after the  additional  cost is  incurred  or the amount  received  is
reduced,  notify the Borrower and the Borrower  shall pay on demand such amounts
as such Issuing Bank or such Bank may specify to be necessary to compensate such
Issuing Bank or such Bank for such additional cost or reduced receipt,  together
with  interest  on such  amount  from the date  demanded  until  payment in full
thereof at a rate per annum  equal at all times to the rate  applicable  to Base
Rate Loans then in effect;  provided,  however,  that the failure of any Bank to
timely give such notice shall not affect the  obligations of the Borrower to pay
such  amounts.  A  certificate  in  reasonable  detail as to the  amount of such
increased  cost or reduced  receipt,  submitted to the Borrower and the Agent by
that Issuing Bank or any Bank, as the case may be, shall, absent manifest error,
be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.

                  (i)  Indemnification;  Nature of  Issuing  Bank's  Duties.  In
addition to amounts payable as elsewhere  provided in this Section 1.10, without
duplication, the Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save each
Issuing Bank (and if the other Banks have been requested to participate pursuant
to Section  1.10(e),  the Banks)  harmless  from and against any and all claims,
demands,  liabilities,  damages,  losses, costs, charges and expenses (including
reasonable  attorneys' fees and allocated costs of internal  counsel) which such
Bank may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the
issuance of the Letters of Credit or (ii) the  failure of such  Issuing  Bank to
honor a drawing  under any Letter of Credit as a result of any act or  omission,
whether  rightful  or  wrongful,  of any  present  or future de jure or de facto
government or Governmental  Authority (all such acts or omissions  herein called
"Government Acts").

                  As between the Borrower and each  Issuing  Bank,  the Borrower
assumes  all risks of the acts and  omissions  of, or misuse of the  Letters  of
Credit issued by such Issuing Bank at the Borrower's  request by, the respective
beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of
the  foregoing,  such Issuing Bank shall not be  responsible:  (i) for the form,

<PAGE>
                                       16


validity,  sufficiency,  accuracy,  genuineness or legal effects of any document
submitted by any party in connection  with the  application  for and issuance of
such  Letters  of  Credit,  even if it should in fact  prove to be in any or all
respects invalid, insufficient,  inaccurate,  fraudulent or forged; (ii) for the
validity  or  sufficiency  of  any  instrument   transferring  or  assigning  or
purporting  to  transfer  or assign  any such  Letter of Credit or the rights or
benefits  thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may prove to
be invalid or ineffective  for any reason;  (iii) for failure of the beneficiary
of any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with  conditions  required in order
to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) for errors, omissions, interruptions or
delays in transmission or delivery of any messages,  by mail, cable,  telegraph,
telex or  otherwise,  whether  or not  they are in  cipher;  (v) for  errors  in
interpretation   of  technical  terms;  (vi)  for  any  loss  or  delay  in  the
transmission  or otherwise  of any document  required in order to make a drawing
under  any such  Letter  of Credit  or of the  proceeds  thereof;  (vii) for the
misapplication  by the  beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds
of any  drawing  under such  Letter of Credit;  and (viii) for any  consequences
arising from causes beyond the control of such Issuing Bank, including,  without
limitation,  any Government  Acts.  None of the above shall affect,  impair,  or
prevent the vesting of any of such Issuing Bank's rights or powers hereunder.

                  In  furtherance  and  extension  and not in  limitation of the
specific  provisions  hereinabove set forth,  any action taken or omitted by any
Issuing  Bank in  connection  with the  Letters  of  Credit  issued by it or the
related  certificates,  if taken or  omitted in good  faith,  shall not put such
Issuing Bank under any resulting liability to the Borrower.

                  Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  contained  in this
Section  1.10,  the Borrower  shall have no  obligation to indemnify any Issuing
Bank in respect of any  liability  incurred by such Issuing Bank arising  solely
out of and to the extent of the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of such
Issuing  Bank or out of the  wrongful  dishonor by such Issuing Bank of a proper
demand for payment under the Letters of Credit issued by it.

                  SECTION 2.  Commitments.

                  2.01.  Voluntary  Reduction of Commitments.  Upon at least one
Business Day's prior written notice (or telephonic notice promptly  confirmed in
writing)  to the Agent at the  Agent's  Office  (which  notice  the Agent  shall
promptly  transmit to each of the  Banks),  the  Borrower  shall have the right,
without  premium or penalty,  to terminate the  unutilized  portion of the Total

<PAGE>
                                       17


Revolving  Loan  Commitment,  in part or in whole,  available  to the  Borrower;
provided that (x) any such termination  shall  permanently  reduce the Revolving
Loan Commitment,  respectively, of each of the Banks on a pro rata basis and (y)
any partial reduction pursuant to this Section 2.01 shall be in the amount of at
least  $100,000  and  integral  multiples  of $100,000 in excess of that amount;
provided, further, that the Total Revolving Loan Commitment shall not be reduced
to an  amount  less than the  aggregate  Total  Utilization  of  Revolving  Loan
Commitments and Letters of Credit Usage then outstanding.

                  2.02.  Mandatory  Adjustments of  Commitments,  etc. (a) The
Total Revolving Loan Commitment shall terminate on the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date.

                  (b) The Total A Term Loan  Commitment  shall be reduced (i) on
the Closing Date to the amount of A Term Loans then  outstanding and (ii) on the
date on which any payments of principal on the A Term Loans are made (other than
pursuant to Section 3.02(A)(a)) in an aggregate amount equal to such payments.

                  (c) The Total B Term Loan  Commitment  shall be reduced (i) on
the Closing Date to the amount of B Term Loans then  outstanding and (ii) on the
date on which any payments of principal on the B Term Loans are made (other than
pursuant to Section 3.02(A)(a)) in an aggregate amount equal to such payments.

                  (d) The Total Revolving Loan  Commitment  shall be permanently
reduced in the amount and at the time of any payment on the Loans required to be
applied  to the  Revolving  Loans  or  Revolving  Loan  Commitments  or to  cash
collateralize Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 3.02(B)(a).

                  (e)  Each   reduction  or  termination  of  the  A  Term  Loan
Commitment,  the B Term Loan  Commitment or the Total  Revolving Loan Commitment
pursuant to this  Section  2.02 shall apply  proportionately  to the A Term Loan
Commitment,  the B Term Loan Commitment or the Revolving Loan Commitment, as the
case may be, of each Bank.

                  2.03.  Commitment  Commission.  The Borrower agrees to pay the
Agent a commitment commission ("Commitment  Commission") for the account of each
Bank for the period from and including the Closing Date to but not including the
date the Total  Commitments  have been  terminated,  computed at a rate equal to
1/2% per annum on the daily average Unutilized  Commitment of such Bank. Accrued
Commitment  Commission shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last
Business  Day of each March,  June,  September  and  December,  commencing  with
September 30, 1997 and on the Revolving Loan Commitment  Termination Date, based
on the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.
<PAGE>
                                       18

                  SECTION 3.  Payments.

                  3.01. Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right
to prepay Term Loans and Revolving Loans incurred by it in whole or in part from
time to time on the following terms and conditions:  (i) the Borrower shall give
the Agent at the Agent's Office written  notice (or telephonic  notice  promptly
confirmed  in  writing) of its intent to prepay the Loans and the amount of such
prepayment,  which  notice  shall be given by the Borrower at least one Business
Day prior to the date of such  prepayment  and which  notice  shall  promptly be
transmitted by the Agent to each of the Banks;  (ii) each partial  prepayment of
any Borrowing shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least $100,000 and
integral  multiples  of  $100,000  in excess  of that  amount;  and  (iii)  each
prepayment  in respect of any Term Loans made  pursuant to a Borrowing  shall be
applied pro rata to the A Term Loans and B Term Loans.  Voluntary prepayments of
Loans  under the A Term  Portion  of the Loan  Facility  shall be applied to the
prepayment of the outstanding  principal  amount of A Term Loans pro rata to all
remaining  Scheduled A Term Loans Principal  Payments such that each Scheduled A
Term Loans Principal  Payment then remaining shall be reduced by an amount equal
to the product of (A) such payment and (B) a fraction of which the  numerator is
equal to the  amount of such  Scheduled  A Term  Loans  Principal  Payment  then
remaining  and the  denominator  is equal to the amount of all  Scheduled A Term
Loans Principal Payments remaining.  Voluntary  prepayments of Loans under the B
Term  Portion of the Loan  Facility  shall be applied to the  prepayment  of the
outstanding principal amount of B Term Loans pro rata to all remaining Scheduled
B Term Loans Principal  Payments such that each Scheduled B Term Loans Principal
Payment then remaining shall be reduced by an amount equal to the product of (A)
such payment and (B) a fraction of which the numerator is equal to the amount of
such Scheduled B Term Loans Principal Payment then remaining and the denominator
is  equal  to the  amount  of all  Scheduled  B Term  Loans  Principal  Payments
remaining.

                  3.02.  Mandatory Prepayments.

                  (A)      Requirements:

                  (a) The Borrower shall prepay the outstanding principal amount
         of the A Term  Loans,  the B Term Loans or the  Revolving  Loans on any
         date on which the aggregate  outstanding principal amount of such Loans
         (after giving effect to any other repayments or prepayments on such day

<PAGE>
                                       19


         and together with the outstanding principal amount of Letters of Credit
         Usage) exceeds the Total A Term Loan Commitment,  the Total B Term Loan
         Commitment or the Total Revolving Loan Commitment,  as the case may be,
         in the amount of such excess.

                  (b) If the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving
         Loans and Letters of Credit  Usage  exceeds the  Borrowing  Base as set
         forth in the most  recent  Borrowing  Base  Certificate  required to be
         delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 of this Agreement, then the Borrower
         shall prepay Revolving Loans in a principal amount equal to such excess
         no later than two (2) Business  Days after the Borrower has  delivered,
         or was required to deliver,  such  Borrowing  Base  Certificate  to the
         Agent and the Banks.

                  (c) The Borrower shall cause to be paid Scheduled A Term Loans
         Principal  Payments on the A Term Loans until the A Term Loans are paid
         in full in the amounts and at the times  specified in the definition of
         Scheduled  A  Term  Loans   Principal   Payments  to  the  extent  that
         prepayments  have not previously  been applied to such Scheduled A Term
         Loans  Principal  Payments (and such  Scheduled A Term Loans  Principal
         Payments have not otherwise been reduced) pursuant to the terms hereof.

                  (d) The Borrower  shall cause to be paid each Scheduled B Term
         Loans Principal  Payment on the B Term Loans until all B Term Loans are
         paid  in  full  in  the  amounts  and  at the  times  specified  in the
         definition of Scheduled B Term Loans  Principal  Payments to the extent
         that  prepayments  have not previously  been applied to such Schedule B
         Terms  Loans  Principal  Payments  (and  such  Scheduled  B Term  Loans
         Principal  Payments  have not otherwise  been reduced)  pursuant to the
         terms hereof.

                  (e) After the Closing Date, on the date of receipt  thereof by
         the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries of Net Cash Proceeds or Net
         Financing Proceeds (other than Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.04),
         an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds  (provided,  however,
         that this Section  3.02A(e)  shall not apply if such Net Cash  Proceeds
         aggregate  less  than  $100,000)  or Net  Financing  Proceeds  shall be
         applied as provided in Section 3.02(B).
<PAGE>
                                       20


                  (f) On the date  which is 90 days  after  the last day of each
         fiscal year of the  Borrower,  commencing  with  December 31, 1997,  an
         amount equal to 75% of the Borrower's  Excess Cash Flow for such fiscal
         year shall be applied as provided in Section 3.02(B).

                  (g) On the date of the receipt  thereof by the Borrower and/or
         any of its  Subsidiaries,  an  amount  equal  to 100%  of the  proceeds
         received by such Person (net of underwriting  discounts and commissions
         and other reasonably  incurred costs and expenses  directly  associated
         therewith)  of the sale after the  Closing  Date of equity  (other than
         upon the  exercise of stock  options by  employees  or directors of the
         Borrower) shall be applied as provided in Section 3.02(B).

                  (h) At the Agent's discretion, one Business Day after the date
         of receipt thereof by the Borrower and/or any of its  Subsidiaries,  an
         amount  equal  to  100%  of any  insurance  proceeds  (less  reasonably
         incurred  costs to recover)  received less any portion of such proceeds
         not in excess of $100,000, so long as there exists no Event of Default,
         that is  promptly  applied to repair or replace  the  damaged  property
         shall be applied as provided in Section 3.02(B).

                  (i) If any of the Mortgaged  Real Property is the subject of a
         Taking  or  Destruction  and  either  the  Borrower  or its  applicable
         Subsidiary  has  elected  not to effect a  Restoration  or neither  the
         Collateral Agent nor the Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary,  as the
         case may be, has  elected  to effect a  Restoration,  in each case,  in
         accordance with the provisions of the applicable Mortgage,  then on the
         first  Business  Day  following  the  last  day  the  Borrower  or  its
         applicable  Subsidiary can elect to effect a Restoration  (in the event
         that the Borrower or its  applicable  Subsidiary  has the right to make
         such an election) or, in the event that the Borrower or its  applicable
         Subsidiary  does not have the  right to make an  election  to  effect a
         Restoration,  the day the Collateral Agent has notified the Borrower or
         its applicable  Subsidiary  that a Restoration  will not be required in
         the case of any of the Mortgaged  Real Property  being the subject of a
         Taking or  Destruction,  an amount equal to the applicable Net Award or
         Net  Proceeds,  as the  case  may be,  as a result  of such  Taking  or
         Destruction, shall be applied as provided in Section 3.02(B).

                  (j) One Business Day after the receipt thereof by the Borrower
         and/or  any of its  Subsidiaries,  an  amount  equal to 100% of (i) any
         surplus  assets of any Pension  Plan  returned to the  Borrower or such
         Subsidiary  or  (ii)  any  tax  refund  made  to the  Borrower  or such
         Subsidiary  (provided,  however,  that this clause 3.02(A)(j)(ii) shall
         only apply for tax refunds in excess of  $100,000)  shall be applied as
         provided in Section 3.02(B).
<PAGE>
                                       21


                  (B)      Application:

                           Prepayments  to be applied  pursuant to this  Section
         3.02(B)  shall be applied as  follows:  (i) first,  on a pro rata basis
         between the A Term Loans and the B Term Loans in each case,  in inverse
         order of maturity with respect to the remaining  Scheduled A Term Loans
         Principal  Payments and the remaining  Scheduled B Term Loans Principal
         Payments;  (ii) second,  to prepay  Revolving  Loans and to permanently
         reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment in the amount  prepaid;  and (iii)
         third, to cash  collateralize  Letters of Credit in a manner reasonably
         satisfactory to the Agent and thereafter, the Revolving Loan Commitment
         will be permanently  reduced in an amount equal to the amount otherwise
         required  to be  prepaid.  Amounts  applied  pursuant  to this  Section
         3.02(B) may not be reborrowed.

                  3.03.  Method and Place of  Payment.  (a) Except as  otherwise
specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement shall be made to
the Agent, for the ratable account of the Banks entitled thereto, not later than
1:00 P.M. (New York time) on the date when due and shall be made in  immediately
available  funds in lawful money of the United  States of America to the account
specified  therefor by the Agent or if no account has been so  specified  at the
Agent's Office,  it being  understood that written notice by the Borrower to the
Agent to make a payment from the funds in the Borrower's  account at the Agent's
Office shall  constitute  the making of such payment to the extent of such funds
held in such account.  The Agent will thereafter  cause to be distributed on the
same day (if payment is actually received by the Agent in New York prior to 1:00
P.M. (New York time) on such day) funds  relating to the payment of principal or
interest or fees  ratably to the Banks  entitled to receive any such  payment in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  If and to the extent that any such
distribution  shall  not be so made by the  Agent  in full on the  same  day (if
payment is actually  received by the Agent prior to 1:00 P.M. (New York time) on
such day),  the Agent shall pay to each Bank its ratable amount thereof and each
such Bank shall be entitled to receive from the Agent, upon demand,  interest on
such amount at the Federal  Funds Rate for each day from the date such amount is
paid to the Agent until the date the Agent pays such amount to such Bank.

                  (b) Any payments  under this  Agreement  which are made by the
Borrower  later than 1:00 P.M. (New York time) shall be deemed to have been made

<PAGE>
                                       22


on the next succeeding  Business Day.  Whenever any payment to be made hereunder
shall be  stated to be due on a day which is not a  Business  Day,  the due date
thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding  Business Day and, with respect
to payments of principal, interest shall be payable during such extension at the
applicable rate in effect immediately prior to such extension.

                  3.04.  Net Payments.  All payments by the Borrower  under this
Agreement  and/or  under any Credit  Document  shall be made  without  setoff or
counterclaim  and in such  amounts  as may be  necessary  in order that all such
payments  (after  deduction or  withholding  for or on account of any present or
future taxes,  levies,  imposts,  duties or other  charges of whatsoever  nature
imposed by any Governmental Authority,  other than any tax on or measured by the
net income of a Bank pursuant to the income tax laws of the jurisdictions  where
such Bank's  principal  or lending  office is located  (collectively,  "Taxes"))
shall not be less than the  amounts  otherwise  specified  to be paid under this
Agreement and/or under any Credit  Document.  If the Borrower is required by law
to make any  deduction or  withholding  on account of Taxes from any payment due
hereunder  or under the Notes,  then (a) the  Borrower  shall  timely remit such
Taxes to the Governmental Authority imposing the same and (b) the amount payable
hereunder  or under the Notes will be  increased  to such  amount  which,  after
deduction from such increased  amount of all amounts  required to be deducted or
withheld therefrom,  will not be less than the amount otherwise due and payable.
Without prejudice to the foregoing, if any Bank or the Agent is required to make
any payment on account of Taxes,  the Borrower will,  upon  notification  by the
Bank or the Agent promptly  indemnify  such person against such Taxes,  together
with any  interest,  penalties  and expenses  payable or incurred in  connection
therewith. The Borrower shall also reimburse each Bank, upon the written request
of such Bank,  for taxes  imposed on or  measured by the net income of such Bank
pursuant  to the laws of the  jurisdiction  in which  the  principal  office  or
lending  office  of such  Bank is  located  or under  the laws of any  political
subdivision  or taxing  authority  of any such  jurisdiction  as such Bank shall
determine  are  payable by such Bank in respect of Taxes paid to or on behalf of
such Bank pursuant to this Section 3.04. For purposes of this Section,  the term
"Taxes"  includes  interest,  penalties  and  expenses  payable or  incurred  in
connection  therewith.  A certificate as to any additional  amounts payable to a
Bank under this  Section  3.04  submitted  to the  Borrower  by such Bank shall,
absent manifest  error,  be final,  conclusive and binding for all purposes upon
all parties  hereto.  With respect to each  deduction or  withholding  for or on
account of any Taxes,  the  Borrower  shall  promptly  furnish to each Bank such
certificates,  receipts and other  documents as may be required (in the judgment
of such Bank) to establish any tax credit to which such Bank may be entitled.
<PAGE>
                                       23


                  SECTION 4.  Conditions Precedent.

                  4.01.  Conditions  Precedent to Initial Loans. The obligations
of the Banks to make the Initial Loans to the Borrower hereunder are subject, at
the  time  of the  making  of  each  such  Initial  Loan  (except  as  otherwise
hereinafter indicated), to the substantially contemporaneous satisfaction of the
following conditions:

                  (a)  Officers'  Certificate.  On the Closing  Date,  the Agent
         shall have received  certificates dated such date signed by appropriate
         officers  of  each  of the  Credit  Parties,  stating  that  all of the
         applicable  conditions  set  forth  in  Sections  4.01,  4.02  and,  if
         applicable,  4.03 (in each case disregarding any reference therein that
         such condition be deemed  satisfactory by the Agent and/or the Required
         Banks) have been satisfied or waived as of such date.

                  (b) Opinions of Counsel.  On the Closing Date, the Agent shall
         have received an opinion or opinions addressed to each of the Banks and
         dated the Closing Date, each in form and substance  satisfactory to the
         Agent, from (i) O'Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson, Killingsworth & Beshears,
         P.A.,  counsel to each Credit Party, which opinion shall be in the form
         of Exhibit C-1 hereto and (ii) local counsel to the Borrower in certain
         jurisdictions in which  Collateral is located,  which opinions shall be
         in the form of Exhibit C-2 hereto.

                  (c) Corporate Proceedings. All corporate and legal proceedings
         and all instruments and agreements in connection with the  transactions
         contemplated  by the  Documents  shall  be  satisfactory  in  form  and
         substance  to  the  Agent,  and  the  Agent  shall  have  received  all
         information  and  copies of all  certificates,  documents  and  papers,
         including records of corporate proceedings and governmental  approvals,
         if any,  which the Agent  reasonably may have requested from any Credit
         Party or any Affiliate of either thereof in connection therewith,  such
         documents  and  papers  where  appropriate  to be  certified  by proper
         corporate or governmental authorities.  Without limiting the foregoing,
         the Agent shall have  received (i) evidence  satisfactory  to them that
         the Boards of Directors  or Board of  Managers,  as the case may be, of

<PAGE>
                                       24


         each Credit Party and any  Affiliate  thereof,  shall have approved the
         transactions  contemplated  by the Documents,  (ii)  resolutions of the
         Boards of Directors  or Board of Managers,  as the case may be, of each
         Credit Party, and any Affiliate  thereof approving and authorizing such
         documents and actions as are contemplated  hereby in form and substance
         reasonably  satisfactory to the Agent including without  limitation the
         execution  and delivery of all Documents to be executed by such Person,
         certified by its corporate secretary or an assistant secretary as being
         in full force and effect without  modification or amendment,  and (iii)
         signature and incumbency  certificates of officers of each Credit Party
         and  any  Affiliate   thereof  executing   instruments,   documents  or
         agreements  required to be executed in connection with the transactions
         contemplated by the Documents.

                  (d)  Transaction Documents; Transaction.

                            (i)  Full,  complete  and  accurate  copies  of  the
                  Transaction  Documents  shall have been provided to the Agent.
                  The Transaction  Documents and any amendments thereto shall be
                  in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent,  and each of
                  the  Transaction   Documents   required  to  be  executed  and
                  delivered on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been duly
                  authorized,  executed  and  delivered  by each of the  parties
                  thereto  and  shall be in full  force and  effect.  No term or
                  provision  of  the  Transaction   Documents  shall  have  been
                  modified,   and  no  condition  to  the  consummation  of  the
                  Transaction shall have been waived, in either case in a manner
                  detrimental  to any  Credit  Party,  by  any  of  the  parties
                  thereto.  Each Credit Party and any of their  Affiliates shall
                  have in all material respects done and performed such acts and
                  observed  such  covenants  which  each  is  required  to do or
                  perform  under  the  Transaction  Documents  and in  order  to
                  consummate the Transaction on or prior to the Effective Date.

                           (ii) Each Credit Party shall have  provided  evidence
                  satisfactory  in form  and  substance  to the  Agent  that the
                  Transaction has been consummated.

                  (e)  Organizational Documentation, etc.

                            (i) On or prior to the Closing Date, the Banks shall
                  have received copies of true and complete  certified copies of
                  the following  documents of each Credit Party,  the provisions
                  of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent:
<PAGE>
                                       25


                                    (A)   Each    such    Person's    respective
                           Certificate   or   Articles   of   Incorporation   or
                           Certificate  of  Formation,  which shall be certified
                           and be accompanied by a good standing certificate, if
                           any, from the  jurisdiction of its  organization  and
                           good   standing   certificates,   if  any,  from  the
                           jurisdictions in which it is qualified to do business
                           as a foreign  corporation,  each to be dated a recent
                           date prior to the Closing Date; and

                                    (B) Each such Person's respective By-laws or
                           Operating Agreement, certified as of the Closing Date
                           by its corporate secretary.

                            (ii)  The   corporate,   management   and  capital
                    structure of the Borrower  shall be reasonably  satisfactory
                    to the Agent in all respects.

                    (f) Credit Documents.  Each of this Agreement and each other
          Credit Document shall (i) be in form and substance satisfactory to the
          Agent  and (ii)  have  been,  on or prior to the  Closing  Date,  duly
          authorized,  executed and  delivered by each of the parties  signatory
          thereto.

                  (g) Notes.  There shall have been  delivered  to the Agent for
         the account of each of the Banks the Term Notes and the Revolving Notes
         executed by the Borrower in the amounts and maturities and as otherwise
         provided herein.

                  (h) Certain  Fees.  All costs,  fees and expenses  (including,
         without limitation, legal fees and expenses) payable to Indosuez by the
         Borrower  pursuant to the letter  agreements  between the  Borrower and
         Indosuez  dated  May 8,  1997  shall  have  been  paid in full  and the
         Borrower  shall have paid or have caused to be paid the  commitment and
         other fees and  expenses  (including,  without  limitation,  reasonable
         legal fees and  expenses of the Agent)  contemplated  hereby  and/or in
         connection with the other Documents.

                  (i) Financial Statements,  etc. Prior to the Closing Date, the
         Agent shall have received (i) audited financial  statements including a
         balance  sheet and  statements  of income and cash flow of Borrower and
         its  Subsidiaries for the period from the commencement of operations to
         December 31, 1996 and  unaudited  financial  statements of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries for the quarter ended March 31, 1997, (ii) audited
         financial statements of each of the Predecessor  Companies for the last
         two full  fiscal  years  preceding  December  31,  1996  (one  year for
         Kotchammer  Investments,  Inc.), (iii) reviewed financial statements of

<PAGE>
                                       26


         ABBA  for its  fiscal  years  ended  September  30,  1994  and 1995 and
         December 31, 1996 and unaudited  financials  for the three months ended
         March 31, 1997 and (iv) the estimated pro forma opening  balance sheet,
         reviewed by a "Big Six"  accounting firm of the Borrower as of December
         31, 1996,  after giving effect to the  Transaction  and the  Borrowings
         under this  Agreement.  The Borrower  shall have delivered to the Agent
         consolidating  financial  projections  (including  quarterly  financial
         projections  for the fiscal  year ended  1997) which give effect to the
         Transaction and the Borrowings  under this Agreement,  accompanied by a
         statement  by  the  Borrower  that  such   projections   are  based  on
         assumptions  believed  by it in good faith to be  reasonable  as to the
         future financial performance of the Borrower,  reasonably  satisfactory
         to the Agent.

                  (j) Insurance.  Set forth on Schedule  6.01(i) is a summary of
         all  insurance  policies  maintained  by the Credit  Parties  and their
         respective  Subsidiaries,  and the insurance  coverage provided for the
         Credit  Parties and their  respective  Subsidiaries  by such  insurance
         policies shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (k) Performance Bonds. On the Closing Date, the Agent shall be
         reasonably  satisfied  that the  Borrower  will be able to service  and
         maintain  any  performance  bonds that may be required in the  ordinary
         course of business on reasonable terms and conditions.

                  (l)  Indebtedness,  etc. On or prior to the  Closing  Date and
         except as set forth on Schedule  5.21(a),  the Credit Parties and their
         respective  Subsidiaries  shall have  repaid or defeased  all  existing
         Indebtedness.

                  (m) Security Documents and Guarantees.  The Security Documents
         and the  Guarantees  shall have been duly executed and delivered by the
         respective  parties  thereto and there shall have been delivered to the
         Collateral Agent (i) certificates  representing all Pledged  Securities
         (if  certificated),  together  with  executed and undated  stock powers
         and/or assignments in blank, (ii) evidence of the filing of appropriate
         financing  statements or comparable  documents  under the provisions of
         the UCC and applicable  domestic or local laws, rules or regulations in
         each of the offices  where such filing is necessary or  appropriate  to
         grant to the Collateral  Agent a perfected  first priority Lien in such
         Collateral  superior  to and prior to the rights of all third  persons,
         other than Prior Liens, and subject to no other Liens, other than Liens

<PAGE>
                                       27


         expressly  permitted  by  the  applicable   Security  Document,   (iii)
         certified  copies  of  Requests  for  Information  (Form  UCC-11 or the
         equivalent) or equivalent  reports or lien search  reports  listing all
         effective financing  statements or comparable  documents which name any
         Credit  Party or any of its  Subsidiaries  (prior to and  after  giving
         effect  to the  Transaction)  as  debtor  and  which are filed in those
         jurisdictions  in  which  any of the  Collateral  is  located  and  the
         jurisdictions  in which  any  Credit  Party or any of its  Subsidiaries
         maintains its chief executive office,  none of which shall encumber the
         Collateral  covered  or  intended  or  purported  to be  covered by the
         Security  Documents  (other than Prior Liens) and (iv)  evidence of the
         completion of all recordings and filings of each Security  Document and
         delivery of such other security and other documents as may be necessary
         or, in the opinion of the  Collateral  Agent,  desirable to perfect the
         Liens created,  or purported or intended to be created, by the Security
         Documents.

                  (n) Due Diligence.  Prior to the Closing Date, the Banks shall
         have received an agreed upon procedures report from Arthur Andersen LLP
         in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (o) Consents,  etc. All material  governmental and third party
         approvals and consents  (including,  without  limitation,  all material
         approvals and consents  required in connection  with any  environmental
         statutes,  rules  or  regulations),  if any,  in  connection  with  the
         Transaction,  the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents and
         the  Transaction  Documents,  and in either case otherwise  referred to
         herein or therein to be  completed  on or before the Closing Date shall
         have been  obtained and remain in effect,  and all  applicable  waiting
         periods  shall  have  expired  without  any action  being  taken by any
         competent  authority  which  restrains,  prevents  or  imposes,  in the
         judgment  of  the  Agent,   materially   adverse  conditions  upon  the
         consummation  of the  Transaction.  There shall not exist any judgment,
         order,  injunction or other  restraint  issued or filed with respect to
         the  making  of  the  Loans  hereunder  or  the   consummation  of  the
         Transaction.

                  (p)  Environmental  Review. At or prior to the Effective Date,
         there shall have been  delivered  to the Agent for each of the Banks an
         Officers'  Certificate  of the  Borrower in  substantially  the form of
         Exhibit  L  hereto,  and  the  Agent  shall  be  satisfied  as  to  any
         environmental matters relating to the properties of any Credit Party.
<PAGE>
                                       28


                  (q) Borrowing Base Certificate. Prior to the initial Revolving
         Loan,  the Agent and the Banks shall have  received and the Agent shall
         be  satisfied  (both as to form and  substance)  with a Borrowing  Base
         Certificate which shall be prepared as of a date prior to the Effective
         Date that is satisfactory to the Agent which Borrowing Base Certificate
         shall  indicate that the Borrowing  Base as of May 31, 1997 will exceed
         the Revolving  Loan  Borrowing to be incurred on the Closing Date by at
         least $3,000,000.

                  (r) Leases.  All Capital Leases of the Credit Parties or their
         respective  Subsidiaries and all Operating Leases of the Credit Parties
         or their respective  Subsidiaries  outstanding immediately prior to the
         Transaction  shall  remain  outstanding  after  giving  effect  to  the
         Transaction, on terms satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (s)  Solvency.  On the  Closing  Date,  the Banks  shall  have
         received an  Officers'  Solvency  Certificate  in the form of Exhibit M
         hereto.

                  (t)  Conditions  Relating to Mortgaged  Real Property and Real
         Property.  On or prior to the Closing  Date,  the  Borrower  shall have
         caused to be delivered to the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Banks,
         the following documents and instruments:

                          (i)  Mortgages   encumbering   each  Mortgaged  Real
                  Property  set  forth on  Schedule  4.01(t)(i)  in favor of the
                  Collateral  Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, duly executed
                  and  acknowledged  by the entity  holding title  thereto,  and
                  otherwise in form for recording in the recording  office where
                  each such Mortgaged  Real Property is situated,  together with
                  such  certificates,  affidavits,  questionnaires or returns as
                  shall be required in  connection  with the recording or filing
                  thereof to create a lien under  applicable law, and such UCC-1
                  financing  statements  and  other  similar  statements  as are
                  contemplated  by the  counsel  opinions  described  in Section
                  4.01(b)(ii) in respect of such Mortgage, all of which shall be
                  in  form  and  substance   reasonably   satisfactory   to  the
                  Collateral Agent, and any other instruments necessary to grant
                  a mortgage lien under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction,
                  which Mortgage and financing  statements and other instruments
                  shall when  recorded be effective  to create a first  priority
                  Lien on such Mortgaged Real Property subject to no Liens other
                  than Prior Liens;
<PAGE>
                                       29


                          (ii) with  respect to  each  Mortgaged  Real Property,
                  such consents, approvals, amendments,  supplements, estoppels,
                  tenant  subordination   agreements  or  other  instruments  as
                  necessary   or  required  to   consummate   the   transactions
                  contemplated hereby or as shall reasonably be deemed necessary
                  by the  Collateral  Agent in order  for the owner or holder of
                  the fee or leasehold interest constituting such Mortgaged Real
                  Property to grant the Lien  contemplated  by the Mortgage with
                  respect to such Mortgaged Real Property;

                          (iii) with  respect to each  Mortgage,  a  policy (or
                  commitment to issue a policy) of title insurance  insuring (or
                  committing  to insure)  the Lien of such  Mortgage  as a valid
                  first   mortgage  Lien  on  the  real  property  and  fixtures
                  described  therein in an amount not less than 115% of the fair
                  market value thereof,  which policies (or  commitments)  shall
                  (w)  be  issued  by  the  Title  Company,   (x)  include  such
                  reinsurance  arrangements  (with provisions for direct access)
                  as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent, (y)
                  contain a "tie-in"  or  "cluster"  endorsement  (if  available
                  under  applicable  law) (i.e.,  policies  which insure against
                  losses  regardless  of  location  or  allocated  value  of the
                  insured  property up to a stated maximum  coverage amount) and
                  have been  supplemented  by such  endorsements  (or where such
                  endorsements  are not available,  opinions of special counsel,
                  architects or other professionals reasonably acceptable to the
                  Collateral  Agent to the  extent  that  such  opinions  can be
                  obtained  at a cost which is  reasonable  with  respect to the
                  value of the real property  subject to such Mortgage) as shall
                  be reasonably  requested by the Collateral  Agent  (including,
                  without limitation, endorsements on matters relating to usury,
                  first loss, last dollar, zoning, contiguity, revolving credit,
                  doing  business  and  so-called  comprehensive  coverage  over
                  covenants  and   restrictions)   and  (z)  contain  only  such
                  exceptions  to title as shall be Prior Liens or are  otherwise
                  reasonably  agreed to by the  Collateral  Agent on or prior to
                  the Closing Date with respect to such Mortgaged Real Property;

                          (iv) with  respect to each  Mortgaged  Real  Property,
                  policies  or  certificates  of  insurance  as  required by the
                  Mortgage  relating  thereto,  which  policies or  certificates
                  shall comply with the insurance requirements contained in such
                  Mortgage;
<PAGE>
                                       30


                          (v) with respect to each  Mortgaged  Real  Property,
                  UCC,  judgment and tax lien searches (or foreign  jurisdiction
                  equivalents)  confirming that the personal property comprising
                  a part of such Real  Property or  Mortgaged  Real  Property is
                  subject to no Liens other than Prior Liens;

                          (vi) with respect to each Mortgaged  Real  Property,
                  such   affidavits,   certificates,    information   (including
                  financial data) and instruments of indemnification (including,
                  without  limitation,  a so-called  "gap"  indemnification)  as
                  shall be  required  to induce  the Title  Company to issue the
                  policy  or   policies   (or   commitment)   and   endorsements
                  contemplated in subparagraph (iii) above;

                          (vii) evidence reasonably acceptable to the Collateral
                  Agent of payment by the appropriate Credit Party or Subsidiary
                  thereof of all applicable title insurance premiums, search and
                  examination   charges,   survey  costs  and  related  charges,
                  mortgage  recording taxes, fees,  charges,  costs and expenses
                  required for the  recording of the  Mortgages  and issuance of
                  the title insurance policies referred to in subparagraph (iii)
                  above;

                         (viii) with respect to each Real  Property or Mortgaged
                  Real Property,  copies of all Leases, leases in which a Credit
                  Party or  Subsidiary  thereof  holds the tenant's  interest or
                  other  agreements  relating to  possessory  interests.  To the
                  extent  any  of  the  foregoing   affect  any  Mortgaged  Real
                  Property,  such agreement shall be subordinate to the Mortgage
                  to be  recorded  against  such  Mortgaged  Real  Property  and
                  otherwise acceptable to the Collateral Agent; and

                           (ix) with respect to each Mortgaged Real Property, an
                  Officers'    Certificate   or   other   evidence    reasonably
                  satisfactory  to the  Collateral  Agent  that  as of the  date
                  thereof there (x) has been issued and is in effect a valid and
                  proper certificate of occupancy or other local equivalent,  if
                  any,  for the use  then  being  made  of such  Mortgaged  Real
                  Property  and  that  there  is not  outstanding  any  material
                  citation,  violation or similar  notice  indicating  that such
                  Mortgaged Real Property  contains  conditions which are not in
                  compliance with local codes or ordinances relating to building
                  or fire safety or structural  soundness,  (y) has not occurred
                  any Taking or  Destruction  of any Mortgaged  Real Property or
                  Real Property and (z) to the knowledge of such  officers,  are

<PAGE>
                                       31


                  no disputes regarding boundary lines,  location,  encroachment
                  or possession of any Real Property or Mortgaged  Real Property
                  and no state of facts  existing  which  could give rise to any
                  such claim.

                  (u) Labor Matters.  There shall be no labor disputes,  strikes
         or work stoppages, pending or threatened, involving any Credit Party or
         any  of  their  Subsidiaries  that  could  reasonably  be  expected  to
         adversely  affect the  consummation  of the  Transaction  or that could
         reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  (v) Discharge of Certain Indebtedness.  Except as set forth on
         Schedule 5.21(a)(i) and 5.21(a)(iii), all principal amounts, prepayment
         charges,  if  any,  accrued  interest,  and  fees,  charges  and  other
         obligations of the Borrower in respect of Existing Debt shall have been
         paid and  discharged  in full,  and the Agent shall have  received  the
         originals  or  copies  authenticated  to its  satisfaction  of (i)  all
         promissory notes outstanding in connection therewith, duly cancelled by
         the respective payees thereof, (ii) duly executed discharge letters and
         receipts  evidencing  payment in full of all  amounts  due  thereunder,
         (iii)  duly  executed   releases  and  UCC-3   Termination   Statements
         satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent,  effectively releasing
         and  discharging  all Liens  incurred in connection  with such Existing
         Debt (including duly cancelled stock powers), in proper form for filing
         or recording, as applicable, and (iv) such other documents as the Agent
         may  reasonably  request in order to  evidence  the  discharge  of such
         Existing Debt and the release of all Liens in connection therewith.

                  The  acceptance  of the proceeds of each  Borrowing of Initial
Loans shall  constitute  a  representation  and warranty by each Credit Party to
each of the Banks that all of the  applicable  conditions  specified  above have
been satisfied or waived as of that time and that, at the time of a Borrowing of
such Initial Loan (or substantially  contemporaneous  therewith), the conditions
specified  in  Section  4.02  have  been   satisfied  or  waived.   All  of  the
certificates,  legal opinions and other documents and papers referred to in this
Section 4.01, unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Agent at the
Agent's Office (or such other location as may be specified by the Agent) for the
account  of each of the Banks  and in  sufficient  counterparts  for each of the
Banks and shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent.

                  4.02. Conditions Precedent to All Loans. The obligation of the
Banks to make all Loans, including the Initial Loans, is subject, at the time of
each such Loan, to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
<PAGE>
                                       32


                  (a)   Effectiveness.   This  Agreement   shall  have  become
         effective as provided in Section 11.10.

                  (b) No Default; Representations and Warranties. At the time of
         the making of each Loan and also after giving effect  thereto (i) there
         shall exist no Default or Event of Default and (ii) all representations
         and  warranties  contained  herein or in the other Credit  Documents in
         effect at such time shall be true and correct in all material  respects
         with the same effect as though such  representations and warranties had
         been made on and as of the date of the making of such Loan, unless such
         representation and warranty  expressly  indicates that it is being made
         as of any other  specific  date in which  case on and as of such  other
         date.

                  (c) Adverse Change,  etc. (i) Since December 31, 1996, nothing
         shall have  occurred or become  known which the  Required  Banks or the
         Agent shall have  determined  has a  Materially  Adverse  Effect;  such
         determination  shall be made both before  (only for the Initial  Loans)
         and after giving effect to the  Transaction and the making of the Loans
         hereunder.

                   (ii) All material  governmental and third party approvals and
         consents  (including,  without  limitation,  all material approvals and
         consents required in connection with any environmental statutes,  rules
         or regulations), if any, in connection with the conduct of the business
         of each Credit  Party or its  respective  Subsidiaries  shall have been
         obtained and remain in effect.

                  (iii) There shall not exist any judgment, order, injunction or
         other restraint issued or filed with respect to the making of any Loans
         hereunder the effect of which judgment,  order, injunction or restraint
         is adverse to any Bank.

                  (d)  Documentation  and  Opinions of Counsel.  The Agent shall
         have received such documentation and opinion or opinions,  addressed to
         each  of the  Banks,  from  counsel  to  each  Credit  Party  as may be
         reasonably  required,  with reasonable notice under the  circumstances,
         which  shall be  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Agent  from (i) such
         counsel to each Credit Party and (ii) appropriate local counsel,  which
         opinions shall cover such matters as reasonably requested by, and be in
         form and substance satisfactory to, the Agent.
<PAGE>
                                       33


                  (e)  Margin  Rules.  On the date of each  Borrowing  of Loans,
         neither the making of any Loan nor the use of the proceeds thereof will
         violate  the  provisions  of  Regulation  G, T, U or X of the  Board of
         Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

                  (f) Borrowing Base Certificate.  The Agent shall have received
         and shall be reasonably  satisfied (both as to form and substance) with
         the  Borrowing  Base  Certificate  last required to be delivered to the
         Banks.

                  (g) Real  Property  Disclosure.  Each Credit  Party shall have
         made all notifications,  registrations,  and filings in accordance with
         all State  and Local  Disclosure  Requirements  applicable  to the Real
         Property,  including  the use of  forms  provided  by  state  or  local
         agencies, where such forms exist, whether to the Borrower or to or with
         the state or local  agency to the extent  failure to make such  filings
         could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  The  acceptance  of the  proceeds of each  Borrowing  of Loans
shall constitute a  representation  and warranty by each Credit Party to each of
the Banks that all of the applicable  conditions  specified in Section 4.02 have
been satisfied or waived.

                  All of the  certificates,  legal opinions and other  documents
and papers referred to in this Section 4.02, unless otherwise  specified,  shall
be delivered to the Agent at the Agent's  Office (or such other  location as may
be  specified  by the  Agent)  for  the  account  of each  of the  Banks  and in
sufficient  counterparts for each of the Banks and shall be satisfactory in form
and substance to the Agent.

                  4.03. Conditions Precedent to All Letters of Credit. The right
of the Borrower to obtain the issuance of any Letter of Credit that the relevant
Issuing Bank determines to issue in its sole discretion  hereunder is subject to
prior or concurrent satisfaction of all of the following conditions:

                  (A)  Required  Documentation.  On or  prior  to  the  date  of
         issuance  of a Letter of  Credit,  the Agent  shall have  received,  in
         accordance  with the  provisions  of  Section  1.10(b),  a request  for
         issuance  with respect to such Letter of Credit (the  furnishing by the
         Borrower  of  each  such  request  for  issuance  shall  be  deemed  to
         constitute a representation  and warranty of the Borrower to the effect
         that the  conditions  set forth in Sections 4.01 and 4.02 are satisfied
         as of the date of delivery and will be  satisfied on the relevant  date

<PAGE>
                                       34


         of issuance),  all other information  specified in Section 1.10(b), and
         such other  documents  as the Issuing  Bank may  reasonably  require in
         connection with the issuance of such Letter of Credit.

                  (B) Conditions. On the date of issuance of each such Letter of
         Credit,  all conditions  precedent  described in Sections 4.01 and 4.02
         shall be  satisfied  to the same extent as though the  issuance of such
         Letter of Credit were the making of a Revolving Loan.

                  SECTION 5.  Representations,  Warranties  and  Agreements.  In
order to induce the Agent and the Banks to enter into this Agreement and to make
the  Loans   provided  for  herein,   the  Credit  Parties  make  the  following
representations and warranties to, and agreements with, the Agent and the Banks,
all of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this  Agreement and the
making of the Loans (with the execution  and delivery of this  Agreement and the
making of each Loan thereafter being deemed to constitute a  representation  and
warranty  that the matters  specified  in this Section 5 are true and correct in
all material respects both before and after giving effect to the Transaction and
the  related  transactions  and as of the date of each  such  Loan  unless  such
representation and warranty expressly  indicates that it is being made as of any
specific date):

                  5.01.  Status.  Each Credit  Party and each of its  respective
Subsidiaries (i) is a duly organized and validly existing corporation or limited
liability  company in good standing  under the laws of the  jurisdiction  of its
organization; (ii) has the requisite corporate or other organizational power and
authority and has obtained all requisite governmental licenses,  authorizations,
consents  and  approvals  to own and  operate  its  property  and  assets and to
transact the business in which it is engaged and  presently  proposes to engage,
except for those governmental  licenses,  authorizations,  consents or approvals
the  failure  of which to be so  obtained  would not have a  Materially  Adverse
Effect  and  (iii)  is duly  qualified,  or as of the  Closing  Date  has  taken
appropriate  steps to qualify,  and is authorized  to do business,  or as of the
Closing Date has taken appropriate steps to be authorized to do business, and is
in good  standing in all  jurisdictions  where it is required to be so qualified
and where the failure to be so qualified would have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  5.02.  Corporate  Power and Authority;  Business.  Each Credit
Party and each of its  respective  Subsidiaries  has the requisite  corporate or
limited liability company power and authority to execute,  deliver and carry out
the terms and  provisions  of the Documents to which it is a party and has taken
all necessary  corporate or limited  liability  company  action to authorize the
execution,  delivery and  performance  of the  Documents to which it is a party.

<PAGE>
                                       35


Each Credit Party and each of its respective  Subsidiaries has duly executed and
delivered  each  Document  to  which  it  is a  party  and  each  such  Document
constitutes the legal,  valid and binding  obligation of such Person enforceable
in  accordance  with its terms except as such  enforceability  may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium or similar laws relating to
or limiting  creditors' rights generally or by equitable  principles relating to
enforceability.

                  5.03.  No  Violation.  Neither  the  execution,  delivery  and
performance by any Credit Party or its respective Subsidiaries of this Agreement
or the other  Documents to which it is a party nor compliance with the terms and
provisions  hereof  and  thereof,  nor  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
contemplated herein and therein (i) will contravene any applicable  provision of
any law, statute,  rule,  regulation,  order, writ,  injunction or decree of any
court or  governmental  instrumentality,  (ii) will conflict or be  inconsistent
with or  result in any  breach of any of the  terms,  covenants,  conditions  or
provisions  of, or  constitute a default  under,  or (other than pursuant to the
Security  Documents)  result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation
to create or impose)  any Lien upon any of the  property or assets of any Credit
Party or its  respective  Subsidiaries  pursuant to the terms of any  indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which any Credit Party
or its respective  Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property
or assets  is bound or to which it may be  subject  or (iii)  will  violate  any
provision of the charter or by-laws or the certificate of formation or operating
agreement,  as applicable,  of any Credit Party or its respective  Subsidiaries,
except, in each case, where such contravention, conflict, inconsistency, breach,
default,  creation,  imposition,  obligation  or  violation  would  not  have  a
Materially Adverse Effect.

                  5.04. Litigation.  There are no actions,  judgments,  suits or
proceedings pending or, to the Borrower's knowledge,  threatened with respect to
(i) the transactions  contemplated by the Documents and (ii) any Credit Party or
its respective  Subsidiaries as to which could  reasonably be expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect.

                  5.05.  Use of  Proceeds.  (a) The proceeds of all A Term Loans
and B Term Loans to be made to the Borrower  hereunder  shall be utilized by the
Borrower to finance the  Transaction,  to repay certain  Indebtedness and to pay
related  fees and  expenses,  which  such fees and  expenses  shall  not  exceed
$2,500,000.
<PAGE>
                                       36


                  (b) The proceeds of the Revolving  Loans shall be utilized for
working capital and other general corporate purposes.

                  (c) Neither the making of any Loan  hereunder,  nor the use of
the proceeds  thereof,  will violate or be  inconsistent  with the provisions of
Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

                  5.06.   Governmental   Approvals,   etc.  No  order,  consent,
approval,  license,  authorization,  or validation  of, or filing,  recording or
registration  with,  or exemption by, any third party or any foreign or domestic
governmental or public body or authority,  or by any subdivision  thereof (other
than those orders, consents, approvals, licenses,  authorizations or validations
which,  if not  obtained  or made,  would not  reasonably  be expected to have a
Materially  Adverse  Effect or which have  previously  been obtained or made or,
filings  to  perfect  security   interests  granted  pursuant  to  the  Security
Documents,  which will be  accomplished  on or prior to the Closing Date (unless
otherwise  agreed to by the Agent)),  is required to authorize or is required in
connection  with (i) the execution,  delivery and performance of any Document or
the transactions  contemplated therein or (ii) the legality,  validity,  binding
effect  or  enforceability  of any  Document.  At the time of the  making of the
Initial  Loans,  there does not exist any judgment,  order,  injunction or other
restraint issued or filed with respect to the consummation of the Transaction or
the making of Loans or the performance by the Credit Parties or their respective
Subsidiaries of their respective obligations under the Documents.

                  5.07.  Investment  Company  Act. No Credit Party or any of its
respective  Subsidiaries  is, or will be after giving effect to the transactions
contemplated  hereby,  an "investment  company" or a company  "controlled" by an
"investment  company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended,  or subject to any foreign,  federal or local  statute or regulation
limiting its ability to incur  indebtedness for money borrowed or guarantee such
indebtedness as contemplated hereby or by any other Credit Document.

                  5.08.  Public Utility  Holding Company Act. No Credit Party or
any of its  respective  Subsidiaries  is, or will be after giving  effect to the
transactions contemplated hereby, 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.
<PAGE>
                                       37


                  5.09. True and Complete  Disclosure.  All factual  information
(taken as a whole) heretofore or contemporaneously  furnished by or on behalf of
the Credit Parties in writing to any Bank (including,  without  limitation,  all
information  contained in the Credit Documents) for purposes of or in connection
with this Agreement or any  transaction  contemplated  herein is (or was, on the
date of making the Initial Loans), and all other such factual information (taken
as a whole) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of any such Person in writing to
any Bank will be, true and accurate in all  material  respects on the date as of
which such  information  is dated or certified and not incomplete by omitting to
state any material fact  necessary to make such  information  not  misleading at
such  time in  light of the  circumstances  under  which  such  information  was
provided.  The projections and pro forma financial information contained in such
materials  are based on good faith  estimates and  assumptions  believed by such
Persons to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Banks that
such  projections  as to  future  events  are not to be viewed as facts and that
actual results during the period or periods covered by any such  projections may
differ from the projected results.  There is no fact known to any officer of any
Credit Party which  materially and adversely  affects the business,  operations,
property,  assets,  nature  of  assets,  liabilities,  condition  (financial  or
otherwise) or prospects of the Credit Parties,  taken as a whole,  which has not
been  disclosed  herein or in such other  documents,  certificates  and  written
statements  furnished to the Banks for use in connection  with the  transactions
contemplated hereby.

                  5.10.  Transaction.  At the time of making the Initial  Loans,
all necessary  governmental  and  third-party  approvals in connection  with the
Transaction  have been or,  prior to the time  when  required,  will have  been,
obtained and remain in effect, and all applicable waiting periods have or, prior
to the time when required,  will have,  expired without,  in all such cases, any
action being taken by any competent authority which is reasonably likely to have
a Materially Adverse Effect on the Transaction.

                  5.11. Financial Condition; Financial Statements;  Projections.
(a) No Credit Party is entering into the arrangements contemplated hereby and by
the  other  Credit  Documents,  or  intends  to make any  transfer  or incur any
obligations  hereunder  or  thereunder  with actual  intent to hinder,  delay or
defraud either present or future creditors.  On and as of the Closing Date, on a
pro forma basis after giving effect to the Transaction  and to all  Indebtedness
incurred  and Liens and  Guarantees  created,  or to be created,  by each Credit

<PAGE>
                                       38


Party or its respective Subsidiaries in connection with the Transaction, (w) the
Borrower  does not expect that final  judgments  against any Credit Party or its
respective  Subsidiaries in actions for money damages with respect to pending or
threatened  litigation  will be  rendered  at a time when,  or in an amount such
that, such Credit Party will be unable to satisfy any such judgments promptly in
accordance with their terms (taking into account the maximum  reasonable  amount
of such judgments in any such actions and the earliest  reasonable time at which
such judgments  might be rendered and the cash available to each Credit Party or
its  respective  Subsidiaries,  after taking into account all other  anticipated
uses of the cash of such Credit Party or its respective  Subsidiaries (including
the payments on or in respect of debts and insurance  proceeds,  including their
Contingent  Obligations));  (x) no Credit Party or its  respective  Subsidiaries
will have incurred or intends to, or believes  that it will,  incur debts beyond
its  ability to pay such debts as such debts  mature  (taking  into  account the
timing and amounts of cash to be received by such Credit Party or its respective
Subsidiaries  from any source,  and of amounts to be payable on or in respect of
debts  of such  Credit  Party or its  respective  Subsidiaries  and the  amounts
referred  to in  the  preceding  clause  (w));  (y)  each  Credit  Party  or its
respective Subsidiaries, after taking into account all other anticipated uses of
the cash of such Credit Party or its respective Subsidiaries,  anticipates being
able to pay all  amounts on or in respect of debts of such  Credit  Party or its
respective  Subsidiaries when such amounts are required to be paid; and (z) each
Credit Party and its respective  Subsidiaries will have sufficient  capital with
which to conduct its present and presently proposed business and the property of
such  Credit  Party  and  its  respective   Subsidiaries   does  not  constitute
unreasonably  small  capital  with which to  conduct  its  present  or  proposed
business.  For purposes of this Section  5.11,  "debt" means any  liability on a
claim,  and "claim" means a (i) right to payment  whether or not such a right is
reduced to  judgment,  liquidated,  unliquidated,  fixed,  contingent,  matured,
unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured or unsecured; or (ii)
right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise
to a payment,  whether or not such  right to an  equitable  remedy is reduced to
judgment, fixed, contingent,  matured, unmatured,  disputed, undisputed, secured
or unsecured.  On the date of each  Borrowing and the issuance of each Letter of
Credit (and after giving  effect to all  Borrowings  and Letters of Credit as of
such date), the  representations set forth in this Section 5.11(a) shall be true
and correct with respect to the Borrower on such date and any Credit Party which
is a  guarantor  with  respect  to any or all of such  Borrowings  or Letters of
Credit.
<PAGE>
                                       39


                  (b) The  Borrower  has  heretofore  delivered to the Banks the
historical  financial  statements  set forth in Section  4.01(i).  The financial
statements  referred to in the  preceding  sentence  were prepared in accordance
with GAAP  consistently  applied and fairly  present the financial  position and
results of operations of the Borrower for the periods covered thereby.

                  There has also been  delivered  the estimated pro forma (after
giving effect to the Transaction) opening balance sheet, reviewed by a "Big Six"
accounting  firm, of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996,
which presents a good faith  estimate of the  consolidated  pro forma  financial
position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such periods.  The assumptions
made in preparing  such pro forma balance sheet are reasonable as of the date of
such statements and as of the Closing Date and all material  assumptions are set
forth therein.  Except as contemplated hereby, since December 31, 1996 (on a pro
forma  basis after  giving  effect to the  Transaction)  no event or events have
occurred that could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  (c) There  have  heretofore  been  delivered  to the Banks pro
forma  consolidating  income  projections for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
pro forma  consolidating  balance  sheet  projections  for the  Borrower and its
Subsidiaries and pro forma  consolidating cash flow projections for the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries,  all for the fiscal years ending December 31, 1997 through
December 31, 2002, inclusive (the "Projected Financial Statements"),  which give
effect to the Transaction and all  Indebtedness and Liens incurred or created in
connection with the Transaction. The assumptions made in preparing the Projected
Financial Statements are reasonable as of the date of such projections and as of
the Closing Date and all  material  assumptions  with  respect to the  Projected
Financial  Statements are set forth therein.  The Projected Financial Statements
present a good faith  estimate  by the  Borrower of the  consolidated  financial
information contained therein at the date thereof.

                  (d) As of the  Closing  Date,  except  as fully  reflected  or
reserved against in the financial  statements and the notes thereto described in
Section  5.11(b),  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Credit  Parties  there  were  no
liabilities  or  obligations  with  respect to the  Borrower  or its  respective
Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute,  accrued, contingent or
otherwise and whether or not due) which,  either  individually  or in aggregate,
would  reasonably  be expected to result in a Materially  Adverse  Effect on the
Borrower and its respective  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole.  As of the Closing
Date,  the  Borrower  does not know of any basis for the  assertion  against any
Credit Party or its  respective  Subsidiaries  of any liability or obligation of
any nature  whatsoever that is not fully  reflected in the financial  statements

<PAGE>
                                       40


described in Section  5.11(b) or (c),  except as incurred by any Credit Party in
connection with the Transaction, which, either individually or in the aggregate,
could  reasonably  be  expected  to be  material  to such  Credit  Party and its
respective Subsidiaries.

                  5.12. Security Interests.  The Security Documents,  when filed
and/or  recorded,  together  with  delivery  to  the  Collateral  Agent  of  any
Collateral in which a security interest is perfected by possession, will create,
in favor of the Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the Banks,  as security for
the  obligations  purported  to be  secured  thereby,  a valid  and  enforceable
perfected  first  priority  security  interest  in  and  Lien  upon  all  of the
Collateral, superior to and prior to the rights of all third persons and subject
to no other Liens except Prior Liens and other Liens expressly  permitted by the
applicable Security Documents.  The mortgagor under each Mortgage has good title
to the  Mortgaged  Real  Property  free and clear of all Liens  other than Prior
Liens and other Liens expressly  permitted by the applicable Security Documents.
The respective pledgor or assignor, as the case may be, has (or on and after the
time it executes the respective Security Document,  will have) good title to all
items of Collateral  (other than real property subject to a Mortgage) covered by
such Security  Document free and clear of all Liens except Prior Liens and other
Liens expressly permitted by the applicable  Security  Documents.  No filings or
recordings are required in order to perfect the security interests created under
any Security  Document  except for filings or recordings  required in connection
with  any  such  Security  Document  which  shall  have  been  made  prior to or
contemporaneously  with the execution  and delivery  thereof  (unless  otherwise
agreed to by the Agent).

                  5.13. Tax Returns and Payments. Each of the Credit Parties and
each of its  respective  Subsidiaries  has filed all tax returns  required to be
filed by it and has paid all material taxes and assessments  payable by it which
have  become  due,  other  than  those not yet  delinquent  and except for those
contested in good faith and for which adequate  reserves have been  established.
Each of the Credit Parties and each of its respective  Subsidiaries has paid, or
has provided adequate reserves (in accordance with GAAP) for the payment of, all
federal,  state, local and foreign income taxes (including,  without limitation,
franchise taxes based upon income) applicable for all prior fiscal years and for
the current  fiscal year to the date hereof.  The Borrower  does not know of any
proposed  tax  assessment  against  any  Credit  Party or any of its  respective
Subsidiaries  that could  reasonably  be expected to have a  Materially  Adverse
Effect which is not being actively contested in good faith by such Person to the

<PAGE>
                                       41


extent affected thereby in good faith and by appropriate  proceedings;  provided
that such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required
in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor. The pro forma
financial  statements  delivered pursuant to Section 5.11(b) reflected all taxes
resulting from the transactions contemplated by the Transaction.

                  5.14.   ERISA.   (a)  Each  Credit   Party,   its   respective
Subsidiaries  and  its  respective  ERISA  Affiliates  is in  compliance  in all
material  respects with all applicable  provisions of ERISA and the Code and the
regulations  and  published  interpretations  thereunder  with  respect  to  all
employee benefit plans.

                  (b)  No  Termination  Event  has  occurred  or  is  reasonably
expected  to occur with  respect to any  Pension  Plan which  resulted  or would
result in a material liability to any Credit Party, its respective  Subsidiaries
or its respective ERISA Affiliates.

                  (c) The sum of the  amount  of  unfunded  benefit  liabilities
(determined in accordance with Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No.
87)  under all Title IV Plans  (excluding  each  Title IV Plan with an amount of
unfunded benefit  liabilities of zero or less) is not more than $100,000.  As of
the Closing Date, the sum of the amount of unfunded benefit  liabilities (within
the meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under all Title IV Plans (excluding
each  Pension  Plan with an amount of unfunded  benefit  liabilities  of zero or
less) is not more than $100,000.

                  (d) As of the Closing Date, none of the Credit Parties,  their
respective Subsidiaries nor their respective ERISA Affiliates has any obligation
to  contribute to or any liability or potential  liability  (including,  but not
limited  to,  actual or  potential  withdrawal  liability)  with  respect to any
Multiemployer  Plan or any  employee  benefit  plan  of the  type  described  in
Sections  4063 and 4064 of ERISA or in Section  413(c) of the Code.  None of the
Credit  Parties,  their  respective  Subsidiaries  nor  their  respective  ERISA
Affiliates has incurred or reasonably  expects to incur any material  withdrawal
liability under Section 4201 et seq. of ERISA to any  Multiemployer  Plan or any
employee  benefit plan of the type  described in Sections 4063 and 4064 of ERISA
or in Section 413(c) of the Code.

                  (e) None of the Credit Parties, their respective  Subsidiaries
nor their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates  has incurred any  accumulated  funding
deficiency (whether or not waived) with respect to any Pension Plan.
<PAGE>
                                       42


                  (f) None of the Credit Parties, their respective  Subsidiaries
nor their  respective  ERISA  Affiliates  has or  reasonably  expects  to become
subject to a Lien in favor of any Pension  Plan under  Section  302(f) or 307 of
ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Code.

                  (g)  Assuming  that no  portion  of the  Loans to be  advanced
hereunder is attributable, directly or indirectly, to the assets of any employee
benefit plan, the execution, performance and delivery of the Credit Documents by
any party thereto will not  constitute  any  prohibited  transaction  within the
meaning  of  Section  406 of ERISA  or  Section  4975 of the  Code for  which an
exemption therefrom is not available.

                  As used in this Section 5.14,  the term  "accumulated  funding
deficiency" has the meaning specified in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of
the Code,  and the term  "employee  benefit  plan" has the meaning  specified in
Section 3(3) of ERISA.

                  5.15.  Subsidiaries.  After giving effect to the  Transaction,
all of the outstanding units or common stock, as the case may be, of each Credit
Party shall be validly issued,  fully paid and  nonassessable and shall be owned
beneficially  and of record by each Credit  Party as set forth as Schedule  5.15
hereto,  subject to no Liens other than Liens in favor of the Collateral  Agent.
Other  than  as  set  forth  on  Schedule  5.19,  after  giving  effect  to  the
Transaction,  there shall be no  preemptive  rights on the part of any holder of
any class of securities of any Credit Party or other rights, such as warrants or
options, to acquire any class of securities of any Credit Party.

                  5.16.  Patents,  etc.  Each  Credit  Party  or its  respective
Subsidiaries  owns or  possesses  adequate  licenses or other  rights to use all
material  patents,  patent  applications,  trademark  registrations,   trademark
applications, servicemark registrations,  servicemark applications, trade names,
copyright  registrations,   trade  secrets  and  know  how  (collectively,   the
"Intellectual  Property") that are necessary for the operation of its respective
businesses as presently conducted and as currently proposed to be conducted.  No
claim is pending or, to the  knowledge of each Credit  Party and its  respective
Subsidiaries,  threatened to the effect that any Credit Party or its  respective
Subsidiaries  infringes upon or conflicts with the asserted  rights of any other
person under any  Intellectual  Property,  and, to the  knowledge of each Credit
Party and its  respective  Subsidiaries,  there is no basis  for any such  claim
(whether or not pending or threatened). No claim is pending or, to the knowledge
of each Credit Party and its respective  Subsidiaries,  threatened to the effect

<PAGE>
                                       43


that any such Intellectual Property owned or licensed by any Credit Party or its
respective Subsidiaries or which any Credit Party or its respective Subsidiaries
otherwise has the right to use, is invalid or unenforceable by such Credit Party
or its respective  Subsidiaries,  and, to the knowledge of each Credit Party and
its  respective  Subsidiaries,  there is no basis for any such claim (whether or
not pending or threatened).

                  5.17.  Compliance  with Laws,  etc.  Each Credit Party and its
respective  Subsidiaries is in material compliance with all laws and regulations
in all  jurisdictions  in which it is presently doing business,  and each Credit
Party  and its  respective  Subsidiaries  will  comply  with all  such  laws and
regulations  which may be imposed in the future in  jurisdictions in which it or
such   Subsidiary  may  then  be  doing  business   except  to  the  extent  the
non-compliance  with such laws and regulations  would not reasonably be expected
to have a  Materially  Adverse  Effect.  To its  knowledge,  no Credit  Party is
currently under  investigation for the violation of any crime the conviction for
which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  5.18.   Properties.   Each  Credit  Party  or  its  respective
Subsidiaries  has good and marketable  title to and beneficial  ownership of all
material  properties  owned by it, including after the Closing Date all property
reflected  in the most  recent  balance  sheet  referred  to in Section  5.11(b)
(except as sold or otherwise disposed of since the date of such balance sheet in
the ordinary  course of business),  free and clear of all Liens,  other than, in
the case of property not constituting Collateral, Permitted Encumbrances and, in
the case of property constituting Collateral,  Prior Liens. Each Credit Party or
its  respective  Subsidiaries  holds  all  material  licenses,  certificates  of
occupancy or operation and similar  certificates and clearances of municipal and
other authorities  necessary to own and operate its properties in the manner and
for the purposes  currently  operated by such party. Each Real Property and each
Mortgaged  Real Property is suitable for its intended  purposes and is served by
such utilities as are necessary for the operation thereof.  There are no actual,
threatened or alleged  defaults of a material  nature with respect to any Leases
of  Real  Property  under  which  any  Credit  Party  or any  of its  respective
Subsidiaries is lessor or lessee.

                  5.19. Securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.19 hereto,
there are not, as of the Effective Date, any existing options,  warrants, calls,
subscriptions,  convertible  or  exchangeable  securities,  rights,  agreements,
commitments or arrangements for any Person to acquire any equity security of any
Credit  Party or any other  securities  convertible  into,  exchangeable  for or
evidencing the right to subscribe for any such equity security.
<PAGE>
                                       44


                  5.20. Collective Bargaining Agreements.  Set forth on Schedule
5.20 hereto is a list and  description  (including  dates of termination) of all
collective  bargaining or similar agreements between or applicable to any Credit
Party or its respective  Subsidiaries as of the date hereof and any union, labor
organization or other bargaining agent in respect of the employees of any Credit
Party or its  respective  Subsidiaries  on the date  indicated in Schedule  5.20
hereto.

                  5.21. Indebtedness Outstanding;  Prior Liens. (a) Set forth on
Schedule 5.21(a) hereto is a list and description of (i) all Indebtedness of the
Credit  Parties and their  respective  Subsidiaries  (other than the Loans) that
shall  be  outstanding   immediately   after  the  Closing  Date  and  (ii)  all
Indebtedness of the Credit Parties and their  respective  Subsidiaries  that was
repaid, defeased, transferred or otherwise terminated on the Closing Date.

                  (b)  Schedule  5.21(b)  hereto  sets  forth a true list of all
Liens other than  Permitted  Encumbrances  on the property of the Credit Parties
immediately following the Closing Date.

                  5.22.  Environmental  Protection.  Except  as set  forth  on
Schedule 5.22 hereto and except as would not have a Materially Adverse Effect,

                  (a) Each  Credit  Party and its  respective  Subsidiaries  has
         obtained  all  permits,  licenses  and other  authorizations  which are
         required with respect to the operation of the business and assets,  and
         use,  ownership  and operation of Real Property of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries,  in each case taken as a whole,  under any  Environmental
         Law and each such authorization is in full force and effect.

                  (b) Each Credit Party and its  respective  Subsidiaries  is in
         compliance  with all terms and conditions of the permits,  licenses and
         authorizations  specified in subsection  5.22(a) above,  and is also in
         compliance with, and not currently liable under, any Environmental Laws
         applicable  to  it  and  its  business,  assets,  operations  and  Real
         Property.

                  (c)  There is no civil,  criminal  or  administrative  action,
         suit,  demand,  claim,  hearing,  notice of  violation,  investigation,
         proceeding,  notice or demand letter or request for information pending
         or,  to the  knowledge  of any  Credit  Party or any of its  respective
         Subsidiaries,  threatened  against  any  Credit  Party  or  any  of its
         respective Subsidiaries under any Environmental Law.
<PAGE>
                                       45


                  (d)  None of the  Credit  Parties  nor  any of its  respective
         Subsidiaries  has  received  notice  that it has been  identified  as a
         potentially  responsible  party under the  Comprehensive  Environmental
         Response,  Compensation  and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA)
         or any  comparable  state  law nor has any  Credit  Party or any of its
         respective  Subsidiaries  received any notification  that any Hazardous
         Materials  that  it,  or  any  of its  Subsidiaries,  or  any of  their
         respective  predecessors  in  interest  has  used,  generated,  stored,
         treated, handled,  transported or disposed of, or arranged for disposal
         or treatment  of, or arranged  with a  transporter  for  transport  for
         disposal  or  treatment  of,  have been  found at any site at which any
         governmental  agency or private party is conducting or plans to conduct
         a remedial  investigation or other action pursuant to any Environmental
         Law.

                  (e) There  have been no  releases  (i.e.,  any past or present
         releasing,  spilling,  leaking, pumping, pouring,  emitting,  emptying,
         discharging,  injecting,  escaping,  leaching, disposing or dumping) of
         Hazardous  Materials  by any  Credit  Party  or  any of its  respective
         Subsidiaries  or,  to the  knowledge  of the  Credit  Party  after  due
         inquiry,  their respective  predecessors in interest on, at, upon, into
         or from any of the Real  Properties.  To the  knowledge  of any  Credit
         Party and each of its respective  Subsidiaries  after due inquiry there
         have been no such releases on, at, upon,  under,  from or into any real
         property in the vicinity of any of the Real  Properties  that,  through
         soil, air, surface water or groundwater migration or contamination, may
         have migrated to or under such Real Properties.

                  (f) No asbestos  is present in, on, or at any Real  Properties
         or  any  facility  or  equipment  of  any  Credit  Party  or any of its
         respective Subsidiaries.

                  (g) No  Real  Properties  of any  Credit  Party  or any of its
         respective  Subsidiaries  or any of their  respective  predecessors  in
         interest  are (i)  listed  or  formally  proposed  for  listing  on the
         National   Priorities   List  under   CERCLA  or  (ii)  listed  in  the
         Comprehensive   Environmental   Response,    Compensation,    Liability
         Information  System  List  promulgated  pursuant  to  CERCLA  or  (iii)
         included  on  any  comparable  lists  maintained  by  any  governmental
         authority.
<PAGE>
                                       46


                  (h)  There  are  no  past  or  present   events,   conditions,
         circumstances, activities, practices, incidents, actions or plans which
         could  reasonably be expected to interfere  with or prevent  compliance
         with any  Environmental  Law, or which could  reasonably be expected to
         give rise to any  liability  under any  Environmental  Law,  including,
         without  limitation,  liability under CERCLA or similar state, local or
         foreign laws, or otherwise form the basis of any claim, action, demand,
         suit, proceeding,  hearing or notice of violation,  notice of potential
         liability  or  investigation,  based on or related to the  manufacture,
         processing,   distribution,   use,  generation,   treatment,   storage,
         disposal,  transport, shipping or handling, or the emission, discharge,
         release or threatened  release into the  environment,  of any Hazardous
         Materials.

                  (i) No Lien has been recorded under any Environmental Law with
         respect to any assets,  facility,  inventory  or Real  Property  owned,
         operated,  leased  or  controlled  by any  Credit  Party  or any of its
         respective Subsidiaries.

                  5.23.  All  environmental  investigations, studies, audits,
assessments  or reviews  conducted  of which any Credit  Party has  knowledge in
relation to the current or prior  business or assets of any Credit  Party or any
of its respective  Subsidiaries or any Real Property,  assets or facility now or
previously owned,  operated,  leased,  used or controlled by any Credit Party or
any of its respective Subsidiaries have been delivered to the Agent.

                  5.24.  Certain Liens.  With respect to each and every lien set
forth on Schedule 5.24 hereto,  as of the date hereof,  Borrower  represents and
warrants that the underlying agreements, documents or instruments, if any, which
created such liens, have been paid, terminated,  discharged and are no longer in
effect.

                  SECTION 6. Affirmative  Covenants.  The Borrower covenants and
agrees that on the Effective  Date and  thereafter for so long as this Agreement
is in effect and until the  Commitments  have  terminated and the Loans together
with  interest  and fees are paid in full  and all  other  Obligations  incurred
hereunder, to the extent then due and payable, are paid in full:

                  6.01.  Information  Covenants.  The Borrower will furnish or
cause to be furnished to each Bank:

                  (a) As soon as available and in any event within 90 days after
         the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower,  the  consolidating  and
         consolidated  balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at

<PAGE>
                                       47


         the  end  of  such  fiscal  year  and  the  related  consolidating  and
         consolidated  statements of income, of stockholders' equity and of cash
         flows for such fiscal year, setting forth comparative consolidating and
         consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year and a report on such
         consolidated  balance  sheets and financial  statements by  independent
         certified public  accountants of recognized  national  standing,  which
         report  shall  not be  qualified  as to the scope of audit or as to the
         status of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  as a going  concern and
         shall state that such consolidated  financial statements present fairly
         the   consolidated   financial   position  of  the   Borrower  and  its
         Subsidiaries  as at the  dates  indicated  and  the  results  of  their
         operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity
         with GAAP applied on a basis  consistent  with prior years  (except for
         such changes with which the independent  certified  public  accountants
         concur)  and the  examination  by such  accountants  was  conducted  in
         accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

                  (b) As soon as  practicable  and in any  event  within 30 days
         after the end of the each month ending after the Closing Date,  (i) the
         consolidating  and  consolidated  balance sheet of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries  as at  the  end of  such  period  and  (ii)  the  related
         statements   of  income  and  cash  flows  of  the   Borrower  and  its
         Subsidiaries,  in each case for such  fiscal  month and for the  period
         from the  beginning of the then current  fiscal year to the end of such
         fiscal  month,  setting  forth in  comparative  form the  corresponding
         periods of the prior  fiscal  year,  the  corresponding  periods of the
         current fiscal year's budget and a Management's Discussion and Analysis
         for such  financial  statements  covering  the month then ended and the
         year to date.

                  (c) Together with each delivery of financial statements of the
         Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  pursuant to  subsection  (a) above,  a
         written  statement by the  independent  public  accountants  giving the
         report thereon (i) stating that their audit  examination has included a
         review of the terms of Sections 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement as they
         relate to accounting  matters but without having  conducted any special
         auditing procedures in connection  therewith,  (ii) stating whether, in
         connection with their audit  examination,  any condition or event which
         constitutes a Default or Event of Default has come to their  attention,
         and  if  such a  condition  or  event  has  come  to  their  attention,
         specifying  the nature and period of existence  thereof;  provided that
         such accountants shall not be liable by reason of any failure to obtain
         knowledge  of any such  Default or Event of  Default  that would not be

<PAGE>
                                       48


         disclosed in the course of their audit  examination,  and (iii) stating
         that  based  on  their  audit  examination  nothing  has  come to their
         attention  which  causes  them  to  believe  that as of the end of such
         fiscal  year of the  Borrower  there  existed a Default  or an Event of
         Default related to the breach of any covenant set forth in Section 6 or
         7 as they relate to accounting matters and if such a condition or event
         has come to their  attention,  specifying  the  nature  and  period  of
         existence thereof and what action the Borrower has taken, is taking and
         propose to take with respect thereto.

                  (d) At the time of the  delivery of the  financial  statements
         provided for in Sections  6.01(a) and (b), a  certificate  of the chief
         financial  officer,  controller,  chief  accounting  officer  or  other
         Authorized  Officer of the  Borrower  to the effect  that no Default or
         Event of Default  exists,  or, if any Default or Event of Default  does
         exist,  specifying  the nature and extent thereof and what actions have
         been or will be taken in respect thereof,  which  certificate  shall be
         accompanied on a quarterly basis by a Compliance  Certificate in a form
         reasonably  acceptable  to the Agent  setting  forth  the  calculations
         required to establish  whether the Borrower was in compliance  with the
         covenants in this Agreement (including without limitation the covenants
         set forth in Sections  7.05 and 7.10 through 7.13  inclusive) as at the
         end of such fiscal period or year, as the case may be.

                  (e) Promptly  upon receipt  thereof,  a copy,  if any, of each
         annual "management letter" submitted to the Borrower by its independent
         accountants  in  connection  with any annual  audit made by them of the
         books of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  (f)  Promptly  upon their  becoming  available,  copies of all
         consolidating and consolidated financial statements,  reports,  notices
         and proxy  statements sent or made available  generally by the Borrower
         or any  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower to its  security  holders in their
         capacity as such (other than to the Borrower or another  Subsidiary) of
         all regular and periodic  reports and all  registration  statements and
         prospectuses,  if any, filed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         with any securities  exchange or with the SEC (including  reports filed
         on Forms 10-Q and 10-K) and of all press releases and other  statements
         made  available  generally  by the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  of the
         Borrower to the public concerning material developments in the business
         of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
<PAGE>
                                       49


                  (g)  Promptly  upon  any  officer  of the  Borrower  obtaining
         knowledge (w) of any condition or event which  constitutes a Default or
         Event of Default,  or becoming aware that any Bank has given any notice
         or taken any other action with respect to a claimed Default or Event of
         Default under this Agreement,  (x) that any Person has given any notice
         to the  Borrower or taken any other  action  with  respect to a claimed
         default or event or condition of the type  referred to in Section 8.04,
         or (y) of a  material  adverse  change  in  the  business,  operations,
         properties,   assets,   nature  of  assets,   condition  (financial  or
         otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  taken as
         a whole, an Officers'  Certificate  specifying the nature and period of
         existence of any such  condition  or event,  or  specifying  the notice
         given or action  taken by such  holder or Person and the nature of such
         claimed  Default,  Event of Default,  event or  condition,  or material
         adverse  change,  and what action the Borrower has taken, is taking and
         propose to take with respect thereto.

                  (h) (w) Promptly  upon any officer of the  Borrower  obtaining
         knowledge  of the  institution  of, or written  threat of, any  action,
         suit, proceeding,  governmental investigation or arbitration against or
         affecting  any  Credit  Party  or its  respective  Subsidiaries  or any
         property  of any  Credit  Party  or  its  respective  Subsidiaries  not
         previously  disclosed to the Banks,  which  action,  suit,  proceeding,
         governmental  investigation  or  arbitration  seeks  (or in the case of
         multiple actions, suits,  proceedings,  governmental  investigations or
         arbitrations   arising  out  of  the  same   general   allegations   or
         circumstances  which  seek)  recovery  from  any  Credit  Party  or its
         respective  Subsidiaries  aggregating  $250,000 or more  (exclusive  of
         claims covered by insurance policies unless the insurers of such claims
         have disclaimed  coverage or reserved the right to disclaim coverage on
         such claims),  the Borrower  shall give notice thereof to the Banks and
         provide such other information as may be reasonably available to enable
         the Banks and their counsel to evaluate  such  matters;  (x) as soon as
         practicable  and in any  event  within  45 days  after  the end of each
         fiscal  quarter,  the Borrower shall provide a quarterly  report to the
         Banks  covering the  institution  of, or written threat of, any action,
         suit,  proceeding,   governmental  investigation  or  arbitration  (not
         previously  reported)  against or  affecting  any  Credit  Party or its
         respective  Subsidiaries  or any  property  of any Credit  Party or its
         respective  Subsidiaries not previously  disclosed to the Banks,  which
         action, suit,  proceedings,  governmental  investigation or arbitration

<PAGE>
                                       50


         seeks  (or  in  the  case  of  multiple  actions,  suits,  proceedings,
         governmental  investigations  or  arbitrations  arising out of the same
         general  allegations  or  circumstances  which seek)  recovery from any
         Credit Party or its  respective  Subsidiaries  aggregating  $500,000 or
         more  (exclusive  of claims  covered by insurance  policies  unless the
         insurers of such claims have disclaimed  coverage or reserved the right
         to disclaim  coverage on such  claims),  and shall  provide  such other
         information  at such time as may be reasonably  available to enable the
         Banks and their counsel to evaluate  such  matters;  (y) in addition to
         the  requirements  set  forth in  clauses  (w) and (x) of this  Section
         6.01(h),  the Borrower upon request  shall  promptly give notice of the
         status of any action, suit, proceeding,  governmental  investigation or
         arbitration  covered by a report  delivered  to the Banks  pursuant  to
         clause (w) or (x) above to the Banks and provide such other information
         as may be  reasonably  available  to them to enable the Banks and their
         counsel to evaluate such matters;  and (z) promptly upon any officer of
         the  Borrower  obtaining  knowledge of any dispute in respect of or the
         institution  of, or written  threat of, any action,  suit,  proceeding,
         governmental  investigation  or  arbitration in respect of any material
         contract  of any  Credit  Party  or its  respective  Subsidiaries,  the
         Borrower  shall give notice thereof to the Banks and shall provide such
         other  information  as may be reasonably  available to enable the Banks
         and their counsel to evaluate such matters.

                  (i) Within 15 days of any material changes to the terms of any
         insurance  policy as in effect on the  Effective  Date and described on
         Schedule  6.01(i)  or any  cancellation  of  any  such  policy  without
         replacement  with a substantially  similar policy, a report in form and
         substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to Agent outlining such changes or
         the terms of the replacement policy, as the case may be.

                  (j) To the extent  reasonably  requested by the Agent, as soon
         as  practicable  and in any event  within ten days of the later of such
         request  and the  making of any such  amendment  or  waiver,  copies of
         amendments or waivers with respect to  Indebtedness of any Credit Party
         or its respective Subsidiaries.

                  (k) On or prior to  December  31,  1997 and each  December  31
         thereafter, a consolidated plan/budget for each month in the succeeding
         fiscal  year  prepared  in  accordance   with  the  Borrower's   normal
         accounting procedures (and which will represent management's reasonable
         estimate of the Borrower's  projected  performance during such periods)
         applied on a  consistent  basis,  including,  without  limitation,  (i)
         forecasted  consolidated  balance  sheets,  consolidated  statements of

<PAGE>
                                       51


         operations,  of stockholders'  equity and of cash flows of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such periods, (ii) the
         amount of  forecasted  capital  expenditures  for such fiscal  periods,
         (iii)  forecasted  compliance with Sections 7.05 and 7.10-7.13 and (iv)
         an  appropriate  discussion of the principal  assumptions on which such
         plan/budget is based; provided that if any such forecast indicates that
         the  Borrower  may not be in  compliance  with  any  provision  of this
         Agreement at some future date,  such  forecast  shall not  constitute a
         Default or an Event of Default or anticipatory or other breach thereof.
         Together  with  each  delivery  of  financial  statements  pursuant  to
         Sections  6.01(a) and (b), a  comparison  of the  current  year to date
         financial  results  against the  plan/budget  required to be  submitted
         pursuant to this subsection (k) shall be presented.

                  (l) Within ten (10)  Business Days after the last Business Day
         of each month,  a borrowing  base  certificate in the form of Exhibit L
         hereto (the  "Borrowing  Base  Certificate")  detailing the  Borrower's
         Eligible Accounts  Receivable and Eligible Inventory as of the last day
         of such  month,  certified  as  complete  and  correct on behalf of the
         Borrower  by the chief  executive  officer,  chief  financial  officer,
         controller or other  Authorized  Officer of the Borrower.  In addition,
         each  Borrowing  Base  Certificate  shall  have  attached  to  it  such
         additional   schedules  and/or  other  information  as  the  Agent  may
         reasonably request. If the Borrower fails to deliver any such Borrowing
         Base Certificate within twenty-five (25) days after the end of any such
         month, then the Borrowing Base shall be deemed to be $0 until such time
         as the Borrower shall deliver such required Borrowing Base Certificate.

                  (m) With  reasonable  promptness,  such other  information and
         data with respect to any Credit Party or its respective Subsidiaries or
         any other similar  entity in which the Borrower has an  investment,  as
         from time to time may be reasonably requested by the Agent.

                  6.02. Books,  Records and Inspections.  The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its  Subsidiaries to, keep true books of records and accounts
in  which  full  and  correct  entries  will  be  made  of all  of its  business
transactions, and will reflect in its financial statements adequate accruals and
appropriations to reserves,  all in accordance with GAAP. The Borrower will, and
will  cause  each  of  its  Subsidiaries  to,  permit  officers  and  designated
representatives  of the  Agent  or any  Bank to  visit  and  inspect  any of the
properties or assets of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  in whosesoever

<PAGE>
                                       52


possession,  and to examine  the books of account of the  Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  and discuss the affairs,  finances and accounts of the Borrower or
any of its  Subsidiaries  with,  and be advised as to the same by, its and their
officers and independent accountants (in the presence of such officers),  all at
such reasonable  times and intervals and to such reasonable  extent as the Agent
or any Bank may reasonably request.

                  6.03. Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) The Borrower and
its Subsidiaries will exercise  commercially  reasonable  efforts to maintain or
cause to be maintained in good repair,  working order and condition  (subject to
normal wear and tear) all  properties  used in its  businesses  and from time to
time  will  make or cause  to be made  all  appropriate  repairs,  renewals  and
replacements  thereof and will  maintain  and renew as necessary  all  licenses,
permits and other clearances necessary to use and occupy such properties.

                  (b) Subject to the provisions of subsection 6.03(c) below, the
Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  will  maintain or cause to be  maintained,  with
financially  sound  and  reputable  insurers,  insurance  with  respect  to  its
properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily  insured
against by corporations of established reputation engaged in the same or similar
businesses  and  similarly  situated,  of such types and in such  amounts as are
customarily  carried under similar  circumstances by such other  corporations to
the  extent  that such types and such  amounts of  insurance  are  available  at
commercially  reasonable  rates.  The Borrower  will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, furnish to each Bank, upon reasonable  request,  information as
to the  insurance  carried,  and will not  cancel,  without  replacement  with a
substantially  similar policy, any such insurance without the reasonable consent
of the Required Banks.

                  (c) The Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, maintain in full force the insurance  coverages in respect of the Collateral
as set forth in the Security Documents.

                  6.04.  Payment of Taxes.  The Borrower  will,  and shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries  to, pay and discharge all material taxes,  assessments
and  governmental  charges  or  levies  imposed  upon it or upon its  income  or
profits,  or upon any  properties  belonging  to it,  prior to the date on which
material penalties attach thereto, and all lawful claims which, if unpaid, might
become  a Lien or  charge  upon any  properties  of the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries  or cause a failure or forfeiture of title  thereto;  provided that
neither the  Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries  shall be required to pay any
such tax,  assessment,  charge,  levy or claim that is being  contested  in good

<PAGE>
                                       53


faith and by proper proceedings  promptly  instituted and diligently  conducted,
which  proceedings  have the effect of preventing  the forfeiture or sale of the
property  or asset that may become  subject to such Lien,  if it has  maintained
adequate  reserves  with respect  thereto in  accordance  with and to the extent
required under GAAP.

                  6.05. Corporate Franchises.  The Borrower will, and will cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to, do or cause to be done all  things  necessary  to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence,  rights and authority,
and its Intellectual  Property,  except where such failure to keep in full force
and effect such rights and authority would not have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  6.06.  Compliance  with Statutes,  etc. The Borrower will, and
will cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to, comply with all  applicable  statutes,
regulations  and orders  of, and all  applicable  restrictions  imposed  by, all
governmental  bodies,  domestic  or  foreign,  in respect of the  conduct of its
business  and the  ownership  of its property  (including  applicable  statutes,
regulations,  orders and restrictions  relating to  environmental  standards and
controls)  other than  non-compliance  which could not reasonably be expected to
have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  6.07.  ERISA.  The Borrower will furnish to each of the Banks:

                  (a)  promptly  upon the Borrower  knowing or having  reason to
         know of the occurrence of any (i) Termination Event or (ii) "prohibited
         transaction" within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975
         of the Code, in  connection  with any Pension Plan or any trust created
         thereunder,  which in the case of all such events  described  in clause
         (i) or (ii)  results or could  reasonably  be  expected  to result in a
         liability of any Credit  Party or its  respective  Subsidiaries  in the
         aggregate  in excess of  $100,000  or the  imposition  of a Lien on the
         assets  of a Credit  Party,  a written  notice  specifying  the  nature
         thereof, what action such Credit Party, its respective  Subsidiaries or
         its respective  ERISA  Affiliates have taken,  are taking or propose to
         take with  respect  thereto,  and,  when  known,  any  action  taken or
         threatened by the Internal Revenue Service,  Department of Labor,  PBGC
         or Multiemployer Plan sponsor with respect thereto; and

                  (b)  with  reasonable  promptness  copies  of (i) all  notices
         received  by any  Credit  Party,  its  respective  Subsidiaries  or its
         respective  ERISA Affiliates of PBGC's intent to terminate any Title IV
         Plan or to have a trustee  appointed to  administer  any Title IV Plan,

<PAGE>
                                       54


         the  notice  of  which  event is  required  pursuant  to the  preceding
         paragraph  (a);  (ii) upon the  request  of the Agent  each  Schedule B
         (Actuarial  Information)  to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed
         by any Credit Party,  its  respective  Subsidiaries  or its  respective
         ERISA Affiliates with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each
         Pension  Plan;  (iii) upon the  request of the Agent,  the most  recent
         actuarial  valuation  report  for  each  Title  IV Plan  which  is then
         maintained  by any Credit Party,  its  respective  Subsidiaries  or its
         respective  ERISA  Affiliates  or as to which  any  Credit  Party,  its
         respective  Subsidiaries  or its  respective  ERISA  Affiliates has any
         continuing  funding  obligations;  and (iv) all notices received by any
         Credit Party,  its  respective  Subsidiaries  or its  respective  ERISA
         Affiliates from a Multiemployer  Plan sponsor concerning the imposition
         or amount of  withdrawal  liability  pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA,
         the  notice  of  which  event is  required  pursuant  to the  preceding
         paragraph (a).

                  6.08. Performance of Obligations.  The Borrower will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, perform in all material respects all of their
respective  obligations  under the terms of each mortgage,  indenture,  security
agreement,  other debt instrument and material  contract by which they are bound
or to which they are a party, except where such nonperformance  would not have a
Materially Adverse Effect.

                  6.09. End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters.  Each Credit Party
will, for financial reporting purposes,  and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, have its (i) fiscal years end on December  31, and (ii) fiscal  quarters end
on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31.

                  6.10.  Use of  Proceeds.  All proceeds of the Loans shall be
used as provided in Section 5.05.

                  6.11.  Interest Rate Protection.  The Borrower shall, no later
than 90 days  after the  Closing  Date and in respect of no less than 50% of the
outstanding  Term Loans as in effect from time to time enter into  Interest Rate
Agreements  reasonably  acceptable  to the  Agent  for a period of not less than
three years.

                  6.12.  Equal Security for Loans and Notes; No Further Negative
Pledges. (a) If the Borrower or any of its respective  Subsidiaries shall create
or assume  any Lien upon any of its  property  or assets,  whether  now owned or
hereafter  acquired  and  whether  or not such  property  or assets  constitutes
Collateral,  other than Liens  permitted  by the  applicable  Security  Document

<PAGE>
                                       55


(unless prior written  consent to the creation or assumption  thereof shall have
been obtained from the Agent and the Required  Banks),  the Borrower shall,  and
shall cause any  applicable  Subsidiary  to, make or cause to be made  effective
provisions  whereby  the  Obligations  will be secured by such Lien  equally and
ratably with any and all other Indebtedness  thereby secured as long as any such
Indebtedness  shall  be  secured;  provided  that  this  covenant  shall  not be
construed as consent by the Agent and the Required Banks to any violation by the
Borrower of the provisions of Section 7.03.

                  (b)  Except  with  respect  to   prohibitions   against  other
encumbrances  on specific  property  encumbered to secure  payment of particular
Indebtedness  permitted  hereunder  (which  Indebtedness  relates  solely to the
acquisition or improvement of such specific property),  neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into any agreement  prohibiting the creation
or  assumption of any Lien upon its  properties or assets,  whether now owned or
hereafter acquired.

                  6.13.  Lender  Meeting.  The Borrower  will  participate  in a
meeting of the Banks once during each  fiscal year  (commencing  with the fiscal
year ending  December  31, 1997)  relating to the  financial  statements  of the
previous  fiscal  year to be  held  at a  location  and a time  selected  by the
Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Agent.

                  6.14.  Pledge of  Additional  Collateral.  Subject  to Section
6.12(b),  and in any event within 30 days after the  acquisition by the Borrower
or any of its  Subsidiaries  of (i) Real Property,  (ii) assets of the type that
would have constituted Collateral (pursuant to the appropriate Security Document
on the Closing Date or Effective  Date, as applicable,  executed by such Person)
at the Closing Date or the Effective Date or (iii) capital stock or other equity
interest of any  Subsidiary  (whether by capital  contribution  or  acquisition)
(collectively,  (i), (ii),  (iii) and the assets of any Subsidiary  described in
(iii), the "Additional  Collateral"),  the Borrower will, and will cause each of
its  Subsidiaries  to,  take all  necessary  action,  including  the  filing  of
appropriate  financing  statements  under the provisions of the UCC,  applicable
foreign,  domestic or local laws,  rules or  regulations  in each of the offices
where  such  filing is  necessary  or  appropriate,  entering  into or  amending
Security  Documents  or,  in the case the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries
creates  or  acquires  a  Subsidiary,   entering  into  such  additional  pledge
agreements  and security  agreements in form and substance  satisfactory  to the
Collateral  Agent  (and,  in the  case  of the  acquisition  of  Real  Property,
satisfaction  of the conditions set forth in Sections  4.01(b)(ii),  4.01(p) and

<PAGE>
                                       56


4.01(t) and, in the case of the acquisition of personal  property,  satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Sections  4.01(b)(ii)  and 4.01(m)),  to grant to
the Collateral Agent a perfected first priority Lien, subject to Prior Liens and
other Liens permitted by the applicable Security  Documents,  in such Collateral
pursuant to and to the full extent  required by the Security  Documents and this
Agreement.  All actions  taken by the parties in  connection  with the pledge of
Additional Collateral,  including,  without limitation, costs of counsel for the
Agent or the Collateral Agent,  shall be for the account of the Borrower,  which
shall pay all sums due within 5 Business Days of demand.

                  6.15.  Security  Interests.  The Borrower will, and will cause
its  Subsidiaries to, perform any and all acts and execute any and all documents
(including,  without limitation, the execution,  amendment or supplementation of
any  financing   statement  and  continuation   statement)  for  filing  in  any
appropriate  jurisdiction  under  the  provisions  of the UCC,  local law or any
statute,  rule or regulation of any applicable  jurisdiction which are necessary
in order to maintain or confirm in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit
of the Banks a valid and perfected  Lien on the  Collateral  and any  Additional
Collateral, subject to no Liens except for Prior Liens and other Liens expressly
permitted by the applicable Security Documents.  The Borrower shall, as promptly
as practicable after the filing of any financing statements, deliver or cause to
be  delivered  to the Agent  acknowledgment  copies of, or copies of lien search
reports confirming the filing of, financing  statements duly filed under the UCC
of all  jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the reasonable  judgment of the
Agent,  desirable  to perfect the Lien  created,  or purported or intended to be
created, by each Security Document.

                  6.16. Subsidiary Guarantees.  In the event the Borrower or any
of its  Subsidiaries  creates or acquires a Subsidiary,  the Borrower will cause
such  Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Collateral  Agent for the benefit
of the Banks a subsidiary guarantee,  in form and substance  satisfactory to the
Collateral Agent, guaranteeing the Obligations.

                  6.17.  Environmental  Events.  (a) The Borrower  will promptly
give notice to the Agent upon becoming aware thereof (i) of any violation of any
Environmental  Law,  (ii) of any  inquiry,  proceeding,  investigation  or other
action,  including a request for information or a notice of potential  liability
under any  Environmental  Law from any Person (in the case of each of clause (i)
and (ii),  that  which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to result in a Material
Adverse  Effect) or (iii) of the discovery of the release or threatened  release
of any Hazardous Material at, on, upon, under or from any of the Real Properties

<PAGE>
                                       57


or any  facility or equipment  thereat in excess of  reportable  quantities  and
which must be  reported  under  applicable  Environmental  Laws,  or in a manner
and/or amount which could  reasonably  be expected to result in liability  under
any  Environmental  Law,  in each case  which  would have a  Materially  Adverse
Effect.

                  (b) In the event of the presence of any Hazardous Material on,
at, upon or under any of the Real Properties  which is in violation of, or which
could  reasonably be expected to result in liability  under,  any  Environmental
Law, in each case which would have a Materially  Adverse Effect, the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries,  upon discovery thereof, shall take all necessary steps
to initiate and  expeditiously  complete all  responsive,  corrective  and other
action required under any  Environmental  Law to mitigate and eliminate any such
adverse effect.

                  (c) The Borrower shall as promptly as  practicable  notify the
Agent of the  occurrence  of any event  specified  in Section  6.17(b) and shall
thereafter  keep the Agent  informed on a periodic basis of any actions taken in
response to such event and the results of such actions.

                  (d) The  Borrower  shall  provide the Agent with copies of any
notice,  submittal  or  documentation  provided  by the  Borrower  or any of its
Subsidiaries   to  any   Governmental   Authority   or  third  party  under  any
Environmental Law if the matter which is the subject of the notice, submittal or
other  documentation  could  reasonably  be expected  to result in a  Materially
Adverse Effect. Such notice, submittal or documentation shall be provided to the
Agent promptly and, in any event,  within 5 business days after such material is
provided to the Governmental Authority or third party.

                  6.18. Landlord Lien Assurance.  The Borrower will use its best
efforts to obtain  Landlord  Lien  Assurances,  in the form of Exhibit N hereto,
from the landlords of leased Real Property of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries
where Inventory is located.

                  SECTION  7.  Negative  Covenants.  The Credit  Parties  hereby
covenant  and agree that as of the Closing  Date and  thereafter  for so long as
this Agreement is in effect and until the  Commitments  have  terminated and the
Loans together with interest and fees are paid in full and all other Obligations
incurred hereunder, to the extent then due and payable, are paid in full:
<PAGE>
                                       58


                  7.01.  Conduct of Business.  The Borrower will, and will cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to, at all times take any and all such actions as may
be necessary or  appropriate  to permit the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  to
continue to conduct its business in substantially  the same manner as heretofore
conducted prior to the Transaction by the Borrower's predecessors.  The Borrower
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business
other than such business and any businesses or activities  substantially similar
or related thereto.

                  7.02.  Amendments  or  Waivers of  Certain  Documents.  (a) No
Credit Party or its respective  Subsidiaries  will amend or otherwise change the
terms of any Existing  Debt in a manner  adverse to the Banks  without the prior
written consent of the Required Banks.

                  (b) After the Closing Date, no Credit Party or its  respective
Subsidiaries  will  amend or  otherwise  change  the  terms  of the  Transaction
Documents in a manner adverse to the Banks without the prior written  consent of
the Required Banks.

                  7.03. Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create,  incur,  assume or permit or
suffer  to  exist  any  Lien  upon  or with  respect  to any  item  constituting
Collateral, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or sell any such Collateral
subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase
such  Collateral  or assign any right to receive  income,  or file or permit the
filing of any financing  statement  under the UCC or any other similar notice of
Lien under any similar  recording or notice statute,  except for the Lien of the
Security  Document relating  thereto,  Prior Liens applicable  thereto and other
Liens expressly permitted by such Security Document.  The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create,  incur,  assume or suffer to
exist any Lien upon or with respect to any property or assets of the Borrower or
any  Subsidiary  which  does not  constitute  Collateral  whether  now  owned or
hereafter  acquired,  or sell any  Collateral,  property or assets subject to an
understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase such property
or assets or assign any right to receive income, or file or permit the filing of
any financing  statement under the UCC or any other similar notice of Lien under
any similar recording or notice statute, except the following,  which are herein
collectively referred to as "Permitted Encumbrances":
<PAGE>
                                       59


                  (a) Liens for taxes,  assessments or  governmental  charges or
         claims  not  yet   delinquent  or  Liens  for  taxes,   assessments  or
         governmental  charges or claims  being  contested  in good faith and by
         appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves, as may be required
         by GAAP, have been established;

                  (b) Liens in respect of property or assets of the  Borrower or
         any of its  Subsidiaries  imposed by law (i) which were incurred in the
         ordinary   course   of   business,   such  as   landlords'   carriers',
         warehousemen's  and mechanics' Liens and other similar Liens arising in
         the ordinary course of business,  and (x) which do not in the aggregate
         materially  detract  from  the  value of such  property  or  assets  or
         materially  impair the use thereof in the  operation of the business of
         the  Borrower  or any of  its  Subsidiaries  or  (y)  which  are  being
         contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings,  which proceedings
         have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or
         asset  subject  to such Lien or (ii)  which do not  relate to  material
         liabilities  of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  and do not in
         the  aggregate  materially  detract  from the value of the property and
         assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

                  (c)  Liens in  connection  with  any  attachment  or  judgment
         (including  judgment  or  appeal  bonds)  not  in  excess  of  $100,000
         individually  or $250,000 in the  aggregate  for the  Borrower  and its
         Subsidiaries  (exclusive of any amount adequately  covered by insurance
         as to which the insurance company has acknowledged coverage) unless the
         judgment it secures shall, within 60 days after the entry thereof,  not
         have been discharged or execution thereof not stayed pending appeal, or
         shall not have been  discharged  within 30 days after the expiration of
         any such stay;

                  (d) Liens (other than any Lien  imposed by ERISA)  incurred or
         deposits  made in the ordinary  course of business in  connection  with
         workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social
         security,   or  to  secure  the   performance  of  tenders,   statutory
         obligations,   surety  and  appeal  bonds,  bids,  leases,   government
         contracts,  performance  and  return-of-money  bonds and other  similar
         obligations  incurred in the ordinary course of business  (exclusive of
         obligations  in  respect  of the  payment  for  borrowed  money  or the
         equivalent);
<PAGE>
                                       60


                  (e)  Subject  to the  provisions  of  Section  7.19 and,  with
         respect  to any  Mortgaged  Real  Property,  to the  provisions  of any
         applicable Mortgage, Leases with respect to the assets or properties of
         the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  entered into in the ordinary
         course of the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's  business and subordinate
         in all  respects to the Liens  granted and  evidenced  by the  Security
         Documents;

                  (f) Easements,  rights of way, restrictions,  minor defects or
         irregularities  in title not  interfering in any material  respect with
         the business of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  in each case
         incurred in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially
         impair for its intended  purposes the use or value of the Real Property
         to which it relates; and

                  (g) Liens upon real or tangible personal  property  (including
         Capital  Leases)  acquired by the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries
         after  the date  hereof;  provided  that (i) any such  Lien is  created
         solely  for the  purpose  of  securing  Indebtedness  representing,  or
         incurred to finance,  the cost of the item of property subject thereto,
         (ii) the principal amount of the  Indebtedness  secured by such Lien is
         at least 70%, and does not exceed 100% of the fair value (as determined
         in good faith by the board of directors  or members of the  appropriate
         entity)  of the  respective  property  at the time it was so  acquired,
         (iii)  such Lien does not extend to or cover any other  property  other
         than such item of property and (d) the incurrence of such  Indebtedness
         secured by such Lien is permitted by Section 7.04.

                  The  Borrower  shall  use  its  commercially  reasonable  best
efforts to obtain the waiver of any Lien  referred to in clause  (b)(i) above on
or in respect of any Equipment or Inventory.  The term "Permitted  Encumbrances"
shall mean,  with respect to Mortgaged Real Property,  Liens permitted under the
Mortgages.

                  7.04. Indebtedness. The Borrower will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, contract,  create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Indebtedness, except:

                  (a) Indebtedness  incurred  pursuant to the Credit  Documents;
         provided that the aggregate  principal amount of Indebtedness  incurred
         pursuant  to  this  Agreement  shall  in  no  event  exceed  the  Total
         Commitments;
<PAGE>
                                       61


                  (b) Existing Debt and any refinancing  thereof;  provided that
         any such  refinancing  of Existing  Debt shall be on terms which,  both
         taken as a whole and  specifically as such terms relate to the identity
         of the obligors, repayments of principal,  covenants, events of default
         and  security  in  property  of the  debtor,  are in each event no more
         favorable to the creditor  than the  correlative  terms of the Existing
         Debt;

                  (c)  Interest  Rate  Agreements  to the extent  required  by
         Section 6.11;

                  (d)  $500,000  of  principal  Indebtedness  in  the  aggregate
         outstanding at any time for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  incurred
         to finance the cost of the  acquisition  of real or  tangible  personal
         property  (including  Capital Leases);  provided that such Indebtedness
         shall be at least 70% and shall not  exceed  100% of the fair  value of
         such property;  and provided,  further,  that such  Indebtedness is not
         secured  by any Lien  other  than a Lien  referred  to in clause (g) of
         Section 7.03;

                  (e)  Contingent Obligations permitted by Section 7.16;

                  (f)  Indebtedness  issued to  sellers  in  connection  with an
         acquisition,  in an amount  not to  exceed  $500,000  in the  aggregate
         outstanding at any time,  provided that such  Indebtedness is unsecured
         and contains subordination and other terms satisfactory to the Agent;

                  (g)  Indebtedness  of the  Borrower to any of its Wholly Owned
         Subsidiaries  or of any  Subsidiary  to the Borrower or another  Wholly
         Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower (but only so long as such Indebtedness
         is held by the Borrower or its Wholly Owned Subsidiary; and

                  (h) other unsecured Indebtedness not exceeding $250,000 in the
         aggregate   for  the  Borrower  and  its   Subsidiaries   at  any  time
         outstanding.


<PAGE>
                                       62


                  7.05.  Capital  Expenditures.  The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make  Consolidated  Capital  Expenditures
for any  purpose  in excess of the  amounts  set forth  below for the period set
forth below:

Period                                                       Amount in $
- ------                                                       -----------
Closing Date to December 31, 1997 .......................... $  300,000
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1998 .......................  1,000,000
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1999 .......................  1,000,000
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2000 .......................  1,250,000
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2001 .......................  1,500,000
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2002 .......................  1,500,000
Six Months Ending June 30, 2003 ............................    750,000

                  7.06. Advances,  Investments and Loans. The Borrower will not,
and will not permit  any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  lend money or credit or make
advances (which shall not include progress  payments made by any Credit Party to
its  subcontractors in the ordinary course of business  consistent with industry
practice)  to any  Person,  or purchase  or acquire  any stock,  obligations  or
securities of, or any other interest in, or make any capital contribution to any
Person, except:

                  (a)  investments in Cash and Cash Equivalents;

                  (b)  receivables  owing to them and advances to customers  and
         suppliers,  in each case if created,  acquired or made in the  ordinary
         course of business  and payable or  dischargeable  in  accordance  with
         customary trade terms;

                  (c)  investments  (including  debt  obligations)  received  in
         connection  with the  bankruptcy  or  reorganization  of suppliers  and
         customers and in settlement  of  delinquent  obligations  of, and other
         disputes with,  customers and suppliers  arising in the ordinary course
         of business;

                  (d) the acceptance of a form of consideration  other than Cash
         or Cash  Equivalents  in  connection  with the sale or  disposition  of
         assets to the extent provided in Section 7.15;

                  (e) up to $500,000  per year to acquire  Capital  Stock of any
         other Person,  provided that  immediately  after the  transaction  such
         Person becomes a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower;

                  (f)  investments in and advances to Credit Parties; and

                  (g) additional loans,  advances and/or investments of a nature
         not  contemplated  by the foregoing  clauses (a) through (f);  provided
         that all loans,  advances and investments  made pursuant to this clause
         (g) shall not exceed $250,000 in the aggregate at any time  outstanding
         for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
<PAGE>
                                       63


                  7.07. Prepayments of Indebtedness, etc. The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to: (a) after the issuance  thereof,
amend or modify (or permit the amendment or modification of) any of the terms or
provisions, to the extent any such amendment or modification would be adverse to
the issuer thereof or to the interests of the Banks, of any of the  Indebtedness
(or any agreement  relating  thereto) of the type described in Section  7.04(b),
(f) or (g);  (b) make (or  give any  notice  in  respect  of) any  voluntary  or
optional  payment  or  prepayment  or  redemption  or  acquisition  for value of
(including,  without  limitation,  by way of  depositing  with any trustee  with
respect  thereto money or  securities  before such  Indebtedness  is due for the
purpose  of  paying  such  Indebtedness  when  due)  or  exchange  of  any  such
Indebtedness;  and/or (c) amend,  modify or change any of its respective charter
documents,  or any  agreement  entered into by the Borrower or its  Subsidiaries
with  respect to its equity  securities,  or enter into any new  agreement  with
respect to the equity securities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary the result of
which is reasonably likely to be adverse to the interests of the Banks (in their
capacity as such) hereunder.

                  7.08.  Dividends,  etc.  The  Borrower  will not, and will not
permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  declare or pay any dividends or return any
capital to, its members or authorize or make any other distribution,  payment or
delivery of property or cash to its members as such, or redeem, retire, purchase
or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, for any consideration,  any of its
equity interest now or hereafter  outstanding (or any warrants for or options or
stock appreciation  rights in respect of any of such equity interests),  or make
any  loans or  advances  to  Affiliates,  or set  aside any funds for any of the
foregoing  purposes,  or permit any of its Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise
acquire  for  consideration  any equity  interest  of the  Borrower or any other
Subsidiary,  as the case may be, now or hereafter outstanding (or any options or
warrants or stock appreciation  rights issued by such Person with respect to its
equity interest) (all of the foregoing, "Dividends"), except that any Subsidiary
of the  Borrower  may pay  Dividends  to its parent  corporation  if such parent
corporation  is  (x)  the  Borrower  or  (y) a  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary  of the
Borrower.

                  7.09. Transaction with Affiliates.  The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction or series
of  transactions,  whether or not in the ordinary  course of business,  with any
holder  of 5% or more of the  equity  securities  of the  Borrower  or with  any
Affiliate of the Borrower  other than on terms and conditions  substantially  as
favorable  to the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  as would be  obtainable  by the
Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm's-length transaction

<PAGE>
                                       64


with a Person other than a holder of 5% or more of the equity  securities of the
Borrower  or  an  Affiliate  of  the  Borrower;   provided  that  the  foregoing
restrictions  shall not apply to (i) transactions  between or among the Borrower
and its  Wholly-Owned  Subsidiaries and (ii) the payment of fees to Indosuez and
its Affiliates for financial  services,  such fees not to exceed Indosuez' usual
and customary fees for similar services.

                  7.10.  Total  Interest   Coverage  Ratio.  The  ratio  of  (i)
Consolidated EBITDA to (ii) cash Consolidated  Interest Expense for the Borrower
set forth below for the Test Period  ending on each date listed  below shall not
be less than the ratio set forth opposite such date below; provided that for the
computation  of  Consolidated  EBITDA for the Test Period  ending  September 30,
1997,  Consolidated  EBITDA  shall be  equal to the  product  of the  amount  of
Consolidated  EBITDA since  December 31, 1996 and a fraction,  the  numerator of
which is 365 and the  denominator  of which is the number of days elapsed during
such  period  since  December  31,  1996;  and  provided  further  that  for any
computation   pursuant  to  clause  (ii)  of  the  definition  of  Test  Period,
Consolidated  Interest  Expense  shall be equal to the  product of the amount of
Consolidated  Interest  Expense  since  the  Closing  Date and a  fraction,  the
numerator  of which is 365 and the  denominator  of which is the  number of days
elapsed during such period since the Closing Date:

            Test Period                                      Ratio
            -----------                                      -----
            September 30, 1997 ........................    3.00 to 1.0
            December 31, 1997 .........................    3.00 to 1.0
            March 31, 1998 ............................    3.25 to 1.0
            June 30, 1998 .............................    3.25 to 1.0
            September 30, 1998 ........................    3.25 to 1.0
            December 31, 1998 .........................    3.75 to 1.0
            March 31, 1999 ............................    3.75 to 1.0
            June 30, 1999 .............................    3.75 to 1.0
            September 30, 1999 ........................    3.75 to 1.0
            December 31, 1999 .........................    4.50 to 1.0
            March 31, 2000 ............................    4.50 to 1.0
            June 30, 2000 .............................    4.50 to 1.0
            September 30, 2000 ........................    4.50 to 1.0
            December 31, 2000 .........................    5.00 to 1.0
            March 31, 2001 ............................    5.00 to 1.0
            June 30, 2001 .............................    5.00 to 1.0
            September 30, 2001 ........................    5.00 to 1.0
            December 31, 2001 .........................    5.00 to 1.0
            March 31, 2002 ............................    5.00 to 1.0
            June 30, 2002 .............................    5.00 to 1.0
            September 30, 2002 ........................    5.00 to 1.0
            December 31, 2002 .........................    5.00 to 1.0
            March 31, 2003 ............................    5.00 to 1.0
            June 30, 2003 .............................    5.00 to 1.0
<PAGE>
                                       65


                  7.11.  Fixed Charge  Coverage  Ratio.  The  Borrower  will not
permit the ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITDAC of the Borrower minus cash taxes to
(ii) cash  Consolidated  Interest  Expense  of the  Borrower  plus the amount of
scheduled  mandatory  payments on account of  principal of  Indebtedness  of the
Borrower for the Test Period ending on each date listed  below,  to be less than
the ratio set forth opposite such date below;  provided that for any computation
pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Test Period,  Consolidated Interest
Expense  shall be equal to the  product of the amount of  Consolidated  Interest
Expense since the Closing Date and a fraction, the numerator of which is 365 and
the  denominator of which is the number of days elapsed during such period since
the Closing Date:

            Test Period                                        Ratio
            -----------                                        -----
            December 31, 1997 ...........................   1.00 to 1.0
            March 31, 1998 ..............................   1.00 to 1.0
            June 30, 1998 ...............................   1.00 to 1.0
            September 30, 1998 ..........................   1.00 to 1.0
            December 31, 1998 ...........................   1.00 to 1.0
            March 31, 1999 ..............................   1.00 to 1.0
            June 30, 1999 ...............................   1.00 to 1.0
            September 30, 1999 ..........................   1.00 to 1.0
            December 31, 1999 ...........................   1.20 to 1.0
            March 31, 2000 ..............................   1.20 to 1.0
            June 30, 2000 ...............................   1.20 to 1.0
            September 30, 2000 ..........................   1.20 to 1.0
            December 31, 2000 ...........................   1.20 to 1.0
            March 31, 2001 ..............................   1.20 to 1.0
            June 30, 2001 ...............................   1.20 to 1.0
            September 30, 2001 ..........................   1.20 to 1.0
            December 31, 2001 ...........................   1.20 to 1.0
            March 31, 2002 ..............................   1.20 to 1.0
            June 30, 2002 ...............................   1.20 to 1.0
            September 30, 2002 ..........................   1.20 to 1.0
            December 31, 2002 ...........................   1.20 to 1.0
            March 31, 2003 ..............................   1.20 to 1.0
            June 30, 2003 ...............................   1.20 to 1.0

                  7.12.  Leverage Ratio.  The Borrower will not permit the ratio
of (i)  Indebtedness  of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  on each date listed
below to (ii) cash  Consolidated  EBITDA  of the  Borrower  for the Test  Period
ending on each  date  listed  below to be more  than the ratio set forth  below;

<PAGE>
                                       66


provided that the portion of Indebtedness  of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries
which constitute  Revolving Loans shall be the average amount outstanding during
the Test Period ending on such date (with  computations  pursuant to clause (ii)
of the definition of Test Period being computed from the Closing Date):

            Test Period                                       Ratio
            -----------                                       -----
            September 30, 1997 ........................    3.00 to 1.0
            December 31, 1997 .........................    3.00 to 1.0
            March 31, 1998 ............................    2.75 to 1.0
            June 30, 1998 .............................    2.75 to 1.0
            September 30, 1998 ........................    2.75 to 1.0
            December 31, 1998 .........................    2.50 to 1.0
            March 31, 1999 ............................    2.50 to 1.0
            June 30, 1999 .............................    2.50 to 1.0
            September 30, 1999 ........................    2.50 to 1.0
            December 31, 1999 .........................    2.00 to 1.0
            March 31, 2000 ............................    2.00 to 1.0
            June 30, 2000 .............................    2.00 to 1.0
            September 30, 2000 ........................    2.00 to 1.0
            December 31, 2000 .........................    1.50 to 1.0
            March 31, 2001 ............................    1.50 to 1.0
            June 30, 2001 .............................    1.50 to 1.0
            September 30, 2001 ........................    1.50 to 1.0
            December 31, 2001 .........................    1.50 to 1.0
            March 31, 2002 ............................    1.50 to 1.0
            June 30, 2002 .............................    1.50 to 1.0
            September 30, 2002 ........................    1.50 to 1.0
            December 31, 2002 .........................    1.50 to 1.0
            March 31, 2003 ............................    1.50 to 1.0
            June 30, 2003 .............................    1.50 to 1.0

                  7.13. Minimum  Consolidated EBITDA. The Borrower will maintain
a Consolidated EBITDA of at least the amount set forth below for the Test Period
ending on each date listed below:

                                                     Minimum EBITDA
            Test Period                              ($ Millions)
            -----------                              ------------
            September 30, 1997 ......................  $ 7.00
            December 31, 1997 .......................    8.50
            March 31, 1998 ..........................    9.00
            June 30, 1998 ...........................    9.00
            September 30, 1998 ......................    9.00
            December 31, 1998 .......................   10.50
            March 31, 1999 ..........................   10.50

<PAGE>
                                       67


            June 30, 1999 ...........................   10.50
            September 30, 1999 ......................   10.50
            December 31, 1999 .......................   12.50
            March 31, 2000 ..........................   12.50
            June 30, 2000 ...........................   12.50
            September 30, 2000 ......................   12.50
            December 31, 2000 .......................   14.00
            March 31, 2001 ..........................   14.00
            June 30, 2001 ...........................   14.00
            September 30, 2001 ......................   14.00
            December 31, 2001 .......................   14.00
            March 31, 2002 ..........................   14.00
            June 30, 2002 ...........................   14.00
            September 30, 2002 ......................   14.00
            December 31, 2002 .......................   14.00
            March 31, 2003 ..........................   14.00
            June 30, 2003 ...........................   14.00

                  7.14. Issuance of Subsidiary Stock. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to issue, sell,
assign,   pledge  or  otherwise  encumber  or  dispose  of  any  shares  of  any
Subsidiaries'  capital  stock  or  other  securities  or  equity  interests  (or
warrants,  rights or options to acquire capital stock or convertible  securities
or other  equity  securities)  of such  Subsidiary,  other than  pursuant to the
Security Documents and as contemplated by the Transaction.

                  7.15.  Disposition  of Assets.  (a) The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  dispose of all or any part of its
interest in any asset,  except that the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  may sell
assets so long as (i) such  sales are  approved  by the  Required  Banks and the
sales price thereof is, in the reasonable  judgment of the Agent, at least equal
to the fair market value of such assets, or (ii) such sales are for at least the
fair market value of such assets and the aggregate amount of such asset sales is
less than  $250,000 in any 12-month  period and, in any such case,  the Borrower
complies with the mandatory  prepayment and Commitment  reduction  provisions of
this Agreement and, in the case of Collateral,  so long as the conditions to the
release of Collateral  described herein and in the applicable Security Documents
are met,  or (iii)  such  sales  are of  inventory  in the  ordinary  course  of
business, or (iv) such sales are (A) of obsolete equipment, (B) for at least the
fair market  value of such  equipment,  (C) not in excess of 250,000 per year in
the aggregate and (D) the proceeds of such sales are used within 60 days of such
sales to (1) purchase equipment used in substantially  similar lines of business
or (2) repay Indebtedness under this Agreement pursuant to Section 3.02.
<PAGE>
                                       68


                  The consideration received by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
from each sale of assets  permitted above shall be received in whole at the time
of sale and at least 70% of the  consideration  from each sale shall  consist of
Cash or Cash Equivalents. Any non-cash proceeds received from the sale of assets
shall be pledged to the Collateral  Agent pursuant to and in accordance with the
applicable Security Documents and shall constitute Collateral.

                  (b) Upon  compliance  with the conditions in subsection (a) of
this Section 7.15,  the Release  Conditions and the Partial  Release  Conditions
(each as  hereinafter  defined),  the Borrower shall be entitled to receive from
the Collateral Agent an instrument in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Borrower  (each,  a "Release")  releasing  the Lien of the Mortgage  with
respect to all or any portion of a Mortgaged  Real Property  (each,  a "Released
Real  Property").  The Borrower  shall exercise its rights under this Section by
delivering to the Collateral  Agent a notice (each, a "Release  Notice"),  which
shall refer to this Section,  describe with  particularity the proposed Released
Real Property and be accompanied by (i) four  counterparts  of the Release fully
executed and acknowledged by all necessary  parties other than Collateral Agent,
(ii) executed  counterparts of UCC or other  applicable  termination  statements
necessary  to  terminate  the  Lien of the  applicable  Mortgage  and  (iii)  an
Officers' Certificate  certifying that no Default or Event of Default shall have
occurred and the parties  executing any and all documents in connection with the
Release  (other  than  the  Collateral  Agent)  were  duly  authorized  to do so
(collectively,  the "Release  Conditions").  In the event the proposed  Released
Real Property  consists of less than all of the Mortgaged Real Property  subject
to a single Mortgage,  the Partial Release Conditions must be satisfied in order
for the Borrower to receive the Release.

                  (c) The Collateral  Agent's obligation to deliver a Release in
respect  of less than all of the  Mortgaged  Real  Property  subject to a single
Mortgage  shall  be  contingent  upon  the  satisfaction  of the  conditions  in
subsection  (a) of this Section 7.15 and the Release  Conditions  as well as the
following conditions (collectively, the "Partial Release Conditions"):

                    (i) following the sale, transfer or other disposition of and
         release  of the Lien of the  applicable  Mortgage  with  respect to the
         proposed Released Real Property,  the remaining Mortgaged Real Property
         shall have utility services and access to public roads,  rail spurs and

<PAGE>
                                       69


         other  transportation  structures  sufficient  and  necessary  for  the
         continued use of such  Mortgaged  Real Property in the manner  utilized
         prior to the Release;

                   (ii) following the sale, transfer or other disposition of the
         proposed Released Real Property,  the remaining Mortgaged Real Property
         shall comply in all material  respects  with  applicable  laws,  rules,
         regulations  and  ordinances  relating  to  environmental   protection,
         zoning, land use, configuration and building and workplace safety;

                  (iii) following the sale, transfer or other disposition of the
         proposed Released Real Property,  the value of the remaining  Mortgaged
         Real  Property  shall  not be less  than the  value  of such  remaining
         Mortgaged Real Property prior to the Release;

                   (iv) the Title  Company shall have issued an  endorsement  to
         the Banks'  title  insurance  policy  relating  to the  Mortgaged  Real
         Property  confirming that after the proposed  release,  the Lien of the
         applicable Mortgage continues  unimpaired as a first priority Lien upon
         the remaining Mortgaged Real Property subject only to Prior Liens; and

                    (v) the  Borrower  shall  cause to have  been  delivered  to
         Collateral   Agent  an  Officer's   Certificate   certifying  that  the
         conditions  set  forth  in  subsections  (i)  through  (iv)  have  been
         satisfied.

                  (d)  The  Collateral  Agent  shall  execute,  acknowledge  (if
applicable) and deliver to the Borrower  counterparts of the documents described
in  subsection  (b)(i) and (ii) within 30 days after  receipt by the  Collateral
Agent of a Release Notice  provided that the Release  Conditions and the Partial
Release  Conditions (if applicable) have been satisfied.  The Borrower shall (i)
execute, deliver, obtain and record such instruments as the Collateral Agent may
require, including, without limitation,  amendments to the Security Documents or
this  Agreement  and (ii) deliver to the  Collateral  Agent such evidence of the
satisfaction of the Release Conditions and the Partial Release Conditions as the
Collateral Agent may require. The Borrower shall reimburse the Collateral Agent,
Agent and the Banks upon demand for all costs or expenses incurred in connection
with any actions taken pursuant to this Section 7.15.

                  7.16. Contingent Obligations.  The Borrower will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,  create or become
or be liable with respect to any Contingent Obligation except:
<PAGE>
                                       70


                   (i)  guarantees  resulting  from  endorsement  of negotiable
         instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

                  (ii)  Interest  Rate  Agreements  to the extent  required by
         Section 6.11 of this Agreement;

                  (iii)  performance  guarantees by the Borrower of  contractual
         obligations of the  Subsidiaries of the Borrower,  in each case entered
         into the ordinary course of business; and

                   (iv) Other  Contingent  Obligations not to exceed $250,000 in
         the aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  outstanding at any
         one time.

                    7.17.  ERISA. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to:

                    (i) engage in any  transaction in connection  with which the
         Borrower or its  Subsidiaries  could  reasonably be subject to either a
         tax imposed by Section 4975(a) of the Code or the  corresponding  civil
         penalty assessed  pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA,  which penalties
         and taxes for all such transactions  could reasonably be expected to be
         in an aggregate amount in excess of $100,000;

                   (ii) permit to exist any accumulated funding deficiency,  for
         which a waiver has not been obtained from the Internal Revenue Service,
         with  respect  to any  Pension  Plan  which is then  maintained  by the
         Borrower  or  its  Subsidiaries  or as to  which  the  Borrower  or its
         Subsidiaries has any continuing funding obligations;

                  (iii) permit to exist any failure to make contributions or any
         unfunded benefits liability which creates,  or with the passage of time
         would create, a statutory lien or requirement to provide security under
         ERISA  or  the  Code  in  favor  of  the  PBGC  or  any  Pension  Plan,
         Multiemployer Plan or other entity;

                   (iv)  permit  the  sum  of the  amount  of  unfunded  benefit
         liabilities  (determined  in  accordance  with  Statement  of Financial
         Accounting  Standards  No. 87) under all Title IV Plans  which are then
         maintained  by the  Borrower  or its  Subsidiaries  or as to which  any
         Credit  Party  or  its  Subsidiaries   have  any  funding   obligations
         (excluding  each  Title IV Plan  with an  amount  of  unfunded  benefit
         liabilities of zero or less) to exceed  $100,000 for a period in excess
         of twelve months; or
<PAGE>
                                       71


                    (v) fail to make any material  payment to any  Multiemployer
         Plan that it may be required to make under such Multiemployer Plan, any
         agreement  relating to such  Multiemployer  Plan, or any law pertaining
         thereto.

                  As used in this Section 7.17,  the term  "accumulated  funding
deficiency" has the meaning specified in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of
the Code, and the term "amount of unfunded benefit  liabilities" has the meaning
specified in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA.

                  7.18. Merger and Consolidations. No Credit Party will merge or
consolidate  with or into  any  other  entity,  except  that  any  Wholly  Owned
Subsidiary  of the  Borrower  may  merge or  consolidate  with or into any other
wholly-owned  Subsidiary of the Borrower or into the Borrower,  provided that no
Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom.

                  7.19. Sale and  Lease-Backs.  Unless  constituting a permitted
disposition of assets under Section 7.15 hereof, the Borrower will not, and will
not permit its  Subsidiaries  to,  directly or indirectly,  become or thereafter
remain  liable as lessee or as  guarantor  or other  surety with  respect to the
lessee's  obligations  under any lease,  whether an Operating Lease or a Capital
Lease, of any property  (whether real or personal or mixed) whether now owned or
hereafter  acquired  (i)  which the  Borrower  or its  Subsidiaries  has sold or
transferred  or is to  sell or  transfer  to any  other  Person  (other  than in
connection with the  Transaction) or (ii) which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
intends to use for  substantially  the same purpose as any other  property which
has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower or its  Subsidiaries to
any Person in connection  with such lease,  if in the case of clause (i) or (ii)
above,  such sale and such lease are part of the same transaction or a series of
related  transactions  or such sale and such lease occur within one year of each
other or are with the same other Person.

                  7.20. Sale or Discount of Receivables.  The Borrower will not,
and will not permit its  Subsidiaries  to, sell,  with or without  recourse,  or
discount  (other than in connection  with trade discounts in the ordinary course
of business) or otherwise  sell for less than the face value  thereof,  notes or
accounts receivable, other than receivables,  that, in accordance with GAAP, are
deemed uncollectible.
<PAGE>
                                       72


                  7.21.  Gena  Payments.  The  Borrower  will not,  and will not
permit its Subsidiaries to, make any cash payments  pursuant to the Stock Escrow
and  Buy-Back  Agreement  dated  November  26,  1996 if at the time of such cash
payment or after giving  effect  thereto,  a Default  shall have occurred and be
continuing.

                  SECTION 8. Events of Default.  Upon the  occurrence and during
the  continuance  of any of the  following  specified  events (each an "Event of
Default"):

                  8.01. Payments.  The Borrower shall (i) default in the payment
when due of any  principal of the Loans,  (ii)  default,  and such default shall
continue for two or more Business  Days, in the payment when due of any interest
on the Loans or under any other  Credit  Document or (iii) fail to pay any other
amounts owing hereunder for five days after  receiving  notice from the Agent of
such default; or

                  8.02.  Representations,  etc. Any representation,  warranty or
statement made or deemed made by any Credit Party or its respective Subsidiaries
herein  or in any other  Credit  Document  or in any  statement  or  certificate
delivered or required to be delivered  pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to
be untrue in any  material  respect on the date as of which made or deemed made;
or

                  8.03.   Covenants.   Any  Credit   Party  or  its   respective
Subsidiaries shall (a) default in the due performance or observance by it of any
term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 6.11, 6.12, 6.14, 6.15, 6.16 or
Section  7 hereof or  Section  1.1 of any  Mortgage  or (b)  default  in the due
performance  or  observance  by it of any  other  term,  covenant  or  agreement
contained in this Agreement or any Security  Document (other than those referred
to in Section 8.01 or 8.02) and such default  shall  continue  unremedied  for a
period of at least thirty days after the date of such default; or

                  8.04. Default Under Other Agreements.  (a) Any Credit Party or
its respective Subsidiaries shall (i) default in any payment with respect to any
Indebtedness  (other than  Obligations)  having a principal  amount in excess of
$250,000 in the aggregate for all Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries,  beyond
the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which
such  Indebtedness  was created or (ii) default in the observance or performance
of any agreement or condition  relating to any such Indebtedness or contained in
any instrument or agreement  evidencing,  securing or relating  thereto,  or any
other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other
event or  condition  is to cause,  or to permit  the  holder or  holders of such
Indebtedness  (or a trustee  or agent on behalf of such  holder or  holders)  to

<PAGE>
                                       73


cause any such  Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity;  or (b)
any such Indebtedness of any Credit Party or any of its respective  Subsidiaries
shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid other than by
a regularly scheduled required prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof;
or

                  8.05.  Bankruptcy,  etc.  Any Credit  Party or its  respective
Subsidiaries shall commence a voluntary case concerning itself under Title 11 of
the United States Code entitled  "Bankruptcy," as now or hereafter in effect, or
any  successor  thereto  (the  "Bankruptcy  Code");  or an  involuntary  case is
commenced against any Credit Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries and the
petition is not controverted within 10 days, or is not dismissed within 60 days,
after  commencement  of the case; or a custodian  (as defined in the  Bankruptcy
Code) is  appointed  for, or takes  charge of, all or  substantially  all of the
property  of any  Credit  Party or any of its  respective  Subsidiaries;  or any
Credit  Party  or  any  of  its  respective  Subsidiaries  commences  any  other
proceeding under any reorganization,  arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of
debtors,   dissolution,   insolvency  or  liquidation  or  similar  law  of  any
jurisdiction  whether now or hereafter in effect relating to any Credit Party or
any of its  respective  Subsidiaries;  or there is commenced  against any Credit
Party or any of its respective  Subsidiaries  any such proceeding  which remains
undismissed  for a  period  of 60  days;  or  any  Credit  Party  or  any of its
respective  Subsidiaries is adjudicated  insolvent or bankrupt;  or any order of
relief or other order  approving any such case or proceeding is entered;  or any
Credit Party or any of its respective  Subsidiaries  suffers any  appointment of
any  custodian  or the like for it or any  substantial  part of its  property to
continue  undischarged  or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or any Credit Party
or any of its respective Subsidiaries makes a general assignment for the benefit
of creditors; or any corporate action is taken by any Credit Party or any of its
respective Subsidiaries for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or

                  8.06.  ERISA.  (i) Any  "reportable  event"  as  described  in
Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations  thereunder (excluding those events for
which the  requirement  for  notice has been  waived by the PBGC),  or any other
event or condition,  which the Required Banks determine  constitutes  reasonable
grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the  termination  of any Pension Plan by
the PBGC or for the appointment by the appropriate  United States District Court
of a trustee to administer  or liquidate any Title IV Plan shall have  occurred;
or
<PAGE>
                                       74


                  (ii)  A  trustee  shall  be  appointed  by a  United  States
         District Court to administer any Title IV Plan; or

                  (iii) The PBGC shall institute  proceedings to terminate any
         Title IV Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer any Title IV Plan;
         or

                  (iv) Any Credit Party,  its respective  Subsidiaries  or its
         respective  ERISA  Affiliates  shall become  liable to the PBGC or any
         other  party  under  Section  4062,  4063,  4064 or 4069 of ERISA with
         respect to any Title IV Plan; or

                  (v) Any Credit Party,  its  respective  Subsidiaries  or its
         respective ERISA  Affiliates shall become liable to any  Multiemployer
         Plan under Section 4201 et seq. of ERISA; and

         if  the  sum  of  each  of  such  Credit   Party's,   its   respective
         Subsidiaries' and its respective ERISA Affiliates' various liabilities
         (such liabilities to include, without limitation, any liability to the
         PBGC or to any other party under Section 4062,  4063,  4064 or 4069 of
         ERISA) with respect to any Title IV Plan, or to any Multiemployer Plan
         under Section 4201 et seq. of ERISA which the Required Banks determine
         could reasonably be expected to be incurred as a result of such events
         listed in subclauses (i) through (v) above exceeds $100,000; or

                  8.07. Security Documents. Any Security Document shall cease to
be in full force and  effect,  or shall cease to give the  Collateral  Agent the
Liens,  rights,  powers and privileges purported to be created thereby, in favor
of the  Collateral  Agent,  superior  to and  prior to the  rights  of all third
Persons  and  subject to no Liens  other than  Prior  Liens and Liens  expressly
permitted by the applicable Security Document; or

                  8.08.  Guarantees.  Any  Guarantee or any  provisions  thereof
shall  cease to be in full  force or effect  in all  material  respects,  or the
Guarantor  thereunder or Person acting by or on behalf of such  Guarantor  shall
deny or  disaffirm  such  Guarantor's  obligations  under such  Guarantee or the
Guarantor  shall  default  in the due  performance  or  observance  of any term,
covenant or agreement  on its part to be  performed or observed  pursuant to any
Guarantee; or

                  8.09.  Judgments.  One or more  judgments or decrees  shall be
entered against any Credit Party or any of its respective Subsidiaries involving
a liability  of $100,000 or more in the case of any one such  judgment or decree
and $250,000 or more in the aggregate for all such judgments and decrees for all
Credit Parties and their  respective  Subsidiaries  (in either case in excess of

<PAGE>
                                       75


the  amount  covered  by  insurance  as  to  which  the  insurance  company  has
acknowledged coverage) and (i) any such judgments or decrees shall not have been
vacated, discharged,  bonded or enforcement thereof stayed pending appeal within
30 days from the entry thereof or (ii) any enforcement proceeding therefor shall
have been commenced; or

                  8.10.  Ownership.  (i) The consummation of any transaction the
result of which is that any person or  "group"  (as such term is used in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) owns (x) directly or indirectly 30% or more of the
issued and  outstanding  Common  Stock of the Borrower or (y) 30% or more of the
equity  securities of the Borrower entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any  contingency)  to vote  for the  election  of the  members  of the  board of
directors  of the  Borrower or (ii)  individuals  who  constituted  the board of
directors of the Borrower on the Closing Date  (together  with any new directors
whose  proposal  for  election by the members of the  Borrower was approved by a
vote of a majority of the  directors  of the  Borrower  then still in office who
either were  directors on the Closing Date or whose  election or nomination  for
election was previously so approved)  shall cease for any reason to constitute a
majority  of the  members of the board of  directors  of the  Borrower  still in
office (each, a "Change in Control").

                  Then, and in any such event,  and at any time  thereafter,  if
any Event of Default shall then be continuing, the Agent shall, upon the written
request of the Required  Banks,  by written notice to the Borrower,  take any or
all of the following  actions,  without  prejudice to the rights of the Agent or
any Bank to  enforce  its  claims  against  the  Borrower,  except as  otherwise
specifically  provided  for in this  Agreement  (provided  that,  if an Event of
Default  specified in Section 8.05 shall occur, with respect to any Credit Party
or its respective Subsidiaries,  the result which would occur upon the giving of
written  notice by the Agent as  specified  in clauses  (i) and (ii) below shall
occur  automatically  without  the giving of any such  notice):  (i) declare the
Total  Commitments  terminated,  whereupon  the  Commitment  of each Bank  shall
forthwith terminate immediately and any accrued and unpaid Commitment Commission
shall  forthwith  become due and payable  without any other  notice of any kind;
(ii) declare the  principal of and accrued  interest in respect of all Loans and
all Obligations  owing hereunder and thereunder to be,  whereupon the same shall
become, forthwith due and payable without presentment,  demand, protest or other
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Credit Party;  and/or
(iii) enforce,  as Collateral Agent (or direct the Collateral Agent to enforce),

<PAGE>
                                       76


any or all of the remedies  created  pursuant to the Security  Documents.  If an
Event  of  Default  is cured  or  waived  in  accordance  with the  terms of the
Agreement,  it ceases (and, if waived, pursuant to the terms, and to the extent,
of such waiver).

                  SECTION 9.  Definitions.  As used herein,  the following terms
shall have the meanings herein specified unless the context otherwise  requires.
Defined terms in this Agreement  shall include in the singular number the plural
and in the plural the singular:

                  "A Term Loan" has the meaning provided in Section 1.01(a).

                  "A Term Loan Commitment" means, with respect to each Bank, the
amount set forth below such Bank's name on the signature  pages hereto  directly
across  from the entry  entitled  "A Term Loan  Commitment,"  as the same may be
reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.02, 3.02 and/or 8.

                  "A Term Loan  Facility"  means the Loan Facility  evidenced by
the Total A Term Loan Commitment.

                  "A Term Note" has the meaning provided in Section 1.05(a).

                  "A Term Portion"  means,  at any time, the portion of the Loan
Facility evidenced by the Total A Term Loan Commitment.

                  "ABBA" means U.K. ABBA Products, Inc.

                  "Account" means all of the "accounts" (as that term is defined
in Section 9-106 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New
York) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  whether or not such Account has been
earned  by  performance,  whether  now  existing  or  existing  in  the  future,
including,  without limitation, all (i) accounts receivable,  including, without
limitation,  all accounts  created by or arising from all of the  Borrower's and
its  Subsidiaries'  sales of goods or  rendition  of  services or  licensing  or
subleasing of any of the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' Intellectual Property;
(ii) unpaid seller's rights  (including  rescission,  replevin,  reclamation and
stopping  in transit)  relating to the  foregoing  or arising  therefrom;  (iii)
rights to any goods represented by any of the foregoing,  including  returned or
repossessed  goods;  (iv) reserves and credit  balances held by the Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  with respect to any such  accounts  receivable or any account
debtor;  (v)  guarantees  or  collateral  for  any of the  foregoing;  and  (vi)
insurance policies or rights relating to any of the foregoing.
<PAGE>
                                       77


                  "Additional  Collateral" has the meaning provided in Section
6.14.

                  "Affiliate" means with respect to any Person, any other Person
directly or indirectly  controlling (including but not limited to all directors,
managers and executive officers of such Person),  controlled by, or under direct
or indirect  common  control  with,  such  Person.  A Person  shall be deemed to
control a corporation  or a limited  liability  company for the purposes of this
definition if such Person  possesses,  directly or indirectly,  the power (i) to
vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election
of directors or managers of such  corporation  or limited  liability  company or
(ii) to direct or cause the  direction  of the  management  and policies of such
corporation  or limited  liability  company,  whether  through the  ownership of
voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

                  "Agent" has the meaning  provided  in the first  paragraph  of
this Agreement and shall include any successor  thereto  appointed in accordance
herewith.

                  "Agent's Office" means the office of the Agent located at 1211
Avenue of the  Americas,  7th Floor,  New York,  New York  10036,  or such other
office in New York as the Agent may  hereafter  designate  in writing as such to
the other parties hereto.

                  "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, as the same may after
its execution be amended,  supplemented or otherwise  modified from time to time
in accordance with the terms hereof.

                  "Approved  Bank" has the meaning set forth in the definition
of "Cash Equivalents" below.

                  "Asset Sale" means the sale, transfer or other disposition, to
the extent  consummated  after the Closing  Date,  by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  of any asset of the  Borrower  or its  Subsidiaries  to any Person
(other than  transactions  included in the definition of Net Financing  Proceeds
and sales,  transfers or other  dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course
of business  and/or of obsolete  equipment  effected in compliance  with Section
7.15(a)(iv)).

                  "Authorized  Officer" means any senior officer of the Borrower
designated  as such in  writing  to the  Agent by the  Borrower,  to the  extent
acceptable to the Agent.

                  "B Term Loan" has the meaning provided in Section 1.01(a).
<PAGE>
                                       78


                  "B Term Loan Commitment" means, with respect to each Bank, the
amount set forth below such Bank's name on the signature  pages hereto  directly
across  from the entry  entitled  "B Term Loan  Commitment,"  as the same may be
reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.02, 3.02 and/or 8.

                  "B Term Loan  Facility"  means the Loan Facility  evidenced by
the Total B Term Loan Commitment.

                  "B Term Note" has the meaning provided in Section 1.05(a).

                  "B Term Portion"  means,  at any time, the portion of the Loan
Facility evidenced by the Total B Term Loan Commitment.

                  "Bank" has the meaning  provided in the first  paragraph  of
this Agreement and in Section 11.04.

                  "Bankruptcy Code" has the meaning provided in Section 8.05.

                  "Base  Rate"  means the higher of (x) 1/2% per annum in excess
of the Federal Funds Rate and (y) the rate which the Agent  announces  from time
to time as its prime  commercial  lending  rate, as in effect from time to time.
The rate the Agent  announces as its prime lending rate is a reference  rate and
does not necessarily  represent the lowest or best rate actually  charged to any
customer.  The  Agent  may make  commercial  loans  or  other  loans at rates of
interest  at,  above or below  the rate it  announces  as its  prime  commercial
lending rate.

                  "Base Rate Loan" means each Loan bearing  interest at the rate
provided in Section 1.07(a).

                  "Borrower" has the meaning  provided in the first  paragraph
of this Agreement.

                  "Borrower  General  Security   Agreement"  means  the  General
Security Agreement  executed and delivered by the Borrower  substantially in the
form of Exhibit H-1 hereto,  except for such changes as shall have been approved
by the Agent,  as the same may be amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified
from time to time in accordance with its terms and the terms hereof.
<PAGE>
                                       79


                  "Borrower  Securities  Pledge  Agreement" means the Securities
Pledge  Agreement  executed and delivered by the Borrower  substantially  in the
form of Exhibit F-1 hereto,  except for such changes  therein as shall have been
approved  by the  Agent,  as the  same  may  after  its  execution  be  amended,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to time in  accordance  with the
terms thereof and hereof.

                  "Borrowing"  means  the  incurrence  pursuant  to a Notice  of
Borrowing  and to the Loan  Facility of a Loan by the  Borrower  from all of the
Banks on a pro rata basis on a given date.

                  "Borrowing  Base" means an amount  equal to the sum of (i) 80%
of the Eligible Accounts Receivable and (ii) 50% of the Eligible Inventory.

                  "Borrowing  Base  Certificate"  has the meaning  assigned to
that term in Section 6.01.

                  "Business  Day" means any day excluding  Saturday,  Sunday and
any day which shall be in the City of New York a legal holiday or a day on which
banking  institutions  are  authorized by law or other  governmental  actions to
close.

                  "Capital  Lease" of any Person means any lease of any property
(whether real,  personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee which, in conformity
with GAAP,  is, or is required to be,  accounted  for as a capital  lease on the
balance  sheet of that  Person,  together  with any  renewals of such leases (or
entry into new leases) on substantially similar terms.

                  "Capitalized  Lease  Obligations"  of  any  Person  means  all
obligations  under Capital Leases of such Person or any of its  Subsidiaries  in
each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as liabilities in accordance
with GAAP.

                  "Cash"  means  money,  currency  or a  credit  balance  in a
Deposit Account.

                  "Cash Equivalents" means (i) securities issued or directly and
fully  guaranteed  or insured  by the United  States of America or any agency or
instrumentality  thereof  (provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States of America is pledged in support  thereof) having  maturities of not more
than  three  years  from  the  date  of  acquisition,   (ii)  marketable  direct
obligations  issued by any State of the  United  States of  America or any local
government  or  other  political  subdivision  thereof  rated  (at  the  time of
acquisition  of such  security)  at least AA by  Standard  & Poor's  Corporation
("S&P") or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")
having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition,  (iii)
U.S.  dollar  denominated  time deposits,  certificates  of deposit and bankers'

<PAGE>
                                       80


acceptances  of (x) any Bank,  (y) any domestic  commercial  bank of  recognized
standing  having capital and surplus in excess of  $250,000,000  or (z) any bank
whose  short-term  commercial  paper rating (at the time of  acquisition of such
security) by S&P is at least A-1 or the  equivalent  thereof or by Moody's is at
least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank, an "Approved Bank"), in each
case with  maturities of not more than six months from the date of  acquisition,
(iv)  commercial  paper and  variable or fixed rate notes  issued by any Bank or
Approved  Bank or by the  parent  company  of any  Bank  or  Approved  Bank  and
commercial  paper and  variable  rate  notes  issued by, or  guaranteed  by, any
industrial or financial  company with a short-term  commercial  paper rating (at
the time of  acquisition  of such  security)  of at least A-1 or the  equivalent
thereof  by S&P  or at  least  P-1 or the  equivalent  thereof  by  Moody's,  or
guaranteed by any industrial company with a long-term  unsecured debt rating (at
the time of  acquisition  of such  security)  of at  least AA or the  equivalent
thereof by S&P or the  equivalent  thereof by Moody's and in each case  maturing
within one year after the date of  acquisition,  and (v)  repurchase  agreements
with any Bank or any primary  dealer  maturing  within one year from the date of
acquisition that are fully  collateralized by investment  instruments that would
otherwise  be Cash  Equivalents;  provided  that the  terms  of such  repurchase
agreements  comply  with  the  guidelines  set  forth in the  Federal  Financial
Institutions  Examination Council Supervisory Policy -- Repurchase Agreements of
Depository  Institutions  With Securities  Dealers and Others, as adopted by the
Comptroller of the Currency on October 31, 1985.

                  "CERCLA" has the meaning provided in Section 5.22(b).

                  "Certain  Indebtedness"  means all  Indebtedness and any other
obligations of any Credit Party in connection with the existing  mortgage on the
Duncanville,  Texas  property to be repaid  pursuant  to Section  5.21(a) as set
forth on Schedule 5.21(a).

                  "Change in Control" has the meaning provided in Section 8.10.

                  "Closing Date" means June 25, 1997.

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

                  "Collateral"  means all of the Pledged  Collateral,  Pledged
Securities and Mortgaged Real Property.
<PAGE>
                                       81


                  "Collateral   Agent"   means   Indosuez  in  its  capacity  as
collateral agent for the Banks and shall include any successor thereto appointed
in accordance herewith.

                  "Commercial  Letter of  Credit"  means any letter of credit or
similar  instrument  issued  for the  account  of  Borrower  for the  purpose of
providing the primary  payment  mechanism in connection with the purchase of any
materials,  goods or  services by  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  in the
ordinary course of business of Borrower or Subsidiaries.

                  "Commitment"  means,  with respect to each Bank, such Bank's
Term Loan Commitment and Revolving Loan Commitment.

                  "Commitment  Commission" has the meaning provided in Section
2.03.

                  "Common  Stock"  means all of the Common  Stock,  $.0001 par
value, of the Borrower.

                  "Compliance  Certificate"  means a certificate issued pursuant
to  Section  6.01(d)  signed by a chief  financial  officer,  controller,  chief
accounting officer or other Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

                  "Consolidated  Amortization Expense" for any Person means, for
any  period,  the  consolidated  amortization  expense  of such  Person for such
period,  determined on a consolidated basis for such Person and its Subsidiaries
in conformity with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Capital  Expenditures" of any Person means, for
any period,  the amount expended for property,  plant or equipment in conformity
with GAAP, but excluding  expenditures  made in connection with the replacement,
substitution  or restoration of assets (i) to the extent financed from insurance
proceeds  paid on account of the loss of or damage to the assets being  replaced
or restored, (ii) with awards of compensation arising from the taking by eminent
domain or  condemnation  of the assets  being  replaced  or (iii) with regard to
equipment  that is  purchased  simultaneously  with  the  trade-in  of  existing
equipment,  fixed assets or  improvements,  the credit  granted by the seller of
such equipment for the trade-in of such equipment, fixed assets or improvements;
provided that Consolidated  Capital  Expenditures shall in any event include the
purchase  price paid in  connection  with the  acquisition  of any other  Person
(including  through the purchase of all of the capital stock or other  ownership
interests  of such  Person or  through  merger or  consolidation)  to the extent
allocable to property, plant and equipment.
<PAGE>
                                       82


                  "Consolidated  Current  Assets"  means,  with  respect  to any
Person as at any date of determination,  the total assets of such Person and its
consolidated  Subsidiaries which may properly be classified as current assets on
a consolidated  balance sheet of such Person and its  Subsidiaries in accordance
with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Current Liabilities" means, with respect to any
Person as at any date of determination, the total liabilities of such Person and
its  consolidated  Subsidiaries  which may  properly  be  classified  as current
liabilities  (other  than the current  portion of any Loans and of any  Existing
Indebtedness)   on  a  consolidated   balance  sheet  of  such  Person  and  its
consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Depreciation Expense" for any Person means, for
any  period,  the  consolidated  depreciation  expense  of such  Person for such
period,  determined on a consolidated basis for such Person and its consolidated
Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  EBITDA" for any Person  means,  for any period,
the  difference  between  (A) the sum of the  amounts  for  such  period  of (i)
Consolidated  Net Income,  (ii)  Consolidated  Tax Expense,  (iii)  Consolidated
Interest Expense,  (iv) Consolidated  Amortization  Expense and (v) Consolidated
Depreciation  Expense;  provided  that the sums included in clauses (ii) through
(v) shall be added back only to the extent deducted in calculating  Consolidated
Net Income less (B) the sum of the  amounts  for such period of interest  income
and (C) net gains in  connection  with sales of assets  (excluding  sales in the
ordinary course of business), whether or not extraordinary, all as determined on
a  consolidated  basis for such  Person  and its  consolidated  Subsidiaries  in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  EBITDAC" for any Person means,  for any period,
Consolidated EBITDA minus Consolidated Capital Expenditures.

                  "Consolidated  Interest  Expense"  for any Person shall means,
for any period,  total interest expense  (including that attributable to Capital
Leases  in  accordance  with  GAAP) of such  Person  and its  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated  basis with respect to all outstanding  Indebtedness of such Person
and its Subsidiaries,  including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts
and other fees and charges  owed with  respect to letters of credit and bankers'
acceptance  financing,  but excluding,  however,  any  amortization  of deferred
financing costs,  all as determined on a consolidated  basis for such Person and
its consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
<PAGE>
                                       83


                  "Consolidated  Net  Income"  for  any  Person  means,  for any
period,  the net  income  (or loss) of such  Person  and its  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated  basis  for  such  period  taken  as  a  single  accounting  period
determined  on a  consolidated  basis  for  such  Person  and  its  consolidated
Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP;  provided that there shall be excluded (i)
the income (or loss) of any other Person (other than  consolidated  Subsidiaries
of such Person) in which any third Person  (other than such Person or any of its
consolidated  Subsidiaries)  has a joint  interest,  except to the extent of the
amount of dividends or other  distributions  actually paid to such Person or any
of its Subsidiaries by such other Person during such period, (ii) the income (or
loss) of any other Person  accrued  prior to the date it becomes a  consolidated
Subsidiary of such Person or is merged into or consolidated  with such Person or
any of its consolidated  Subsidiaries or such other Person's assets are acquired
by such Person or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries,  and (iii) the income of
any consolidated Subsidiary of such Person to the extent that the declaration or
payment of dividends or similar distributions by that consolidated Subsidiary of
that  income  is not at the time  permitted  by  operation  of the  terms of its
charter or any agreement,  instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or
governmental regulation applicable to that consolidated Subsidiary.

                  "Consolidated  Net Worth" of any Person means, at any time for
the determination  thereof,  the sum of the capital stock and additional paid-in
capital plus retained earnings (or minus accumulated deficit) of such Person and
its  consolidated  Subsidiaries,  all as determined on a consolidated  basis for
such Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Tax  Expense"  for any  Person  means,  for any
period,  without  duplication,  the  consolidated tax expense of such Person for
such  period,  determined  on a  consolidated  basis  for  such  Person  and its
consolidated Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.

                  "Contingent  Obligations"  means,  as to any  Person,  without
duplication, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee
any Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations ("primary obligations")
of any other Person (the "primary  obligor") in any manner,  whether directly or
indirectly,  including,  without  limitation,  any  obligation  of such  Person,
whether or not  contingent,  (a) to purchase any such primary  obligation or any
property  constituting  direct or indirect security therefor,  (b) to advance or
supply funds (i) for the purchase or payment of any such primary  obligation  or
(ii) to maintain  working  capital or equity  capital of the primary  obligor or
otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary  obligor,  (c) to

<PAGE>
                                       84


purchase property,  securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring
the owner of any such primary  obligation of the ability of the primary  obligor
to make payment of such primary  obligation  or (d)  otherwise to assure or hold
harmless the owner of such primary  obligation  against loss in respect thereof;
provided,  however,  that the  term  Contingent  Obligation  shall  not  include
endorsements  of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
business  and  amounts  that are  included  in Section  7.16.  The amount of any
Contingent  Obligation  shall be  deemed to be an  amount  equal to the  maximum
amount that such Person may be obligated to expend pursuant to the terms of such
Contingent  Obligation or, if such Contingent  Obligation is not so limited, the
stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such
Contingent  Obligation  is made or, if not stated or  determinable,  the maximum
reasonably  anticipated  liability in respect  thereof  (assuming such Person is
required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good faith.

                  "Credit Documents" means (i) this Agreement, (ii) each Note,
(iii) each Guarantee and (iv) each Security Document.

                  "Credit  Party"  means  at all  times  the  Borrower  and each
Subsidiary  thereof  that  pledges  any  stock,  grants  any Lien or issues  any
guarantee pursuant to any Credit Document.

                  "Currency   Protection   Agreement"  shall  mean  any  foreign
exchange  contract,  currency swap agreement,  or other financial  agreements or
arrangements  designed to protect the Borrower against  fluctuations in currency
values.

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

                  "Deposit Account" means a demand,  time, savings,  passbook or
like account  with a bank,  savings and loan  association,  credit union or like
organization,  other than an account  evidenced by a negotiable  certificate  of
deposit.

                  "Destruction"  has the meaning assigned to that term in each
Mortgage.

                  "Dividends" has the meaning provided in Section 7.08.

                  "Documents"  means each Credit Document and each Transaction
Document.
<PAGE>
                                       85


                  "Dollars" or "$" means United States Dollars.

                  "Effective Date" has the meaning provided in Section 11.10.

                  "Effective Time" has the meaning provided in Section 11.10.

                  "Eligible  Accounts  Receivable"  means,  as at any applicable
date of  determination,  the aggregate face amount of the Accounts of the Credit
Parties included in clause (i) of the definition of Account hereunder (excluding
any Accounts set forth in clauses (ii) through (vi) of such definition), without
duplication, in each case less (without duplication) the aggregate amount of all
reserves,  limits and  deductions  with respect to such Accounts set forth below
and less the  aggregate  amount  of all  returns,  discounts,  claims,  rebates,
offsets,  credits, charges (including  warehouseman's charges) and allowances of
any nature with respect to such  Accounts  (whether  issued,  owing,  granted or
outstanding).  Unless  otherwise  approved  in  writing by the Agent in its sole
discretion,  no  individual  Account  shall be deemed to be an Eligible  Account
Receivable if:

                    (a) a Credit  Party does not have  legal and valid  title to
          the Account; or

                    (b)  the  Account  is not the  valid,  binding  and  legally
          enforceable   obligation  of  the  account  debtor   subject,   as  to
          enforceability,   only  to  (i)  applicable  bankruptcy,   insolvency,
          reorganization,  moratorium  or  similar  laws at the  time in  effect
          affecting the  enforceability  of creditors' rights generally and (ii)
          judicial   discretion  in  connection  with  the  remedy  of  specific
          performance and other equitable remedies; or

                    (c) the Account  arises out of a sale made by a Credit Party
          to an Affiliate of such Credit Party; or

                    (d) that  portion of any Account that is unpaid more than 60
          days after the  original  invoice  date,  with respect to Accounts the
          invoice for which provides that payment is due in 30 days or less from
          the date of such invoice; or

                    (e) the  Account  is  unpaid  more  than 30 days  after  the
          original  payment due date,  with  respect to Accounts the invoice for
          which  provides that payment is due more than 30 days from the date of
          such invoice; provided,  however, that the aggregate percentage of all
          invoices  providing for payment more than 30 days from the date of the

<PAGE>
                                       86


          invoice that may constitute  Eligible  Accounts  Receivable  shall not
          exceed 20% at any one time; or (f) such Account,  when aggregated with
          all  other  Accounts  of the same  account  debtor  (or any  Affiliate
          thereof),  exceeds twenty percent in face value of all Accounts of the
          Credit Parties then outstanding, to the extent of such excess; or

                    (g)  (i) the  account  debtor  for  such  Account  is also a
          creditor of a Credit  Party,  to the extent of the amount owed by such
          Credit Party to the account debtor, (ii) the Account is subject to any
          claim on the part of the account debtor disputing liability under such
          Account  in whole or in part,  to the  extent  of the  amount  of such
          dispute or (iii) the Account  otherwise is or is reasonably  likely to
          become  subject to any right of setoff or any  counterclaim,  claim or
          defense  by the  account  debtor,  to the extent of the amount of such
          setoff or counterclaim, claim or defense; or

                    (h) the  account  debtor for such  Account  has  commenced a
          voluntary case under the federal  bankruptcy  laws, as now constituted
          or  hereafter  amended,  or made an  assignment  for  the  benefit  of
          creditors  or if a decree or order for  relief  has been  entered by a
          court  having  jurisdiction  in the premises in respect of the account
          debtor in an involuntary  case under the federal  bankruptcy  laws, as
          now  constituted  or hereafter  amended,  or if any other  petition or
          other  application  for relief under the federal  bankruptcy  laws has
          been filed by or against the account debtor,  or if the account debtor
          has failed, suspended business,  ceased to be solvent, or consented to
          or  suffered  a  receiver,  trustee,  liquidator  or  custodian  to be
          appointed for it or for all or a significant  portion of its assets or
          affairs; or

                    (i) the  Agent  does not have a valid  and  perfected  first
          priority security interest in such Account (subject only to a tax lien
          being  contested  in good  faith and by  appropriate  proceedings  and
          permitted by Section 7.03(a)); or

                    (j) the sale to the account  debtor for such Account is on a
          consignment,  sale on  approval,  guaranteed  sale or  sale-and-return
          basis or pursuant to any written  agreement  requiring  repurchase  or
          return; or

                    (k) such Account is from an account debtor (or any Affiliate
          thereof) and fifty  percent  (50%) or more,  in face amount,  of other

<PAGE>
                                       87


          Accounts from either such account debtor or any Affiliate  thereof are
          due or unpaid for more than 60 days after the original  invoice  date;
          or

                  (l) fifty  percent  (50%) or more,  in face  amount,  of other
         Accounts  from the same account  debtor for such Account are not deemed
         Eligible Accounts Receivable hereunder; or

                  (m)  the  account  debtor  for  such  Account  is a  foreign
         government or any agency, department or institution thereof; or

                  (n) such  Account is an Account a security  interest  in which
         would be subject to the Federal  Assignment  of Claims Act of 1940,  as
         amended  (31 U.S.C.  ss.  3727 et seq.),  unless  the Credit  Party has
         assigned the Account to the Agent in compliance  with the provisions of
         such Act; or

                  (o) the account  debtor for such Account is outside the United
         States  or  incorporated  in or  conducting  substantially  all  of its
         business in any jurisdiction located outside the United States,  unless
         (i) the sale is on  letter  of  credit  or  sight  draft,  guaranty  or
         acceptance  terms,  in each case  acceptable  to the Agent or (ii) such
         Account is  otherwise  approved  by and  reasonably  acceptable  to the
         Agent; or

                  (p) the Agent  determines in good faith in accordance with its
         internal credit policies that (i) collection of the account is insecure
         or (ii) such Account may not be paid by reason of the account  debtor's
         financial  inability  to  pay;  provided,  however,  that  any  Account
         referred  to in this clause (p) shall not become  ineligible  until the
         Agent shall have given the Credit Party three  Business  Days'  advance
         notice of such determination; or

                  (q) the  goods  giving  rise to such  Account  have  not  been
         shipped  or the  services  giving  rise to such  Account  have not been
         performed by a Credit Party or the Account otherwise does not represent
         a final sale; or

                  (r) such Account does not comply in all material respects with
         all applicable legal  requirements,  including,  where applicable,  the
         Federal  Consumer  Credit  Protection Act, the Federal Truth in Lending
         Act and  Regulation Z of the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve
         System, in each case as amended.
<PAGE>
                                       88


                  In addition to the  foregoing,  Eligible  Accounts  Receivable
includes such Accounts as a Credit Party requests and that the Agent approves in
advance,  in writing and in its sole discretion (or if the aggregate face amount
to be approved  exceeds  $500,000 at any one time,  the approval of the Required
Banks has been obtained in writing).

                  "Eligible  Inventory"  means (A) the gross amount of Inventory
of the Credit Parties,  valued at the lower of cost (on a FIFO basis) or market,
which (i) is owned  solely  by a Credit  Party and with  respect  to which  such
Credit Party has good,  valid and marketable  title;  (ii) is stored on property
that is  either  (a)  owned or leased  by a Credit  Party,  provided,  that with
respect to any leased property, from and after the sixtieth (60th) day following
the Closing  Date the  landlord  has  executed  and  delivered  a Landlord  Lien
Assurance  or  (b)  owned  or  leased  by a  warehouseman  that  has  contracted
(including  purchase  orders)  with a Credit  Party to store  Inventory  on such
warehouseman's  property  (provided  that with  respect to  Inventory  stored on
property owned or leased by a  warehouseman,  from and after the sixtieth (60th)
day  following the Closing Date the  warehouseman  has executed and delivered to
the  Agent  an  agreement  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Agent  whereby  the
warehouseman  acknowledges  the priority of the lien of the  Collateral  Agent);
(iii) is subject to a valid, enforceable and first priority Lien in favor of the
Agent  subject  only  to a tax  lien  being  contested  in  good  faith  and  by
appropriate proceedings and permitted by Section 7.03(a); (iv) is located in the
United States; and (v) is not, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent, obsolete
or slow moving in relation to customary industry  practice,  and which otherwise
conforms to the  requirements  for eligibility  contained  herein;  (B) less the
amount of any goods  returned or rejected by the Credit  Parties'  customers and
goods in transit to third parties (other than to the Credit  Parties'  agents or
warehousemen that comply with clause (A)(ii)(b)  above); and (C) less the amount
of any  reserves  for  special  order  goods or  otherwise.  In  addition to the
foregoing,  Eligible  Inventory  shall include such items of the Credit Parties'
Inventory as Borrower shall request and that the Agent  approves in advance,  in
writing and in its sole  discretion  (or if the aggregate  amount to be approved
exceeds  $500,000 at any one time,  the approval of the Required  Banks has been
obtained).

                  "Environmental  Laws"  means the common  law and all  federal,
state, local and foreign laws or regulations,  codes, orders, decrees, judgments
or  injunctions  issued,  promulgated,  approved or entered  thereunder,  now or
hereafter in effect,  relating to pollution or  protection of public or employee
health  and  safety or the  environment,  including,  without  limitation,  laws

<PAGE>
                                       89


relating  to (i)  emissions,  discharges,  releases  or  threatened  releases of
Hazardous  Materials,  into  the  environment  (including,  without  limitation,
ambient air, surface water,  ground water,  land surface or subsurface  strata),
(ii) the manufacture,  processing,  distribution,  use,  generation,  treatment,
storage,  disposal,  transport  or handling of  Hazardous  Materials,  and (iii)
underground and aboveground  storage tanks,  and related piping,  and emissions,
discharges, releases or threatened releases therefrom.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time. Section references to ERISA are to ERISA, as
in effect at the date of this Agreement and any subsequent  provisions of ERISA,
amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

                  "ERISA   Affiliate"   means  any   entity,   whether   or  not
incorporated,  which is under  common  control or would be  considered  a single
employer with any Credit Party within the meaning of Section 414(b),  (c) or (m)
of the Code and  regulations  promulgated  under  those  sections  or within the
meaning  of  section  4001(b) of ERISA and  regulations  promulgated  under that
section.

                  "Event of Default" has the meaning provided in Section 8.

                  "Excess Cash Flow" means, without duplication,  for any Person
for any period for which such amount is being  determined,  (i) Consolidated Net
Income,  minus (ii) any amount of gain  included  in both (x)  Consolidated  Net
Income and (y) either Net Cash Proceeds or Net Financing Proceeds required to be
applied to the  prepayment  of the Loans  pursuant to Section  3.02(A)(e),  plus
(minus)  (iii)  the  amount  of   depreciation,   depletion,   amortization   of
intangibles,  deferred  taxes  and other  non-cash  expenses  (revenues)  which,
pursuant to GAAP, were deducted  (added) in determining  such  Consolidated  Net
Income of such  Person  minus  (plus)  (iv)  additions  (reductions)  to working
capital for such period (i.e., the increase or decrease in Consolidated  Current
Assets (excluding cash) of such Person minus  Consolidated  Current  Liabilities
(excluding (A) changes in current liabilities for borrowed money and (B) Cash or
Cash  Equivalents  which are either Net Cash Proceeds or Net Financing  Proceeds
required  to be  applied  to the  prepayment  of the Loans  pursuant  to Section
3.02(A)(e)  of such Person from the  beginning to the end of such period)  minus
(v) the  amount  of  Consolidated  Capital  Expenditures  minus  (vi)  Term Loan
principal payments (excluding  mandatory payments made pursuant to Section 3.02)
made during such period. For purposes of the foregoing and without  duplication,
Consolidated  Net  Income  will  exclude  (x) all  losses on the sale of capital
assets or out of the  ordinary  course of business  and (y) all  write-downs  of
capital assets.
<PAGE>
                                       90


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

                  "Existing Debt" means the Indebtedness of the Credit Parties
set forth on Schedule 5.21(a).

                  "Federal Funds Rate" means on any one day the weighted average
of the rate on overnight Federal funds  transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve  System only  arranged by Federal  funds brokers as published as of such
day by the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York, or if not so  published,  the rate
then used by first class banks in extending overnight loans to other first class
banks.

                  "Final A Term Loan  Maturity  Date" means the last  Business
Day of June, 2002.

                  "Final B Term Loan  Maturity  Date" means the last  Business
Day of June, 2003.

                  "Financing  Proceeds"  means  the  cash  (other  than Net Cash
Proceeds)  received by the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries,  directly or
indirectly, from any financing transaction of whatever kind or nature, including
without  limitation from any incurrence of Indebtedness,  any mortgage or pledge
of  an  asset  or  interest  therein  (including  a  transaction  which  is  the
substantial  equivalent of a mortgage or pledge), from the sale of tax benefits,
from a lease to a third party and a pledge of the lease  payments due thereunder
to secure Indebtedness,  from a joint venture  arrangement,  from an exchange of
assets and a sale of the assets received in such exchange,  or any other similar
arrangement or technique whereby the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries obtains
Cash in respect of an asset.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted  accounting  principles in the
United States of America as in effect from time to time, it being understood and
agreed that  determinations  in accordance  with GAAP for purposes of Section 7,
including  defined  terms as used therein,  are subject (to the extent  provided
therein) to Section 11.07(a).

                  "General Security  Agreements" means and includes the Borrower
General Security  Agreement,  the Subsidiary General Security Agreements and any
other general security agreements delivered pursuant to Section 6.14 or 6.15.
<PAGE>
                                       91


                  "Government Acts" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.10(i).

                  "Governmental Authority" shall mean any federal, state, local,
foreign  or  other   governmental  or  administrative   body,   instrumentality,
department  or agency  or any  court,  tribunal,  administrative  hearing  body,
arbitration panel, commission, or other similar dispute-resolving panel or body.

                  "Guarantees" means and includes,  once executed and delivered,
the Subsidiary  Guarantees and any subsidiary  guarantee  delivered  pursuant to
Section 6.16.

                  "Guarantors"  for purposes of this Agreement means each of the
Borrower's  Subsidiaries and any subsidiary that delivers a subsidiary guarantee
pursuant to Section 6.16.

                  "Hazardous   Materials"  means  any  pollutant,   contaminant,
chemical or  industrial,  toxic or hazardous  substance,  constituent  or waste,
including  without  limitation,  petroleum  including  crude oil or any fraction
thereof, or any petroleum product, subject to regulation under any Environmental
Law.

                  "Indebtedness" of any Person means, without  duplication,  (i)
all indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money,  (ii) the deferred  purchase
price of assets or services which in accordance  with GAAP would be shown on the
liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, (iii) the face amount of all
letters  of  credit  issued  for  the  account  of  such  Person  and,   without
duplication,  all unreimbursed drafts drawn thereunder, (iv) all Indebtedness of
a second Person  secured by any Lien on any property owned by such first Person,
whether or not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such first Person,  (v) all
Capitalized  Lease  Obligations  of such Person,  (vi) all  obligations  of such
Person to pay a specified  purchase  price for goods or services  whether or not
delivered or accepted,  i.e.,  take-or-pay  and similar  obligations,  (vii) all
obligations of such Person under Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Protection
Agreements  and (viii) all net Contingent  Obligations of such Person;  provided
that Indebtedness  shall not include trade payables,  accrued expenses,  accrued
dividends,  stock redemption  payments,  royalty  payments,  accrued retirees or
employees  benefits,  deferred  taxes and  accrued  income  taxes,  in each case
arising in the ordinary  course of  business.  For purposes of clause (iv) above
(where the relevant Indebtedness has not been assumed by such first Person), the
amount of  Indebtedness  is equal to the  lesser of the  amount of  Indebtedness
secured or the fair market value of the property subject to the Lien.
<PAGE>
                                       92


                  "Indosuez" has the meaning  provided in the first  paragraph
of this Agreement.

                  "Initial  Bank" means a Bank that was an original  signatory
to this Agreement.

                  "Initial  Loans"  means the  initial  Loans  made  under  this
Agreement on the Closing Date.

                  "Intellectual  Property" has the meaning provided in Section
5.16.

                  "Intellectual Property Security Agreements" means and includes
the  Subsidiary   Intellectual   Property  Security   Agreement  and  any  other
intellectual  property security agreements delivered pursuant to Section 6.14 or
6.15.

                  "Interest  Margin"  shall  mean,  in  respect of (i) Base Rate
Loans  that  are  (a) A Term  Loans,  1.50%,  (b) B Term  Loans,  2.00%  and (c)
Revolving Loans, 1.50%.

                  "Interest  Rate  Agreement"   means  any  interest  rate  swap
agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest
rate futures contract,  interest rate option contract or other similar agreement
or  arrangement  to which the  Borrower  is a party,  designed  to  protect  the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates.

                  "Inventory"  means all of the  inventory  of Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) including without limitation: (i) all raw
materials,  work  in  process,  parts,  components,   assemblies,  supplies  and
materials used or consumed in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
(ii) all goods, wares and merchandise,  finished or unfinished, held for sale or
lease or leased or furnished or to be furnished under contracts of service;  and
(iii) all goods returned or repossessed by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  "Issuing Bank" means the Bank that agrees to issue a Letter of
Credit, determined as provided in Section 1.10(c).

                  "Lease"  means  any  lease,  sublease,   franchise  agreement,
license, occupancy or concession agreement.

                  "Letter of Credit" or  "Letters  of Credit"  means (i) Standby
Letter or Letters of Credit and (ii) Commercial  Letter or Letters of Credit, in
each  case,  issued or to be  issued by  Issuing  Banks for the  account  of the
Borrower pursuant to Section 1.10.
<PAGE>
                                       93


                  "Letter of Credit Participation" has the meaning assigned to
that term in Section 1.10(a).

                  "Letters  of  Credit   Usage"   means,   as  at  any  date  of
determination,  the sum of (i) the  maximum  aggregate  amount that is or at any
time  thereafter  may  become   available  under  all  Letters  of  Credit  then
outstanding  plus (ii) the  aggregate  amount of all drawings  under  Letters of
Credit  honored  by all  Issuing  Banks and not  theretofore  reimbursed  by the
Borrower.

                  "Lien"  means  any  mortgage,   pledge,   security   interest,
encumbrance,  lien, claim,  hypothecation,  assignment for security or charge of
any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing,  any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement or any lease in the nature thereof).

                  "Loan" means each and every Term Loan or Revolving Loan.

                  "Loan Facility"  means the credit facility  evidenced by the
Total Term Loan Commitment and the Total Revolving Loan Commitment.

                  "Materially  Adverse Effect" means (i) any materially  adverse
effect (both before and after giving effect to the Transaction and the financing
thereof  and  the  other  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and by  the  other
Documents) with respect to the operations,  business, properties, assets, nature
of  assets,  liabilities  (contingent  or  otherwise),  financial  condition  or
prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole, (ii) any fact
or  circumstance  (whether  or not  the  result  thereof  would  be  covered  by
insurance)  as to  which  singly  or in  the  aggregate  there  is a  reasonable
likelihood  of (w) a  materially  adverse  change  described  in clause (i) with
respect  to the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries,  taken  as a  whole,  (x) the
inability of any Credit Party to perform in any material respect its Obligations
hereunder or under any of the other  Documents or the  inability of the Banks to
enforce in any material respect their rights  purported to be granted  hereunder
or under any of the other Documents or the Obligations  (including  realizing on
the  Collateral),  or (y) a materially  adverse  effect on the ability to effect
(including   hindering  or  unduly  delaying)  the  Transaction  and  the  other
transactions  contemplated hereby and by the Documents on the terms contemplated
hereby and  thereby  or (iii) any fact or  circumstance  relating  to any Credit
Party as to which singly or in the aggregate there is a reasonable likelihood of
any significant liability on the part of the Banks or the Agent.

                  "Minimum Borrowing Amount" means $100,000.
<PAGE>
                                       94


                  "Mortgage"  means a term loan and revolving credit mortgage or
deed of trust,  assignment  of rents,  security  agreement  and  fixture  filing
creating and evidencing a Lien on each  Mortgaged Real Property,  which shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, in each such case containing such
schedules and including such  additional  provisions and other  deviations  from
such Exhibit as shall be necessary to conform  such  document to  applicable  or
local law or as shall be  customary  under local law and made and which shall be
dated the date of delivery  thereof and made by the owner of the Mortgaged  Real
Property  described  therein  for  the  benefit  of  the  Collateral  Agent,  as
mortgagee, assignee and secured party, as the same may at any time be amended or
supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to time in  accordance  with the
terms thereof and hereof.

                  "Mortgaged   Real   Property"   means  each  Real   Property
designated on Schedule 4.01(t)(i).

                  "Multiemployer  Plan" means a "multiemployer  plan" as defined
in Section  4001(a)(3)  of ERISA with  respect to which any Credit  Party or its
respective  ERISA  Affiliates is or has been required to contribute or otherwise
may have liability.

                  "Net  Award" has the  meaning  assigned to that term in each
Mortgage.

                  "Net Cash Proceeds" means:

                  (a)  with  respect  to any  Asset  Sale,  the  aggregate  cash
         payments  received by the Borrower and/or any of its  Subsidiaries,  as
         the case may be, from such Asset Sale, net of the  reasonably  incurred
         direct expenses of sale; provided that, with respect to taxes, expenses
         shall only  include  taxes to the extent that taxes are payable in cash
         in the current year or in the next  succeeding year with respect to the
         current year as a result of such Asset Sale; and

                  (b) with respect to any Taking or  Destruction,  the Net Award
         or Net Proceeds, as applicable,  resulting therefrom,  to be applied as
         Net Cash Proceeds  under this  Agreement  pursuant to the provisions of
         each Mortgage;

provided, further, that Net Cash Proceeds shall not include any amounts or items
included in the  definition  of  Financing  Proceeds or Net  Financing  Proceeds
(including in any proviso appearing therein or exclusion therefrom).
<PAGE>
                                       95


                 "Net Financing Proceeds" means Financing Proceeds,  net of the
reasonably  incurred  direct  expenses  of the  transaction  and  net  of  taxes
(including  income taxes)  currently paid or payable in cash as a result thereof
in the current year or in the next  succeeding  year with respect to the current
year as a result of the transaction generating Net Financing Proceeds.

                 "Net Proceeds" has the meaning assigned to that term in each
Mortgage.

                 "Notes" means any Revolving Note or Term Note.

                 "Notice of Borrowing" has the meaning provided in Section 1.03.

                 "Obligations"   means  all   amounts,   direct  or   indirect,
contingent or absolute, of every type or description,  and at any time existing,
owing to the Agent,  the Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Bank pursuant to the
terms of this  Agreement or any other  Credit  Document or secured by any of the
Security Documents.

                 "Officers'  Certificate" means, as applied to any corporation,
a  certificate  executed on behalf of such  corporation  by its  Chairman of the
Board (if an officer) or its President or one of its Vice  Presidents and by its
Chief Financial  Officer or its Treasurer or any Assistant  Treasurer;  provided
that every  Officers'  Certificate  with respect to compliance  with a condition
precedent to the making of any Loan hereunder  shall  include,  on behalf of the
Borrower,  (i) a statement  that the  officers  making or giving such  Officers'
Certificate  have read such condition and any  definitions  or other  provisions
contained in this  Agreement  relating  thereto,  (ii) a statement  that, in the
opinion  of the  signers,  they  have  made  or  have  caused  to be  made  such
examination  or  investigation  as is  necessary  to enable  them to  express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such condition has been complied with, and
(iii) a statement as to whether,  in the opinion of the signers,  such condition
has been complied with.

                 "Officers' Solvency  Certificate" means the Officers' Solvency
Certificate in the form set forth as Exhibit M hereto.

                 "Operating  Lease"  of  any  Person,   shall  mean  any  lease
(including,  without limitation, leases which may be terminated by the lessee at
any time) of any property  (whether  real,  personal or mixed) by such Person as
Lessee which is not a Capital Lease.
<PAGE>
                                       96


                  "PBGC"  means  the  Pension   Benefit   Guaranty   Corporation
established pursuant to Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

                  "Pension  Plan" means any  pension  plan as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer  Plan) which is or has been maintained
by or to which  contributions  are or have been made by any Credit  Party or its
respective  ERISA  Affiliates or as to which any Credit Party or its  respective
ERISA Affiliates may have liability.

                  "Permitted Encumbrances" has the meaning provided in Section
7.03.

                  "Person" means any individual,  partnership, limited liability
company,  joint  venture,  firm,  corporation,   association,   trust  or  other
enterprise or any government or political subdivision or any agency,  department
or instrumentality thereof.

                  "Pledge Agreements" means and includes the Borrower Securities
Pledge  Agreement and any securities  pledge  agreements  delivered  pursuant to
Section 6.14 or 6.15.

                  "Pledged  Collateral"  means all the Pledged  Collateral  as
defined  in the  General  Security  Agreements  and  the  Intellectual  Property
Security Agreements.

                  "Pledged  Securities"  means all the Pledged  Collateral  as
defined in each of the Pledge Agreements.

                  "Portion" means the Term Portion or the Revolving Portion.

                  "Predecessor  Companies"  means  each of Gena  Laboratories,
Inc., Body Drench (a Division of Designs by Norvell,  Inc.),  JDS  Manufacturing
Co., Inc. and Kotchammer Investments, Inc.

                  "Prior  Liens" means Liens which,  to the extent  permitted by
the provisions of any Security  Document,  are or may be superior to the Lien of
such Security Document.

                  "Projected Financial Statements" has the meaning provided in
Section 5.11(c).

                  "Real  Property"  means all right,  title and  interest of any
Credit Party or its respective Subsidiaries (including,  without limitation, any
leasehold  estate) in and to a parcel of real  property  acquired  by any Credit
Party together with, in each case, all  improvements  and appurtenant  fixtures,
equipment, personal property, easements and other property and rights incidental
to the ownership, lease or operation thereof.
<PAGE>
                                       97


                  "Register" has the meaning  provided in Section  11.04(b)(A)
of this Agreement.

                  "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
the Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to
all or a portion thereof establishing reserve requirements.

                  "Regulation G" means Regulation G of the Board of Governors of
the Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to
all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

                  "Regulation T" means Regulation T of the Board of Governors of
the Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to
all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

                  "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of
the Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to
all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

                  "Regulation X" means Regulation X of the Board of Governors of
the Federal  Reserve  System as from time to time in effect and any successor to
all or a portion thereof establishing margin requirements.

                  "Required  Banks"  shall  mean at any time  one or more  Banks
holding at least 51% of the Total  Commitments  held by Banks (or,  if the Total
Commitments  shall  have  been  terminated,  Banks  holding  at least 51% of the
outstanding Loans); provided that for the purposes of Section 4, the requirement
that any document, agreement, certificate or other writing is to be satisfactory
to the  Required  Banks  shall be  satisfied  if (x) such  document,  agreement,
certificate  or other writing was delivered in its final form to the Banks prior
to the  Effective  Date (or if amended or  modified  thereafter,  the Agent have
reasonably  determined such amendment or modification  not to be material),  (y)
such document,  agreement,  certificate or other writing is  satisfactory to the
Agent and (z) Banks holding more than 33-1/3% of the Total  Commitments  held by
Banks have not objected in writing to such document,  agreement,  certificate or
other writing to the Agent prior to the Closing Date.
<PAGE>
                                       98


                  "Restoration"  has the meaning assigned to that term in each
Mortgage.

                  "Revolving Loan Commitment"  means, with respect to each Bank,
the amount set forth  below  such  Bank's  name on the  signature  pages  hereto
directly  across from the entry entitled  "Revolving  Loan  Commitment," as such
amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections  2.01,  2.02,  3.02
and/or 8.

                  "Revolving  Loan  Commitment  Termination  Date"  means  the
Business Day immediately preceding the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.

                  "Revolving Loans" has the meaning provided in Section 1.01(b).

                  "Revolving  Loan Maturity Date" means the last Business Day of
June,  2002 or such earlier date on which all Revolving  Loan  Commitments  have
been terminated.

                  "Revolving Note" has the meaning provided in Section 1.05(a).

                  "Revolving  Portion"  means,  at any time,  the Portion of the
Loan Facility evidenced by the Total Revolving Loan Commitments.

                  "Scheduled  A  Term  Loans  Principal  Payments"  means,  with
respect to the  principal  payments on the A Term Loans on the last Business Day
of each  month  set forth  below,  the U.S.  dollar  amount  set forth  opposite
thereto:

                                              Scheduled A Term Loan
           Date                                 Principal Payment
           ----                                 -----------------
           September 1997                            $375,000
           December 1997                              375,000
           March 1998                                 375,000
           June 1998                                  375,000
           September 1998                             500,000
           December 1998                              500,000
           March 1999                                 500,000
           June 1999                                  500,000
           September 1999                             687,500
           December 1999                              687,500
           March 2000                                 687,500
           June 2000                                  687,500
           September 2000                             812,500

<PAGE>
                                       99


           December 2000                              812,500
           March 2001                                 812,500
           June 2001                                  812,500
           September 2001                             875,000
           December 2001                              875,000
           March 2002                                 875,000
           June 2002                                  875,000

                  "Scheduled B Term Loans Principal Payments" means with respect
to the  principal  payments on the B Term Loans on the last Business Day of each
month set forth below, the U.S. dollar amount set forth opposite thereto:

                                               Total B Term Loans
           Date                                Principal Payments
           ----                                ------------------
           September 1997                             $25,000
           December 1997                               25,000
           March 1998                                  25,000
           June 1998                                   25,000
           September 1998                              25,000
           December 1998                               25,000
           March 1999                                  25,000
           June 1999                                   25,000
           September 1999                              25,000
           December 1999                               25,000
           March 2000                                  25,000
           June 2000                                   25,000
           September 2000                              25,000
           December 2000                               25,000
           March 2001                                  25,000
           June 2001                                   25,000
           September 2001                              25,000
           December 2001                               25,000
           March 2002                                  25,000
           June 2002                                   25,000
           September 2002                           2,375,000
           December 2002                            2,375,000
           March 2003                               2,375,000
           June 2003                                2,375,000

                  "SEC" means the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission or any
successor thereto.

                  "Security Documents" means each of the Pledge Agreements,  the
General Security Agreements,  the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, the
Mortgages  and any other  documents  utilized  to pledge as  Collateral  for the
Obligations any property or assets of whatever kind or nature.
<PAGE>
                                      100


                  "Sellers"  has the meaning set forth in the first recital to
this Agreement.

                  "State and Local Real Property Disclosure  Requirements" means
any state or local laws requiring notification of the buyer of real property, or
notification,  registration,  or filing  to or with any  state or local  agency,
prior  to  the  sale  of  any  real  property  or  transfer  of  control  of  an
establishment,  of [knowledge  of] the actual or threatened  presence or release
into the environment,  or the use, disposal,  or handling of Hazardous Materials
on, at,  under,  or near the real property to be sold or the  establishment  for
which control is to be transferred.

                  "Stock Purchase Agreement" means the Stock Purchase Agreement,
dated as of June 25, 1997, by and among the Borrower and the Sellers.

                  "Subsidiary"   of  any  Person  means  and  includes  (i)  any
corporation  more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes  having by the
terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of such
corporation  (excluding  stock of any class or classes of such  corporation that
might have voting power solely by reason of the happening of any contingency) is
at the time owned by such Person  directly or indirectly  through  Subsidiaries,
and (ii) any partnership,  limited liability company, association, joint venture
or other entity in which such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries
has more than a 50% equity interest at the time.

                  "Subsidiary  General  Security  Agreement"  means the  General
Security Agreements  executed and delivered by each Subsidiary  substantially in
the form of  Exhibit  H-2  hereto,  except  for such  changes as shall have been
approved by the Agent,  as the same may be amended,  supplemented  or  otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with its terms and the terms hereof.

                  "Subsidiary   Guarantee"   means  each  subsidiary   guarantee
executed  by the  subsidiaries  of the  Borrower  substantially  in the  form of
Exhibit E hereto,  except for such  changes as shall have been  approved  by the
Agent, as the same may after its execution be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with its terms and the terms hereof.

                  "Subsidiary  Intellectual  Property Security  Agreement" means
the Intellectual  Property Security  Agreement executed and delivered by certain

<PAGE>
                                      101


Credit Parties  substantially  in the form of Exhibit G hereto,  except for such
changes as shall have been  approved  by the Agent,  as the same may be amended,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to time in  accordance  with its
terms and the terms hereof.

                  "Subsidiary  Securities Pledge Agreement" means the Securities
Pledge Agreement executed and delivered by certain Credit Parties  substantially
in the form of Exhibit F-3 hereto, except for such changes therein as shall have
been  approved  by the Agent,  as the same may after its  execution  be amended,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to time in  accordance  with the
terms thereof and hereof.

                  "Taking"  has the  meaning  assigned  to  that  term in each
Mortgage.

                  "Taxes" has the meaning provided in Section 3.04.

                  "Term Loans" has the meaning provided in Section 1.01(a).

                  "Term Note" means an A Term Note or B Term Note.

                  "Term  Portion"  means,  at any time,  the portion of the Loan
Facility evidenced by the Total Term Loan Commitment.

                  "Termination  Event" means (i) a "reportable  event" described
in Section 4043 of ERISA or in the regulations  thereunder (excluding events for
which the requirement for notice of such reportable event has been waived by the
PBGC by  regulation)  with respect to a Title IV Plan, or (ii) the withdrawal of
any Credit Party or any of its respective  ERISA Affiliates from a Title IV Plan
during a plan  year in which  it was a  "substantial  employer"  as  defined  in
Section  4001(a)(2)  of  ERISA,  or (iii)  the  filing  of a notice of intent to
terminate a Title IV Plan or the  treatment  of a Title IV Plan  amendment  as a
termination  under Section 4041 of ERISA, or (iv) the institution of proceedings
by the PBGC to terminate a Title IV Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer a
Title IV Plan,  or (v) any  other  event or  condition  which  might  constitute
reasonable  grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the  termination  of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer,  any Title IV Plan, or (vi) the complete
or  partial   withdrawal   (within  the  meaning  of  Sections  4203  and  4205,
respectively,  of  ERISA) of any  Credit  Party or any of its  respective  ERISA
Affiliates from a Multiemployer  Plan, or (vii) the insolvency or reorganization
(within  the  meaning  of  Sections  4245 and 4241,  respectively,  of ERISA) or
termination of any Multiemployer Plan, or (viii) the failure to make any payment

<PAGE>
                                      102


or contribution to any Pension Plan or  Multiemployer  Plan or the making of any
amendment to any Pension Plan which could result in the  imposition of a lien or
the posting of a bond or other security.

                  "Test  Period"  means the shorter of (i) the four  consecutive
complete  fiscal  quarters of the Borrower then last ended or (ii) the number of
consecutive complete fiscal quarters of the Borrower, in each case computed on a
pro forma basis giving effect to the  Transaction  and the Borrowings  hereunder
since December 31, 1996.

                  "Title Company" means First American Title  Insurance  Company
of New York or such  other  title  insurance  or  abstract  company  as shall be
designated by the Agent.

                  "Title IV Plan" means any Pension  Plan  described  in Section
4021(a) of ERISA, and not excluded under Section 4021(b) of ERISA.

                  "Total A Term  Loan  Commitment"  means  the sum of the A Term
Loan Commitments of each of the Banks.

                  "Total B Term  Loan  Commitment"  means  the sum of the B Term
Loan Commitments of each of the Banks.

                  "Total  Commitment"  means  the sum of the  Total  Term Loan
Commitments and the Total Revolving Loan Commitments.

                  "Total  Revolving  Loan  Commitment"  means  the  sum of the
Revolving Loan Commitments of each of the Banks.

                  "Total Term Loan Commitment"  means the sum of the A Term Loan
Commitment and B Term Loan Commitment of each of the Banks.

                  "Total  Utilization of Revolving Loan  Commitments"  means, at
any date of  determination,  the sum of the  aggregate  principal  amount of all
outstanding Revolving Loans.

                  "Transaction"  has the meaning set forth in the  recitals to
this Agreement.

                  "Transaction  Documents" means the Stock Purchase  Agreement
and all schedules and exhibits thereto.

                  "UCC" means the Uniform  Commercial Code as in effect in the
State of New York.
<PAGE>
                                      103


                  "Unutilized Commitment" for any Bank at any time means, on and
after the Closing Date, the unutilized  Revolving Loan  Commitment of such Bank,
after taking into effect the Letters of Credit Usage.

                  "Wholly-Owned  Subsidiary"  of any Person means any Subsidiary
of such  Person  to the  extent  all of the  capital  stock or  other  ownership
interests in such  Subsidiary,  other than  directors'  or nominees'  qualifying
shares, is owned directly or indirectly by such Person.

                  "Written"   or  "in   writing"   means  any  form  of  written
communication or a communication by means of telex, telecopier device, telegraph
or cable.

                  SECTION 10.  The Agent.

                  10.01.  Appointment.  Each Bank hereby irrevocably  designates
and  appoints  Indosuez  as Agent  (such  term to  include  the Agent  acting as
Collateral Agent or in any other representative  capacity under any other Credit
Document)  of such  Bank to act as  specified  herein  and in the  other  Credit
Documents  and each such Bank hereby  irrevocably  authorizes  the Agent to take
such action on its behalf under the  provisions of this  Agreement and the other
Credit  Documents  and to exercise  such  powers and perform  such duties as are
expressly  delegated to the Agent by the terms of this  Agreement  and the other
Credit Documents,  together with such other powers as are reasonably  incidental
thereto.  The Agent agrees to act as such upon the express conditions  contained
in this Section 10.  Notwithstanding  any provision to the contrary elsewhere in
this Agreement, the Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities,  except
those  expressly  set  forth  herein or in the other  Credit  Documents,  or any
fiduciary  relationship  with any Bank,  and no  implied  covenants,  functions,
responsibilities,  duties,  obligations or  liabilities  shall be read into this
Agreement or otherwise  exist against the Agent.  The provisions of this Section
10 are solely for the  benefit of the Agent and the Banks,  and no Credit  Party
shall  have any rights as a third  party  beneficiary  of any of the  provisions
hereof.  In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement,  the Agent
shall act  solely as agent of the  Banks  and does not  assume  and shall not be
deemed to have assumed any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with or
for any Credit  Party.  The  Borrower  hereby  agrees to pay the Agent an annual
agency fee as previously agreed with the Agent.

                  10.02.  Delegation of Duties. The Agent may execute any of its
duties under this Agreement or any other Credit Document by or through agents or
attorneys-in-fact  and shall be  entitled  to advice of counsel  concerning  all

<PAGE>
                                      104


matters  pertaining to such duties.  The Agent shall not be responsible  for the
negligence or misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in-fact  selected by it with
reasonable care except to the extent otherwise required by Section 10.03.

                  10.03.  Exculpatory  Provisions.  Neither the Agent nor any of
its officers,  directors,  employees,  agents,  attorneys-in-fact  or affiliates
shall be (i) liable for any action  lawfully  taken or omitted to be taken by it
or such Person under or in  connection  with this  Agreement  (except for its or
such Person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in
any manner to any of the Banks for any recitals, statements,  representations or
warranties  by the  Borrower,  any  Subsidiary  of the  Borrower or any of their
respective  officers  contained in this Agreement,  any other Document or in any
certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in,
or received by the Agent under or in  connection  with,  this  Agreement  or any
other  Document or for any  failure of the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  of the
Borrower  or any  of  their  respective  officers  to  perform  its  obligations
hereunder or thereunder. The Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Bank
to ascertain or to inquire as to the  observance  or  performance  of any of the
agreements  contained in, or conditions  of, this  Agreement,  or to inspect the
properties,  books or records of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.
The  Agent  shall  not  be  responsible  to  any  Bank  for  the  effectiveness,
genuineness,  validity,  enforceability,  collectibility  or sufficiency of this
Agreement  or any  Credit  Document  or  for  any  representations,  warranties,
recitals  or  statements  made  herein or therein or made in any written or oral
statement  or in  any  financial  or  other  statements,  instruments,  reports,
certificates  or  any  other  documents  in  connection  herewith  or  therewith
furnished  or made by the Agent to the Banks or by or on behalf of the  Borrower
to the  Agent or any Bank or be  required  to  ascertain  or  inquire  as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants
or  agreements  contained  herein or therein or as to the use of the proceeds of
the Loans or of the  existence or possible  existence of any Default or Event of
Default.

                  10.04.  Reliance by the Agent.  The Agent shall be entitled to
rely,  and  shall  be fully  protected  in  relying,  upon  any  note,  writing,
resolution,   notice,  consent,   certificate,   affidavit,  letter,  cablegram,
telegram,  telecopy,  telex  or  teletype  message,  statement,  order  or other
document or  conversation  believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed,
sent or made by the proper  Person or Persons and upon advice and  statements of
legal counsel (including,  without  limitation,  counsel to the Credit Parties),

<PAGE>
                                      105


independent accountants and other experts selected by the Agent. The Agent shall
be fully  justified  in  failing  or  refusing  to take any  action  under  this
Agreement or any other Credit Document unless it shall first receive such advice
or concurrence  of the Required Banks as it deems  appropriate or it shall first
be  indemnified to its  satisfaction  by the Banks against any and all liability
and expense  which may be incurred  by it by reason of taking or  continuing  to
take any such action. The Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting,
or in  refraining  from  acting,  under  this  Agreement  and the  other  Credit
Documents in accordance  with a request of the Required  Banks (or to the extent
specifically provided in Section 11.12, all the Banks), and such request and any
action  taken or failure to act pursuant  thereto  shall be binding upon all the
Banks.

                  10.05.  Notice of  Default.  The Agent  shall not be deemed to
have knowledge of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default,  other than
a default in the payment of principal or interest on the Loans hereunder  unless
it has  received  notice from a Bank or the  Borrower or any other  Credit Party
referring  to this  Agreement,  describing  such Default or Event of Default and
stating that such notice is a "notice of  default".  In the event that the Agent
receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Banks.
The Agent  shall  take such  action  with  respect  to such  Default or Event of
Default as shall be reasonably  directed by the Required  Banks;  provided that,
unless and until the Agent shall have  received such  directions,  the 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 interests of the Banks.

                  10.06.  Non-Reliance  on Agent  and  Other  Banks.  Each  Bank
expressly  acknowledges  that  neither  the  Agent  nor  any  of  its  officers,
directors,  employees,  agents,  attorneys-in-fact  or affiliates  have made any
representations  or  warranties  to it and that no act by the Agent  hereinafter
taken,  including any review of the affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the Borrower,  shall be deemed to constitute any  representation  or warranty by
the  Agent  to any  Bank.  Each  Bank  represents  to the  Agent  that  it  has,
independently  and without  reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank, and based
on such  documents and  information as it has deemed  appropriate,  made its own
appraisal of and investigation into the business, assets, operations,  property,
financial and other conditions,  prospects and  creditworthiness of the Borrower
and its  Subsidiaries  and made its own decision to make its Loans hereunder and
enter into this Agreement and the other  agreements  contemplated  hereby.  Each
Bank also represents that it will,  independently  and without reliance upon the

<PAGE>
                                      106


Agent or any other Bank, and based on such documents and information as it shall
deem  appropriate  at the  time,  continue  to  make  its own  credit  analysis,
appraisals  and decisions in taking or not taking  action under this  Agreement,
and to make such  investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the
business,  assets,  operations,   property,   financial  and  other  conditions,
prospects and creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  Except for
notices,  reports and other documents  expressly required to be furnished to the
Banks  by  the  Agent   hereunder,   the  Agent  shall  not  have  any  duty  or
responsibility  to  provide  any Bank  with  any  credit  or  other  information
concerning  the  business,  operations,  assets,  property,  financial and other
conditions,  prospects  or  creditworthiness  of  the  Borrower  or  any  of its
Subsidiaries  which  may come  into the  possession  of the  Agent or any of its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or affiliates. Neither
the Agent nor any Bank shall be deemed to be a fiduciary  or have any  fiduciary
duty to any other Bank or Credit Party.

                  10.07. Indemnification. The Banks agree to indemnify the Agent
in its capacity as such or in any other representative  capacity under any other
Credit  Document  ratably  according to their  aggregate  Commitments,  from and
against  any and  all  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,
actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,  reasonable expenses or disbursements of any
kind whatsoever which may at any time  (including,  without  limitation,  at any
time  following the payment of the  Obligations)  be imposed on,  incurred by or
asserted  against the Agent in its  capacity  as such in any way  relating to or
arising out of this  Agreement or any other Credit  Document,  or any  documents
contemplated by or referred to herein or the transactions contemplated hereby or
any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent under or in connection with
any of the  foregoing,  but only to the extent that any of the  foregoing is not
paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;  provided that no Bank shall be
liable  to the  Agent  for the  payment  of any  portion  of  such  liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements  resulting solely from the Agent's gross negligence or
willful  misconduct.  If any  indemnity  furnished  to the Agent for any purpose
shall,  in the opinion of the Agent, be  insufficient  or become  impaired,  the
Agent may call for additional  indemnity and cease,  or not commence,  to do the
acts  indemnified  against until such  additional  indemnity is  furnished.  The
agreements in this Section 10.07 shall survive the payment of all Obligations.

                  10.08. The Agent in Its Individual Capacity. The Agent and its
Affiliates may make loans to, accept  deposits from and generally  engage in any
kind of business with the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and other Affiliates of the

<PAGE>
                                      107


Borrower as though the Agent were not the Agent  hereunder.  With respect to the
Loans made by it and all Obligations  owing to it, the Agent shall have the same
rights and powers under this  Agreement as any Bank and may exercise the same as
though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Bank" and "Banks" shall include the
Agent in its individual capacity.

                  10.09. Successor Agent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment
as Agent  hereunder by a successor  Agent,  the term "Agent"  shall include such
successor  agent  effective  upon its  appointment,  and the  resigning  Agent's
rights,  powers and duties as Agent  shall be  terminated,  without any other or
further  act or deed on the part of such  former  Agent or any of the parties to
this Agreement.  After the retiring Agent's resignation  hereunder as Agent, the
provisions of this Section 10 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken
or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.

                  10.10. Resignation by Agent. (a) The Agent may resign from the
performance  of all its functions and duties  hereunder at any time by giving 15
Business  Days'  prior  written  notice  to the  Borrower  and the  Banks.  Such
resignation  shall take  effect  upon the  acceptance  by a  successor  Agent of
appointment  pursuant to subsections (b) and (c) below or as otherwise  provided
below.

                  (b) Upon any such  notice of  resignation  of the  Agent,  the
Required  Banks shall appoint a successor  Agent  acceptable to the Borrower and
which  shall  be an  incorporated  bank or  trust  company  or  other  qualified
financial  institution  with operations in the United States and total assets of
at least $1 billion.

                  (c) If a  successor  Agent  shall not have  been so  appointed
within said 15 Business Day period,  the resigning Agent with the consent of the
Borrower  shall then appoint a successor  Agent (which shall be an  incorporated
bank or trust company or other qualified  financial  institution with operations
in the United States and total assets of at least $1 billion) who shall serve as
Agent until such time, if any, as the Required  Banks appoint a successor  Agent
as provided above.

                  (d) If no  successor  Agent  has been  appointed  pursuant  to
subsection  (b) or (c) by the 20th  Business  Day after the date such  notice of
resignation was given by the resigning  Agent,  such Agent's  resignation  shall
become effective and the Required Banks shall thereafter  perform all the duties
of Agent  hereunder  until such time,  if any,  as the  Required  Banks with the
consent of Borrower appoint a successor Agent as provided above.
<PAGE>
                                      108


                  (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section 10,  Indosuez,  as Agent,  may  transfer its rights and  obligations  to
perform all of its  functions and duties  hereunder to its parent  company or to
any Affiliate of it or its parent company.

                  SECTION 11.  Miscellaneous.

                  11.01.  Payment of Expenses,  etc. The Borrower agrees to: (i)
whether or not the transactions  herein  contemplated  are consummated,  pay all
out-of-pocket  costs  and  expenses  (x) of the  Agent  in  connection  with the
negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of the Credit Documents and the
documents  and  instruments  referred  to therein and any  amendment,  waiver or
consent relating thereto (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements  of Cahill  Gordon & Reindel and local  counsel to the Banks) with
prior notice to the Borrower of the engagement of any counsel and (y) of each of
the Banks in connection with the enforcement of the Credit Documents  (including
in connection  with any  "work-out"  or other  restructuring  of the  Borrower's
Obligations  or in connection  with any  bankruptcy,  reorganization  or similar
proceeding  with  respect  to any  Credit  Party  or its  Subsidiaries)  and the
documents and instruments  referred to therein  (including,  without limitation,
the  reasonable  fees and  disbursements  of counsel for each of the Banks) with
prior notice to the Borrower of the engagement of any counsel and the reasonable
fees and expenses of any appraisers or any consultants or other advisors engaged
with  prior  notice to the  Borrower  of any such  engagement  with  respect  to
environmental or other matters;  (ii) pay all  out-of-pocket  costs and expenses
(including  attorneys'  fees) of the Agent or Indosuez or in connection with the
assignment or attempted  assignment to any other Person of all or any portion of
Indosuez's  interest  under this  Agreement  pursuant to Section 11.04  incurred
prior to 120 days  following  the Closing  Date;  (iii) pay and hold each of the
Banks  harmless  from and against any and all present and future stamp and other
similar taxes with respect to the  foregoing  matters and save each of the Banks
harmless from and against any and all  liabilities  with respect to or resulting
from any delay or omission (other than to the extent  attributable to such Bank)
to pay such  taxes;  and (iv)  indemnify  each Bank,  its  officers,  directors,
employees,  representatives  and  agents  from  and hold  each of them  harmless
against any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses (including,
without limitation, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses
arising  under  Environmental  Laws)  incurred by any of them as a result of, or
arising out of, or in any way related to the entering into and/or performance of
any  Document  or  the  use of  the  proceeds  of  any  Loans  hereunder  or the

<PAGE>
                                      109


Transaction or the  consummation of any other  transactions  contemplated in any
Credit Document,  including,  without limitation, the documented reasonable fees
and  disbursements  of counsel  incurred by any of them (but  excluding any such
losses,  liabilities,  claims,  damages or  expenses  to the extent  incurred by
reason  of the  gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  of the  Person to be
indemnified).

                  11.02.  Right of  Setoff.  In  addition  to any  rights now or
hereafter  granted  under  applicable  law  or  otherwise,  and  not  by  way of
limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of
an Event of Default,  each Bank is hereby authorized at any time or from time to
time, without  presentment,  demand,  protest or other notice of any kind to any
Credit Party or to any other  Person,  any such notice  being  hereby  expressly
waived, to set off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or
special)  and any  other  Indebtedness  at any time  held or owing by such  Bank
(including,  without limitation,  by branches and agencies of such Bank wherever
located) to or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party  against and on
account of the  Obligations  and  liabilities  of such Credit Party to such Bank
under this  Agreement  or under any of the other  Credit  Documents,  including,
without limitation,  all interests in Obligations of such Credit Party purchased
by such Bank pursuant to Section 11.06(b), and all other claims of any nature or
description  arising out of or connected with this Agreement or any other Credit
Document,  irrespective  of  whether or not such Bank shall have made any demand
hereunder and although said Obligations,  liabilities or claims, or any of them,
shall be contingent or unmatured.

                  11.03. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
all notices and other communications  provided for hereunder shall be in writing
(which may include  telecopier  communication) and couriered for delivery of the
next Business Day, and shall be sent, if to any Credit Party, to:

                  Styling Technology Corporation
                  1146 South Cedar Ridge
                  Duncanville, Texas  75137
                  Telecopy No.
                  Attention:  Richard R. Ross

                  with copies to:

                  O'Connor, Cavanagh, Anderson, Killingsworth & Beshears, P.A.
                  One East Camelback Road
                  Phoenix, Arizona  85012
                  Telecopy No.:  (602) 263-2900
                  Attention:  Jeffrey H. Verbin
<PAGE>
                                      110


if to any Bank, at its address  specified for such Bank on Annex II hereto;  or,
at such other address as shall be designated by any party in a written notice to
the other  parties  hereto.  All such  notices and  communications  shall,  when
telecopied or sent by overnight courier, be effective when sent by telecopier or
delivered to the overnight courier,  as the case may be, except that notices and
communications to the Agent shall not be effective until received by the Agent.

                  11.04.  Benefit  of  Agreement.  (a) This  Agreement  shall be
binding  upon and inure to the  benefit  of and be  enforceable  by the  parties
hereto,  all future holders of the Notes,  and their  respective  successors and
assigns;  provided  that no Credit  Party  may  assign  or  transfer  any of its
interests  hereunder  without the prior  written  consent of all of the Banks in
their sole discretion;  and provided,  further,  that the rights of each Bank to
transfer,  assign  or grant  participations  in its  rights  and/or  obligations
hereunder  shall be limited as set forth below in this Section  11.04;  provided
that nothing in this Section  11.04 shall  prevent or prohibit any Bank from (i)
pledging its Loans  hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of borrowings
made by such Bank from such  Federal  Reserve  Bank and (ii)  subject to Section
11.04(b)(B),  granting  participations  in or assignments of all or a portion of
such Bank's Loans, Notes and/or Commitments  hereunder (y) to its parent company
and/or to any  Affiliate of such Bank that is at least 50% owned by such Bank or
its  parent  company  or (z) to an entity  managed  by a Person  referred  to in
Section 11.04(a)(ii)(y).

                  (b) Each  Bank  shall  have the right to  transfer,  assign or
grant  participations  in all or any part of its remaining  Loans,  Notes and/or
Commitments hereunder on the basis set forth below in this clause (b). Each Bank
may furnish any  information  concerning  the Borrower in the possession of such
Bank from time to time to  assignees  and  participants  (including  prospective
assignees and participants).

                  (A)  Assignments.  Each Bank,  with the written consent of the
         Agent,  which  shall  not be  unreasonably  withheld,  which  shall  be
         evidenced  on the notice in the form of Exhibit I-1 hereto,  may assign
         pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the
         form of Exhibit I-2 hereto all or a portion of its Loans,  Notes and/or
         Commitments hereunder pursuant to this clause (b)(A) to (x) one or more

<PAGE>
                                      111


         Banks or (y) one or more commercial banks or other financial or lending
         institutions; provided that any such assignment pursuant to this clause
         (y) shall be in an amount equal to at least  $3,000,000  or such Bank's
         remaining Loans, Notes or Commitments.  Any assignment pursuant to this
         clause  (b)(A) will become  effective no later than five  Business Days
         after  the  Agent's  receipt  of (i) a  written  notice  in the form of
         Exhibit I-1 hereto from the  assigning  Bank and the assignee  Bank and
         (ii) a processing and recordation fee of $2,000 from the assigning Bank
         in  connection  with the Agent's  recording  of such sale,  assignment,
         transfer or  negotiation;  provided that such fee shall only be payable
         if the  assignment  is  between  a Bank and a party  that is not a Bank
         prior to the  assignment.  The  Borrower  shall  issue new Notes to the
         assignee in conformity  with Section 1.05 and the assignor shall return
         the old Notes to the Borrower. Upon the effectiveness of any assignment
         in  accordance  with this clause  (b)(A),  the  assignee  will become a
         "Bank"  for  all  purposes  of this  Agreement  and  the  other  Credit
         Documents  and, to the extent of such  assignment,  the assigning  Bank
         shall be  relieved of its  obligations  hereunder  with  respect to the
         Loans, Notes or Commitments being assigned. The Agent shall maintain at
         its  address  specified  in Annex II  hereto a copy of each  Assignment
         Agreement  delivered  to and  accepted by it and a register in which it
         shall record the names and  addresses  of the Banks and the  Commitment
         of, and principal  amount of the Loans owing to, each Bank from time to
         time (the "Register").  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive
         and  binding  for all  purposes,  absent  demonstrable  error,  and the
         Borrower,  the Agent and the Banks may treat each Person  whose name is
         recorded in the Register as a Bank  hereunder  for all purposes of this
         Agreement.  The  Register  shall be  available  for  inspection  by the
         Borrower, the Agent or any Bank at any reasonable time and from time to
         time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (B)  Participations.  Each Bank may transfer,  grant or assign
         participations  in all or any part of such Bank's  Loans,  Notes and/or
         Commitments  hereunder  pursuant to this  clause  (b)(B) to any Person;
         provided  that (i) such Bank shall  remain a "Bank" for all purposes of
         this  Agreement  and the  transferee  of such  participation  shall not
         constitute  a Bank  hereunder  and (ii) no  participant  under any such
         participation  shall have rights to approve any  amendment to or waiver

<PAGE>
                                      112


         of this  Agreement  or any other Credit  Document  except to the extent
         such amendment or waiver would (x) extend the scheduled  final maturity
         date  of  any  of  the  Loans,  Notes  or  Commitments  in  which  such
         participant  is  participating  or (y)  reduce  the  principal  amount,
         interest  rate  or  fees  applicable  to  any of the  Loans,  Notes  or
         Commitments in which such  participant is participating or postpone the
         payment of any interest or fees or (z) release all or substantially all
         of  the  Collateral  (except  as  expressly  permitted  by  the  Credit
         Documents).  In the case of any  such  participation,  the  participant
         shall not have any  rights  under  this  Agreement  or any of the other
         Credit Documents (the participant's rights against the granting Bank in
         respect of such  participation  to be those set forth in the  agreement
         with such Bank creating such  participation) and all amounts payable by
         the Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if such Bank had not sold
         such participation;  provided that such participant shall be considered
         to be a "Bank" for purposes of Sections 11.02 and 11.06(b).

                  11.05. No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.  No failure or delay on
the part of the Agent or any Bank in  exercising  any right,  power or privilege
hereunder  or under any other Credit  Document and no course of dealing  between
any Credit  Party and the Agent or any Bank shall  operate as a waiver  thereof;
nor shall any  single or partial  exercise  of any right,  power,  or  privilege
hereunder  or under any other  Credit  Document  preclude  any other or  further
exercise  thereof  or the  exercise  of any  other  right,  power  or  privilege
hereunder or thereunder.  The rights and remedies herein expressly  provided are
cumulative  and not  exclusive of any rights or remedies  which the Agent or any
Bank would  otherwise  have.  No notice to or demand on any Credit  Party in any
case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further  notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Agent
or the Banks to any other or further action in any circumstances  without notice
or demand.

                  11.06.  Payments Pro Rata.  (a) The Agent agrees that promptly
after its  receipt  of each  payment  from or on behalf of any  Credit  Party in
respect of any  Obligations  of such  Credit  Party,  it shall  distribute  such
payment to the Banks pro rata based upon their respective shares, if any, of the
Obligations with respect to which such payment was received.

                  (b) Each of the Banks  agrees that,  if it should  receive any
amount hereunder (whether by voluntary payment, by realization upon security, by
the exercise of the right of setoff or banker's lien, by  counterclaim  or cross

<PAGE>
                                      113


action,  by  the  enforcement  of any  right  under  the  Credit  Documents,  or
otherwise)  which is  applicable to the payment of the principal of, or interest
on, the Loans,  of a sum which with  respect to any related sum or sums that are
received by other  Banks is  proportionately  greater as  measured  (immediately
prior  to  receipt  of all  related  amounts)  relative  to the  total  of  such
Obligations then owed and due to such Bank to the total of such Obligations then
owed and due to all of the Banks,  then such Bank  receiving  such excess amount
shall  promptly  purchase for cash without  recourse or warranty  from the other
Banks an interest in the  Obligations  of the  respective  Credit  Party to such
Banks in such amount as shall result in a proportional  participation  by all of
the Banks in such excess  amount pro rata in  accordance  with their  respective
shares of the  Obligations  with  respect  to which such  amount  was  received;
provided  that  if all or any  portion  of  such  excess  amount  is  thereafter
recovered  from such Bank,  such  purchase  shall be rescinded  and the purchase
price restored to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

                  11.07.   Calculations;   Computations.   (a)   The   financial
statements  to be  furnished  to the  Banks  pursuant  hereto  shall be made and
prepared in accordance  with GAAP  consistently  applied  throughout the periods
involved (except as set forth in the notes thereto or as otherwise  disclosed in
writing  by  Borrower  to  the  Banks);   provided  that,  except  as  otherwise
specifically  provided  herein,  all  computations  determining  compliance with
Section  7 and all  definitions  used  herein  for  any  purpose  shall  utilize
accounting  principles and policies in effect at the time of the preparation of,
and  in  conformity  with  those  used  to  prepare,  the  historical  financial
statements delivered to the Banks pursuant to Section 4.01(i).

                  (b) All  computations  of interest and fees hereunder shall be
made on the actual  number of days  elapsed  over a year of 365 days;  provided,
however,  that all  computations of interest on Commitment  Commission  shall be
made on the actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days.

                  11.08.  Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction;  Venue. (a)
This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties  hereunder shall be
construed  and  enforced in  accordance  with and be governed by the laws of the
State of New York  applicable  to  contracts  made  and to be  performed  wholly
therein.  Any legal action or proceeding  with respect to this  Agreement or any
other  Credit  Document may be brought in the courts of the State of New York or
of the United  States for the Southern  District of New York,  and, by execution
and  delivery  of  this   Agreement,   each  Credit  Party  and  its  respective

<PAGE>
                                      114


Subsidiaries  hereby  irrevocably  accepts  for  itself  and in  respect  of its
property,  generally and unconditionally,  the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the
aforesaid  courts.  Each Credit Party and its  respective  Subsidiaries  further
irrevocably  consents to the service of process out of any of the aforementioned
courts in any such  action or  proceeding  by the  mailing of copies  thereof by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,  to CT Corporation  System,  1633
Broadway,  New York,  New York 10019,  its agent for  service of  process,  such
service to become  effective 30 days after such  mailing.  Each Credit Party and
its respective Subsidiaries hereby irrevocably appoints CT Corporation System to
serve as its agent for  service of  process  in  respect  of any such  action or
proceeding.  Nothing  herein  shall affect the right of the Agent or any Bank to
serve  process  in any  other  manner  permitted  by law  or to  commence  legal
proceedings  or otherwise  proceed  against any Credit  Party or its  respective
Subsidiaries in any other jurisdiction.

                  (b) Each Credit Party hereby  irrevocably waives any objection
which  it may  now or  hereafter  have  to the  laying  of  venue  of any of the
aforesaid  actions or  proceedings  arising  out of or in  connection  with this
Agreement  or any other  Credit  Document  brought in the courts  referred to in
clause (a) above and hereby further  irrevocably  waives and agrees not to plead
or claim in any such court  that any such  action or  proceeding  brought in any
such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

                  11.09.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be executed in any
number  of  counterparts  and  by  the  different  parties  hereto  on  separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original,
but all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument. A set of
counterparts  executed  by all the  parties  hereto  shall  be  lodged  with the
Borrower and the Agent.

                  11.10. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on
the date (the "Effective  Date") and at the time (the "Effective Time") on which
the Borrower and each of the Banks shall have signed a copy hereof  (whether the
same or different  copies) and shall have delivered the same to the Agent at the
Agent's  Office  or, in the case of the  Banks,  shall  have  given to the Agent
telephonic (confirmed in writing),  written,  telex or telecopy notice (actually
received)  at such  office  that the same has been  signed and mailed to it. The
Agent  will  give the  Borrower  and each  Bank  prompt  written  notice  of the
occurrence of the Effective Date.

                  11.11.  Headings  Descriptive.  The  headings  of the  several
sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and
shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this
Agreement.
<PAGE>
                                      115

                  11.12.  Amendment or Waiver.  Neither this  Agreement  nor any
other Credit  Document  nor any terms hereof or thereof may be changed,  waived,
discharged or terminated  (other than pursuant to the terms hereof)  unless such
change,  waiver,  discharge or  termination is in writing signed by the Required
Banks;  provided that no such change,  waiver,  discharge or termination  shall,
without the consent of each Bank and the Agent,  (i) extend the scheduled  final
maturity date of any Loan, or any portion thereof,  or reduce the rate or extend
the time of payment of interest  thereon or fees or reduce the principal  amount
thereof,  or increase the Commitments of any Bank or the Total  Commitments,  in
each case over the amount  thereof  then in effect (it being  understood  that a
waiver of any Default or Event of Default  shall not  constitute a change in the
terms of any Commitment of any Bank),  (ii) release all or substantially  all of
the  Collateral  or  Guarantees  (except as  expressly  permitted  by the Credit
Documents),  (iii) amend,  modify or waive any provision of Section 1.08,  3.04,
10.07, 11.01, 11.02, 11.04, 11.06, 11.07(b) or 11.12, (iv) reduce any percentage
specified in, or otherwise modify,  the definition of Required Banks, (v) modify
the definition of Scheduled A Term Loans Principal  Payments or Scheduled B Term
Loans  Principal  Payments or (vi) consent to the  assignment or transfer by any
Credit  Party of any of its rights and  obligations  under  this  Agreement.  No
provision of Section 10 may be amended without the consent of the Agent.

                  11.13.  Survival.  All indemnities set forth herein including,
without  limitation,  in Section  1.08,  3.04,  10.07 or 11.01 shall survive the
execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  and the making of the  Loans,  the
repayment of the Obligations and the termination of the Total Commitments.

                  11.14.  Each Bank may  transfer and  carry its Loans at, to or
for the account of any branch office, Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Bank.

                  11.15.  Waiver  of Jury  Trial.  Each of the  parties  to this
Agreement hereby  irrevocably waives all right to a trial by jury in any action,
proceeding or  counterclaim  arising out of or relating to this  Agreement,  the
Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

                  11.16.  Independence  of Covenants.  All  covenants  hereunder
shall be given independent effect so that if 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  limitation  of,  another  covenant
shall not avoid the  occurrence  of a  Default  or an Event of  Default  if such
action is taken or condition exists.

<PAGE>
                                      116


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Credit
Agreement to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.



                                   STYLING TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION


                                      By:/s/ Richard R. Ross
                                         ------------------------------
                                      Name:  Richard R. Ross
                                           ----------------------------
                                      Title: Chief Financial Officer
                                            ---------------------------


<PAGE>
                                      117


                  Credit Agreement among Styling Technology Corporation,  Credit
Agricole Indosuez and the Banks listed herein.



                                   CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ,
                                      as Agent and Collateral
                                      Agent and as a Bank


                                      By:/s/ Patricia Frankel
                                         ------------------------------
                                      Name:  Patricia Frankel
                                           ----------------------------
                                      Title: First Vice President
                                            ---------------------------

                                      By:/s/ R. Haynes Chidsey
                                         ------------------------------
                                      Name:  R. Haynes Chidsey
                                           ----------------------------
                                      Title: Vice President
                                            ---------------------------


                                   A Term Loan Commitment:     $6,500,000
                                   B Term Loan Commitment:     $5,000,000
                                   Revolving Loan Commitment:  $2,500,000

<PAGE>
                                      118


                                   BANKBOSTON


                                   By:  /s/  Robert F. Duggan
                                      ---------------------------------
                                      Name:  Robert F. Duggan
                                           ----------------------------
                                      Title: Managing Director
                                            ---------------------------


                                   A Term Loan Commitment:     $6,500,000
                                   B Term Loan Commitment:     $5,000,000
                                   Revolving Loan Commitment:  $2,500,000

<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX I


                                  List of Banks


Credit Agricole Indosuez

BankBoston


<PAGE>

                                                                        ANNEX II



                                 Bank Addresses


Credit Agricole Indosuez
1211 Avenue of the Americas
7th Floor
New York, New York  10036


BankBoston, N.A.
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts  02110



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission