CORE MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
S-4, 1996-10-16
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<PAGE>
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 15, 1996
 
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
                           --------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
            DELAWARE                            5194                           91-1295550
(State or other jurisdiction of     (Primary Standard Industrial            (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization      Classification Code Number)           Identification No.)
</TABLE>
 
                           --------------------------
 
                     395 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD, SUITE 415
                     SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94080
                                 (415) 589-9445
         (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
                           --------------------------
 
                                 LEO F. KORMAN
                           SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND
                            CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                     395 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD, SUITE 415
                     SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94080
                                 (415) 589-9445
           (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                           --------------------------
 
                                WITH A COPY TO:
                           MITCHELL S. FISHMAN, ESQ.
                    PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON
                          1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
                           --------------------------
 
        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
  AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE.
 
    If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. / /
                           --------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             PROPOSED              PROPOSED
      TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF           AMOUNT TO BE      MAXIMUM OFFERING     MAXIMUM AGGREGATE         AMOUNT OF
   SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED          REGISTERED        PRICE PER UNIT      OFFERING PRICE(1)      REGISTRATION FEE
<S>                                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>                     <C>
11 3/8% Senior Subordinated
  Notes due 2003..................     $75,000,000             100%              $76,687,500             $23,239
</TABLE>
 
(1) Determined solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
    amended and based upon the average of the bid and asked prices on October
    10, 1996.
                           --------------------------
 
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION, OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
<PAGE>
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED OCTOBER 16, 1996
 
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                                                 [LOGO]
 
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS 11 3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT FOR ANY
AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING 11 3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,
NEW YORK CITY TIME ON               , 1996, UNLESS EXTENDED.
 
Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") hereby
offers to exchange up to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 11 3/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "New Notes") for a like principal amount
of its 11 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 outstanding on the date hereof
(the "Existing Notes" and, together with the New Notes, the "Notes") upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the
accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which together constitute the "Exchange
Offer"). The terms of the New Notes are identical in all material respects to
those of the Existing Notes, except for certain transfer restrictions and
registration rights relating to the Existing Notes. The New Notes will be issued
pursuant to, and entitled to the benefits of, the indenture, dated as of
September 27, 1996 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and Bankers Trust
Company, as trustee, governing the Existing Notes. The Existing Notes and New
Notes outstanding under the Indenture at any time are referred to collectively
as the "Notes."
 
The New Notes will be unsecured, will be subordinated to all existing and future
Senior Indebtedness (as defined) of the Company and will be effectively
subordinated to all obligations of the subsidiaries of the Company. The New
Notes will rank PARI PASSU with all future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness (as
defined) of the Company and will rank senior to all other subordinated
indebtedness of the Company. The Company does not have outstanding, and does not
have any firm arrangements to issue, any significant indebtedness that will be
subordinated to the Notes and does not have any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness
outstanding other than the Existing Notes.
 
The Indenture permits the Company to incur additional indebtedness, including up
to $175.0 million of Senior Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility (as
defined), subject to certain limitations. See "Description of New Notes." As of
June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the Recapitalization
(as defined) and the issuance of the Existing Notes, the aggregate amount of the
Company's outstanding Senior Indebtedness would have been $98.2 million
(exclusive of unused commitments), the liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries
would have been approximately $12.0 million and the Company would have had no
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness outstanding other than the Existing Notes. See
"Description of New Notes--Ranking."
 
The New Notes are being offered hereunder in order to satisfy certain
obligations of the Company contained in the Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement dated September 27, 1996 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") between
the Company and Chase Securities Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation, as the initial purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers") of
the Existing Notes, with respect to the initial sale of the Existing Notes.
 
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. The Company
will pay all the expenses incident to the Exchange Offer. Tenders of Existing
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
Expiration Date (as defined) for the Exchange Offer. The Company expressly
reserves the right to terminate or amend the Exchange Offer and not to accept
for exchange any Existing Notes not theretofore accepted for exchange upon the
occurrence of any of the events specified under "The Exchange Offer--Conditions
to the Exchange Offer." If any such termination or amendment occurs, the Company
will notify the Exchange Agent and will either issue a press release or give
oral or written notice to the holders of the Existing Notes as promptly as
practicable. In the event the Company terminates the Exchange Offer and does not
accept for exchange any Existing Notes with respect to the Exchange Offer, the
Company will promptly return such Existing Notes to the holders thereof. See
"The Exchange Offer."
 
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such New Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so
acknowledging and by delivery of a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Existing Notes
where such Existing Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. Each of the Company and
the Note Guarantors has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the
Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for
use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
Prior to the Exchange Offer, there has been no public market for the Existing
Notes. The Company currently does not intend to list the New Notes on any
securities exchange or to seek approval for quotation through any automated
quotation system and no active public market for the New Notes is currently
anticipated. There can be no assurance that an active public market for the New
Notes will develop.
 
The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
Existing Notes being tendered for exchange pursuant to the exchange Offer.
 
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 14 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT
HOLDERS OF EXISTING NOTES SHOULD CONSIDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
             ------------------------------------------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
The date of this Prospectus is              , 1996.
<PAGE>
                 (THIS PAGE HAS BEEN LEFT BLANK INTENTIONALLY.)
<PAGE>
    NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, ANY OF THE NEW NOTES OR EXISTING NOTES BY ANY
PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR SUCH PERSON TO MAKE SUCH
AN OFFERING OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR THE
EXCHANGE PROPOSED TO BE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IMPLY THAT
THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
UNTIL               ,     , ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE REGISTERED
SECURITIES, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO
DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
    The Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (together with all
amendments, exhibits, schedules and supplements thereto, the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act with respect to the New Notes being offered
hereby. This Prospectus, which forms a part of the Registration Statement, does
not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement. For
further information with respect to the Company and the New Notes, reference is
made to the Registration Statement. Statements contained in this Prospectus as
to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete,
and, where such contract or other document is an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, each such statement is qualified in all respects by the provisions in
such exhibit, to which reference is hereby made. Copies of the Registration
Statement may be examined without charge at the Public Reference Section of the
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and the
Commission's Regional Offices located at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor,
New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of all or any portion of the Registration
Statement can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission,
450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, upon payment of certain fees
prescribed by the Commission. The Commission maintains a World Wide Web site
(http://www.sec.gov) that contains such material regarding issuers that file
electronically with the Commission. The Registration Statement has been so
filed.
 
    The Company is not currently subject to the informational requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Upon
completion of the Exchange Offer, the Company will be subject to the
informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance therewith,
will file periodic reports and other information with the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of any material so filed can
be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at the address
set forth above, upon payment of certain fees prescribed by the Commission.
 
    Pursuant to the Indenture, the Company has agreed to provide the Trustee and
holders and prospective holders of the Notes with annual, quarterly and other
reports at the times and containing in all material respects the information
specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to file such reports
with the Commission.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
                                    SUMMARY
 
    THE FOLLOWING IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO, AND SHOULD BE
READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH, THE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION, CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS AND NOTES THERETO INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. UNLESS THE
CONTEXT INDICATES OTHERWISE, THE TERMS THE "COMPANY" OR "CORE-MARK" MEAN,
COLLECTIVELY, CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
    The Company, with annual net sales of over $2.0 billion, is one of the two
largest broad-line, full-service wholesale distributors of packaged consumer
products to the convenience retail industry in North America. The Company's
principal customers include traditional and petroleum convenience stores,
grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers and liquor stores. The Company
offers its customers a wide variety of products--approximately 33,500
SKUs--including cigarettes, candy, snacks, fast food, groceries, health and
beauty care products and other general merchandise.
 
    The Company's 19 distribution facilities employ state-of-the-art equipment
and systems to efficiently serve over 29,000 customer locations throughout the
western regions of the United States and Canada. Over the past five years, the
Company has invested approximately 50% of its capital expenditures to introduce
advanced distribution technology into its warehouse and delivery functions. The
Company's sophisticated management information system ("MIS") utilizes
proprietary software to integrate order entry, warehouse operations, routing,
delivery and accounting. In addition, this advanced MIS allows for the
electronic exchange of information with suppliers and customers, improving
inventory management and operating efficiency. The Company believes that,
principally as a result of its size and its state-of-the-art equipment and MIS
capability, it is one of the lowest cost wholesale distributors focused on the
convenience retail industry ("Wholesale Distributors").
 
    Wholesale Distributors provide valuable services to both manufacturers of
consumer products and convenience retailers. Manufacturers benefit from
Wholesale Distributors' broad retail coverage, inventory management and
efficient processing of small orders. Wholesale Distributors provide convenience
retailers access to a broad product line, the ability to place small quantity
orders, inventory management and access to trade credit. In addition, large
full-service Wholesale Distributors such as the Company offer retailers the
ability to participate in manufacturer-sponsored marketing programs,
merchandising and category management services and systems focused on minimizing
customers' investment in inventory. Total sales for United States Wholesale
Distributors have grown at a compound annual rate of 4.4% over the past five
years from approximately $59 billion in 1991 to approximately $70 billion in
1995, according to U.S. DISTRIBUTION JOURNAL, an industry publication.
Management believes that this growth reflects: (i) continued strong revenue
growth in the convenience store channel; (ii) a shift in cigarette purchases
from carton outlets (principally grocery stores) to pack outlets (such as
convenience retailers); (iii) an increase in the variety of products sold by
convenience stores; and (iv) an expansion of the industry's retail customer base
to encompass distribution to channels beyond convenience stores.
 
    The Wholesale Distribution industry is highly fragmented and has
historically consisted of a large number of small, privately owned businesses
and a small number of large, full-service Wholesale Distributors serving
multiple geographic regions. Relative to smaller competitors, large distributors
such as the Company benefit from several competitive advantages, including
purchasing power, the ability to service chain accounts, economies of scale in
sales and operations, the ability to spread fixed corporate costs over a larger
revenue base and the resources to invest in MIS and other productivity enhancing
technology. These factors have led to a consolidation of the Wholesale
Distribution industry as companies either exit the industry or are acquired by
large distributors seeking to further leverage their existing operations. Based
on industry reports and management estimates, the Company believes the number of
Wholesale Distributors in the United States has declined from more than 1,500 in
1985 to fewer than 1,000 in 1995. According to U.S. DISTRIBUTION JOURNAL, only
ten of these distributors had revenues in
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
excess of $400 million in 1995. Management believes the Company will have
significant opportunities to participate in the ongoing consolidation of the
industry.
 
                               BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The current senior management joined Core-Mark beginning in late 1990 and
successfully initiated several measures to increase sales of core operations and
enhance productivity and profitability. These measures included: (i) disposing
of non-core operations; (ii) increasing the customer base; (iii) decentralizing
certain operational responsibilities; (iv) strengthening financial controls; (v)
improving operating systems and processes; and (vi) reconfiguring and upgrading
facilities. Largely as a result of these initiatives, the Company's net sales
and EBITDA increased at compound annual growth rates of 5% and 10%,
respectively, from 1991 to 1995. During this same period, the Company also
reduced its average monthly working capital (excluding cash and debt) from 5.7%
of net sales to 3.0% of net sales.
 
    The Company's business strategy is to further increase net sales and improve
operating margins. To achieve these goals, the Company intends to: (i) increase
sales to existing customers, particularly of higher gross margin, non-cigarette
products; (ii) add new customer locations in existing markets, particularly
along existing routes; (iii) continue to implement distribution productivity
enhancement programs; and (iv) make selective acquisitions.
 
    INCREASE SALES TO EXISTING CUSTOMERS.  Because the Company generally carries
many products that its typical retail store customer purchases from other
suppliers, a primary element of its growth strategy is to increase sales to
existing customers. The Company's typical customer purchases its products from
the Company, from manufacturers who distribute directly to retailers and from a
variety of smaller local distributors or jobbers. The Company is particularly
focused on replacing local distributors and jobbers in order to increase sales
of food, health and beauty care products and general merchandise products, all
of which carry higher gross margins than cigarettes (cigarette sales constituted
approximately 71% of the Company's net sales in 1995 and approximately 40% of
gross profit). As part of this effort, the Company provides compensation
incentives to its sales force and a number of value-added services and marketing
programs to its customers. These programs include: (i) Convenience
2000-Registered Trademark- (which offers enhanced purchasing power and
promotions to small, independent convenience stores); (ii) Smart Sets (which
helps ensure that retailers display the right product in the right place); (iii)
Profit Builder and Promo Power (regular Company publications which describe new
products and manufacturer promotions); and (iv) the recently initiated Tully's
To Go-TM- program (which offers retailers high margin fast food products without
the franchise fees or ongoing royalty fees of typical franchises).
 
    ADD NEW CUSTOMER LOCATIONS IN EXISTING MARKETS.  The Company is also seeking
to leverage its existing distribution network by securing additional customers
on existing routes. With 262 salespersons and 293 route drivers currently
serving approximately 29,000 customer locations in 18 states and five Canadian
provinces, the Company believes it has many opportunities to add additional
customers at low marginal distribution costs. The Company is also beginning to
focus on a number of new trade channels, including hotel gift shops, military
bases, correctional facilities, college bookstores, movie theaters and video
rental stores. In addition, some large retail chains such as Long's and Safeway
are beginning to outsource the distribution of certain products that the Company
can supply. The Company believes that there is significant opportunity to
increase net sales and profitability by adding new customers and maximizing
economies of scale.
 
    PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS.  During the past five years, the Company
has devoted approximately 50% of its capital expenditures, or approximately
$12.0 million, to a variety of productivity enhancement programs. The Company
believes these programs were major contributors to a 2.7% per year reduction
between 1991 and 1995 in distribution operating expenses per "cube" (or cubic
foot of product, a common unit of measurement in Wholesale Distribution),
despite annual increases in wages. These productivity enhancement programs
include: (i) BOSS, a batch order selection system that increases the efficiency
and reduces the cost of full-case order fulfillment; (ii) Pick-to-Light, a
paperless
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
picking system that reduces the travel time for the selection of
less-than-full-case order fulfillment; (iii) Radio Frequency, a hand-held
wireless computer technology that eliminates paperwork and updates inventory
receiving and stocking requirements on a real-time basis; (iv) Checker
Automation, an on-line order verification system that has significantly reduced
labor costs by automating inspection of order accuracy; and (v) fleet management
tools such as Roadshow, a software program that optimizes the routing of
customer deliveries. The Company intends to continue to pursue cost reductions
by completing the roll-out of these and other programs.
 
    SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS.  The Wholesale Distribution industry is highly
fragmented and comprised mainly of a large number of small, privately held
businesses. Management believes that the consolidation that has taken place over
the past five years will continue and that numerous attractive acquisition
opportunities will arise. Given the current utilization rates of the Company's
existing warehouse and distribution facilities as well as the quality of the
Company's in-house MIS capability, management believes that a significant amount
of incremental revenues can be integrated into the Company's operations without
significant additions to fixed costs. The Company's management team has
completed two acquisitions since April 1995, representing net sales of
approximately $37 million for the six months ended June 30, 1996.
 
    The Company is incorporated in Delaware. Its principal executive offices are
located at 395 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 415, South San Francisco, CA 94080
and its telephone number is (415) 589-9445.
 
                      TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO THE OFFERING
 
    Prior to August 7, 1996, the Company was owned by six members of senior
management ("Senior Management") and by three financial institutions (the
"Institutional Shareholders"), including The Chase Manhattan Bank ("Chase
Bank"), an affiliate of Chase Securities Inc. On August 7, 1996, the Company
completed a recapitalization (the "Recapitalization") pursuant to which:
 
    1. Jupiter Partners L.P. ("Jupiter") purchased for $41.3 million in cash
newly issued common stock of the Company which, following the Recapitalization,
represents 75% of the Company's outstanding common stock.
 
    2. Jupiter purchased from the Company for $18.8 million a subordinated note
due 2004 (the "Jupiter Note").
 
    3. The Company redeemed all of the common stock held by the Institutional
Shareholders and a portion of the common stock held by Senior Management for
$135.0 million in cash and $6.3 million initial value of subordinated notes due
2004 (the "Management Notes" and, together with the Jupiter Note, the "Existing
Subordinated Notes," none of which were issued to the Institutional
Shareholders). Of such cash amount, $10.0 million was placed in escrow as a
reserve in respect of representations and warranties in connection with the sale
of stock to Jupiter. As a result of the Recapitalization, Senior Management owns
common stock representing in the aggregate 25% of the outstanding common stock.
Such stock would have a value of $13.8 million if valued at the price per share
paid by Jupiter for its common stock.
 
    In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company entered into a credit
facility (the "Senior Credit Facility") with a group of banks led by Chase Bank,
which provides for aggregate borrowings of up to $210.0 million, consisting of:
(i) a $35.0 million term loan (the "Term Loan"), which was repaid out of the net
proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Existing Notes on September 27, 1996
(the "Offering"), and (ii) a revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit
Facility"), under which borrowings in the amount of up to $175.0 million are
available, subject to compliance with a borrowing base, for working capital and
general corporate purposes. Simultaneously with the closing of the stock
purchase and the redemptions, the Company borrowed $135.0 million under the
Senior Credit Facility.
 
    The following table sets forth a summary of the sources and uses of funds
associated with the Recapitalization as if such transaction had occurred on June
30, 1996. The parties to the Recapitalization considered the aggregate value of
the common stock of the Company immediately preceding the
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
Recapitalization to be $155.0 million. In the Recapitalization, Senior
Management retained Company common stock representing approximately 8.9% of the
total outstanding equity interests prior to the Recapitalization (and
representing 25% of the common stock outstanding following the Recapitalization)
valued, as described above, at $13.8 million. Therefore, the table below
includes such retained common stock at such value as both a source and a use.
 
                                SOURCES OF FUNDS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     AMOUNT
                                                                   -----------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN
                                                                    MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                <C>
Term Loan........................................................   $    35.0
Revolving Credit Facility (1)....................................       110.0
Existing Subordinated Notes (2)..................................        25.0
Sale and Retention of Common Stock (3)...........................        55.0
                                                                   -----------
    Total........................................................   $   225.0
                                                                   -----------
                                                                   -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                 USES OF FUNDS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
Repurchase and Retention of Common Stock (4).....................   $   155.0
Repayment of Existing Debt.......................................        62.4
Transaction Fees and Expenses....................................         7.6
                                                                   -----------
    Total........................................................   $   225.0
                                                                   -----------
                                                                   -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Borrowings of up to $175.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility will
    be available, subject to a borrowing base, for working capital and general
    corporate purposes, including up to $40.0 million for letters of credit. See
    "Description of Senior Credit Facility." Actual borrowings at the closing of
    the Recapitalization on August 7, 1996 were $100.0 million because the
    existing debt actually repaid on August 7, 1996 was less than the amount
    outstanding on June 30, 1996.
 
(2) Interest on the Existing Subordinated Notes accreted at the rate of 6.73%
    per annum.
 
(3) Represents the sale of the common stock of the Company to Jupiter for $41.3
    million (representing 75% of the outstanding common stock) plus the common
    stock of the Company retained by Senior Management valued at $13.8 million
    (representing the remaining 25% of the outstanding common stock).
 
(4) Includes the repurchase of common stock by the Company for $141.3 million
    (which includes the Management Notes and the $10 million placed into escrow)
    and the retention of common stock by Senior Management valued at $13.8
    million.
 
    The net proceeds of the Offering, after deducting estimated expenses
incurred in connection with such sale, were approximately $71.8 million. Such
net proceeds were used to repay the indebtedness under the Term Loan ($35.0
million principal amount plus accrued interest thereon), which was incurred in
connection with the Recapitalization, and the Existing Subordinated Notes ($25.0
million initial value plus accreted interest thereon), which were issued in
connection with the Recapitalization. The balance of the net proceeds
(approximately $12.3 million) was used to reduce outstanding balances under the
Revolving Credit Facility.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
                                   OWNERSHIP
 
    Upon completion of the Recapitalization, Jupiter and Senior Management owned
75% and 25%, respectively, of the common stock of the Company. Jupiter is a
private investment firm organized to invest in management buyouts, industry
consolidations and late stage venture capital opportunities. Since the firm's
inception in 1994, Jupiter has completed six transactions representing a
combined investment exceeding $280.0 million. The six members of Senior
Management collectively have approximately 155 years of experience in the
distribution industry, including experience in acquiring and integrating
companies in the distribution industry. See "Management."
 
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Securities Offered...........  Up to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 11 3/8%
                               Senior Subordinated Notes due September 15, 2003 (the "New
                               Notes"). The terms of the New Notes and those of the
                               Existing Notes are identical in all material respects,
                               except for certain transfer restrictions relating to the
                               Existing Notes.
 
The Exchange Offer...........  The New Notes are being offered in exchange for a like
                               principal amount of Existing Notes. Existing Notes may be
                               exchanged only in integral multiples of $1,000. The issuance
                               of the New Notes is intended to satisfy obligations of the
                               Company contained in the Registration Rights Agreement.
 
Expiration Date; Withdrawal    The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City
 of Tender...................  time, on             , 1996, or such later date and time to
                               which it is extended by the Company. The tender of Existing
                               Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any
                               time prior to the Expiration Date. Any Existing Notes not
                               accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned
                               without expense to the tendering holder thereof as promptly
                               as practicable after the expiration or termination of the
                               Exchange Offer.
 
Conditions to the Exchange     The Exchange Offer is subject to certain customary
 Offer.......................  conditions, which may be waived by the Company. The Company
                               currently expects that each of the conditions will be
                               satisfied and that no waivers will be necessary. See "The
                               Exchange Offer--Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
 
Procedures for Tendering       Each holder of Existing Notes wishing to accept the Exchange
 Existing Notes..............  Offer must complete, sign and date a Letter of Transmittal,
                               or a facsimile thereof, in accordance with the instructions
                               contained herein and therein, and mail or otherwise deliver
                               such Letter of Transmittal, or such facsimile, together with
                               such Existing Notes and any other required documentation, to
                               the Exchange Agent (as defined) at the address set forth
                               herein. See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering
                               Existing Notes."
 
Use of Proceeds..............  There will be no proceeds to the Company from the exchange
                               of Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
 
Exchange Agent...............  Bankers Trust Company is serving as the Exchange Agent in
                               connection with the Exchange Offer.
</TABLE>
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                   CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING EXISTING NOTES
                         PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Based on certain no action letters issued by the staff of the Commission to
third parties in unrelated transactions, the Company believes that New Notes
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any holder who is an
"affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act or (ii) any broker-dealer that purchases Notes from the Company to resell
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") or any other
available exemption) without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are
acquired in the ordinary course of the holder's business and such holders have
no arrangement with any person to participate in a distribution of such New
Notes. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in
exchange for Existing Notes must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus
in connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution." In
addition, to comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if
applicable, the New Notes may not be offered or sold unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdiction or an exemption from
registration or qualification is available and complied with. The Company has
agreed, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and subject to certain
specified limitations therein, to register or qualify the New Notes for offer or
sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any holder
of the Notes reasonably requests in writing. If a holder of Existing Notes does
not exchange such Existing Notes for New Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer,
such Existing Notes will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer
contained in the legend thereon. In general, the Existing Notes may not be
offered or sold, unless registered under the Securities Act, except pursuant to
an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. See "The Exchange Offer--Consequences of
Failure to Exchange; Resales of New Notes."
 
    The Existing Notes are currently eligible for trading in the Private
Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL") market.
Following commencement of the Exchange Offer but prior to its consummation, the
Existing Notes may continue the be traded in the PORTAL market. Following
consummation of the Exchange Offer, the New Notes will not be eligible for
PORTAL trading.
 
                                 THE NEW NOTES
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
Issuer.......................  Core-Mark International, Inc.
 
Securities Offered...........  $75,000,000 principal amount of 11 3/8% Senior Subordinated
                               Notes due 2003.
 
Maturity.....................  September 15, 2003.
 
Interest Payment Dates.......  March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on March
                               15, 1997.
 
Optional Redemption..........  Except as described below, the Company may not redeem the
                               New Notes prior to September 15, 2000. On or after such
                               date, the Company may redeem the New Notes, in whole or in
                               part, at the redemption prices set forth herein, together
                               with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
                               redemption. In addition, at any time on or prior to
                               September 15, 1999, the Company may, subject to certain
                               requirements, redeem up to 30% of the original aggregate
                               principal amount of the New Notes with the net cash proceeds
                               of one or more Public Equity Offerings (as defined) by the
                               Company following which
</TABLE>
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               there is a Public Market (as defined) at a redemption price
                               equal to 111.375% of the principal amount to be redeemed,
                               together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, provided
                               that at least 70% of the original aggregate principal amount
                               of the New Notes remain outstanding immediately after each
                               such redemption. See "Description of the New Notes--Optional
                               Redemption."
 
Change of Control............  Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined) (i)
                               the Company will have the option at any time prior to
                               September 15, 2000 to redeem the New Notes, in whole or in
                               part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
                               amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium (as defined),
                               together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
                               date of redemption and (ii) if the Company does not redeem
                               the New Notes, or if such Change of Control occurs after
                               September 15, 2000, each holder will have the right to
                               require the Company to make an offer to repurchase the New
                               Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount
                               thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
                               to the date of repurchase. See "Description of the New
                               Notes--Change of Control."
 
Ranking......................  The New Notes will be unsecured, will be subordinated to all
                               existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined) of the
                               Company and, except as set forth below, will be effectively
                               subordinated to all obligations of the subsidiaries of the
                               Company. The New Notes will rank PARI PASSU with any future
                               Senior Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined) of the Company
                               and will rank senior to all other subordinated indebtedness
                               of the Company. As of June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis,
                               after giving effect to the Recapitalization and the Offer-
                               ing, the aggregate amount of the Company's outstanding
                               Senior Indebtedness would have been $98.2 million (exclusive
                               of unused commitments), the liabilities of the Company's
                               subsidiaries would have been approximately $12.0 million and
                               the Company would have had no Senior Subordinated
                               Indebtedness outstanding other than the New Notes. The
                               Company has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to
                               transfer assets to any subsidiary unless it causes such
                               subsidiary to guarantee the New Notes. Except in such event,
                               the New Notes will be effectively subordinated to the claims
                               of creditors, including trade creditors and preferred
                               shareholders (if any), of the Company's existing
                               subsidiaries and any subsidiary formed by the Company in the
                               future. See "Description of the New Notes-- Ranking."
 
Restrictive Covenants........  The Indenture limits (i) the incurrence of additional
                               indebtedness by the Company, (ii) the payment of dividends
                               on, and redemption of, capital stock of the Company and the
                               redemption of certain subordinated obligations of the
                               Company, (iii) investments, (iv) sales of assets and
                               subsidiary stock, (v) transactions with affiliates, (vi) the
                               creation of liens, (vii) the lines of business in which the
                               Company may operate and (viii) consolidations, mergers and
                               transfers of all or substantially all of the Company's
                               assets. The Indenture also prohibits certain restrictions on
                               distributions from subsidiaries. However, all of these
                               limitations and prohibitions are subject to a number of
</TABLE>
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>
                               important qualifications and exceptions. See "Description of
                               the New Notes--Certain Covenants."
 
Absence of a Public Market
  for the New Notes..........  The New Notes are new securities and there is currently no
                               established market for the New Notes. Accordingly, there can
                               be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any
                               market for the New Notes. The Company does not intend to
                               apply for listing on a securities exchange of the New Notes.
 
Certain United States Tax
  Considerations.............  Although the matter is not free from doubt, an exchange
                               pursuant to the Exchange Offer should not be treated as an
                               "exchange" or otherwise as a taxable event for federal
                               income tax purposes. See "Certain United States Tax
                               Considerations."
</TABLE>
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    Holders of Existing Notes and prospective purchasers of New Notes should
carefully consider all of the information set forth in this Prospectus and, in
particular, should evaluate the specific factors set forth under "Risk Factors"
in connection with the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                 SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
    The following table presents summary historical and pro forma consolidated
financial and other data for the Company. These were derived from the more
detailed information and financial statements appearing elsewhere in this
Offering Memorandum and should be read in conjunction therewith and with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations." The pro forma financial data assume that the Recapitalization and
the Offering occurred on January 1, 1995 for income statement data for the year
ended December 31, 1995, on January 1, 1996 for income statement data for the
six months ended June 30, 1996, and on June 30, 1996 for balance sheet data. The
pro forma financial data do not purport to represent what the Company's
financial position or results of operations actually would have been if the
Recapitalization and the Offering in fact had occurred at the beginning of the
periods indicated or on the date indicated, or purport to project the Company's
results of operations or financial position for any future period or at any
future date.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                UNAUDITED
                                                                                          SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                             30,
                              ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                 1991        1992        1993        1994        1995        1995        1996
                              ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EXPENSE PER CUBE DATA)
<S>                           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
  Net sales(a)...........     $1,688,611  $1,784,852  $1,868,932  $1,855,356  $2,047,187  $  983,435  $1,068,575
  Gross profit...........        114,190     125,559     163,950     135,357     145,583      70,627      78,967
  Operating income.......          3,136      10,316      46,539      19,277      20,338       9,949      14,451
  Interest expense,
    net..................         10,358       5,983       4,887       5,773       6,987       3,759       2,971
  Net income (loss)......         (8,202)      3,633      38,684       9,088       6,723       3,140       6,216
 
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA(b)..............     $   20,203  $   21,848  $   29,309  $   24,271  $   29,696  $   14,167  $   18,448
  LIFO (income)
    expense(c)...........         10,227       5,727     (22,967)       (547)      3,415       1,133         727
  Depreciation and
    amortization(d)......          6,840       5,805       5,737       5,541       5,943       3,085       3,270
  Capital expenditures...          2,470       4,295       5,501       5,376       7,286       3,256       2,423
  Number of employees....          1,817       1,800       1,885       1,906       2,012       2,085       2,122
  Cubes of product
  distributed(000s)(e)...         15,500      16,161      17,867      19,359      20,550       9,765      11,070
  Cubes per employee.....          8,531       8,978       9,479      10,157      10,214       4,683       5,217
  Distribution operating
    expenses(f)..........     $   45,577  $   46,930  $   50,541  $   51,874  $   54,061  $   25,968  $   28,628
  Distribution operating
    expenses per cube....     $     2.94  $     2.90  $     2.83  $     2.68  $     2.63  $     2.66  $     2.59
 
PRO FORMA DATA
(UNAUDITED):
  EBITDA.................                                                     $   29,696              $   18,448
  Cash interest
    expense(g)...........                                                         18,524                   8,561
  Ratio of EBITDA to cash
    interest
    expense(g)...........                                                            1.6x                    2.2x
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     UNAUDITED
                                                       AS OF DECEMBER 31,                       AS OF JUNE 30, 1996
                                   ----------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------
                                      1991        1992        1993        1994        1995       ACTUAL    PRO FORMA
                                   ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Average net working
    capital(h)................     $   96,327  $   78,290  $   79,160  $   72,568  $   61,341  $   59,525  $   60,787
  Total assets................        323,979     318,127     329,855     293,743     324,536     292,594     298,064
  Total debt, including
    current maturities........        149,445     142,432     127,053      84,627     101,598      62,404     173,204
  Total common shareholders'
    equity (deficit)(i).......         12,749       9,705      41,137      39,346      87,669      93,951     (10,117)
</TABLE>
 
          See Notes to Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
             NOTES TO SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
(a) In the second quarter of 1995, the Company completed two acquisitions which
    added approximately $62 million, $21 million and $37 million in net sales
    for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1995
    and 1996, respectively.
 
(b) EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation, amortization and LIFO
    expense, and minus LIFO income (each defined below). EBITDA should not be
    considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, operating income,
    cash flows or other consolidated income or cash flow data prepared in
    accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as a measure of
    a company's profitability or liquidity. EBITDA is included because it is one
    measure used by certain investors to determine a company's ability to
    service its indebtedness.
 
(c) The Company's U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.
    Cost of goods sold is determined on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis using
    Producer Price Indices as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor
    Statistics. During periods of price inflation in the Company's product line,
    the LIFO methodology generally results in the impact of inflation on year
    end inventories being charged as additional expense to cost of goods sold
    while lower costs are retained in inventories. Conversely, during periods of
    price deflation, the LIFO methodology generally results in lower current
    costs being charged to cost of goods sold while higher costs are retained in
    inventories. During the year ended December 31, 1993, the Company's U.S.
    cigarette inventory quantities declined and the wholesale cost of U.S.
    premium cigarettes significantly declined. These factors resulted in a lower
    inventory cost being charged to cost of goods sold under the LIFO method of
    valuation compared to the FIFO method (in an amount of $23.0 million, "LIFO
    income"). This situation is in contrast to other periods in which the
    Company has more typically incurred "LIFO expense." See "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
(d) Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation on property and
    equipment, amortization of goodwill and other non-cash charges, and excludes
    amortization of debt refinancing costs.
 
(e) The term "cube" refers to one cubic foot of product, a common unit of
    measurement in wholesale distribution.
 
(f)  Distribution operating expenses include the cost of receiving, warehousing,
    picking and delivering products purchased by the Company's customers,
    excluding depreciation and insurance.
 
(g) Pro forma cash interest expense is defined as interest expense exclusive of
    bank agency fees and amortization of debt issuance costs. The pro forma cash
    interest calculation assumes (i) the elimination of historical interest
    expense under the previous credit facility, (ii) interest on the Notes at a
    rate of 11.375% per annum and (iii) interest on the borrowings under the
    Senior Credit Facility after giving effect to the Recapitalization and the
    Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom. The borrowings
    under the previous credit facility and under the Senior Credit Facility bear
    interest at the same rates, which for purposes of this calculation are 8.5%
    for 1995 and 8.0% for the six months ended June 30, 1996, the weighted
    average rates in effect under the previous credit facility during such
    periods. A 0.5% change in the interest rate under the Senior Credit Facility
    would result in a $0.5 million change to pro forma cash interest expense for
    the full year.
 
(h) Average net working capital represents month-end averages of total current
    assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) less month-end averages of
    total current liabilities (excluding current maturities of long-term debt).
 
(i)  As a result of the Recapitalization, the Company has a total common
    shareholders' deficit. In the Recapitalization, Jupiter paid $41.3 million
    for 75% of the common stock of the Company and Senior Management retained
    25% of the common stock of the Company which, based on the price per share
    paid by Jupiter, had a value of $13.8 million. Thus, the total value of the
    common stock purchased and retained in the Recapitalization was $55.0
    million. In addition, in the Recapitalization the Company repurchased common
    stock for a total of $141.3 million, consisting of $135.0 million in cash
    (including $10.0 million placed into escrow) and Existing Subordinated Notes
    with an initial value of $6.3 million.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
    HOLDERS OF EXISTING NOTES AND PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE NEW NOTES SHOULD
CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS AS WELL AS THE OTHER INFORMATION
SET FORTH ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS, WHICH MAY AFFECT A DECISION TO ACQUIRE
THE NEW NOTES. FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN POTENTIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH
INVESTMENT, SEE "CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSIDERATIONS."
 
SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE AND DEBT SERVICE OBLIGATIONS
 
    The Company incurred substantial indebtedness in connection with the
Recapitalization and the Offering. Following the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, the Company will remain significantly leveraged. After giving pro forma
effect to the Recapitalization and the Offering and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom, at June 30, 1996, the Company's total outstanding
indebtedness would have been approximately $173.2 million (exclusive of unused
commitments), and the Company would have had a total common stockholders'
deficit of $10.1 million.
 
    The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have important
consequences to holders of the Notes, including the following: (i) the Company's
ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital
expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate purposes may be impaired; (ii) a
substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated
to the payment of interest on the Notes and its other existing indebtedness,
thereby reducing the funds available to the Company for other purposes; (iii)
the agreements governing the Company's long-term indebtedness contain certain
restrictive financial and operating covenants which may limit the Company's
ability to complete acquisitions and financings and restrict capital
expenditures; (iv) the indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility is at
variable rates of interest, which may cause the Company to be vulnerable to
increases in interest rates; (v) all of the indebtedness outstanding under the
Senior Credit Facility is secured by substantially all the assets of the Company
and will become due prior to the time the principal on the Notes will become
due; (vi) the Company is substantially more leveraged than certain of its
competitors, which might place the Company at a competitive disadvantage; (vii)
the Company may be hindered in its ability to adjust rapidly to changing market
conditions; and (viii) the Company's substantial degree of leverage could make
it more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in general economic conditions or
in its business.
 
    The Company's ability to pay the interest on and retire principal of the
Notes and the Company's indebtedness senior in rank to the Notes ("Senior
Indebtedness") is dependent upon its future operating performance, which in turn
is subject to general economic conditions and to financial, business and other
factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. In the event that the
Company is unable to generate cash flow that is sufficient to service its
obligations in respect of the Notes and the Senior Indebtedness, the market
value and marketability of the Notes could be significantly adversely affected.
Moreover, the Company would be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such
as reducing or delaying capital expenditures, attempting to refinance or
restructure its indebtedness or selling material assets or operations. There can
be no assurance that any of such actions could be effected on satisfactory
terms, that they would enable the Company to satisfy its debt service
requirements or that they would be permitted by the Senior Credit Facility or
the Indenture. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations."
 
    The Company may be required to refinance all or a portion of the Senior
Credit Facility at or prior to its maturity, which is prior to the maturity of
the Notes. Potential measures to raise cash may include the sale of assets or
equity. However, the Company's ability to raise funds by selling assets is
restricted by the Senior Credit Facility, and its ability to effect equity
financings is dependent on results of operations and market conditions. In the
event that the Company is unable to refinance the Senior Credit Facility or
raise funds through asset sales, sales of equity or otherwise, its ability to
pay principal of and interest on the Notes would be adversely affected.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES; ASSET ENCUMBRANCE
 
    At June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the
Recapitalization and the Offering (including the application of net proceeds
therefrom), the Company would have had $98.2 million of Senior Indebtedness
outstanding (exclusive of unused commitments), all of which would have been
incurred under the Senior Credit Facility. The Indenture permits the Company to
incur additional Senior Indebtedness, provided certain financial or other
conditions are met. The Notes will be subordinated in right of payment to all
existing and future Senior Indebtedness, including the principal, premium (if
any) and interest with respect to the Senior Indebtedness under the Senior
Credit Facility. The Notes will rank PARI PASSU with all future Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company. Except in certain circumstances, the
Notes will be effectively subordinated to the claims of creditors, including
trade creditors and preferred shareholders (if any), of the Company's existing
subsidiaries and any subsidiary formed by the Company in the future. See
"Description of the New Notes--Ranking."
 
    The Company may not pay principal of, premium on (if any) or interest on the
Notes, make any deposit pursuant to defeasance provisions or repurchase or
redeem or otherwise retire any Notes (i) if any Senior Indebtedness is not paid
when due or (ii) if any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the
maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms
unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived, any such
acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in
full, except that the Company may pay the Notes upon the approval of the
Representative of the relevant Designated Senior Indebtedness (as defined in the
Indenture). In addition, if any other default exists with respect to the
Designated Senior Indebtedness and certain other conditions are satisfied, the
Company may not make any payments on the Notes for up to 179 days. Upon any
payment or distribution of the assets of the Company in connection with a total
or partial liquidation, dissolution or reorganization of or similar proceeding
relating to the Company, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to
receive payment in full before the holders of the Notes are entitled to receive
any payment. See "Description of the New Notes--Ranking."
 
    The Notes are unsecured and thus, in effect, will rank junior to any secured
indebtedness of the Company. The indebtedness outstanding under the Senior
Credit Facility is secured by liens on substantially all of the assets of the
Company. The ability of the Company to comply with the provisions of the Senior
Credit Facility may be affected by events beyond the Company's control. The
breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under the Senior
Credit Facility, in which case, depending on the actions taken by the lenders
thereunder or their successors or assignees, such lenders could elect to declare
all amounts borrowed under the Senior Credit Facility, together with accrued
interest, to be due and payable, and the Company could be prohibited from making
payments of interest and principal on the Notes until the default is cured or
all Senior Indebtedness is paid or satisfied in full. If the Company were unable
to repay such borrowings, such lenders could proceed against their collateral.
If the indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility were to be accelerated,
there can be no assurance that the assets of the Company would be sufficient to
repay in full such indebtedness and the other indebtedness of the Company,
including the Notes. See "Description of Senior Credit Facility" and
"Description of the New Notes--Ranking."
 
RESTRICTIVE LOAN COVENANTS
 
    The Senior Credit Facility includes a number of covenants that, among other
things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to dispose of
assets, incur additional indebtedness, prepay other indebtedness or amend
certain other debt instruments, pay dividends, create liens on assets, enter
into sale and leaseback transactions, make investments, loans or advances, make
acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, change the business conducted
by the Company or its subsidiaries, make capital expenditures or engage in
certain transactions with affiliates and otherwise restrict certain corporate
activities. In addition, under the Senior Credit Facility, the Company is
required to comply with specified financial ratios and tests, including minimum
interest coverage ratios, maximum
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
leverage ratios, annual capital expenditures limitations, net worth tests and
current ratio and EBITDA tests. There can be no assurance that these
requirements will be met in the future. If they are not, the holders of the
indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility would be entitled to declare such
indebtedness immediately due and payable. See "Description of Senior Credit
Facility."
 
DEPENDENCE ON CIGARETTE SALES
 
    During the period from 1991 through 1995, approximately 72% of the Company's
net sales were derived from sales of cigarettes. Accordingly, any event which
adversely affects the consumption of cigarettes in the Company's market area or
the convenience retail channel could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's results of operations.
 
    The unit volume of cigarettes sold in the United States and Canada has
declined in recent years. A 1995 report issued by the United States government
suggests that, while Americans' consumption of cigarettes stabilized between
1993 and 1994, consumption could ultimately continue to decline in the future if
states or the federal government raise taxes and/or restrictions and
prohibitions on smoking increase. Additional factors that could cause such
decline include reports in the media concerning adverse health effects of
smoking and diminishing social acceptance of smoking.
 
    The Company is particularly dependent on the leading producers of
cigarettes, several of which also produce a variety of food products distributed
by the Company. Approximately 28%, 15%, 14% and 9% of the Company's net sales in
1995 were attributable to the sale of products purchased from Philip Morris
Incorporated ("Philip Morris"), R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company ("R.J. Reynolds"),
Imperial Tobacco Limited ("Imperial Tobacco") and Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Corporation ("Brown & Williamson"), respectively. The loss of or a significant
change in the Company's relationships with any of these manufacturers could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business and financial results.
 
ADVERSE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
 
    The tobacco industry is currently subject to significant regulatory
restrictions, such as the requirement that product packages display warning
labels, a prohibition on television and radio advertising and a prohibition on
sales to minors. In recent years, proposals have been made for additional
federal regulation of tobacco products, including proposals to require
additional warning notices, to disallow advertising and promotional expenses as
deductions under federal tax law, to impose further restrictions, or a complete
ban, on advertising and promotion and to further regulate the production and
distribution of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco.
 
    In August 1996, the United States Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA")
determined that it had jurisdiction over cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
products and issued regulations which restrict and limit the sale, distribution
and advertising of cigarette and smokeless tobacco products, especially to
minors. Included in the regulations are: (1) a federal ban on the sale of
cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products to persons under the age of 18 and a
requirement that retailers check photo identifications of all persons under age
26; (2) a prohibition against the sale of individual cigarettes or small amounts
of smokeless tobacco products; (3) a ban on vending machine sales and
self-service displays except in adult establishments; (4) a ban on the
distribution of free samples of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco; (5) a
limitation on tobacco advertising in all media, other than publications
primarily read by adults, to black-and-white, text-only format; and (6) a ban on
the sale and distribution of promotional items such as tee shirts and caps with
tobacco product logos, and a ban on tobacco product sponsorship of musical,
cultural, sports and other events. There can be no assurance that the
regulations will not result in a material reduction of the consumption of
tobacco products in the United States or will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business and financial position.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
    The regulations are significant not only because of their content but also
because the FDA has concluded that it has jurisdiction over cigarettes and
smokeless tobacco as "combination products having both a drug component,
including nicotine, and device components." The regulations regulate such
products as "devices." Lawsuits have been filed in federal district court in
Greensboro, North Carolina by cigarette manufacturers and others challenging the
FDA's authority to regulate tobacco products. In addition, a number of bills
were introduced during the last session of Congress that would have blocked the
FDA from regulating the tobacco industry. If, however, the FDA's assertion of
jurisdiction withstands challenge, the FDA might thereby establish its authority
to issue regulations restricting the sale of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco
products to adults. While no such regulations have been proposed, there can be
no assurance they will not be proposed in the future or that any such proposed
regulations would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business
and financial position.
 
    Over the past decade, various state and local governments have imposed
significant regulatory restrictions on tobacco products, including sampling and
advertising bans or restrictions, packaging regulations and prohibitions on
smoking in restaurants, office buildings and public places. Additional state and
local legislative and regulatory actions are being considered and are likely to
be promulgated in the future. The Company is unable to assess the future effects
that these various proposals may have on the sale of the Company's products. The
FDA's regulation of cigarette and smokeless tobacco products would not preempt
individual states from issuing more stringent state or local requirements,
provided those state or local requirements do not conflict with the final FDA
regulations.
 
    Any further regulatory restrictions could, among other things, accelerate
the decline in the consumption of cigarettes and result in a material adverse
effect on the Company.
 
HEALTH LIABILITY AND LITIGATION
 
    In recent years, several plaintiffs have sued cigarette manufacturers,
alleging that they have suffered lung and oral cancer and other diseases as a
result of smoking or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). Several of these actions
purport to be class actions brought on behalf of thousands of claimants.
Purported classes include flight attendants alleging personal injury from
exposure to ETS in their workplace and individuals claiming to be addicted to
cigarettes. In August 1996, a Florida jury awarded damages against a tobacco
manufacturer based on a claim of addiction. It is expected that such claims will
be asserted against tobacco manufacturers in the future, and there can be no
assurance that such claims will not be asserted against the Company in the
future.
 
    In May 1996, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit decertified a
federal class action purportedly brought on behalf of all cigarette smokers in
the United States. Following the decertification, lawyers for the class brought
state class action lawsuits in a number of states, with the objective of filing
such lawsuits in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Several of these state lawsuits name cigarette distributors such as the Company
as defendants. In June 1996, a subsidiary of the Company was named as a
defendant in a class action lawsuit filed in state court in New Mexico. The
action was later voluntarily dismissed without prejudice in order to permit a
realignment of the parties.
 
    On September 10, 1996, the New Mexico lawsuit was refiled. A subsidiary of
the Company is named as a defendant in the complaint, but has not yet been
served. The other defendants include the principal U.S. tobacco manufacturers as
well as other distributors. The case is brought on behalf of a putative class of
smokers who reside in New Mexico, each of whom is allegedly nicotine dependent.
The suit seeks, on behalf of the class, compensatory damages, punitive damages
and equitable relief, including medical monitoring of the class members.
 
    On October 2, 1996, the Company was served with a summons and complaint in
an action brought by the County of Los Angeles against major tobacco
manufacturers, the Company and other distributors of tobacco products. The
complaint seeks, inter alia, damages and restitution for monies expended by the
County for the health care of smokers.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
    The Company does not believe that these actions will have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition.
 
    In addition to the class actions, a number of individual actions brought by
several states are pending against cigarette manufacturers and certain other
organizations. The Company has not been named as a defendant in any of these
lawsuits. The lawsuits seek reimbursement of expenses incurred by the states for
the care of citizens allegedly suffering from tobacco-related injuries, diseases
or sickness.
 
    In light of the claimed health risks related to the use of cigarettes and
other tobacco products, there can be no assurance that product liability claims
will not be asserted against the tobacco industry or the Company in the future.
Such lawsuits, if asserted against the tobacco industry or the Company and
adversely determined, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business and financial position. The Company carries general liability insurance
but self-insures against liability in respect of health-related claims, which
management believes is consistent with industry practice.
 
CIGARETTE PRICING POLICIES
 
    In 1993, cigarette manufacturers decreased the wholesale price of premium
cigarettes by approximately 25%, resulting in a decrease in the value of the
Company's inventory of approximately $6.6 million. While the manufacturers
reimbursed the Company for the decrease in 1993, cigarette manufacturers could
reduce cigarette prices in the future, and there can be no assurance that
manufacturers would again reimburse the Company for the resulting decrease in
the value of the Company's cigarette inventory.
 
    The Company believes that demand for discount cigarettes, including Best
Buy-Registered Trademark- (the Company's private label discount cigarette), has
declined since 1993 due to the reductions in the differential between premium
brand and discount prices as a result of the premium brand price decreases that
occurred in that year. Aggressive pricing or marketing actions by any of the
tobacco manufacturers may negatively affect the sale of Best
Buy-Registered Trademark- products. In addition, demand for Best
Buy-Registered Trademark- is highly sensitive to pricing actions by tobacco
manufacturers with respect to competitive discount cigarettes. This risk is
heightened because the wholesale price of Best Buy-Registered Trademark- to the
Company is set by its manufacturer, Philip Morris, which also sells competing
premium and discount products. See "Business--Products Distributed."
 
    Historically, a substantial portion of the Company's operating profits on
cigarettes has been attributable to promotional programs sponsored by cigarette
manufacturers. The reduction of these sources of income in the future, without
any substitute incentive programs from manufacturers, could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business and financial position.
 
IMPACT OF TOBACCO TAXES
 
    The sale of cigarettes is subject to substantial United States federal
excise taxes as well as various state and local government excise taxes. In
1993, the Clinton administration proposed a new excise tax on cigarettes of
$0.75 per pack, which would have raised the tax from $0.24 per pack to $0.99 per
pack, a 300% increase. While that proposal was not adopted by Congress, there
remains a possibility that similar proposals to increase federal excise taxes
may be put forward in the future. In addition, excise and similar taxes on
cigarettes, which are levied on and typically paid by the distributors, are in
effect in the 50 states, the District of Columbia and several municipalities.
Many states are currently weighing proposals for new excise taxes on tobacco
products. For example, $0.25 and $0.40 per pack tax increases were enacted
during 1994 and 1995 in Washington and Arizona, respectively. If a number of
states or the federal government were to increase excise taxes, there could be a
resulting acceleration of the decline in consumption of cigarettes and other
tobacco products which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business and financial position.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
COMPETITION; LOW MARGINS
 
    The convenience retail distribution industry in the United States and Canada
is highly competitive. The Company competes in the United States with one large
national distribution company, McLane Co. Inc. ("McLane"), which is a subsidiary
of Wal-Mart. McLane operates in substantially all of the Company's markets in
the United States and has substantially greater financial resources than the
Company. In Canada, the Company also faces one large national competitor that
competes in each of the markets it serves. In the United States and Canada, the
Company also competes with numerous regional and local distribution companies,
some of which may be less highly leveraged than the Company and therefore less
restricted by operating covenants imposed by lenders and other debt holders.
 
    In recent years, the Company has also been faced with competition from
warehouse or wholesale clubs, which offer the Company's customers a limited
selection of similar products at equivalent or lower prices but generally with
limited services. In particular, the wholesale clubs have been aggressive in
their promotion and pricing of cigarettes and candy.
 
    Competition in the convenience retail distribution industry is based on
price and service, and the industry is characterized by high unit volumes and
low profit margins. As a result, the Company's success is highly dependent upon
effective financial controls, efficient volume purchasing of non-tobacco
products and differentiating its services from those of its competitors.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
    The Company's future performance is substantially dependent upon the
continued services of Senior Management. See "Management." The loss of the
services of such persons could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business and financial position.
 
CONTROL BY JUPITER PARTNERS L.P.; CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
    Jupiter owns and has the power to vote approximately 75% of the outstanding
capital stock of the Company. Accordingly, Jupiter is entitled to elect a
majority of the directors of the Company, approve all amendments to the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation and effect fundamental corporate
transactions such as mergers and asset sales. See "Ownership of Voting
Securities."
 
    A Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture) could require the Company
to refinance substantial amounts of indebtedness. Upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control, the holders of the Notes would be entitled to require the
Company to repurchase the Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the
principal amount of such Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date of purchase. However, the Senior Credit Facility prohibits the purchase of
the Notes by the Company in the event of a Change of Control, unless and until
such time as the indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility is repaid in
full. The Company's failure to purchase the Notes would result in a default
under the Indenture and the Senior Credit Facility. The Senior Credit Facility
also provides that the indebtedness thereunder becomes due in the event of a
"Change in Control" as defined therein. The inability to repay the indebtedness
under the Senior Credit Facility, if accelerated, would also constitute an event
of default under the Indenture, which could have adverse consequences to the
Company and the holders of the Notes. In the event of a Change of Control, there
can be no assurance that the Company would have sufficient assets to satisfy all
of its obligations under the Senior Credit Facility and the Notes. See
"Description of Senior Credit Facility" and "Description of the New
Notes--Change of Control."
 
FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE
 
    If the court in a lawsuit brought by an unpaid creditor or representative of
creditors, such as a trustee in bankruptcy or the Company as a
debtor-in-possession, were to find under relevant federal or state fraudulent
conveyance statutes that the Company did not receive fair consideration or
reasonably
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
equivalent value for certain of the indebtedness, including the Notes, incurred
by the Company in connection with the Recapitalization, and that, at the time of
such incurrence, the Company (i) was insolvent, (ii) was rendered insolvent by
reason of such incurrence or grant, (iii) was engaged in a business or
transaction for which the assets remaining with the Company constituted
unreasonably small capital or (iv) intended to incur, or believed that it would
incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they matured, such court,
subject to applicable statutes of limitation, could void the Company's
obligations under the Notes, subordinate the Notes to other indebtedness of the
Company or take other action detrimental to the holders of the Notes.
 
    The measure of insolvency for these purposes will vary depending upon the
law of the jurisdiction being applied. Generally, however, a company will be
considered insolvent for these purposes if the sum of that company's debts is
greater than the fair value of all of that company's property, or if the present
fair salable value of that company's assets is less than the amount that will be
required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts as they become
absolute and matured. Moreover, regardless of solvency, a court could void an
incurrence of indebtedness, including the Notes, if it determined that such
transaction was made with intent to hinder, delay or defraud creditors, or a
court could subordinate the indebtedness, including the Notes, to the claims of
all existing and future creditors on similar grounds. There can be no assurance
as to what standard a court would apply in order to determine whether the
Company was "insolvent" upon consummation of the Recapitalization or the sale of
the Notes.
 
EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES
 
    Issuance of the New Notes in exchange for Existing Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be made only after a timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of
such Existing Notes, a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal and all other required documents. Therefore, holders of Existing
Notes desiring to tender such Existing Notes in exchange for New Notes should
allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither the Company nor the
Exchange Agent is under any duty to give notification of defects or
irregularities with respect to the tenders of Existing Notes for exchange.
Existing Notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will,
following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, continue to be subject to the
existing restrictions upon transfer thereof and, upon consummation of the
Exchange Offer certain registration rights under the Registration Rights
Agreement will terminate.
 
RECEIPT OF RESTRICTED SECURITIES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
 
    Any holder of Existing Notes who tenders in the Exchange Offer for the
purpose of participating in a distribution of the New Notes may be deemed to
have received restricted securities and, if so, will be required to comply with
the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in
connection with any resale transaction.
 
ADVERSE EFFECT ON MARKET FOR EXISTING NOTES
 
    To the extent that Existing Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange
Offer, the trading market for the untendered and tendered but unaccepted
Existing Notes could be adversely affected. See "The Exchange Offer."
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
    There will be no proceeds to the Company from the exchange of Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer. This Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy certain of the
Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement. The net proceeds
available to the Company from the sale of the Existing Notes, after deducting
estimated expenses incurred in connection with such sale, were approximately
$71.8 million. Such net proceeds were used to repay the indebtedness under the
Term Loan ($35.0 million principal amount plus accrued interest thereon), which
was incurred in connection with the Recapitalization, and the Existing
Subordinated Notes ($25.0 million initial value plus accreted interest thereon),
which were issued in connection with the Recapitalization. The balance of the
net proceeds (approximately $12.3 million) was used to reduce outstanding
balances under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of June 30, 1996, on a pro
forma basis after giving effect to the Recapitalization, the Offering and the
application of the net proceeds therefrom, availability under the Revolving
Credit Facility after taking into account the borrowing base would have been
$47.8 million. Such availability may be used for general corporate purposes,
which may include future acquisitions. The Company presently does not have any
agreements, commitments or arrangements with respect to any proposed material
acquisitions and there can be no assurance that any acquisition will be
consummated in the future. See "Summary-- Transactions Related to the Offering"
and "Description of Senior Credit Facility" for a description of the terms of
the indebtedness to be repaid.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
    The following table sets forth, as of June 30, 1996, the capitalization of
the Company (i) on an historical basis, (ii) on a pro forma basis to reflect the
Recapitalization as if it occurred on such date and (iii) as further adjusted to
reflect the Offering as if it occurred on such date. The table should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and the
notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Offering Memorandum. See also
"Summary--Transactions Relating to the Offering," "Use of Proceeds" and
"Selected Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    JUNE 30, 1996
                                                        -------------------------------------
                                                                                  PRO FORMA
                                                         ACTUAL     PRO FORMA    AS ADJUSTED
                                                        ---------  -----------  -------------
                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>          <C>
Debt:
  Previous credit facility............................  $  62,404   $      --    $        --
  Revolving Credit Facility...........................         --     110,004         98,204
  Term Loan...........................................         --      35,000             --
  11 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003..........         --          --         75,000
  Existing Subordinated Notes.........................         --      25,000             --
                                                        ---------  -----------  -------------
      Total debt......................................     62,404     170,004        173,204
                                                        ---------  -----------  -------------
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
    authorized; 5,500,000 issued and outstanding
    (a)...............................................          1          55             55
  Additional paid-in capital..........................    128,350      26,121         26,121
  Accumulated deficit (b).............................    (29,574)    (31,467)       (31,467)
  Cumulative foreign currency translation
    adjustments.......................................     (1,247)     (1,247)        (1,247)
  Additional minimum pension liability................     (3,579)     (3,579)        (3,579)
                                                        ---------  -----------  -------------
      Total shareholders' equity (deficit) (c)........     93,951     (10,117)       (10,117)
                                                        ---------  -----------  -------------
      Total capitalization............................  $ 156,355   $ 159,887    $   163,087
                                                        ---------  -----------  -------------
                                                        ---------  -----------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(a) Prior to August 7, 1996, there were 100 shares of common stock outstanding
    and 3,000 shares authorized. As of August 7, 1996, after giving effect to
    the Recapitalization, there were 35.5 shares of common stock outstanding
    which were then split on a 155,000 to 1 basis.
 
(b) In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company entered into a new
    Senior Credit Facility with a group of banks led by The Chase Manhattan
    Bank. As a result, the Company will expense the unamortized portion of the
    financing fees associated with its previous credit facility in the third
    quarter of 1996. This non-cash charge of $1.9 million, after estimated tax
    benefits, is reflected in the Pro Forma and Pro Forma As Adjusted columns as
    if the Recapitalization occurred on June 30, 1996.
 
(c) As a result of the Recapitalization, the Company has a total shareholders'
    deficit. In the Recapitalization, Jupiter paid $41.3 million for 75% of the
    common stock of the Company and Senior Management retained 25% of the common
    stock of the Company which, based on the price per share paid by Jupiter,
    had a value of $13.8 million. Thus, the total value of the common stock
    purchased and retained in the Recapitalization was $55.0 million. In
    addition, in the Recapitalization the Company repurchased common stock for a
    total of $141.3 million, consisting of $135.0 million cash (including $10.0
    million placed into escrow) and Existing Subordinated Notes with an initial
    value of $6.3 million.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
                       SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA
                     CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
    The following table sets forth selected historical and pro forma
consolidated financial and other data for the Company. The historical financial
data as of the end of and for each year in the five year period ended December
31, 1995 have been derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial
statements which have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
accountants. Such financial statements for the three year period ended December
31, 1995 are included herein together with the report of such accountants
thereon. The historical data for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996 and
as of June 30, 1996 have been derived from the Company's consolidated financial
statements which have not been audited, but reflect, in the opinion of
management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments)
necessary to present fairly the information contained herein. Interim results
are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any fiscal year.
The pro forma financial data assume that the Recapitalization and the Offering
had occurred on January 1, 1995 for income statement data for the year ended
December 31, 1995, on January 1, 1996 for income statement data for the six
months ended June 30, 1996, and on June 30, 1996 for balance sheet data. The pro
forma financial data do not purport to represent what the Company's financial
position or results of operations would actually have been if the
Recapitalization and the Offering had occurred at the beginning of the period
indicated or on the date indicated, or purport to project the Company's results
of operations or financial position for any future period or at any future date.
The consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction
with the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company and the
related notes thereto and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," all contained elsewhere in this Offering
Memorandum.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
                       SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA
                     CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   UNAUDITED
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                 SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                    ------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------
                                       1991       1992       1993       1994       1995         1995          1996
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
                                                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EXPENSE PER CUBE DATA)
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>
STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA:
  Net sales (a).................... $1,688,611 $1,784,852 $1,868,932 $1,855,356 $2,047,187 $  983,435      $1,068,575
  Cost of goods sold...............  1,574,421  1,659,293  1,704,982  1,719,999  1,901,604    912,808        989,608
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
  Gross profit.....................    114,190    125,559    163,950    135,357    145,583     70,627         78,967
  Operating and administrative
    expenses.......................    111,054    115,243    117,411    116,080    125,245     60,678         64,516
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
  Operating income.................      3,136     10,316     46,539     19,277     20,338      9,949         14,451
  Interest expense, net............     10,358      5,983      4,887      5,773      6,987      3,759          2,971
  Debt refinancing costs (b).......         --         --         --      1,600      1,065        426            635
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
  Income (loss) before income taxes
    and cumulative effects of
    changes in accounting
    principles.....................     (7,222)      4,333     41,652     11,904     12,286      5,764        10,845
  Income tax expense...............        980        700      2,472      2,816      5,563      2,624          4,629
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
  Income (loss) before cumulative
    effects of changes in
    accounting principles..........     (8,202)      3,633     39,180      9,088      6,723      3,140         6,216
  Cumulative effect of changes in
    accounting principles for:
      Income taxes.................         --         --        492         --         --         --             --
      Postretirement benefits other
        than pensions..............         --         --       (988)         --         --         --            --
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
  Net income (loss)................ $   (8,202) $    3,633 $   38,684 $    9,088 $    6,723 $    3,140     $   6,216
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
 
OTHER DATA:
  EBITDA (c)....................... $   20,203 $   21,848 $   29,309 $   24,271 $   29,696 $   14,167      $  18,448
  LIFO (income) expense (d)........     10,227      5,727    (22,967)       (547)      3,415      1,133          727
  Depreciation and amortization
    (e)............................      6,840      5,805      5,737      5,541      5,943      3,085          3,270
  Capital expenditures.............      2,470      4,295      5,501      5,376      7,286      3,256          2,423
  Ratio of earnings to fixed
    charges (f)....................         --        1.4x        5.8x        2.3x        2.0x        2.0x       3.0 x
  Number of employees..............      1,817      1,800      1,885      1,906      2,012      2,085          2,122
  Cubes of product distributed
    (000s) (g).....................     15,500     16,161     17,867     19,359     20,550      9,765         11,070
  Cubes per employee...............      8,531      8,978      9,479     10,157     10,214      4,683          5,217
  Distribution operating expenses
    (h)............................ $   45,577 $   46,930 $   50,541 $   51,874 $   54,061 $   25,968      $  28,628
  Distribution operating expenses
    per cube....................... $     2.94 $     2.90 $     2.83 $     2.68 $     2.63 $     2.66      $    2.59
 
PRO FORMA DATA (UNAUDITED):
  EBITDA...........................                                             $   29,696                 $  18,448
  Cash interest expense (i)                                                         18,524                     8,561
  Ratio of EBITDA to cash interest
    expense (i)....................                                                    1.6x                      2.2 x
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   UNAUDITED
                                                      AS OF DECEMBER 31,                      AS OF JUNE 30, 1996
                                    ------------------------------------------------------ --------------------------
                                       1991       1992       1993       1994       1995        ACTUAL      PRO FORMA
                                    ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------------  ----------
                                                                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Average net working capital
    (j)............................ $   96,327 $   78,290 $   79,160 $   72,568 $   61,341 $   59,525      $  60,787
  Total assets.....................    323,979    318,127    329,855    293,743    324,536    292,594        298,064
  Total debt, including current
    maturities.....................    149,445    142,432    127,053     84,627    101,598     62,404        173,204
  Mandatorily redeemable preferred
    stock (k)......................     24,347     29,146     34,890     41,767         --         --             --
  Total common shareholders' equity
    (deficit) (l)..................     12,749      9,705     41,137     39,346     87,669     93,951        (10,117 )
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Selected Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial and Other
                                     Data.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
            NOTES TO SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED
                            FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
 
(a) In the second quarter of 1995, the Company completed two acquisitions which
    added approximately $62 million, $21 million and $37 million in net sales
    for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1995
    and 1996, respectively.
 
(b) Debt refinancing costs include all costs associated with restructuring and
    refinancing debt and amortization of debt issuance costs.
 
(c) EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation, amortization and LIFO
    expense, and minus LIFO income (each defined below). EBITDA should not be
    considered in isolation or as a substitute for net income, operating income,
    cash flows or other consolidated income or cash flow data prepared in
    accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or as a measure of
    a company's profitability or liquidity. EBITDA is included because it is one
    measure used by certain investors to determine a company's ability to
    service its indebtedness.
 
(d) The Company's U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.
    Cost of goods sold is determined on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis using
    Producer Price Indices as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor
    Statistics. During periods of price inflation in the Company's product line,
    the LIFO methodology generally results in the impact of inflation on year
    end inventories being charged as additional expense to cost of goods sold
    while lower costs are retained in inventories. Conversely, during periods of
    price deflation, the LIFO methodology generally results in lower current
    costs being charged to cost of goods sold while higher costs are retained in
    inventories. During the year ended December 31, 1993, the Company's U.S.
    cigarette inventory quantities declined and the wholesale cost of U.S.
    premium cigarettes significantly declined. These factors resulted in a lower
    inventory cost being charged to cost of goods sold under the LIFO method of
    valuation compared to the FIFO method (in an amount of $23.0 million, "LIFO
    income"). This situation is in contrast to other periods in which the
    Company has more typically incurred "LIFO expense." See "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
 
(e) Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation on property and
    equipment, amortization of goodwill and other non-cash charges, and excludes
    amortization of debt refinancing costs.
 
(f)  For the purpose of computing the Company's ratio of earnings to fixed
    charges, "earnings" represent income (loss) before income taxes and before
    fixed charges. "Fixed charges" represent interest on all other indebtedness
    (including amortization of the SFAS No. 15 troubled debt restructuring
    deferred credit, amortization of debt financing costs and a portion of the
    operating lease rental expense that is representative of the interest factor
    therein (deemed to be one-third of rental expense)). For the year ended
    December 31, 1993, such ratio was significantly impacted by LIFO income of
    $23.0 million. The Company had a deficiency of earnings to fixed charges in
    1991 of $7.2 million.
 
(g) The term "cube" refers to one cubic foot of product, a common unit of
    measurement in wholesale distribution.
 
(h) Distribution operating expenses include the cost of receiving, warehousing,
    picking and delivering products purchased by the Company's customers,
    excluding depreciation and insurance.
 
(i)  Pro forma cash interest expense is defined as interest expense exclusive of
    bank agency fees and amortization of debt issuance costs. The pro forma cash
    interest calculation assumes (i) the elimination of historical interest
    expense under the previous credit facility, (ii) interest on the Notes at a
    rate of 11.375% per annum and (iii) interest on the borrowings under the
    Senior Credit Facility after giving effect to the Recapitalization and the
    Offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom. The borrowings
    under the previous credit facility and under the Senior Credit Facility bear
    interest at the same rates, which for purposes of this calculation are 8.5%
    for 1995 and 8.0% for the six months ended June 30, 1996, the weighted
    average rates in effect under the previous credit facility during such
    periods. A 0.5% change in the interest rate under the Senior Credit Facility
    would result in a $0.5 million change to pro forma cash interest expense for
    the full year.
 
(j)  Average net working capital represents month-end averages of total current
    assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) less month-end averages of
    total current liabilities (excluding current maturities of long-term debt).
 
(k) Series B Preferred Stock, with a $50.0 million stated value and a mandatory
    redemption date of December 31, 1995, was issued in conjunction with a
    restructuring in 1991 and was initially recorded at a discounted fair value
    and accreted through March 1995, at which time it was exchanged, along with
    warrants owned by the senior lenders, for equity in a holding company that
    was also owned by management. At that time, the carrying value of the
    Preferred Stock was reclassified into additional paid-in capital.
 
(l)  As a result of the Recapitalization, the Company has a total common
    shareholders' deficit. In the Recapitalization, Jupiter paid $41.3 million
    for 75% of the common stock of the Company and Senior Management retained
    25% of the common stock of the Company which, based on the price per share
    paid by Jupiter, had a value of $13.8 million. Thus, the total value of the
    common stock purchased and retained in the Recapitalization was $55.0
    million. In addition, in the Recapitalization the Company repurchased common
    stock for a total of $141.3 million, consisting of $135.0 million in cash
    (including $10.0 million placed into escrow) and Existing Subordinated Notes
    with an initial value of $6.3 million.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the "Selected
Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Data" and the consolidated
financial statements of the Company and notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The discussion that follows reflects reported results, and as such
does not take into consideration the effects of the Recapitalization and the
Offering on results of operations.
 
GENERAL
 
    The Company is one of the two largest broad-line, full-service wholesale
distributors of packaged consumer products to the convenience retail industry in
North America. The products distributed by the Company include cigarettes, food
products such as candy, fast food, snacks, groceries and non-alcoholic
beverages, and non-food products such as film, batteries and other sundries,
health and beauty care products and tobacco products other than cigarettes. In
the year ended December 31, 1995, approximately 71%, 20% and 9% of the Company's
net sales and approximately 40%, 41% and 19% of the Company's gross profit were
derived from cigarettes, food products and non-food products, respectively.
Although food and non-food products generally carry higher operating expenses to
pick and handle than cigarettes, the Company believes that such products' net
contribution to earnings, after expenses, is higher than for cigarettes. In
addition, overall gross margins on cigarettes as well as other products are
affected not only by wholesale price changes and volumes but also by amounts
received under promotional programs offered by the manufacturers, which are
recorded as reductions to cost of goods sold.
 
IMPACT OF CIGARETTE PRICING
 
    Since 1993, the wholesale price of cigarettes has been affected by a number
of factors including the following:
 
"MARLBORO FRIDAY"
 
    In August 1993, the United States tobacco industry, led by Philip Morris,
reduced the wholesale price of premium cigarettes (e.g., Marlboro, Winston,
Salem, etc.) by $4.00 per carton, or approximately 25%. The Company believes the
cigarette manufacturers took this action in order to reduce the pricing
differential in the United States between premium and discount cigarettes.
Following the $4.00 a carton price reduction, the Company immediately reduced
the prices charged to its customers for premium cigarettes. In 1993, 1994 and
1995, the Company sold approximately 42 million, 47 million and 54 million
cartons, respectively, of premium cigarettes and 20 million, 19 million and 20
million cartons, respectively, of discount cigarettes in the domestic market.
 
REDUCTION OF CANADIAN FEDERAL TAXES
 
    In February 1994, the Canadian federal government substantially reduced the
federal component of tobacco taxes by approximately U.S. $3.60 on all cartons of
cigarettes. This reduction decreased the cost of cigarette products charged to
the Company by the cigarette manufacturers, which in turn caused the Company to
reduce the prices charged to its customers. In addition, the Company's
inventory, trade accounts receivable, and trade accounts payable were reduced.
In 1993, 1994 and 1995, the Company sold approximately 14 million, 15 million
and 15 million cartons, respectively, of cigarettes in the Canadian market.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
CIGARETTE PRICE INCREASES
 
    Prior to 1993, the United States cigarette manufacturers raised their prices
approximately twice per year. During that time, cigarette distributors,
including the Company, realized substantial earnings from incremental forward
purchases of cigarette inventory prior to each price increase. During 1993, the
Company realized substantial earnings from forward buying of cigarettes in
advance of price increases.
 
    The decision by Philip Morris and other manufacturers to reduce premium
cigarette prices in 1993 and their subsequent decision not to raise prices on
any category of cigarettes in 1994 eliminated the Company's ability to profit
from cigarette price increases. While price increases did occur in 1995 and
again in 1996, the impact of these price increases on the Company's
profitability was much less than in 1993, as the magnitude of the price
increases per carton was smaller. Additionally, the Company's average cigarette
inventory levels at the time of the price increases were much lower in 1995 and
1996 than in 1993.
 
    For the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and the six months
ended June 30, 1995 and 1996, the Company experienced operating profit
attributable to cigarette price increases of $6.5 million, $0.0 million, $1.1
million, $1.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
 
IMPACT OF LIFO INVENTORY VALUATION METHOD
 
    The Company's U.S. inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.
Cost of goods sold is determined on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis using
Producer Price Indices as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.
The Company's Canadian inventories are valued on a first-in, first-out (FIFO)
basis. The LIFO method of determining cost of goods sold has had a significant
impact on the results of operations, which is quantified separately in the
discussion below.
 
    During periods of price inflation in the Company's product line, the LIFO
methodology generally results in the impact of inflation on year end inventories
being charged as additional expenses to cost of goods sold while lower costs are
retained in inventories. Historically, increases in the Company's cost of
cigarettes resulted from a combination of cost increases by cigarette
manufacturers and increases in federal and state excise taxes. During the year
ended December 31, 1995 and the six month periods ended June 30, 1995 and 1996,
the impact of using the LIFO method increased the cost of goods sold by $3.4
million, $1.1 million, and $0.7 million, respectively. In 1995, cigarette and
candy manufacturers increased prices contributing to the LIFO expense of $3.4
million during 1995. For the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996, LIFO
expense of $1.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, is primarily the result
of increases in cigarette prices during those periods.
 
    Conversely, during periods of price deflation, the LIFO methodology
generally results in lower current costs being charged to cost of goods sold
while higher costs are retained in inventories. In August 1993, U.S. cigarette
manufacturers reduced the wholesale price of their premium cigarettes by
approximately $4.00 per carton or approximately 25% (see "-- Impact of Cigarette
Pricing -- 'Marlboro Friday' "). In addition, the Company's units of cigarette
inventory at December 31, 1993 were 18% lower than at December 31, 1992 as a
result of greater promotional activity by cigarette manufacturers at year end
1992. The impact of these two factors resulted in LIFO income of $23.0 million
for the year ended December 31, 1993. In 1994 there were no cigarette price
increases or decreases; however there were net changes in units which
contributed to the LIFO income of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31,
1994.
 
CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS
 
    During the period 1993 to 1995, the Canadian dollar weakened against the
U.S. dollar, thereby deflating the U.S. dollar value of Canadian revenues in the
Company's consolidated financial statements. On average, the Canadian dollar
weakened approximately 6% in 1993, 5% in 1994, and less than
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
1% in 1995 from the prior year. The change in the U.S./Canadian exchange rate
had no impact on the overall financial results of the Canadian operations as
virtually all revenues and expenses are Canadian dollar based.
 
ACQUISITIONS
 
    In the second quarter of 1995, the Company acquired two Wholesale
Distributors within its existing and contiguous markets: (i) two divisions of
Flaks, Inc., with operations in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Denver, Colorado;
and (ii) Humboldt Distributors, Inc., with operations in Northern California.
These acquisitions were structured as asset purchases of inventory and accounts
receivable. The aggregate consideration for these acquisitions was $9.6 million.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
    The following table sets forth certain operating results as a percentage of
net sales, for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          SIX MONTHS
                                                                              YEAR ENDED                    ENDED
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,                  JUNE 30,
                                                                    -------------------------------  --------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                      1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net sales.........................................................      100.0%     100.0%     100.0%     100.0%     100.0%
Cost of goods sold (a)............................................       91.2       92.7       92.9       92.8       92.6
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Gross profit (b)..................................................        8.8        7.3        7.1        7.2        7.4
Operating and administrative expenses.............................        6.3        6.3        6.1        6.2        6.0
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Operating income..................................................        2.5%       1.0%       1.0%       1.0%       1.4%
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(a) LIFO (income) expense is included in cost of goods sold.
 
(b) The Company earned $6.5 million in 1993, $0.0 million in 1994, $1.1 million
    in 1995, $1.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 1995 and $2.1 million
    in the six months ended June 30, 1996 from cigarette price increases.
 
    The following table sets forth gross profit and operating income as a
percentage of net sales, after adjusting for LIFO (income) expense, for the
periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          SIX MONTHS
                                                                              YEAR ENDED                    ENDED
                                                                             DECEMBER 31,                  JUNE 30,
                                                                    -------------------------------  --------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                                      1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Gross profit (a)..................................................        8.8%       7.3%       7.1%       7.2%       7.4%
LIFO (income) expense.............................................       (1.2)       0.0        0.2        0.1        0.1
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Adjusted gross profit.............................................        7.6        7.3        7.3        7.3        7.5
Operating and administrative expenses.............................        6.3        6.3        6.1        6.2        6.0
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Adjusted operating income.........................................        1.3%       1.0%       1.2%       1.1%       1.5%
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                    ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(a) The Company earned $6.5 million in 1993, $0.0 million in 1994, $1.1 million
    in 1995, $1.1 million in the six months ended June 30, 1995 and $2.1 million
    in the six months ended June 30, 1996 from cigarette price increases.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1995
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 1996 were $1,068.6
million, an increase of $85.1 million or 8.7% compared to the same period in
1995. The increase was due to growth in all product categories of the Company's
operations. In the second quarter of 1995, the Company acquired selected assets
of two businesses, increasing net sales for the six months ended June 30, 1996
by approximately $16 million compared to the similar period in 1995.
 
    Cigarette net sales for the six months ended June 30, 1996 were $744.6
million, an increase of $51.8 million or 7.5% compared to the same period in
1995 as a result of increases in unit volumes and increases in prices of both
U.S. and Canadian cigarettes. This increase was also partially due to the
acquisitions described above (approximately $11 million). The Company's total
cigarette unit sales for the six months ended June 30, 1996 were 45.4 million
cartons, an increase of 2.7 million cartons or 6.3% compared to the same period
in 1995. Of this increase, 0.7 million cartons were attributable to the
acquisitions described above. The total increase reflected increases in unit
volume sales of U.S. premium brand cigarettes (which increased by 1.9 million
cartons or 7.5%), U.S. discount brand cigarettes (which increased by 0.3 million
cartons or 2.6%), and Canadian cigarettes (which increased by 0.5 million
cartons, or 6.9%).
 
    Net sales of food and non-food products for the six months ended June 30,
1996 were $323.9 million, an increase of $33.4 million or 11.5% compared to the
same period in 1995. This increase was partially due to the acquisitions
described above (which contributed approximately $5 million) and the Company's
focus on increasing food and non-food product sales. The increase primarily
occurred in candy sales, which increased $9.6 million or 9.5%, beverage sales,
which increased by $4.8 million or 20.4% and general merchandise sales, which
increased $4.9 million or 23.8%.
 
    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 1996 was $79.0
million, an increase of $8.3 million or 11.8% compared to 1995. For the six
months ended June 30, 1996, the Company recognized LIFO expense of $0.7 million
compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 1995. The following table
illustrates the impact of the LIFO adjustment on the Company's gross profit
margin:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1995         1996
                                                                                   -----        -----
<S>                                                                             <C>          <C>
Reported gross profit margin..................................................         7.2%         7.4%
Impact of LIFO expense........................................................         0.1          0.1
                                                                                        --           --
Adjusted gross profit margin..................................................         7.3%         7.5%
                                                                                        --           --
                                                                                        --           --
</TABLE>
 
    The adjusted gross profit margin for the six months ended June 30, 1996
increased compared to the same period in 1995 primarily because there was $2.1
million of profits from cigarette price increases or 0.2% of net sales in 1996
compared to $1.1 million of profits from such increases or 0.1% of net sales in
1995. See " -- Impact of Cigarette Pricing -- Cigarette Price Increases."
 
    The adjusted gross profit margin on food and non-food sales increased
slightly compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of a candy price
increase in late 1995.
 
    OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  Operating and administrative
expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1996 were $64.5 million, an increase
of $3.8 million or 6.3% compared to 1995. However, such expenses for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 decreased to 6.0% of net sales as compared to 6.2%
for the same period last year due to relatively flat general and administrative
expenses, which are primarily fixed.
 
    OPERATING INCOME.  As a result of the above, operating income for the six
months ended June 30, 1996 was $14.5 million, an increase of $4.5 million or
45.3% as compared to the same period in 1995. As
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
a percentage of net sales, operating income for the six months ended June 30,
1996 was 1.4%, as compared to 1.0% for the same period in 1995.
 
    NET INTEREST EXPENSE.  Net interest expense for the six months ended June
30, 1996 was $3.0 million, a decrease of $0.8 million or 21.0% compared to the
same period in 1995. The net decrease resulted from a reduction in average
interest rates and average debt levels.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales for 1995 were $2,047.2 million, an increase of $191.8
million or 10.3% compared to 1994. The increase was the result of growth in all
categories of the Company's operations. Net sales increased by approximately $62
million compared to 1994 due to the acquisition in the second quarter of 1995 of
two businesses described above.
 
    Cigarette net sales for 1995 were $1,446.7 million, an increase of $147.0
million or 11.3% compared to 1994. Cigarette net sales for 1995 in the U.S.
increased in part due to the acquisitions described above which contributed
approximately $42 million in net sales or approximately 3.3 million cartons. The
Company's total cigarette unit volume in 1995 was 88.9 million cartons, an
increase of 8.2 million cartons or 10.2% compared to 1994, reflecting increases
in unit volume sales of U.S. premium brand cigarettes (7.3 million cartons or
15.6%) and U.S. discount brand cigarettes (0.9 million cartons or 4.7%), while
unit volumes of Canadian cigarettes increased by 0.2%. During 1995, prices of
U.S. premium and discount brand cigarettes and Canadian cigarettes increased
slightly, contributing to an increase in cigarette net sales.
 
    Net sales of food and non-food products in 1995 were $600.5 million, an
increase of $44.8 million or 8.1% compared to 1994. Food and non-food net sales
in the U.S. increased in part due to the acquisitions described above which
contributed approximately $20 million in net sales. The principal components of
the total increase in 1995 were candy sales, which increased $13.3 million or
7.0% and beverage products which increased $7.2 million or 16.7%.
 
    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit for 1995 was $145.6 million, an increase of
$10.2 million or 7.6%, compared to 1994. The increase was primarily due to
increased gross profits from food and non-food product categories. For 1995, the
Company recognized LIFO expense of $3.4 million compared to LIFO income of $0.5
million in 1994, and as a result the adjusted gross profit margin in 1995
remained constant compared to 1994. The following table illustrates the impact
of the LIFO adjustment on the Company's gross profit margin:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1994         1995
                                                                                   -----        -----
<S>                                                                             <C>          <C>
Reported gross profit margin..................................................         7.3%         7.1%
Impact of LIFO (income) expense...............................................         0.0          0.2
                                                                                        --           --
Adjusted gross profit margin..................................................         7.3%         7.3%
                                                                                        --           --
                                                                                        --           --
</TABLE>
 
    OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  Operating and administrative
expenses for 1995 were $125.2 million, an increase of $9.2 million or 7.9%
compared to 1994. Such expenses declined as a percentage of net sales from 6.3%
to 6.1%. The decrease as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to a
decrease in warehouse and delivery expenses as a percentage of net sales
compared to 1994 which was the result of the Company's investment in
productivity enhancements.
 
    OPERATING INCOME.  As a result of the above, operating income for 1995 was
$20.3 million, an increase of $1.1 million or 5.5% as compared to 1994. As a
percentage of sales, operating income for 1995 was 1.0%, the same as in 1994.
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
    NET INTEREST EXPENSE.  Net interest expense for 1995 was $7.0 million, an
increase of $1.2 million or 21.0% compared to 1994. The net increase resulted
from a $0.8 million decrease in cash interest expense offset by a $2.0 million
non-cash credit. The decrease in cash interest was due to a reduction in average
borrowings due to lower working capital requirements, offset by higher average
interest rates in 1995. The non-cash credit of $2.0 million in 1994 related to
the 1991 restructuring of the Company's credit facility. As a result of such
restructuring, $50.0 million of senior debt was converted into preferred stock
and warrants to purchase common stock of the Company. The difference between the
face value of the debt converted and the fair value assigned to the preferred
stock and warrants was amortized as a reduction of interest expense on an
effective yield basis, and amounted to $2.0 million for 1994.
 
    DEBT REFINANCING COSTS.  The Company successfully completed a refinancing in
March 1995. The costs directly related to such refinancing were being amortized
over the term of such debt facility. Debt refinancing costs for 1995 were $1.1
million, compared to $1.6 million in 1994.
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993
 
    NET SALES.  Net sales for 1994 were $1,855.4 million, a decrease of $13.6
million or 0.7% compared to 1993. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease
in cigarette net sales, partially offset by an increase in food and non-food net
sales. Net sales for 1994 as compared to 1993 were negatively influenced by
changes in foreign exchange rates. See "-- Currency Fluctuations."
 
    Cigarette net sales for 1994 were $1,299.7 million, a decrease of $45.0
million or 3.3% compared to 1993. This was despite a 4.0 million or 5.2% carton
increase in the Company's total cigarette unit sales in 1994 compared to 1993.
The decrease in cigarette net sales was due to the following factors: (i) a
decrease in net sales of Canadian cigarettes of $53.7 million or 11.7% as a
result of the February 1994 reduction of U.S. $3.60 per carton in federal taxes
on such cigarettes (see "-- Impact of Cigarette Pricing -- Reduction of Canadian
Federal Taxes") and negative foreign currency rate fluctuations, offset in part
by an increase in unit volume sales of such cigarettes; (ii) an increase in net
sales of U.S. premium brand cigarettes of $4.3 million or 0.6% as a result of an
increase in unit volume sales of 4.5 million cartons or 10.6% which was
substantially offset by the 25% reduction in August 1993 in the wholesale cost
of such cigarettes (see "-- Impact of Cigarette Pricing -- 'Marlboro Friday' ");
and (iii) an increase in net sales of U.S. discount brand cigarettes of $4.4
million or 2.1% as a result of increases in average prices for such cigarettes,
despite a decrease in unit volume sales of such cigarettes of 1.1 million
cartons or 5.5%.
 
    Net sales of food and non-food products for 1994 were $555.7 million, an
increase of $31.4 million or 6.0% compared to 1993. The increase primarily
occurred in candy sales, which increased $10.1 million or 5.6% and fast food
sales, which increased $6.6 million or 13.9%.
 
    GROSS PROFIT.  Gross profit for 1994 was $135.4 million, a decrease of $28.6
million or 17.4% compared to 1993. The decrease was attributable in part to much
lower LIFO income for 1994 compared to 1993. For 1994, the Company recognized
LIFO income of $0.5 million compared to LIFO income of $23.0 million for 1993.
The following table illustrates the impact of the LIFO adjustment on the
Company's gross profit margin:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1993         1994
                                                                                    -----        -----
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>
Reported gross profit margin...................................................         8.8%         7.3%
Impact of LIFO (income) expense................................................        (1.2)         0.0
                                                                                                      --
                                                                                        ---
Adjusted gross profit margin...................................................         7.6%         7.3%
                                                                                                      --
                                                                                                      --
                                                                                        ---
                                                                                        ---
</TABLE>
 
    The adjusted gross profit margin for 1994 decreased compared to 1993
primarily because there was $6.5 million of profits from cigarette price
increases, or 0.3% of net sales, in 1993, and none in 1994. See "-- Cigarette
Price Increases". In addition, the decrease in the adjusted gross profit margin
was due
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
to a reduction in overall cigarette gross margins, which was attributable to a
shift in the sales mix from higher margin discount cigarettes to lower margin
premium cigarettes. These decreases in the adjusted gross profit margin were
substantially offset by the 6.0% increase in net sales of food and non-food
products, which carry higher gross profit margins than cigarettes.
 
    OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.  Operating and administrative
expenses for 1994 were $116.1 million, a decrease of $1.3 million or 1.1%
compared to 1993. However, such expenses for 1994 remained constant at 6.3% of
net sales as compared to 1993.
 
    OPERATING INCOME.  As a result of the above, operating income for 1994 was
$19.3 million, a decrease of $27.3 million or 58.6%, as compared to 1993. As a
percentage of net sales, operating income for 1994 was 1.0%, as compared to 2.5%
for the same period in 1993.
 
    NET INTEREST EXPENSE.  Net interest expense for 1994 was $5.8 million, an
increase of $0.9 million or 18.1% compared to 1993. The net increase resulted
from a $0.6 million decrease in cash interest expense offset by a $1.5 million
decrease (from $3.5 million in 1993 to $2.0 million in 1994) in the non-cash
credit related to the 1991 restructuring of the Company's credit facility. The
decrease in cash interest was due to a reduction in average borrowings due to
lower working capital requirements, offset by a general increase in interest
rates.
 
    DEBT REFINANCING COSTS.  In 1994, the Company commenced a refinancing
strategy that was terminated and the related costs of $1.6 million were expensed
in 1994.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
    Following the consummation of the Offering, the Company's liquidity needs
will arise primarily from the funding of its working capital needs, capital
expenditure programs and debt service requirements with respect to the Revolving
Credit Facility and the Notes. After completion of the Offering, the Company
expects to have outstanding approximately $175.0 million of indebtedness,
primarily consisting of $75.0 million principal amount of the Notes and
approximately $100.0 million of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.
 
    On August 7, 1996, in connection with the Recapitalization, the Company
replaced its existing credit facility with the Senior Credit Facility. The
Senior Credit Facility provides for aggregate borrowings under the Revolving
Credit Facility up to $175.0 million until June 30, 2001, subject to borrowing
base limitations, based upon eligible levels of cash, accounts receivable,
inventories and other assets. The Senior Credit Facility also provides for the
$35.0 million Term Loan, which was drawn in its entirety on August 7, 1996, and
which was fully repaid with a portion of the proceeds of the Offering.
Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility will bear interest at floating rates
based upon the interest rate option selected by the Company. As of June 30,
1996, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Recapitalization and the
Offering, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility would have
been $98.2 million, and an additional $47.8 million after taking into account
the borrowing base would have been available to be drawn. For a more detailed
description of the Senior Credit Facility, see "Description of Senior Credit
Facility."
 
    The Company made capital expenditures of $5.5 million, $5.4 million, $7.3
million and $2.4 million in 1993, 1994, 1995, and for the six months ended June
30, 1996, respectively. The Company estimates that for the remaining six months
of 1996, approximately $5.0 million of capital expenditures will be required.
 
    The Company's principal sources of liquidity are net cash provided by
operating activities and its Revolving Credit Facility. For the six months ended
June 30, 1996, net cash provided by operating activities was $30.0 million as
compared to $28.6 million for the same period in 1995. This improvement was
principally driven by a $4.5 million operating income increase for the first six
months of 1996 as compared to the 1995 period, offset by changes in net working
capital. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, net cash provided by
operating activities was $12.5 million compared to $54.7
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
million in 1994. Net cash flow provided by operating activities reflects, in
part, changes in working capital. At year end, the Company typically builds
inventories to maintain its LIFO position, which inventories are then liquidated
in future periods. Therefore, net cash provided by operating activities is
typically lower at the end of any fiscal year compared to interim periods.
 
    Net cash provided by operating activities in 1994 was positively impacted by
a management decision to reduce inventories, principally cigarette inventories,
by $24.2 million. The Company also benefited in 1994 from improved management of
trade accounts receivable, reducing balances in 1994 by $6.7 million or 7.4% and
a large increase in trade payables at December 31, 1994, which was primarily a
timing benefit.
 
    For the six months ended June 30, 1995, $9.6 million was invested in the
acquisition of two businesses, primarily consisting of inventory and
receivables. See "--Acquisitions."
 
IMPACT OF TOBACCO TAXES
 
    State and provincial tobacco taxes represent a significant portion of the
Company's net sales and cost of goods sold attributable to cigarettes and other
tobacco products. During 1995, such taxes on cigarettes represented
approximately 26% of cigarette net sales in the U.S. and 48% in Canada.
 
    Under current law, almost all state and Canadian provincial taxes are
payable by the Company under credit terms which, on the average, exceed the
credit terms the Company has approved for its customers to pay for products
which include such taxes. This practice has benefited the Company's cash flow.
If the Company were required to pay such taxes at the time such obligation is
incurred without the benefit of credit terms, the Company would incur a
substantial permanent increase in its working capital requirements. Consistent
with industry practices, the Company has secured a bond to guarantee its tax
obligations to those states requiring such a surety (a majority of states in the
Company's operating areas).
 
INFLATION
 
    Historically, cigarette products have experienced higher inflation compared
to the Company's other products. However, during 1993, cigarettes experienced
significant price deflation. Following increases or decreases in prices with
respect to any of the Company's products, the Company generally adjusts its
selling prices, in order to maintain its gross profit, and therefore, inflation
and deflation generally do not have a material impact on the Company's gross
profit. During the past several years, low levels of overall inflation and
resulting low interest rates have benefited the Company's results of operations
because of the Company's high degree of leverage. If interest rates increase (as
a result of increased inflation or otherwise), the Company could be adversely
affected. See "Risk Factors--Substantial Leverage and Debt Service Obligations."
 
FEDERAL NET OPERATING LOSSES
 
    At December 31, 1995, the Company had available for U.S. federal income tax
return purposes net operating losses approximating $32.0 million, subject to
certain limitations, which will expire between the years 2005 and 2007.
 
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
    The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No.
106, EMPLOYERS' ACCOUNTING FOR POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS,
effective January 1, 1993. Adoption of SFAS No. 106 resulted in a one-time
charge to net income in 1993 of approximately $1.0 million, which represents the
discounted present value of expected future retiree health benefits attributed
to employee service rendered prior to that date.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
    The Company adopted SFAS No. 109, ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES, effective
January 1, 1993. Under the asset and liability method required by SFAS No. 109,
deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. The Company has reported the cumulative effect from the change in the
method of accounting for income taxes in its consolidated results of operations
for 1993, which had the impact of increasing consolidated net income by
approximately $0.5 million.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
GENERAL
 
    The Company hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (which
together constitute the Exchange Offer), to exchange up to $75,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of New Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of Existing
Notes properly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not withdrawn as
permitted pursuant to the procedures described below. The Exchange Offer is
being made with respect to all of the Existing Notes: the total aggregate
principal amount of Existing Notes and New Notes will in no event exceed
$75,000,000.
 
    As of the date of this Prospectus, $75.0 million aggregate principal amount
of the Existing Notes was outstanding. This Prospectus, together with the Letter
of Transmittal, is first being sent on or about             , 1996, to all
holders of Existing Notes known to the Company. The Company's obligation to
accept Existing Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to
certain conditions as set forth under "--Conditions to the Exchange Offer"
below.
 
PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    The Existing Notes were issued by the Company on September 27, 1996 in a
transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Accordingly, the Existing Notes may not be reoffered, resold, or otherwise
transferred in the United States unless so registered or unless an applicable
exemption from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act is available.
 
    In connection with the issuance and sale of the Existing Notes, the Company
entered into an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
September 27, 1996 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), which requires the
Company to use its best efforts to file on or before November 11, 1996 (45 days
after the date of issuance of the Existing Notes) a registration statement
relating to the Exchange Offer (or a shelf registration statement relating to
resales of the Existing Notes) and to cause the registration relating to the
Exchange Offer or the shelf registration statement to become effective on or
before January 10, 1997 (105 days after the date of issuance of the Existing
Notes). The Exchange Offer is being made by the Company to satisfy its
obligations with respect to the Registration Rights Agreement.
 
    Based on no-action letters issued by the staff of the Commission to third
parties in unrelated transactions, the Company believes that the New Notes
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any such holder that is
an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act or (ii) any broker-dealer that purchases Notes from the Company
to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption) without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course
of such holders' business and such holders have no arrangement with any person
to participate in the distribution of such New Notes. Any holder of Existing
Notes who tenders in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of participating in a
distribution of the New Notes may be deemed to have received restricted
securities and, if so, will be required to comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a
secondary resale transaction. Thus, any New Notes acquired by such holders will
not be freely transferable except in compliance with the Securities Act. See
"--Consequences of Failure to Exchange; Resale of New Notes."
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSION; TERMINATION; AMENDMENT
 
    The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on December
  , 1996, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, has extended the period of
time for which the Exchange Offer is open (such date, as it may be extended, is
referred to herein as the "Expiration Date"). The Expiration Date will be at
least 20 business days after the commencement of the Exchange Offer in
accordance with Rule 14e-1(a) under the Exchange Act. In addition, the Company
has agreed in the Registration Rights Agreement to keep the Exchange Offer open
for not less than 30 days after the date that notice thereof is first mailed to
the holders of the Existing Notes. The Company expressly reserves the right, at
any time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which the
Exchange Offer is open (provided that the Exchange Offer will not be extended
beyond the one hundred twentieth day following the commencement thereof), and
thereby delay acceptance for exchange of any Existing Notes, by giving oral
notice (promptly confirmed in writing) or written notice to Bankers Trust
Company of New York (the "Exchange Agent") and by giving written notice of such
extension to the holders thereof or by timely public announcement communicated,
unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, by making a release
through the Dow Jones News Service, in each case, no later than 9:00 A.M. New
York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled
Expiration Date. During any such extension, all Existing Notes previously
tendered will remain subject to the Exchange Offer unless properly withdrawn.
 
    In addition, the Company expressly reserves the right to terminate or amend
the Exchange Offer and not to accept for exchange any Existing Notes not
theretofore accepted for exchange upon the occurrence of any of the events
specified below under "--Conditions to the Exchange Offer." If any such
termination or amendment occurs, the Company will notify the Exchange Agent and
will either issue a press release or give oral or written notice to the holders
of the Existing Notes as promptly as practicable.
 
    For purposes of the Exchange Offer, a "business day" means any day other
than Saturday, Sunday or a date on which banking institutions are required or
authorized by New York State law to be closed, and consists of the time period
from 12:01 A.M. through 12:00 midnight, New York City time.
 
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING EXISTING NOTES
 
    The tender to the Company of Existing Notes by a holder thereof as set forth
below and the acceptance thereof by the Company will constitute a binding
agreement between the tendering holder and the Company upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and in the accompanying
Letter of Transmittal.
 
    A holder of Existing Notes may tender the same by (i) properly completing
and signing the Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile thereof (all references in
this Prospectus to the Letter of Transmittal shall be deemed to include a
facsimile thereof) and delivering the same, together with the certificate or
certificates representing the Existing Notes being tendered and any required
signature guarantees, to the Exchange Agent at its address set forth below on or
prior to the Expiration Date (or complying with the procedure for book-entry
transfer described below) or (ii) complying with the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below.
 
    THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF EXISTING NOTES, LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE HOLDERS. IF SUCH
DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED MAIL PROPERLY INSURED,
WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO INSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. NO EXISTING NOTES OR LETTERS OF TRANSMITTAL
SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.
 
    Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case
may be, must be guaranteed unless the Existing Notes surrendered for exchange
pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Existing Notes
who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the
amount of an
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
Eligible Institution (as defined below). In the event that signatures on a
Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are
required to be guaranteed, such guarantees must be by a firm which is a member
of a registered national securities exchange or a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or by a clearing agency, an insured
credit union, a savings association or a commercial bank or trust company having
an office or correspondent in the United States (collectively, "Eligible
Institutions"). If Existing Notes are registered in the name of a person other
than a signer of the Letter of Transmittal, the Existing Notes surrendered for
exchange must be endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or
instruments of transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by the
Company in its sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder with the
signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.
 
    The Exchange Agent will make a request within two business days after the
date of receipt of this Prospectus to establish accounts with respect to the
Existing Notes at the book-entry transfer facility, The Depository Trust
Company, for the purpose of facilitating the Exchange Offer, and subject to the
establishment thereof, any financial institution that is a participant in the
book-entry transfer facility's system may make book-entry delivery of Existing
Notes by causing such book-entry transfer facility to transfer such Existing
Notes into the Exchange Agent's account with respect to the Existing Notes in
accordance with the book-entry transfer facility's procedures for such transfer.
Although delivery of Existing Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer
into the Exchange Agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility, an
appropriate Letter of Transmittal with any required signature guarantee and all
other required documents must in each case be transmitted to and received or
confirmed by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth below on or prior to
the Expiration Date, or, if the guaranteed delivery procedures described below
are complied with, within the time period provided under such procedures.
 
    If a holder desires to accept the Exchange Offer and time will not permit a
Letter of Transmittal or Existing Note to reach the Exchange Agent before the
Expiration Date or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on
a timely basis, a tender may be effected if the Exchange Agent has received at
its address set forth below on or prior to the Expiration Date a letter,
telegram or facsimile transmission from an Eligible Institution setting forth
the name and address of the tendering holder, the names in which the Existing
Notes are registered and, if possible, the certificate numbers of the Existing
Notes to be tendered, and stating that the tender is being made thereby and
guaranteeing that within three business days after the Expiration Date the
Existing Notes in proper form for transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry
transfer of such Existing Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the
book-entry transfer facility), will be delivered by such Eligible Institution
together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (and
any other required documents). Unless Existing Notes being tendered by the
above-described method are deposited with the Exchange Agent within the time
period set forth above (accompanied or preceded by a properly completed Letter
of Transmittal and any other required documents), the Company may, at its
option, reject the tender. Copies of a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery which may
be used by Eligible Institutions for the purposes described in this paragraph
are available from the Exchange Agent.
 
    A tender will be deemed to have been received as of the date when (i) the
tendering holder's properly completed and duly signed Letter of Transmittal
accompanied by the Existing Notes (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of
such Existing Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the book-entry transfer
facility) is received by the Exchange Agent, or (ii) a Notice of Guaranteed
Delivery or letter, telegram or facsimile transmission to similar effect (as
provided above) from an Eligible Institution is received by the Exchange Agent.
Issuances of New Notes in exchange for Existing Notes tendered pursuant to a
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or letter, telegram or facsimile transmission to
similar effect (as provided above) by an Eligible Institution will be made only
against deposit of the Letter of Transmittal (and any other required documents)
and the tendered Existing Notes.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
    All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of Existing Notes tendered for exchange will be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, which determination shall be
final and binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all
tenders of any particular Existing Notes not properly tendered or to not accept
any particular Existing Notes which acceptance might, in the judgment of the
Company or its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute
right to waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of the Exchange Offer
as to any particular Existing Notes either before or after the Expiration Date
(including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder who seeks to
tender Existing Notes in the Exchange Offer). The interpretation of the terms
and conditions of the Exchange Offer as to any particular Existing Notes either
before or after the Expiration Date (including the Letter of Transmittal and the
instructions thereto) by the Company shall be final and binding on all parties.
Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of
Existing Notes for exchange must be cured within such reasonable period of time
as the Company shall determine. Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any
other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any defect or
irregularity with respect to any tender of Existing Notes for exchange, nor
shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
 
    If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person or persons other than the
registered holder or holders of Existing Notes, such Existing Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by appropriate powers of attorney, in either case signed
exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear on the
Existing Notes.
 
    If the Letter of Transmittal or any Existing Notes or powers of attorney are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the
Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so
act must be submitted.
 
    By tendering, each holder will represent to the Company that, among other
things, the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are being acquired
in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such New Notes,
whether or not such person is the holder, that neither the holder nor any such
other person has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate
in the distribution of such New Notes and that neither the holder nor any such
other person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act,
of the Company.
 
    Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange
for Existing Notes, where such Existing Notes were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS
 
    Tenders of Existing Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
Expiration Date.
 
    For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal sent by
telegram, facsimile transmission (receipt confirmed by telephone) or letter must
be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date at its address
set forth below. Any such notice of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the
person having tendered the Existing Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"),
(ii) identify the Existing Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate
number or numbers and principal amount of such Existing Notes), (iii) be signed
by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter of
Transmittal by which such Existing Notes were tendered or as otherwise described
above (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by
documents of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee under the Indenture
register the transfer of such Existing Notes into the name of the person
withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name in which any such Existing
Notes are to be registered, if different from that of the depositor. All
questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of
 
                                       38
<PAGE>
receipt) of such notices will be determined by the Company in its sole
discretion, which determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any
Existing Notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for
exchange for purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any Existing Notes wthich have been
tendered for exchange and which are properly withdrawn will be returned to the
holder thereof without cost to such holder as soon as practicable after such
withdrawal. Properly withdrawn Existing Notes may be retendered by following one
of the procedures described under "--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes"
above at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date.
 
ACCEPTANCE OF EXISTING NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW NOTES
 
    Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the Exchange Offer,
the Company will accept, promptly after the Expiration Date, all Existing Notes
properly tendered and will issue the New Notes promptly after acceptance of the
Existing Notes. See "--Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. For purposes of
the Exchange Offer, the Company shall be deemed to have accepted properly
tendered Existing Notes for exchange when, as and if the Company has given oral
and written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
 
    For each Existing Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Existing
Note will receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to that of the
surrendered Existing Note.
 
    In all cases, issuance of New Notes for Existing Notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely receipt
by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Existing Notes or a timely
Book-Entry Confirmation of such Existing Notes into the Exchange Agent's account
at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents. If any tendered Existing
Notes are not accepted for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of
the Exchange Offer or if Existing Notes are submitted for a greater principal
amount than the holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged
Existing Notes will be returned without expense to the tendering holder thereof
(or, in the case of Existing Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the
book-entry transfer procedures described below, such non-exchanged Existing
Notes will be credited to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer
Facility) as promptly as practicable after the expiration of the Exchange Offer.
 
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, the Company shall
not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue New Notes in exchange for,
any Existing Notes and may terminate or amend the Exchange Offer if at any time
before the acceptance of such Existing Notes for exchange or the exchange of the
New Notes for such Existing Notes any of the following events shall occur:
 
        (i) any injunction, order or decree shall have been issued by any court
    or any governmental agency that would prohibit, prevent or otherwise
    materially impair the ability of the Company to proceed with the Exchange
    Offer; or
 
        (ii) the Exchange Offer shall violate any applicable law or any
    applicable interpretation of the staff of the Commission.
 
    The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be
asserted by the Company regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such
condition or may be waived by the Company in whole or in part at any time from
time to time in its sole discretion. The failure by the Company at any time to
exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such
right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted
at any time and from time to time.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>
    In addition, the Company will not accept for exchange any Existing Notes
tendered, and no New Notes will be issued in exchange for any such Existing
Notes, if at such time any stop order shall be threatened or in effect with
respect to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus constitutes a
part or the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
(the "TIA"). In any such event the Company is required to use every reasonable
effort to obtain the withdrawal of any stop order at the earliest possible time.
 
    The Exchange Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum principal amount of
Existing Notes being tendered for exchange.
 
EXCHANGE AGENT
 
    Bankers Trust Company has been appointed as the Exchange Agent for the
Exchange Offer. All executed Letters of Transmittal should be directed to the
Exchange Agent at one of the addresses set forth below. Questions and requests
for assistance, requests for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the
Letter of Transmittal and requests for Notices of Guaranteed Delivery should be
directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          BY MAIL:                         BY HAND:                BY OVERNIGHT MAIL OR COURIER
 
<S>                            <C>                               <C>
 BT Services Tennessee, Inc.        Bankers Trust Company          BT Services Tennessee, Inc.
     Reorganization Unit       Corporate Trust and Agency Group  Corporate Trust and Agency Group
       P.O. Box 292737            Receipt & Delivery Window            Reorganization Unit
  Nashville, TN 37229-2737             4 Albany Street               648 Grassmere Park Road
                                      New York, NY 10006               Nashville, TN 37211
 
                                    For information, call:
                                        (800) 735-7777
                                   Confirm: (615) 835-3572
                                     Fax: (615) 835-3701
</TABLE>
 
    DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE OR
TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES
NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
    Bankers Trust Company also acts as Trustee under the Indenture.
 
SOLICITATION OF TENDERS; FEES AND EXPENSES
 
    The Company has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
Exchange Offer and will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Company, however, will pay the
Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse
it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith. The cash
expenses to be incurred by the Company in connection with the Exchange Offer
will be paid by the Company.
 
    The estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange
Offer will be paid by the Company and are estimated in the aggregate to be
approximately $       , which includes fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent,
Trustee, registration fees, accounting, legal, printing and related fees and
expenses.
 
    No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations in connection with the Exchange Offer other than those contained
in this Prospectus. If given or made, such information or representations should
not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company. Neither the
delivery of this Prospectus nor any exchange made hereunder shall, under any
circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the respective dates as of which information is
given herein. The Exchange Offer is not being made to (nor
 
                                       40
<PAGE>
will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) holders of Existing Notes in any
jurisdiction in which the making of the Exchange Offer or the acceptance thereof
would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.
 
TRANSFER TAXES
 
    Holders who tender their Existing Notes for exchange will not be obligated
to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith except that holders who
instruct the Company to register New Notes in the name of, or request that
Existing Notes not tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offer be returned
to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for
the payment of any applicable transfer tax thereon.
 
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
 
    The New Notes will be recorded at the carrying value of the Existing Notes
as reflected in the Company's accounting records on the date of the exchange.
Accordingly, no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be recognized by the
Company upon the exchange of New Notes for Existing Notes. Expenses incurred in
connection with the issuance of the New Notes will be amortized over the term of
the New Notes.
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE; RESALES OF NEW NOTES
 
    Holders of Existing Notes who do not exchange their Existing Notes for New
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to be subject to the
restrictions on transfer of such Existing Notes as set forth in the legend
thereon as a consequence of the issuance of the Existing Notes pursuant to the
exemptions from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
Existing Notes not exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to
remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. In general, the Existing
Notes may not be offered or sold unless registered under the Securities Act,
except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Company does not
currently anticipate that it will register the Existing Notes under the
Securities Act. However, (i) if the Initial Purchaser so requests with respect
to Existing Notes not eligible to be exchanged for New Notes in the Exchange
Offer and held by it following consummation of the Exchange Offer or (ii) if any
holder of Existing Notes is not eligible to participate in the Exchange Offer
or, in the case of any holder of Existing Notes that participates in the
Exchange Offer, does not receive freely tradable New Notes in exchange for
Existing Notes, the Company is obligated to file a registration statement on the
appropriate form under the Securities Act relating to the Existing Notes held by
such persons.
 
    Based on certain no-action letters issued by the staff of the Commission to
third parties in unrelated transactions, the Company believes that New Notes
issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold or
otherwise transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any such holder which
is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act or (ii) any broker-dealer that purchases Notes from the Company
to resell pursuant to Rule 144A or any other available exemption) without
compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the
Securities Act, provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course
of such holders' business and such holders have no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in the distribution of such New Notes. If any
holder has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of
the New Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such holder (i)
could not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the Commission
and (ii) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction. A
broker-dealer who holds Existing Notes that were acquired for its own account as
a result of market making or other trading activities may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore,
deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
 
                                       41
<PAGE>
Securities Act in connection with any resale of New Notes. Each such
broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for
Existing Notes, where such Existing Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as
a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge in the Letter of Transmittal that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
 
    In addition, to comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if
applicable, the New Notes may not be offered or sold unless they have been
registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdiction or an exemption from
registration or qualification is available and is complied with. The Company has
agreed, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and subject to certain
specified limitations therein, to register or qualify the New Notes for offer or
sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any holder
of the Notes reasonably requests in writing.
 
    Participation in the Exchange Offer is voluntary, and holders of Existing
Notes should carefully consider whether to participate. Holders of the Existing
Notes are urged to consult their financial and tax advisors in making their own
decision on what action to take.
 
    As a result of the making of, and upon acceptance for exchange of all
validly tendered Existing Notes pursuant to the terms of, this Exchange Offer,
the Company will have fulfilled a covenant contained in the Registration Rights
Agreement. Holders of Existing Notes who do not tender their Existing Notes in
the Exchange Offer will continue to hold such Existing Notes and will be
entitled to all the rights, and limitations applicable thereto, under the
Indenture, except for any such rights under the Registration Rights Agreement
that by their terms terminate or cease to have further effectiveness as a result
of the making of this Exchange Offer. See "Description of Exchange Notes." All
untendered Existing Notes will continue to be subject to the restrictions on
transfer set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that Existing Notes are
tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the trading market for untendered
Existing Notes could be adversely affected.
 
    The Company may in the future seek to acquire untendered Existing Notes in
open market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange
offers or otherwise. The Company has no present plan to acquire any Existing
Notes which are not tendered in the Exchange Offer.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
    The Company, with annual net sales of over $2.0 billion, is one of the two
largest broad-line, full-service wholesale distributors of packaged consumer
products to the convenience retail industry in North America. The Company's
principal customers include traditional and petroleum convenience stores,
grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchandisers and liquor stores. The Company
offers its customers a wide variety of products--approximately 33,500 stock
keeping units (SKUs)--including cigarettes, candy, snacks, fast food, groceries,
health and beauty care products and other general merchandise.
 
    The Company's 19 distribution facilities employ state-of-the-art equipment
and systems to efficiently serve over 29,000 customer locations throughout the
western regions of the United States and Canada. Over the past five years, the
Company has invested approximately 50% of its capital expenditures to introduce
advanced distribution technology into its warehouse and delivery functions. The
Company's sophisticated management information system ("MIS") utilizes
proprietary software to integrate order entry, warehouse operations, routing,
delivery and accounting. In addition, this advanced MIS allows for the
electronic exchange of information with suppliers and customers, improving
inventory management and operating efficiency.
 
    The Company's principal markets in the United States encompass 13 western
states, including California, Colorado and western Texas. The Company has also
established a more limited presence in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and
Missouri. The Company services its United States customers from 15 distribution
facilities, seven of which are located in California. In Canada (which
represented approximately 25% of net sales in 1995), the Company serves five
provinces, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and, on a limited
basis, western Ontario from four distribution facilities.
 
HISTORY
 
    The Company's origins date back to 1888, when Glaser Bros., a
family-owned-and-operated candy and tobacco distribution business, was founded.
In 1989, the Company was acquired by a financial buyer. In 1994, the Company
repurchased such group's common stock ownership in the Company, and Senior
Management and certain lenders acquired equity in a new holding company which
held all of the stock of the Company. In August 1996, the Company underwent the
Recapitalization. The Company's equity is now held by Jupiter and Senior
Management, with Jupiter owning a controlling 75% stake and Senior Management
owning the remaining 25%. See "Summary -- Transactions Related to the Offering."
 
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
 
    Wholesale Distributors provide valuable services to both manufacturers of
consumer products and convenience retailers. Manufacturers benefit from
Wholesale Distributors' broad retail coverage, inventory management and
efficient processing of small orders. Wholesale Distributors provide convenience
retailers access to a broad product line, the ability to place small quantity
orders, inventory management and access to trade credit. In addition, large
full-service Wholesale Distributors such as the Company offer retailers the
ability to participate in manufacturer-sponsored marketing programs,
merchandising and category management services and systems focused on minimizing
customers' investment in inventory. Total sales for United States Wholesale
Distributors have grown at a compound annual rate of 4.4% over the past five
years from approximately $59 billion in 1991 to approximately $70 billion in
1995, according to U.S. DISTRIBUTION JOURNAL, an industry publication.
Management believes that this growth reflects: (i) continued strong revenue
growth in the traditional convenience store channel; (ii) a shift in cigarette
purchases from carton outlets (principally grocery stores) to pack outlets (such
as convenience retailers); (iii) an increase in the variety of products sold by
convenience stores; and (iv) an
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
expansion of the industry's retail customer base to encompass distribution to
channels beyond convenience stores.
 
    The Wholesale Distribution industry is highly fragmented and has
historically consisted of a large number of small, privately owned businesses
and a small number of large, full-service Wholesale Distributors serving
multiple geographic regions. Relative to smaller competitors, large distributors
such as the Company benefit from several competitive advantages, including
purchasing power, the ability to service chain accounts, economies of scale in
sales and operations, the ability to spread fixed corporate costs over a larger
revenue base and the resources to invest in MIS and other productivity enhancing
technology. These factors have led to a consolidation of the Wholesale
Distribution industry as companies either exit the industry or are acquired by
large distributors seeking to further leverage their existing operations. Based
on industry reports, the number of Wholesale Distributors in the United States
has declined from more than 1,500 in 1985 to fewer than 1,000 in 1995. According
to U.S. DISTRIBUTION JOURNAL, only ten such distributors had net sales in excess
of $400 million in 1995. Management believes Core-Mark will have significant
opportunities to participate in the ongoing consolidation of the industry.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
    The Company's current Senior Management joined the Company beginning in late
1990 and successfully initiated several measures to increase sales of core
operations and enhance productivity and profitability. These measures included:
(i) disposing of non-core operations; (ii) increasing the customer base; (iii)
decentralizing certain operational responsibilities; (iv) strengthening
financial controls; (v) improving operating systems and processes; and (vi)
reconfiguring and upgrading facilities. Largely as a result of these
initiatives, the Company's net sales and EBITDA increased at compound annual
growth rates of 5% and 10%, respectively, from 1991 to 1995. During this same
period, the Company also reduced its average monthly working capital (excluding
cash and debt) from 5.7% of net sales to 3.0% of net sales.
 
    The Company's business strategy is to further increase net sales and improve
operating margins. To achieve these goals, the Company intends to: (i) increase
sales to existing customers, particularly of higher gross margin, non-cigarette
products; (ii) add new customer locations in existing markets, particularly
along existing routes; (iii) continue to implement distribution productivity
enhancement programs; and (iv) make selective acquisitions.
 
    INCREASE SALES TO EXISTING CUSTOMERS.  Because the Company generally carries
many products that its typical retail store customer purchases from other
suppliers, a primary element of its growth strategy is to increase sales to
existing customers. The Company's typical customer purchases its products from
the Company, from manufacturers who distribute directly to retailers and from a
variety of smaller local distributors or jobbers. The Company is particularly
focused on replacing local distributors and jobbers in order to increase sales
of health and beauty care products and general merchandise products, all of
which carry higher gross margins than cigarettes (cigarette sales constituted
approximately 71% of the Company's net sales in 1995 and approximately 40% of
gross profit). As part of this effort, the Company provides compensation
incentives to its sales force and a number of value-added services and marketing
programs to its customers. These programs include: (i) Convenience
2000-Registered Trademark- (which offers enhanced purchasing power and
promotions to small, independent convenience stores); (ii) Smart Sets (which
helps ensure that retailers display the right product in the right place); (iii)
Profit Builder and Promo Power (regular Company publications which describe new
products and manufacturer promotions); and (iv) the recently initiated Tully's
To Go-TM- program (which offers retailers high margin fast food products without
the franchise fees or ongoing royalty fees of typical franchises).
 
    ADD NEW CUSTOMER LOCATIONS IN EXISTING MARKETS.  The Company is also seeking
to leverage its existing distribution network by securing additional customers
on existing routes. With 262 salespersons and 293 route drivers currently
serving approximately 29,000 customer locations in 18 states and five Canadian
provinces, the Company believes it has many opportunities to add additional
customers at
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
low marginal distribution costs. The Company is also beginning to focus on a
number of new trade channels, including hotel gift shops, military bases,
correctional facilities, college bookstores, movie theaters and video rental
stores. In addition, some large retail chains such as Long's and Safeway are
beginning to outsource the distribution of certain products that the Company can
supply. The Company believes that there is significant opportunity to increase
net sales and profitability by adding new customers and maximizing economies of
scale.
 
    PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS.  During the past five years, the Company
has devoted approximately 50% of its capital expenditures, or approximately
$12.0 million, to a variety of productivity enhancement programs. The Company
believes these programs were major contributors to a 2.7% per year reduction
between 1991 and 1995 in distribution operating expenses per "cube," (or cubic
foot of product, a common unit of measurement in Wholesale Distribution),
despite annual increases in wages. These productivity enhancement programs
include: (i) BOSS, a batch order selection system that increases the efficiency
and reduces the cost of full-case order fulfillment; (ii) Pick-to-Light, a
paperless picking system that reduces the travel time for the selection of
less-than-full-case order fulfillment; (iii) Radio Frequency, a hand-held
wireless computer technology that eliminates paperwork and updates receiving
inventory levels and stocking requirements on a real-time basis; (iv) Checker
Automation, an on-line order verification system that has significantly reduced
labor costs by automating inspection of order accuracy; and (v) fleet management
tools such as Roadshow, a software program that optimizes the routing of
customer deliveries. The Company intends to continue to pursue cost reductions
by completing the roll-out of these and other programs.
 
    SELECTIVE ACQUISITIONS.  The Wholesale Distribution industry is highly
fragmented and comprised mainly of a large number of small, privately held
businesses. Management believes that the consolidation that has taken place over
the past five years will continue and that numerous attractive acquisition
opportunities will arise. Given the current utilization rates of the Company's
existing warehouse and distribution facilities as well as the quality of the
Company's in-house MIS capability, management believes that a significant amount
of incremental revenues can be integrated into the Company's operations without
significant additions to fixed costs. The Company's management team has
completed two acquisitions since April 1995, representing net sales of
approximately $37 million for the six months ended June 30, 1996.
 
PRODUCTS DISTRIBUTED
 
    The products distributed by the Company include cigarettes, food products
such as candy, fast food, snacks, groceries and non-alcoholic beverages, and
non-food products such as film, batteries and other sundries, health and beauty
care products and tobacco products other than cigarettes. The products the
Company offers its customers consist of approximately 33,500 SKUs from over
1,900 suppliers and manufacturers. Due to the different consumer preferences
throughout the Company's markets, each distribution facility generally offers
its customers between approximately 4,000 and 15,000 SKUs.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
    The following table indicates the categories of products the Company
distributes and sets forth certain information regarding net sales derived from
each product category for the periods ended as indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               SIX MONTHS
                                                                                                COMPOUND         ENDED
                                            YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                              ANNUAL         JUNE 30,
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------     GROWTH RATE     ----------
                          1991          1992          1993          1994          1995          1991-1995         1995
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------------  ----------
                                                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                   <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>                <C>
Net sales(a):
  Cigarettes........  $  1,237,562  $  1,301,296  $  1,344,707  $  1,299,687  $  1,446,697            4.0%     $  692,865
 
  Food..............       312,615       326,937       351,940       378,156       410,095            7.0%        198,738
  Non-food..........       138,434       156,619       172,285       177,513       190,395            8.3%         91,832
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------                     ----------
    Subtotal........       451,049       483,556       524,225       555,669       600,490            7.4%        290,570
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------                     ----------
 
      Total.........  $  1,688,611  $  1,784,852  $  1,868,932  $  1,855,356  $  2,047,187            4.9%     $  983,435
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------                     ----------
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------                     ----------
Percent of net
 sales:
  Cigarettes........         73.3%         72.9%         72.0%         70.1%         70.7%                          70.5%
 
  Food..............         18.5%         18.3%         18.8%         20.4%         20.0%                          20.2%
  Non-food..........          8.2%          8.8%          9.2%          9.5%          9.3%                           9.3%
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------                     ----------
    Subtotal........         26.7%         27.1%         28.0%         29.9%         29.3%                          29.5%
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------                     ----------
 
      Total.........        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%        100.0%                         100.0%
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------                     ----------
                      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------                     ----------
Total cigarette
 carton volume......        73,453        73,427        76,740        80,703        88,933                         42,688
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                     % CHANGE
                          1996       6/95-6/96
                      ------------  -----------
 
<S>                   <C>           <C>
Net sales(a):
  Cigarettes........  $    744,634        7.5%
  Food..............       217,019        9.2%
  Non-food..........       106,922       16.4%
                      ------------
    Subtotal........       323,941       11.5%
                      ------------
      Total.........  $  1,068,575        8.6%
                      ------------
                      ------------
Percent of net
 sales:
  Cigarettes........         69.7%
  Food..............         20.3%
  Non-food..........         10.0%
                      ------------
    Subtotal........         30.3%
                      ------------
      Total.........        100.0%
                      ------------
                      ------------
Total cigarette
 carton volume......        45,359
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------
 
(a)  In the second quarter of 1995, the Company completed two acquisitions which
     added approximately $62 million, $21 million and $37 million in net sales
     for the year ended December 31, 1995 and the six months ended June 30, 1995
     and 1996, respectively.
 
    CIGARETTE PRODUCTS
 
    In 1995, cigarette products accounted for approximately 71% of the Company's
net sales. The Company offers substantially all brands of cigarettes from all of
the major manufacturers, including approximately 750 SKUs of national premium
labels such as Marlboro, Winston and Player, approximately 400 SKUs of national
discount labels such as Viceroy and Doral, and deep discount labels such as the
Company's private label brand, Best Buy-Registered Trademark-, as well as Basic,
Best Value, Monarch and GPC. Net sales from cigarette products increased at a
compound annual growth rate of 4.0% from $1,237.6 million in 1991 to $1,446.7
million in 1995.
 
    In 1995, the United States cigarette industry sold 487 billion sticks
(individual cigarettes) compared to 510 billion sticks in 1991 according to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture. This represents a compound annual decline of
1.1% in United States unit sales over this period. The Canadian cigarette
industry has experienced a larger decline in unit sales, in large part due to
retail prices that are two to three times higher than in the United States. In
the Company's principal Canadian markets, unit sales of cigarettes declined by
an average of 2.4% annually from 1991 to 1995 according to the National
Association of Tobacco and Confectionary Distributors.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
    Despite the overall decline in total unit sales of cigarettes, United States
convenience stores have actually increased their market share of cigarette unit
sales from 1991 to 1995, primarily at the expense of grocery stores and
supermarkets, according to independent surveys by two cigarette manufacturers.
 
    The Company has licensed Philip Morris as the exclusive manufacturer of Best
Buy-Registered Trademark- brand cigarettes. This contract, extending until
December 31, 1998, provides for a fixed annual payment to the Company. The
Company has also licensed other wholesale distributors exclusively to sell Best
Buy-Registered Trademark- in regions where the Company does not have a presence
and earns a royalty on all such sales.
 
FOOD AND NON-FOOD PRODUCTS
 
    In 1995, food and non-food products (including tobacco products other than
cigarettes) accounted for approximately 29% of the Company's net sales. The
Company offers its customers a wide variety of food and non-food products (over
32,000 SKUs), including candy, snacks, fast food, groceries, non-alcoholic
beverages, health and beauty care products and general merchandise. The
Company's strategy is to offer its convenience retail store customers a variety
of food and non-food products at reasonable prices in flexible quantities. Net
sales from food and non-food items increased at a compound annual growth rate of
7.4% from $451.0 million in 1991 to $600.5 million in 1995.
 
    FOOD PRODUCTS.  The Company offers approximately 4,600 SKUs of candy
products and 1,800 SKUs of snack products. The Company's candy products include
such brand name items as Snickers, Hershey Kisses, M&M's, Lifesavers and
Dentyne. The Company also offers its own private label "Cable
Car"-Registered Trademark- candy line. The Company's snack products include
brand names such as Keebler, Nabisco and Planters. In 1995, candy products and
snack products together accounted for approximately 12% of the Company's net
sales. Net sales from candy and snack products have increased by a compound
annual growth rate of 8.3% from $173.7 million in 1991 to $238.6 million in
1995.
 
    The Company offers approximately 6,500 SKUs of grocery products, including
national brand name items such as Del Monte, Carnation, Kellogg's and Purina
ranging from canned vegetables, soups, cereals, baby food, frozen foods, soaps
and paper products to pet foods. The Company offers approximately 1,100 SKUs of
non-alcoholic beverages, including juices under brand names such as Tropicana,
Veryfine and Gatorade.
 
    The Company also offers approximately 4,300 SKUs of fast food products,
including prepared sandwiches, hot deli foods, slush drinks, hot beverages,
pastries and pizza, as well as packaged supplies and paper goods, including
brand name items such as Superior Coffee, Tyson chicken, Oscar Mayer meats and
Kraft and Heinz condiments. Since 1994, the Company has targeted the fountain,
slush, hot beverage (coffee and hot chocolate) and frozen food product
categories, which present significant growth opportunities as sales in these
product categories are among the fastest growing product offerings of the
convenience store industry. In addition, the Company recently introduced Tully's
To Go-TM-, a turnkey fast food program that gives the Company's convenience
retail customers a cost-effective alternative to the franchised programs offered
by national fast food chains. In 1995, fast food, grocery and non-alcoholic
beverage products accounted for approximately 8% of the Company's net sales. Net
sales from grocery products, non-alcoholic beverages and fast food products
increased at a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% from $138.9 million in 1991
to $171.5 million in 1995.
 
    NON-FOOD PRODUCTS.  The Company offers approximately 8,500 SKUs of general
merchandise, approximately 4,200 SKUs of health and beauty care products and
approximately 1,200 SKUs of tobacco products other than cigarettes. General
merchandise products range from film, tape, batteries, cigarette lighters and
glue to automotive products and include brand names such as Fuji, Kodak, Scotch
and Mead Envelope. Health and beauty care products include analgesics, hair
care, cosmetics, hosiery, dental products and lotions, from manufacturers of
brand names such as Crest, Tylenol, Johnson & Johnson Band-Aid, Vicks, Gillette
and Jergens. The Company's broad assortment of tobacco products
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
includes imported and domestic cigars, smokeless tobacco (snuff), chewing
tobacco, smoking tobacco and smoking accessories.
 
    In 1995, general merchandise, health and beauty care products and
non-cigarette tobacco products accounted for approximately 9% of the Company's
net sales. From 1991 to 1995, net sales from general merchandise increased at a
compound annual growth rate of 14.1%, from $26.1 million in 1991 to $44.3
million in 1995. During the same five-year period, net sales from health and
beauty care products increased at a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%, from
$30.2 million in 1991 to $35.8 million in 1995, and net sales from cigars and
tobacco products increased at a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%, from $82.1
million in 1991 to $110.3 million in 1995.
 
CUSTOMERS
 
    The Company serves over 29,000 customer locations. Approximately 50% of the
Company's 1995 net sales were attributable to privately-owned stores and local
chains serviced primarily by one of the Company's distribution facilities
("independents"), while the remainder were attributable to national chains and
regional chains serviced by more than one of the Company's distribution
facilities ("chains"). The Company's current customer base is comprised of a
wide range of retailers, including traditional and petroleum convenience stores,
grocery stores, drug stores, mass-merchandisers and liquor stores. Recently, the
Company has begun to expand its distribution to hotel gift shops, military
bases, correctional facilities, college bookstores, movie theaters and video
rental stores, which, together with other customer segments, the Company
classifies as "Other." (See table below.) In 1995, the Company's largest
customer accounted for 3.7% of net sales, and the Company's ten largest
customers accounted for approximately 25% of net sales. These top ten customers
are all chains and approximately 75% of the net sales to this group constituted
sales to petroleum convenience store chains.
 
    The following table indicates the Company's net sales from different
customer segments for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 (dollars in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1994                        1995
                                                             --------------------------  --------------------------
                                                                AMOUNT      % OF TOTAL      AMOUNT      % OF TOTAL
                                                             -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
<S>                                                          <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>
Petroleum convenience stores...............................  $     791,504       42.66%  $     861,988       42.11%
Traditional convenience stores.............................        254,911       13.74         271,250       13.25
Grocery stores.............................................        169,185        9.12         184,475        9.01
Drug stores................................................        148,459        8.00         158,280        7.73
Mass merchandisers.........................................        133,197        7.18         142,427        6.96
Liquor stores..............................................        104,773        5.65         104,207        5.09
Other......................................................        253,327       13.65         324,560       15.85
                                                             -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
      Total................................................  $   1,855,356      100.00%  $   2,047,187      100.00%
                                                             -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
                                                             -------------  -----------  -------------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company strives to offer its customers greater flexibility, service and
value than other distributors. The Company's willingness to work with retailers
to arrive at a suitable delivery time, thereby allowing the store owner to
schedule its labor requirements effectively, is an important facet of this
flexibility. The Company believes that its ability to provide customized retail
pricing, unique to an individual store's needs, bar-coded shelf labels to assist
in effective shelf space management, timely communication of manufacturer price
change information, seasonal and holiday special product/promotional offerings
and salesperson assistance in order preparation are also important to the
retailer in its selection of the Company as its supplier.
 
    As a result of its size and geographic coverage, the Company supplies a
number of regional and national chain corporations and, therefore, is able to
distribute products to all or substantially all such customers' individual store
locations in the Company's market area.
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
SALES AND MARKETING
 
    The Company's sales and marketing strategy is to offer a broad range of
services to its convenience retail customers intended to help them improve their
sales and profitability. In so doing, the Company seeks to become the primary
supplier to its customers and to persuade such customers to purchase as many of
their SKUs from the Company as the Company distributes.
 
    SALES FORCE
 
    The Company has a well-trained and incentivized sales force to execute its
sales and marketing strategy. As of August 1996, the Company employed over 700
sales and marketing personnel, of which approximately 178 were commissioned
sales representatives, 84 were associate sales representatives, and the
remainder were product merchandisers, product specialists, category managers,
sales managers, national sales force and other sales personnel. The Company has
made a significant commitment to professional training of its commissioned sales
representatives. All entry-level personnel go through a formal, two week
in-house training course covering industry concepts, selling skills, product
knowledge and in-store merchandising techniques as well as three weeks of
structured training at the division level. Experienced personnel attend training
in advanced selling techniques, negotiation skills and sales analysis.
 
    The Company's commissioned sales representatives, who are located throughout
the Company's distribution center network, are principally responsible for
servicing specific customers in their assigned territories. Each commissioned
sales representative's compensation is primarily composed of commissions which
are based on the Company's gross profit on the sales made by such sales
representative. The Company pays higher percentage commissions on sales of food
and non-food products than on cigarette products so as to motivate its sales
force to sell more higher gross margin food and non-food products. The Company's
national sales group and other corporate sales and marketing personnel are
assigned to service larger national or regional chain customers as well as to
develop marketing programs and monitor the performance and consistency of the
commissioned sales force and overall customer service levels. The Company's
product specialists and category management specialists provide the sales
representatives with information on marketing strategies relating to the
Company's products and promotions and provide customers with tools to increase
the customer's sales and profits by improving their merchandising. Sales
representatives are supplemented by merchandisers, who conduct store resets,
service merchandise-specific commodities, and maintain Smart Sets, which is the
Company's category management system.
 
    MARKETING PROGRAMS
 
    Since 1993, the Company has sought to leverage its size by introducing to
its customers a number of marketing programs and value-added services. The
Company believes that most of its competitors lack the resources to match its
marketing programs and value-added services. These programs are designed not
only to increase customers' sales and profits, but also to strengthen customers'
relationships with the Company and encourage them to buy more food and non-food
products from the Company. The Company's goal is to increase its gross profits
by increasing its net sales from sales of food and non-food products, which have
significantly higher gross margins than cigarettes. Although food and non-food
products also generally carry higher operating expenses to pick and handle than
cigarettes, the Company believes that such products' net contribution to
earnings, after expenses, is higher than for cigarettes. The Company offers
marketing programs and value-added services in two areas, support programs and
systems.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
    SUPPORT PROGRAMS
 
    PROFIT BUILDER is a monthly publication mailed directly to customers
outlining new products and manufacturers' specials. This is the Company's main
written communication vehicle with its customers.
 
    PROMO POWER is a bi-monthly promotional vehicle organized by the Company
featuring off shelf and end-of-aisle displays of manufacturers' products at
reduced costs to the retailer.
 
    CONVENIENCE 2000-REGISTERED TRADEMARK- ("C-2000") seeks to improve the
competitiveness of certain independent convenience stores by linking retailers
as if they were supported by the purchasing power, sales and marketing resources
of a national chain organization. The Company's C-2000 program is designed to
provide independent convenience stores with improved purchasing power with
respect to regularly scheduled food and non-food product promotions arranged by
the Company with its suppliers. The Company selects the products, quantities and
retail price, and automatically ships the products to the retailers monthly, as
well as providing point-of-service promotional materials. Approximately 1,000
individual customer locations are currently enrolled in the program. The
Company's goal for C-2000 is for it to evolve into a national network of
independent convenience store operators to which the Company would supply a wide
array of programs and services.
 
    SMART SETS is the Company's category management system. The Company provides
retailers with "plan-o-grams" for each commodity group using its internal data,
along with information from supplier partners. The objective is to ensure that
retailers have the right product in the right place.
 
    TULLY'S TO GO-TM- is the Company's recently introduced turnkey fast food
program, which makes available to its convenience store customers an alternative
to the franchised programs offered by national fast food chains, such as Taco
Bell, Pizza Hut and Subway. These franchised programs have had success in the
convenience store market, although they generally require significant up-front
franchise fees and start-up costs as well as ongoing royalty payments. Tully's
To Go-TM- requires no franchise fee or ongoing royalty payments from the
customer, although it requires an initial equipment purchase by the customer.
Like the franchise programs of the national chains, Tully's To Go-TM- includes
all the equipment, supplies and food product required to start up a fast food
operation within a convenience store. Since its introduction in 1996, Tully's
has been installed in nine locations. The Company believes that Tully's To
Go-TM- will have the effect of strengthening relationships with customers.
 
    In addition, the Company has enabled its suppliers and customers to
participate in other programs in which the supplier provides a variety of fast
food and other store equipment (such as coffee machines, microwave ovens, roller
grills, etc.) at minimal or no up front cost to the customer. These programs are
intended to incentivize the customers to purchase from the Company products that
the supplier manufactures to use with the equipment. One such program, the
Superior Coffee Program, was implemented beginning in January 1993 and currently
includes approximately 950 customer locations.
 
    SYSTEMS
 
    The Company's scale has provided the necessary resources to invest in and
develop MIS systems dedicated to customer value added services.
 
    SPACEVUES.  The Company makes available to its customers a computerized
shelf space management system called SpaceVUES. The Company's category
management specialists utilize this system to design a shelf and store layout
that seeks to maximize sales volume, profitability and efficient use of space
based upon product movement information, local demographics, product package
dimensions, gross profit margins and other variables.
 
    ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI).  The Company's EDI capability enables it
to process retailers' and suppliers' purchase orders, invoices and payments
electronically, thereby reducing administrative work for the Company, customers
and suppliers.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
    ADVANTAGE POS.  In conjunction with NCR and COPES software, the Company has
developed Advantage POS, a point-of-sale equipment program that provides bar
code scanners, backroom computer systems and electronic check-out equipment. The
system improves customers' inventory management, allows automatic ordering and
reporting capabilities, ensures accuracy of retail pricing and improves retail
customer service. In 1992, only about 2% of convenience retail stores had POS
equipment, compared to approximately 16% in 1995. The Company arranges for the
sale to its customers of hardware and software systems and introduces its
customers to third parties who finance such purchases. The Advantage POS system
facilitates additional purchases of the Company's products by increasing the
customer's communications and strengthening its relationship with Core-Mark.
 
    INVENTORY CONTROL.  The Company offers its retailers an inventory management
program, which includes electronic order entry to expedite accurate order
placement, permanent shelf labels that, by identifying a "home" for all
products, reduce lost sales from out-of-stocks, and a monthly velocity report
which tracks product movement and gross profit by department.
 
    OTHER SERVICES.  The Company provides other services to its customers,
including production of sales analyses, market and trend analysis information,
order guides, full service merchandising, electronic price change notification
and regular product promotions.
 
SUPPLIERS AND MANUFACTURERS
 
    As of June 30, 1996 the Company purchased products for resale to its
customers from over 1,900 suppliers and manufacturers located throughout the
United States and Canada. Although the Company purchases cigarette and tobacco
products from all major United States and Canadian manufacturers, in 1995,
approximately 28%, 15%, 14% and 9% of the Company's net sales were derived from
products purchased by the Company from Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Imperial
Tobacco and Brown & Williamson, respectively. No other supplier's products
represented more than 10% of net sales. In addition, Philip Morris manufactures
the Company's private label Best Buy-Registered Trademark- cigarettes.
 
    The Company generally has no long-term purchase agreements (other than for
Best Buy-Registered Trademark- products) and buys substantially all its products
as needed. The Company believes that it is an important customer to each of its
principal suppliers. In addition, because of the size of its sales force, its
technological capability and distribution expertise, the Company provides a key
channel of distribution that many manufacturers could not otherwise serve
economically. The Company's large sales force allows weekly contact with the
vast majority of its customers, providing the manufacturers access on a more
frequent basis than their own sales force would allow.
 
    Both food and non-food manufacturers routinely offer volume, promotional,
advertising and other allowances to wholesale distributors. In addition, the
Company often negotiates on a corporate-wide basis special arrangements with
manufacturers under which the Company obtains volume discounts, additional
allowances or rebates by leveraging its total purchasing power.
 
    CIGARETTE PRODUCTS
 
    The Company controls major purchases of cigarettes centrally in order to
minimize inventory levels. Daily replenishment of cigarette inventory and brand
selection is controlled by the local division based on demands of the local
market. The U.S. cigarette manufacturers charge all wholesale customers the same
price for national brand cigarettes regardless of volume purchased. However,
cigarette manufacturers do offer certain structured incentive programs
(including Philip Morris' Masters Program and R.J. Reynolds' Partners Program)
to wholesalers instead of the routine allowances associated with non-cigarette
products. These programs are based upon, among other things, purchasing volume
and often include performance-based criteria related to the quality of the
Company's efforts to keep certain brands and volumes of cigarettes on the retail
shelves.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
    FOOD PRODUCTS
 
    Food products (other than frozen foods) are purchased directly from
manufacturers by buyers in each of the Company's distribution facilities.
Management believes that decentralized purchasing of food products results in
higher service levels, improved product availability tailored to individual
markets and reduced inventory investment. Although each division has individual
buyers, the Company negotiates corporate pricing where possible to maximize
purchasing power.
 
    In February 1996, the Company established a new division, Artic Cascade, a
consolidated frozen warehouse which purchases frozen foods for all of the
Company's divisions. By consolidating the frozen food purchases of all United
States divisions, the Company is able to obtain such products at lower cost.
Buying in one location also allows the Company to offer a wide selection of
quality products to retailers at more competitive prices. The Company offers
monthly specials so retailers can promote and compete more effectively. In
addition, the Company offers schematics that show the retailer how best to
arrange frozen food to promote sales in this fast growing category.
 
    NON-FOOD PRODUCTS
 
    The majority of the Company's non-food products other than cigarettes and
tobacco products (primarily health and beauty care products and general
merchandise) are purchased by Allied Merchandising Industry ("AMI"), one of the
Company's operating divisions that specializes in these categories. This
specialization seeks to ensure a better selection and more competitive wholesale
costs and enables the Company to reduce its overall general merchandise and
health and beauty care inventory levels. Tobacco products other than cigarettes,
like food products, are purchased directly from the manufacturers by each of the
divisions.
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 
    The Company has committed substantial resources to its MIS department. This
commitment reflects the Company's belief that it can significantly enhance
efficiency, profitability and competitiveness through investments in technology
that smaller competitors find difficult to match. The Company's MIS function
processes order entry, generates customer pick lists for the warehouse, controls
inventory, generates purchase orders, routes customer deliveries, generates
customer invoices, processes cash collections on accounts receivable and
maintains the Company's accounting records. All the Company's divisions operate
with state-of-the-art IBM AS/400s. In the United States, AS/400s are located at
five "host" sites, and nine satellite divisions run their operations remotely
from the host sites. In Canada, all four divisions run from two computers in
Vancouver, B.C. At the center of the MIS system is the Company's self-developed,
proprietary software, which integrates several commercial software packages such
as Roadshow, Inven (E-3) and McCormick and Dodge general ledger system, and most
recently, the Company is in the process of developing a data warehousing system.
This software is maintained and continuously enhanced by the Company's MIS
department, which is staffed by an experienced team of development and design
professionals, with an average Core-Mark tenure of ten years. The Company
believes that its MIS capabilities will serve the Company's needs for the
foreseeable future.
 
    The proprietary software which links the Company's software packages,
systems and equipment also allows the Company to accurately track labor
productivity down to the worker level. The Company utilizes this information to
make staffing decisions and reward productivity. EMPOWER, the Company's current
incentive program, rewards warehouse and distribution employees for productivity
improvements based on their historical performance.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
DISTRIBUTION
 
    The Company has made substantial progress over the past five years in
modernizing its operational capabilities. From 1991 through 1995, the Company's
distribution operating expenses per cube have been reduced by approximately 2.7%
per year, despite annual wage increases. While approximately 50% of capital
expenditures have been made to maintain the Company's facilities and equipment,
the remaining 50% have been made to improve productivity.
 
    WAREHOUSING
 
    The Company maintains 19 distribution facilities, of which 15 are located in
the western United States and four are located in western Canada. These
distribution facilities include two consolidating warehouse facilities, one of
which services health and beauty care and general merchandise products (AMI) and
the other of which services frozen food (Artic Cascade). Each day the average
distribution facility receives 200 to 300 customer orders (primarily through
hand-held computer devices known as Telxon units). During the night, these
orders are picked and loaded into trucks in reverse order of scheduled delivery,
either in full case boxes or in totes. Early the next morning an average of 14
trucks per distribution facility depart to deliver product to approximately 20
customers per truck. Dry, frozen and chilled products can be accommodated on
each delivery.
 
    Each distribution facility is outfitted with modern equipment (including
freezers and coolers as required) for receiving, stocking, order selection and
loading a large volume of customer orders on trucks for delivery. Each facility
provides warehouse, distribution, sales and support functions for its geographic
area under the supervision of a division manager. In addition, the Company
believes that the majority of its distribution facilities have the capacity to
absorb significant future growth in net sales.
 
    The Company has implemented a number of technologically-driven programs that
have had a major impact on the efficiency of warehouse operations. These
programs are in various stages of roll-out across the Company's distribution
facilities and include the following:
 
    BATCH ORDER SELECTION SYSTEM (BOSS).  The Company is in the process of
converting certain of its distribution facilities to a batch order selection
system (BOSS), which permits more efficient handling of full cases of products.
Approximately 50% of the Company's products are shipped in full case form. The
basic concept of BOSS is that productivity and cost savings can be achieved by
batch picking (multiple orders at the same time) instead of picking one order at
a time. Batch picking reduces the amount of time pickers and loaders must spend
traveling within the distribution facility. It is designed to reduce the amount
of lifting required by warehouse personnel, thereby reducing the potential for
injury, as well as to reduce product damage and wear and tear on equipment.
Another of its functions is to expedite loading. As of June 30, 1996, ten of the
Company 's facilities were using BOSS, and six divisions are scheduled to be
converted over the next two years.
 
    PICK-TO-LIGHT.  For orders placed in less than full case quantities, such as
boxes of candy, cartons of cigarettes and cans of soup, the Company in 1995
installed the Pick-to-Light system, which guides the warehouse employee through
the picking process via a system of computer-driven lights and L.E.D.s (light
emitting diodes). When the employee has completed an order, the system also
determines his location in the aisle and starts the next order at that location.
This system eliminates paper pick lists and enables the employee to pick more
product per work hour than is possible using traditional methods. As of June 30,
1996, three of the Company's facilities used the Pick-To-Light system and 11
facilities are scheduled to have the system installed over the next three years.
 
    PLANNED ITEM RETRIEVAL (PIR).  Usually coupled with a BOSS installation, the
PIR system uses five foot wide, instead of the conventional ten foot wide,
aisles in order to improve warehouse space utilization. Instead of selecting
product only from the two bottom levels of the rack, the system is designed to
permit selection at all levels, from floor to ceiling. This configuration allows
the Company to store slower moving product more efficiently and allows warehouse
employees to avoid having to move
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
across the face of lower velocity product on every trip through the warehouse.
While the concept of PIR is common in grocery wholesale warehouses, the Company
believes it is one of the first to adopt this concept in the convenience
distribution industry. Eleven divisions are presently equipped with PIR and four
more are scheduled for conversion over the next two years.
 
    RADIO FREQUENCY (RF).  RF is a radio frequency system which improves
efficiency through paperless, real-time inventory management including inventory
receiving, warehouse re-stocking and, in certain applications, customer order
selection. RF connects hand-held computer devices carried by warehouse employees
with a base station/host computer via radio waves. The Company believes it is
one of the first distributors in the industry to embrace this technology. The
system provides the Company with better inventory control utilizing less
clerical labor than was previously possible. Ten distribution centers are
presently equipped with RF technology and the Company plans to convert all the
remaining divisions over the next three years.
 
    CHECKER AUTOMATION.  The Company has significantly reduced labor costs in
connection with the visual inspection of orders for accuracy through a system
called Checker Automation. This system is an on-line verification system which
tracks totes (containers in which customer product is packed) and cigarette
carton counts using a computer terminal positioned at the end of each selection
line. Checker Automation has significantly reduced the labor component of
ensuring order accuracy by eliminating substantially all order checkers in the
Company's distribution centers in which the system has been installed. Designed,
developed and implemented by in-house resources, Checker Automation has been
installed in 13 of the Company's distribution centers and plans to convert three
more divisions by the end of 1996.
 
    INVENTORY CONTROL.  The Company has significantly improved its inventory
control systems over the last five years. Since 1990, annual inventory losses
due to inventory shrinkage have declined significantly, from $3.9 million to
approximately $0.2 million in 1995. Full physical inventories are taken twice a
year at each facility, and cycle counts are taken continuously throughout the
year.
 
    FLEET
 
    The Company's trucking system includes 47 straight trucks, 179 tractors and
202 trailers. Approximately 19% of the Company's trucks and tractors and 84% of
trailers are owned by the Company; the remainder are leased. The Company's
standard is to maintain its transportation fleet to an average age of five years
or less. The Company has outsourced its maintenance requirements through fleet
service providers, predominantly Ryder and Rollins. Service of power units
(tractors, straight trucks and vans) is accomplished through "full service
lease" programs. The maintenance is an integral part of the leasing program,
which provides built-in cost incentives to assure the equipment is maintained
according to manufacturer specifications.
 
    Under the current management team, the quality of the Company's fleet has
been significantly upgraded in the past five years. In 1991, the Company's
typical delivery vehicle was a 20/22 foot "dry box" straight truck. Today, the
typical Company delivery vehicle is a tractor and 28-foot, dual-temperature,
refrigerated trailer. This configuration provides the Company with a substantial
increase in operating flexibility. For example, to service outlying areas,
"doubles" (two trailers pulled behind one tractor) can be utilized to transport
and split units between two delivery drivers, thus greatly increasing the
efficiency of service from a single distribution center. The refrigerated
capability of the fleet enables frozen and chilled product to be handled in a
manner that is commensurate with quality standards employed by leading grocery
wholesalers and food service distributors.
 
    The Company employs a state-of-the-art, computerized truck routing system
generated by software called "Roadshow" to efficiently construct delivery
routes. Before orders are dispatched, Roadshow automatically determines a route
for the truck to accommodate delivery times requested by the customer in a
manner that minimizes miles driven and/or driver labor costs. In addition, in
certain locations
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
the Company has invested in various security and productivity measures,
including Tele Trac, a technology which enables the Company to track truck
locations on a computer screen on a real-time basis. Among other benefits, the
system allows effective security monitoring and rapid response capability. The
Company is currently exploring installation of on-board computer devices to
monitor driver productivity, driving behavior and customer service.
 
    The Company backhauls product from suppliers' facilities on return trips
from customer deliveries. Backhauling generated $1.0 million in 1995, which was
applied to reduce net distribution expense. The Company expects to increase its
backhauling efforts in the future.
 
COMPETITION
 
    The convenience retail distribution business is comprised of one national
distributor in the United States (McLane, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart) and several
national distributors in Canada, a number of large, multi-regional competitors
(participants with a presence in several contiguous regional markets) and a
large number of small, privately owned businesses that compete in one or two
markets. Multi-regionals include the Company in the west, GSC Enterprises in the
south and southeast, EBY Brown in the midwest and Eli-Witt in the south.
Relative to smaller competitors, multi-regional distributors such as the Company
benefit from several competitive advantages, including greater purchasing power,
the ability to service chain accounts, scale cost advantages in sales and
warehouse operations, the ability to spread fixed corporate costs over a larger
revenue base and the resources to invest in both MIS and productivity enhancing
technology. These factors have led to a consolidation of the industry as small
competitors exit the industry and some larger convenience retail distributors
seek acquisitions to increase the utilization of their existing operations.
Based on industry reports and management estimates, the Company believes the
number of Wholesale Distributors in the United States has declined from more
than 1,500 in 1985 to fewer than 1,000 in 1995. According to the U.S.
DISTRIBUTION JOURNAL, only ten of these distributors had net sales in excess of
$400 million in 1995.
 
    The Company also competes with wholesale clubs. Wholesale clubs have become
a competitive factor in the industry, particularly in California markets. The
wholesale clubs have been aggressive in their pricing of cigarettes and candy,
and wholesalers have been forced to reduce margins to compete in densely
populated markets with a large number of wholesale clubs. Wholesale clubs
require the convenience store owner to take the time to travel, to shop at their
location, pay cash and choose from a very limited selection. They also provide
none of the merchandising support that Core-Mark routinely offers. Consequently,
national chains do not purchase product at the wholesale clubs. The Company has
grown sales even in territories with such clubs.
 
    The principal competitive factors in the Company's business include price,
customer order fill rates, trade credit and the level and quality of value-added
services offered. Management believes the Company competes effectively by
offering a full product line, flexible delivery schedules, competitive prices,
high levels of customer service and an efficient distribution network.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
    As of June 30, 1996, the Company had 2,122 employees.
 
    The Company is a party to local collective bargaining agreements with the
International Brotherhood of Teamsters covering clerical, warehouse and
transportation personnel at its facilities in Hayward, California and covering
warehouse and transportation personnel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Company is
party to a collective bargaining agreement with United Food Commercial Workers
covering warehouse and transportation personnel in Calgary, Alberta. In
addition, the Company is currently negotiating with the bargaining unit of
employees at its Victoria, British Columbia facility. The agreements covering
employees in Hayward and Las Vegas expire on January 15, 1997 and March 31,
1999, respectively. The agreement covering employees in Calgary expires on
August 31, 1998. These agreements cover an aggregate of less than 10% of the
Company's employees.
 
    Management believes that the Company's relations with its employees are
satisfactory.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
PROPERTIES
 
    The Company does not own any real property. The principal executive offices
of the Company are located in South San Francisco, California, and consist of
approximately 22,000 square feet of leased office space. In addition, the
Company leases approximately 24,000 square feet in Vancouver, British Columbia
for its Canadian regional corporate, tax and management information systems
departments and 13 small offices for use by sales personnel in certain parts of
the United States and Canada. The Company also leases its 19 distribution
facilities, 15 of which are located in the western United States and four in
western Canada. Each distribution facility is equipped with modern equipment
(including freezers and coolers at 18 facilities) for receiving, stocking, order
selection and shipping a large volume of customer orders. The Company believes
that it currently has sufficient capacity at its distribution facilities to meet
its anticipated needs and that its facilities are in satisfactory condition.
 
    The Company's leases expire on various dates between 1996 and 2005, and in
many instances give the Company renewal options. The aggregate rent paid in
connection with the Company's distribution facilities, regional sales offices
and corporate and administrative offices was approximately $5.2 million in 1994
and $5.6 million in 1995. The Company's distribution facilities range from
19,000 to 200,000 square feet and account for approximately 1.5 million square
feet in aggregate. Management believes that the Company's current utilization of
warehouse facilities is approximately 70% in the aggregate.
 
REGULATORY MATTERS
 
    The United States Food and Drug Administration has adopted a number of
regulations restricting the sale distribution and advertising of cigarettes and
smokeless tobacco products. See "Risk Factors-- Adverse Regulatory
Developments."
 
    The Company is subject to various federal, state and local environmental,
health and safety laws and regulations. Generally, these laws impose limitations
on the discharge of pollutants and the presence of hazardous substances in the
workplace and establish standards for vehicle and employee safety and for the
handling of solid and hazardous wastes. These laws include the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, the Clean Air Act, the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Future
developments, such as stricter environmental or employee health and safety laws
and regulations thereunder, could affect the Company's operations. The Company
does not currently anticipate that the cost of its compliance with or of any
foreseeable liabilities under environmental and employee health and safety laws
and regulations will have a material adverse affect on its business and
financial condition.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
    In May 1996, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit decertified a
federal class action purportedly brought on behalf of all cigarette smokers in
the United States. Following the decertification, lawyers for the class brought
state class action lawsuits in a number of states, with the objective of filing
such lawsuits in all fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Several of these state lawsuits name cigarette distributors such as the Company
as defendants. In June 1996, a subsidiary of the Company was named as a
defendant in a class action lawsuit filed in state court in New Mexico. The
action was later voluntarily dismissed without prejudice in order to permit a
realignment of the parties.
 
    On September 10, 1996, the New Mexico lawsuit was refiled. A subsidiary of
the Company is named as a defendant in the complaint, but has not yet been
served. The other defendants include the principal U.S. tobacco manufacturers as
well as other distributors. The case is brought on behalf of a putative class of
smokers who reside in New Mexico, each of whom is allegedly nicotine dependent.
The suit seeks, on behalf of the class, compensatory damages, punitive damages
and equitable relief, including medical monitoring of the class members.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
    On October 2, 1996, the Company was served with a summons and complaint in
an action brought by the County of Los Angeles against major tobacco
manufacturers, the Company and other distributors of tobacco products. The
complaint seeks, inter alia, damages and restitution for monies expended by the
County for the health care of smokers.
 
    The Company does not believe that these actions will have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition.
 
    In addition, the Company is a party to other lawsuits incurred in the
ordinary course of its business. The Company believes it is adequately insured
with respect to such lawsuits or that such lawsuits will not result in losses
material to its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
    The executive officers and directors of the Company are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                          AGE                       POSITION
- -------------------------------------------      ---      -------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>
Gary L. Walsh..............................          54   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and
                                                          Director
Robert A. Allen............................          47   President and Chief Operating Officer and
                                                          Director
Leo F. Korman..............................          49   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
                                                          Officer and Secretary
Basil P. Prokop............................          53   President, Canada Division
J. Michael Walsh...........................          48   Senior Vice President, Distribution
Leo Granucci...............................          58   Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Thomas A. Berglund.........................          36   Director
Terry J. Blumer............................          38   Director
John F. Klein..............................          33   Director
John A. Sprague............................          44   Director
</TABLE>
 
    GARY L. WALSH has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 1990, and
served as President from 1990 until 1996. He has been a director of the Company
since 1990. Prior to 1990, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Food Services
of America, a food distribution company. Mr. Walsh has more than 30 years of
management experience in the food distribution industry.
 
    ROBERT A. ALLEN has been President and Chief Operating Officer since January
1996. Prior to that time, he served as Senior Vice President, Distribution from
1992 through 1996, and as Vice President, Distribution from 1989 to 1992. He has
been a director of the Company since 1994. Before joining the Company, he served
as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Twin City Wholesale
Drug Company of Minneapolis.
 
    LEO F. KORMAN has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
since January 1994 and served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from
1991 to 1994.
 
    BASIL P. PROKOP has been President of the Canada Division since 1992. Mr.
Prokop joined the Company in 1984.
 
    J. MICHAEL WALSH has been Senior Vice President, Distribution since January
1996. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Vice President, Operations since 1992
and served as Vice President, Operations from 1991 to 1992.
 
    LEO GRANUCCI has been Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing since 1994.
Prior thereto, he served for seven years as Executive Vice President of Sales
and Marketing at Bergen Brunswig, a wholesale pharmaceutical distribution
company.
 
    THOMAS A. BERGLUND has been a director of the Company since August 1996. He
has been a Vice President at Jupiter since 1994. Prior to that he served for
three years as an employee of the Invus Group, a privately funded buy-out group
specializing in food-related companies.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
    TERRY J. BLUMER has been a director of the Company since August 1996. Prior
to co-founding Jupiter in 1994, Mr. Blumer was associated with Goldman, Sachs &
Co. for over eight years, most recently as an Executive Director.
 
    JOHN F. KLEIN has been a director of the Company since August 1996. He has
been an associate at Jupiter since November 1995. Prior to that, he served for
three years as a consultant at Bain & Company, a management consulting firm, and
as a manager in the Turnaround and Corporate Recovery Services Group at Price
Waterhouse.
 
    JOHN A. SPRAGUE has been a director of the Company since August 1996. Prior
to co-founding Jupiter in 1994, Mr. Sprague was associated with Forstmann Little
& Co. for eleven years, most recently as a partner. He is a director of
Heartland Wireless Communications, Inc.
 
    Directors are elected for one year terms and hold office until their
successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or
removal. Executive officers of the Company are appointed by and serve at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. The only family relationship between any
of the executive officers or directors is between Gary L. Walsh and J. Michael
Walsh, who are brothers.
 
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
 
    Directors of the Company do not receive compensation for service as
directors other than reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in
connection with attending the meetings.
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
    The following table summarizes the compensation paid to the Company's chief
executive officer and its five other most highly compensated executive officers
for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                                                           -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
                                                                                                     OTHER ANNUAL     ALL OTHER
                                                             FISCAL        SALARY        BONUS       COMPENSATION    COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                                   YEAR          ($)           ($)            ($)            ($)(1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------  -----------  ------------  ------------  --------------  --------------
 
Gary L. Walsh............................................        1995   $    311,539  $    312,000        --         $     35,621
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
Robert A. Allen..........................................        1995   $    183,601  $    132,500        --         $     38,490
  Senior Vice President, Distribution
 
Leo F. Korman............................................        1995   $    190,944  $    110,000        --         $     23,207
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Basil P. Prokop..........................................        1995   $    172,813  $     38,909        --         $      4,293
  President, Canada Division(2)
 
J. Michael Walsh.........................................        1995   $    177,120  $    126,500        --         $     22,378
  Senior Vice President, Operations
 
Leo Granucci.............................................        1995   $    192,923  $    105,000   $     48,677(3)  $      4,649
  Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(1) Consists of the sum of: (i) Company matching contributions to the Savings
    Plan (defined below) in the following amounts: Mr. Allen, $4,620; Mr.
    Korman, $4,620; Mr. J.M. Walsh, $3,976; and Mr. Granucci, $1,415; (ii)
    Company matching contributions to the RRSP (defined below) for Mr. Prokop in
    the amount of $3,528; (iii) life and other insurance premiums in the
    following amounts: Mr. G.L. Walsh, $4,862; Mr. Allen, $3,111; Mr. Korman,
    $3,207; Mr. Prokop, $765; Mr. J.M. Walsh, $3,022; and Mr. Granucci, $3,234;
    and (iv) income received in connection with the cancellation of certain
    stock options in the following amounts: Mr. G.L. Walsh, $30,759; Mr. Allen,
    $30,759; Mr. Korman, $15,380; and Mr. J.M. Walsh, $15,380.
 
(2) Represents Canadian dollars converted into U.S. dollars at an assumed rate
    of U.S. $0.73/Can. $1.00 ("Converted US Dollars").
 
(3) Consists of relocation expenses.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS WITH MANAGEMENT
 
    Each member of Senior Management, constituting the Company's top six
executive officers, has entered into a Severance and Non-Competition Agreement
with the Company, dated as of August 7, 1996 (collectively, the "Severance and
Non-Competition Agreements"), which provides that if the employment of such
officer party thereto is terminated other than for Cause (as defined therein) or
other than as a result of such officer's resignation for Good Reason (as defined
therein), the Company may, in its sole discretion, continue to pay to such
officer, for a period of up to one year following such termination, such
officer's base salary as in effect on the effective date of such termination.
Under the Severance and Non-Competition Agreements, each of such officers has
agreed not to engage in activities that compete with those of the Company (i)
while such officer is an employee of the Company and (ii) if the Company makes
the severance payments described above to such officer, for an additional period
of one year after such employment terminates if such officer's employment with
the Company terminates for Cause or as a result of his resignation other than
for Good Reason.
 
STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
    The Company has adopted a Stock Option Plan pursuant to which stock options
may be granted to officers, directors and key personnel of the Company and
certain of its affiliates (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, a committee appointed
by, and consisting of two or more members of, the board of directors of the
Company is authorized to administer the Plan. Options granted under the Plan are
generally exercisable through the eighth anniversary of the date of grant,
vesting proportionately over a five-year period beginning on the date of grant.
Options with respect to not more than 300,000 shares may be granted pursuant to
the Plan. Special provisions are included in the Plan covering termination of
employment, breach of any noncompetition or confidentiality agreement with the
Company, and rights relating to the drag-along and tag-along of options in the
event a tag-along right or drag-along right is exercised as provided in the
Stockholders Agreement. See "Ownership of Voting Securities--Stockholders
Agreement." The Plan also provides for acceleration of vesting of options in the
event of a Deemed Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Plan). No
options have been granted under the Plan.
 
THE SAVINGS PLAN
 
    The Company maintains the Core-Mark International, Inc. Nest Egg Savings
Plan (the "Savings Plan"), which is a defined contribution plan with a cash or
deferred arrangement (as described under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended). All non-union U.S. employees of the Company and its
affiliates (unless a bargaining agreement expressly provides for participation)
are eligible to participate in the Savings Plan after completing one year of
service.
 
    Eligible employees may elect to contribute on a tax deferred basis from 1%
to 10% of their compensation (as defined in the Savings Plan), subject to
statutory limitations. A contribution of up to 6% is considered to be a "basic
contribution" and the Company makes a matching contribution of $0.50 for each
dollar of a participant's basic contribution (all of which may be subject to
certain statutory limitations).
 
    Each participant has a fully vested (nonforfeitable) interest in all
contributions made by the individual and all earnings thereon. Each participant
must be employed at the end of each year to receive an allocation of matching
contribution for the most recent calendar quarter.
 
    The amount of Company matching contributions that the following officers
have accrued in the Savings Plan as of December 31, 1995 is as follows: Robert
A. Allen $14,706.43; Leo Granucci $1,415.34; Leo F. Korman $14,093.12; and J.
Michael Walsh $15,304.46. Gary L. Walsh is not a participant in the Savings
Plan.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
THE REGISTERED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN (CANADA)
 
    The Company maintains the Core-Mark International, Inc. Group Retirement
Savings Plan (Canada) (the "Registered Retirement Savings Plan" or "RRSP"),
which is a defined contribution plan with a cash or deferred arrangement (as
described under the Department of National Revenue Taxation Income Tax Act). All
non-union Canadian employees of the Company and its affiliates (unless a
bargaining agreement expressly provides for participation) are eligible to
participate in the Registered Retirement Savings Plan after completing one year
of service.
 
    Eligible employees may elect to contribute on a tax deferred basis from 1%
to 10% of their compensation (as defined in the RRSP), subject to statutory
limitations. A contribution of up to 6% is considered to be a "basic
contribution" and the Company makes a matching contribution of $.50 for each
dollar of a participant's basic contribution (all of which may be subject to
certain statutory limitations).
 
    The amount of Company matching contributions that the following officers
have accrued in the Registered Retirement Savings Plan as of December 31, 1995
is as follows: Basil P. Prokop $19,813.00 (in Converted US Dollars).
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
                         OWNERSHIP OF VOTING SECURITIES
 
    The following table set forth as of the date of this Offering Memorandum
certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the common stock of
the Company (i) by each person who is known by the Company to own beneficially
more than 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, (ii) by
each of the Company's directors and executive officers, and (iii) by all
directors and executive officers as a group. The Company believes that the
beneficial owners of the securities listed below, based on information furnished
by such owners, have sole investment and voting power with respect to all the
shares of common stock of the Company shown as being beneficially owned by them.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   NUMBER OF
                                                                                   SHARES OF
                                                                                COMMON STOCK OF      PERCENTAGE OF
                                                                                  THE COMPANY       TOTAL SHARES OF
                             NAME AND ADDRESS OF                                  BENEFICIALLY      COMMON STOCK OF
                            BENEFICIAL OWNERS(A)                                     OWNED            THE COMPANY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------  -----------------
<S>                                                                            <C>                 <C>
Jupiter......................................................................        4,125,000              75.0%
Robert A. Allen..............................................................          281,875               5.1
Leo Granucci.................................................................          158,125               2.9
Leo F. Korman................................................................          213,125               3.9
Basil P. Prokop..............................................................          164,999               3.0
Gary L. Walsh................................................................          343,751               6.2
J. Michael Walsh.............................................................          213,125               3.9
Thomas A. Berglund...........................................................                0                --
Terry J. Blumer (b)..........................................................                0                --
John F. Klein................................................................                0                --
John A. Sprague (b)..........................................................                0                --
All directors and executive officers
as a group (10 persons) (b)..................................................        1,375,000              25.0%
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
(a) The address for Jupiter, Mr. Berglund, Mr. Blumer, Mr. Klein and Mr. Sprague
    is 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 4525, New York, New York 10112. The address
    for Gary L. Walsh, Mr. Allen, Mr. Granucci, Mr. Korman, Mr. Prokop and J.
    Michael Walsh is 395 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 415, South San Francisco,
    California 94080.
 
(b) Excludes the shares owned by Jupiter. Messrs. Sprague and Blumer exercise
    investment and voting power over the shares owned by Jupiter.
 
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT
 
    On August 7, 1996, the Company entered into a Stockholders Agreement (the
"Stockholders Agreement") with Jupiter and the Senior Management (the
"Management Stockholders"), which parties constitute all of the Company's common
stockholders. The Stockholders Agreement (a) places significant restrictions on
the ability of a Management Stockholder to transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose
of 60% of his shares of common stock of the Company (the "Restricted Shares")
prior to the Company's initial public offering of common stock, and limits the
amount of Restricted Shares that may be sold by such Management Stockholder
after such initial public offering, (b) restricts the ability of a Management
Stockholder to pledge his shares of common stock that do not constitute
Restricted Shares, (c) grants "tag-along" rights (i.e., rights to participate in
a sale on a PRO RATA basis) to each stockholder in connection with the sale (i)
by Jupiter of any of its common stock of the Company and (ii) by a Management
Stockholder of any of his Restricted Shares, and (d) grants to Jupiter
"drag-along" rights (i.e., the right to require Management Stockholders to
participate on a PRO RATA basis in a sale by Jupiter) with respect to shares of
common stock held by the Management Stockholders, whether or not Restricted
Shares, in connection with a sale by Jupiter of common stock constituting at
least 1% of the Company's common stock. The Stockholders Agreement also grants
to the Company, first, and Jupiter,
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
second, certain call rights with respect to the purchase of Restricted Shares
held by a Management Stockholder in the event that, prior to the fifth
anniversary of the date of the Stockholders Agreement, such Management
Stockholder's employment with the Company is terminated (other than as a result
of death, disability or resignation for Good Reason (as defined therein)). The
call provision also applies in the event such Management Stockholder breaches
his obligations under the Severance and Non-Competition Agreement described
under "Management-- Certain Agreements with Management". The purchase price with
respect to such call rights under the Stockholders Agreement is the lower of $10
per share and a specified formula described therein (the "Repurchase Formula"),
in the event the call right arises as a result of such Management Stockholder's
termination for Cause (as defined therein), his resignation other than for Good
Reason or a breach of his obligations under the Severance and Non-Competition
Agreement to which he is a party. The purchase price with respect to a call
right arising as a result of any other employment termination is the Repurchase
Formula. Jupiter has agreed that neither it nor the Company will exercise their
respective call rights with respect to the Restricted Shares held by Gary L.
Walsh in the event that, after December 31, 1997, his employment with the
Company is terminated without cause or he resigns without cause or for good
reason.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
 
    Pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1996 (the
"Registration Rights Agreement"), the Company granted certain demand
registration rights to Jupiter and certain "piggy-back" registration rights to
Jupiter and the Management Stockholders with respect to the sale of common stock
of the Company held by them. In addition to customary priority cut-back
provisions relating to underwritten offerings, the Registration Rights Agreement
imposes limitations on the number of shares of common stock of the Company that
may be included in a "piggy-back" registration by a Management Stockholder.
 
                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
    In connection with a restructuring of the Company in 1994, Gary L. Walsh,
Robert A. Allen, Leo F. Korman, Basil P. Prokop, J. Michael Walsh and Leo
Granucci (together, "Senior Management") entered into an equity sharing
arrangement with the Institutional Shareholders, which were the prior lenders to
the Company. As a result of this arrangement and subsequent transactions, Senior
Management owned approximately a 53% equity interest in the Company at the time
of the Recapitalization.
 
    On August 7, 1996, in connection with the Recapitalization, the Company
redeemed all of the common stock held by the Institutional Shareholders
(representing approximately 47% of the total outstanding equity interests) and a
portion of the common stock held by the Senior Management (representing
approximately 44% of the total outstanding equity interests) on a pro rata basis
for $135.0 million in cash and $6.3 million initial value of Management Notes,
except that the Institutional Shareholders did not receive any Management Notes.
Of such cash amount, $10.0 million was placed into escrow as a reserve in
respect of representations and warranties in connection with the sale of the
Company's common stock to Jupiter. The portion of the common stock previously
held by Senior Management which was not redeemed represented 8.9% of the equity
interests in the Company outstanding immediately prior to the Recapitalization
and represents in the aggregate 25% of the outstanding common stock following
the Recapitalization. Such stock would have a value of $13.8 million if valued
at the price per share paid by Jupiter to the Company for its common stock.
 
    In connection with the Recapitalization, Jupiter Partners, Inc., an
affiliate of Jupiter, received a $2.15 million transaction fee from the Company.
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
                     DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR CREDIT FACILITY
 
    The credit agreement dated as of August 7, 1996 (the "Senior Credit
Facility") among the Company, the several lenders from time to time parties
thereto (collectively, the "Lenders") and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent and collateral agent (the "Agent"), provides for a $175.0
million Revolving Credit Facility as well as a $35 million Term Loan, which was
repaid from the proceeds of the Offering. Chase Securities Inc. acted as advisor
and arranger in connection with the Senior Credit Facility (the "Arranger"). The
following is a summary description of the principal terms of the Senior Credit
Agreement and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the
definitive Senior Credit Facility and the other loan documents, which are
available upon request from the Company.
 
    STRUCTURE.  Loans under the Senior Credit Facility consist of a Revolving
Credit Facility in the amount of up to $175.0 million subject to compliance with
a borrowing base and customary conditions as set forth in the Senior Credit
Facility. Of the total, $40.0 million is available in the form of letters of
credit. $20 million of such letters of credit do not count against the borrowing
base.
 
    In connection with the closing of the Recapitalization, the Company borrowed
the full amount of the Term Loan and approximately $100.0 million under the
Revolving Credit Facility, which amounts were used to fund redemptions,
refinance existing debt and pay closing expenses as described under
"Summary--Transactions Related to the Offering." In connection with the closing
of the Offering, the proceeds of the Offering were used to repay the Term Loan
($35.0 million principal amount plus accrued interest thereon) and to reduce
outstanding balances under the Revolving Credit Facility (approximately $12.3
million). At June 30, 1996, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such
borrowings and the Recapitalization and the Offering (including the application
of the net proceeds therefrom), the amount that would have been available to be
drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility after taking into account the
borrowing base would have been approximately $47.8 million. The remaining
availability under the Revolving Credit Facility may be utilized to meet the
Company's working capital requirements, including issuance of stand-by and trade
letters of credit. The Company also may utilize the remaining availability under
the Revolving Credit Facility to fund acquisitions (subject to certain tests)
and capital expenditures.
 
    SECURITY; GUARANTY.  The obligations of the Company under the Senior Credit
Facility are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each existing
and subsequently acquired or organized active subsidiary of the Company. In
addition, the Senior Credit Facility and the guarantees thereof are secured by
substantially all the assets of the Company and the guarantors (collectively,
the "Collateral"), including but not limited to (i) a first priority pledge of
all the capital stock of each such subsidiary of the Company and (ii) perfected
first priority security interests in substantially all tangible and intangible
assets of the Company and the guarantors (including but not limited to accounts
receivable, inventory, equipment, intellectual property, general intangibles,
cash and proceeds of the foregoing), in each case subject to certain limited
exceptions.
 
    AMORTIZATION; INTEREST.  The Senior Credit Facility bears interest at a rate
per annum equal (at the Company's option) to: (i) the Agent's Eurodollar Rate
plus 2.5% or (ii) an Alternate Base Rate (equal to the highest of the Agent's
prime rate, a certificate of deposit rate plus 1% or the Federal Funds effective
rate plus 1/2 of 1%) plus 1.5%. Amounts relating to principal under the Senior
Credit Facility not paid when due bear interest at a default rate equal to 2.0%
above the otherwise applicable rate. The Revolving Credit Facility matures on
June 30, 2001.
 
    PREPAYMENTS.  The Senior Credit Facility permits the Company to prepay loans
and to permanently reduce revolving credit commitments, in whole or in part, at
any time. Any prepayment of Eurodollar loans other than at the end of an
interest period will be subject to reimbursement of breakage costs.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
    FEES.  The Company is required to pay the Lenders, on a quarterly basis, a
commitment fee equal to 1/2 of 1% per annum on the undrawn portion of the Senior
Credit Facility. The Company is also required to pay (i) a per annum letter of
credit fee of 2.5% of the aggregate amount of outstanding letters of credit
(less any fronting fee); (ii) a fronting bank fee for the letter of credit
issuing bank equal to 1/4 of 1% per annum; (iii) annual administration fees and
(iv) agent, arrangement and other similar fees.
 
    COVENANTS.  The Senior Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that,
among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to
dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, prepay other indebtedness or
amend certain other debt instruments, pay dividends, create liens on assets,
enter into sale and leaseback transactions, make investments, loans or advances,
make acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, change the business
conducted by the Company or its subsidiaries, make capital expenditures or
engage in certain transactions with affiliates and otherwise restrict certain
corporate activities. In addition, under the Senior Credit Facility, the Company
is required to maintain specified financial ratios and tests, including minimum
interest coverage ratios, maximum leverage ratios, annual capital expenditures
limitations, net worth tests and current ratio and EBITDA tests.
 
    The Senior Credit Facility also contains provisions that prohibit any
modifications of the Indenture in any manner adverse to the Lenders and that
limit the Company's ability to refinance the Notes without the consent of the
Lenders.
 
    EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The Senior Credit Agreement contains customary events of
default, including payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties,
covenant defaults, cross-defaults and cross-acceleration to certain other
indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, ERISA, judgment
defaults, actual or asserted invalidity of any security interest and Change of
Control of the Company (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility) in certain
circumstances as set forth therein.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
    The authorized common stock of the Company consists of 10,000,000 shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"). At the date hereof,
there are 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, 4,125,000 of
which are held by Jupiter and 1,375,000 of which are held by the Senior
Management. Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder thereof to one vote
on all matters to be voted on by shareholders of the Company. Pursuant to the
restrictions contained in the Senior Credit Facility and the Indenture, the
Company is not expected to be able to pay dividends on its Common Stock for the
foreseeable future, other than certain limited dividends permitted by the Senior
Credit Facility and the Indenture. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or
winding-up of the Company, the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to share
in the remaining assets of the Company after payment of all liabilities
(including payments required to be made to holders of the Notes) and after all
other shares of stock ranking senior to the Common Stock in respect of any
distribution upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company. The
Common Stock does not provide holders thereof with any pre-emptive or conversion
rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund
provisions applicable to the Common Stock. All outstanding shares of the Common
Stock are fully paid and non-assessable. See also "Management--Certain
Agreements With Management."
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
                          DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
    The Company (which for purposes of this Description of the New Notes refers
solely to Core-Mark International, Inc.) issued $75,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of Existing Notes on September 27, 1996 (the "Issue Date") pursuant to an
Indenture dated as of such date (the "Indenture"), between the Company and
Bankers Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The New Notes will also be
issued under the Indenture which will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act
upon effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part. The form and terms of the New Notes are the same as the form and terms of
the Existing Notes except that the New Notes will have been registered under the
Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting their transfer
pursuant to the Securities Act. The New Notes and the Existing Notes are
collectively referred to as the "Notes." The terms of the New Notes include
those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference
to the Trust Indenture Act as in effect on the date of the Indenture. The New
Notes are subject to all such terms, and holders of New Notes are referred to
the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act for a statement thereof. Certain
capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the meanings set
forth in the section "Certain Definitions".
 
    The following summary of certain provisions of the Indenture and the Notes
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to, all provisions of the Indenture, including the
definitions of certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. A copy of the Indenture has been filed
with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
    The Notes may be exchanged or transferred at the office or agency of the
Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (which initially shall
be the corporate trust office of the Trustee, Bankers Trust Company, at Four
Albany Street, New York, New York 10006; Corporate Trust Department).
 
    The New Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons,
in principal denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. No
service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of
Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.
 
TERMS OF THE NOTES
 
    The Notes are and will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the
Company, limited to $75.0 million aggregate principal amount, and will mature on
September 15, 2003. Each Note will bear interest at a rate per annum shown on
the front cover of this Offering Memorandum from September 27, 1996, or from the
most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable
semiannually to Holders of record at the close of business on the March 1 or
September 1 immediately preceding the interest payment date on March 15 and
September 15 of each year, commencing March 15, 1997.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
    The Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole or in part,
at any time on or after September 15, 2000, and prior to maturity, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each
Holder's registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a
percentage of principal amount), plus accrued interest, if any, to the
redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period
commencing on September 15 of the years set forth below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   REDEMPTION
PERIOD                                                                               PRICE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ------------
<S>                                                                               <C>
2000............................................................................      105.688%
2001............................................................................      102.844%
2002 and thereafter.............................................................      100.000%
</TABLE>
 
    In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to September 15, 1999,
the Company may redeem in the aggregate up to 30% of the original aggregate
principal amount of the Notes with the proceeds of one or more Public Equity
Offerings by the Company following which there is a Public Market, at a
redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of
111.375% plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the
right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due
on the relevant interest payment date) upon not less than 30 nor more than 60
days' prior notice mailed to each Holder's registered address; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that at least 70% of the original aggregate principal amount of the
Notes must remain outstanding after each such redemption.
 
    At any time on or prior to September 15, 2000, the Notes may also be
redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company upon the occurrence of a Change
of Control, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice (but in no
event more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of Control) mailed
by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of,
and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Date") (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
 
MANDATORY REDEMPTION
 
    Except as set forth under "--Change of Control" and "--Certain
Covenants--Limitation on Sale of Assets", the Company is not obligated to make
any mandatory redemption of or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.
 
SELECTION
 
    In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption
will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method
as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate,
although no Note of $1,000 in original principal amount or less will be redeemed
in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption
relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to
be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion
thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of
the original Note.
 
RANKING
 
    The indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is unsecured Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness, is subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the
Indenture, to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness, ranks PARI PASSU in
right of payment with all existing and future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness
and is senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated
Obligations. The Notes are also effectively subordinated to any Secured
Indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such
Indebtedness. However, payment from the money or the proceeds of U.S. Government
Obligations held in any defeasance trust described under "Defeasance" below is
not subordinated to any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions
described herein.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
    Certain of the operations of the Company are conducted through its
Subsidiaries. Claims of creditors of such Subsidiaries, including trade
creditors, and claims of preferred stockholders (if any) of such Subsidiaries
generally will have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such
Subsidiaries over the claims of creditors of the Company, including holders of
the Notes. The Notes, therefore, are effectively subordinated to creditors
(including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders (if any) of Subsidiaries
of the Company. At June 30, 1996, the total liabilities of the Company's
Subsidiaries were approximately $12.0 million, including Trade Payables.
Although the Indenture limits the incurrence of Indebtedness and preferred stock
of certain of the Company's Subsidiaries, such limitation is subject to a number
of significant qualifications.
 
    At June 30, 1996, after giving effect to the Recapitalization, the issuance
and sale of the Notes and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as
described herein under "Use of Proceeds," the outstanding Senior Indebtedness
would have been $98.2 million, all of which would have been Secured
Indebtedness. Although the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of
additional Indebtedness which the Company may Incur, under certain circumstances
the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, in any case, such
Indebtedness may be Senior Indebtedness. See "Certain Covenants--Limitation on
Indebtedness" below.
 
    "Senior Indebtedness" means all principal of, premium (if any), accrued
interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim
for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges,
expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and other amounts owing with
respect to all Indebtedness of the Company, including all Bank Indebtedness,
whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred, unless in the
instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is
outstanding it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of
payment to the Notes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Senior Indebtedness shall not
include (1) any obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary, (2) any liability
for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company, (3) any
Trade Payables, (4) any Indebtedness or obligation of the Company which is
subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or obligation of
the Company, including any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and any Subordinated
Obligations, (5) any obligations with respect to any Capital Stock, or (6) any
Indebtedness Incurred in violation of the Indenture.
 
    Only Indebtedness of the Company that is Senior Indebtedness will rank
senior to the Notes in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The
Notes in all respects rank PARI PASSU with all other Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness. The Company has agreed in the Indenture that it will not Incur,
directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness which is subordinate or junior in
ranking in any respect to Senior Indebtedness unless such Indebtedness is Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly subordinated in right of payment to
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. Unsecured Indebtedness is not deemed to be
subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured.
 
    The Company may not pay principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, the
Notes or make any deposit pursuant to the provisions described under
"Defeasance" below and may not otherwise purchase, redeem or otherwise retire
any Notes (collectively, "pay the Notes") if (i) any Senior Indebtedness is not
paid when due or (ii) any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the
maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms
unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and any such
acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in
full. However, the Company may pay the Notes without regard to the foregoing if
the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from
the Representative of the Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which
either of the events set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the immediately
preceding sentence has occurred and is continuing. During the continuance of any
default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the second
preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant
to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to
effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the
Company may not pay the Notes for a period (a "Payment Blockage Period")
commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee and the Company of written notice (a
"Blockage Notice") of such default from the Representative of the Designated
Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period
and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is
terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Person
or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, (ii) because the default giving rise
to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing or (iii) because such Designated
Senior Indebtedness has been repaid in full). Notwithstanding the provisions
described in the immediately preceding sentence, unless the holders of such
Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders have
accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company may
resume payments on the Notes after the end of such Payment Blockage Period. Not
more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period,
irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior
Indebtedness during such period. However, if any Blockage Notice within such
360-day period is given by or on behalf of any holders of Designated Senior
Indebtedness other than the Bank Indebtedness, the Representative of the Bank
Indebtedness may give another Blockage Notice within such period. In no event,
however, may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period
or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360
consecutive day period.
 
    Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company upon a total
or partial liquidation or dissolution or reorganization of or similar proceeding
relating to the Company or its property, the holders of Senior Indebtedness will
be entitled to receive payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness before the
Noteholders are entitled to receive any payment and until the Senior
Indebtedness is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which Noteholders
would be entitled but for the subordination provisions of the Indenture will be
made to holders of the Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear. If a
distribution is made to Noteholders that due to the subordination provisions
should not have been made to them, such Noteholders are required to hold it in
trust for the holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their
interests may appear.
 
    If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the
Company or the Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated
Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders of the acceleration.
The Company may not pay the Notes until five Business Days after such holders or
the Representative of the Designated Senior Indebtedness receive notice of such
acceleration and, thereafter, may pay the Notes only if the subordination
provisions of the Indenture otherwise permit payment at that time.
 
    By reason of such subordination provisions contained in the Indenture, in
the event of insolvency, creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior
Indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the Noteholders, and creditors of
the Company who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness or of Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness (including the Notes) may recover less, ratably, than holders of
Senior Indebtedness and may recover more, ratably, than the holders of Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness.
 
SAME DAY PAYMENT
 
    The Indenture requires that payments in respect of Notes (including
principal, premium and interest) be made by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders or, if no such account
is specified, by mailing a check to each Holder's registered address.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
    Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each a "Change of
Control"), each Holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase
all or any part of such Holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101%
of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to
the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment
date); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change of
Control, the Company shall not be obligated to purchase the Notes pursuant to
this covenant in the event that it has exercised its right to redeem all of the
Notes as described under
"--Optional Redemption":
 
         (i) prior to the first public offering of Voting Stock of the Company,
    the Permitted Holders cease to be the "beneficial owner" (as defined in
    Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a
    majority in the aggregate of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of
    the Company, whether as a result of issuance of securities of the Company,
    any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company, any
    direct or indirect transfer of securities or otherwise (for purposes of this
    clause (i), the Permitted Holders shall be deemed to beneficially own any
    Voting Stock of a corporation (the "specified corporation") held by any
    other corporation (the "parent corporation") so long as the Permitted
    Holders beneficially own (as so defined), directly or indirectly, in the
    aggregate a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent
    corporation);
 
        (ii) (A) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
    of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or
    becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
    Exchange Act, except that such person shall be deemed to have "beneficial
    ownership" of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire,
    which right is subject to no conditions other than passage of time and
    conditions substantially within the control of the parties to such
    acquisition)), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting
    power of the Voting Stock of the Company and (B) the Permitted Holders
    "beneficially own" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange
    Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the
    total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company than such other person
    and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise
    to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors (for
    the purposes of this clause (ii), such other person shall be deemed to
    beneficially own any Voting Stock of a specified corporation held by a
    parent corporation, if such other person "beneficially owns" (as defined in
    this clause (ii)), directly or indirectly, a majority of the voting power of
    the Voting Stock of such parent corporation;
 
        (iii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another
    Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale
    of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to another Person (in
    each case, other than a Person that is controlled by the Permitted Holders),
    and, in the case of any such merger or consolidation, the securities of the
    Company that are outstanding immediately prior to such transaction and which
    represent 100% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the
    Company are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or property,
    unless pursuant to such transaction such securities are changed into or
    exchanged for, in addition to any other consideration, securities of the
    surviving corporation that represent immediately after such transaction, at
    least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the
    surviving corporation; or
 
        (iv) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the
    beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together with
    any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose
    nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a
    vote of a majority of the directors of the Company then still in office who
    were either
 
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<PAGE>
    directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
    for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute
    a majority of the Board of Directors then in office.
 
    Subject to the provision in the first paragraph under "--Change of Control",
within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice
to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating: (1) that a Change of Control
has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to
purchase such Holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date
of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date to
receive interest on the relevant interest payment date); (2) the circumstances
and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;
(3) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than
60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and (4) the instructions
determined by the Company, consistent with this covenant, that a Holder must
follow in order to have its Notes purchased.
 
    The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of
Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations
in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this covenant. To the
extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with
provisions of this covenant, the Company will comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.
 
    The Change of Control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between
the Company and the Initial Purchasers. Management has no present intention to
engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible
that the Company would decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations
discussed below, the Company could, in the future, enter into certain
transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations,
that would not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture, but that
could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise
affect the Company's capital structure or credit ratings.
 
    The occurrence of certain of the events which would constitute a Change of
Control would constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. Future Senior
Indebtedness of the Company also may contain prohibitions of certain events
which would constitute a Change of Control or require such Senior Indebtedness
to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the
Holders of their right to require the Company to repurchase the Notes could
cause a default under such Senior Indebtedness, even if the Change of Control
itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the Company.
Finally, the Company's ability to pay cash to the Holders upon a repurchase may
be limited by the Company's then existing financial resources. There can be no
assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any
required repurchases.
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS
 
    The Indenture contains covenants including, among others, the following:
 
    LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS.  (a) The Company will not, and will not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Indebtedness; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the Company (but not any Restricted Subsidiary) may Incur Indebtedness if on the
date of such Incurrence the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be greater than
2.0:1, if such Indebtedness is Incurred on or prior to September 30, 1999, and
2.5:1 if such Indebtedness is Incurred thereafter.
 
    (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness: (i) Indebtedness
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding from time to time
pursuant to the Credit Agreement or otherwise in an amount not to exceed
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
(A) the sum (the "Maximum Amount") of (x) 85% of the net book value of the
consolidated Total Receivables of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than the Receivables Subsidiary) and (y) 80% of the net book value of the
consolidated inventory of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other
than the Receivables Subsidiary), determined in accordance with GAAP, and (B)
$20 million but only in respect of letters of credit; (ii) Indebtedness of the
Receivables Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to Receivables Financings; (iii)
Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Wholly Owned Subsidiary or
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and held by the Company or any
Wholly Owned Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any subsequent issuance or
transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such
Wholly Owned Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or any
subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or a Wholly
Owned Subsidiary) will be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence of
such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof; (iv) Indebtedness represented by the
Notes (and the Note Guarantees), any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness
described in clauses (i) and (iii) above) outstanding on the Issue Date and any
Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness described in
clause (i), this clause (iv) or paragraph (a); (v) (A) Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which
such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness
Incurred as consideration in, in contemplation of, or to provide all or any
portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction
or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary
became a Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that at the time such Restricted Subsidiary is acquired by the Company,
the Company would have been able to Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to paragraph (a) after giving effect to the Incurrence of such
Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (v) and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness
Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness Incurred by such
Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this clause (v); (vi) Indebtedness (A) in
respect of performance bonds, bankers' acceptances, letters of credit and surety
or appeal bonds provided by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of their business and which do not secure other Indebtedness,
and (B) under Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that, in the case of Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements,
such Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements do not increase the
Indebtedness of the Company outstanding at any time other than as a result of
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates or by reason
of fees, indemnities and compensation payable thereunder; or (vii) Indebtedness
of the Company (but not of a Restricted Subsidiary) in an aggregate principal
amount on the date of Incurrence which, when added to all other Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to this clause (vii) and then outstanding, will not exceed $10
million.
 
    (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not Incur any
Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (b) above if the proceeds thereof are used,
directly or indirectly, to repay, prepay, redeem, defease, retire, refund or
refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such Indebtedness will be
subordinated to the Notes to at least the same extent as such Subordinated
Obligations. The Company may not Incur any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is
subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to any Senior Indebtedness
unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly
subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. In
addition, the Company may not Incur any Secured Indebtedness which is not Senior
Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is made to
secure the Notes equally and ratably with such Secured Indebtedness for so long
as such Secured Indebtedness is secured by a Lien.
 
    LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.  (a) The Company will not, and will not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to (i) declare or pay
any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of its Capital Stock
(including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving
the Company) except dividends or distributions payable solely in its Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and except dividends or distributions
payable to the Company or another Restricted
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
Subsidiary (and, if such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary,
to its other shareholders on a pro rata basis in accordance with their
respective ownership of the class of Capital Stock affected), (ii) purchase,
redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary held by Persons other than the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise
acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or
scheduled sinking fund payment any Subordinated Obligations (other than the
purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations purchased
in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment
or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition)
or (iv) make any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person
(any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance,
other acquisition, retirement or Investment being herein referred to as a
"Restricted Payment") if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
makes such Restricted Payment: (1) a Default will have occurred and be
continuing (or would result therefrom); (2) the Company could not Incur at least
$1.00 of additional Indebtedness under paragraph (a) of the covenant described
under "--Limitation on Indebtedness"; or (3) the aggregate amount of such
Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments (the amount so expended, if
other than in cash, to be determined in good faith by the Board of Directors,
whose determination will be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the
Board of Directors) declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date would exceed
the sum of: (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period
(treated as one accounting period) from October 1, 1996, to the end of the most
recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment and as
to which financial results have been made publicly available (but in no event
ending more than 135 days prior to the date of such Restricted Payment) (or, in
case such Consolidated Net Income is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); (B)
the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale
of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and the amount received in
cash as voluntary contributions to the capital of the Company, subsequent to the
Issue Date (other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the Company or an
employee stock ownership plan or other trust established by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries); (C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company's balance sheet
upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary) subsequent to the
Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries
convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of
the Company (less the amount of any cash or other property distributed by the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange); and (D)
the amount equal to the net reduction in Investments in Unrestricted
Subsidiaries resulting from (i) payments of dividends, repayments of the
principal of loans or advances or other transfers of assets to the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or (ii) the
redesignation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in
each case as provided in the definition of "Investment") not to exceed, in the
case of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously made
by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary,
which amount was included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
Payments.
 
    (b)  The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) will not prohibit: (i)
any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock of the Company or Subordinated
Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially
concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock
and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary or an employee stock
ownership plan or other trust established by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) such purchase or
redemption will be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted
Payments and (B) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale will be excluded from
clause (3)(B) of paragraph (a) above; (ii) any purchase or redemption of
Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale of, Indebtedness of the Company which is permitted
to be Incurred pursuant to the covenant described under
"--Limitation on Indebtedness"; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such purchase or
redemption will be excluded
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (iii) any purchase or
redemption of Subordinated Obligations from Net Available Cash to the extent
permitted by the covenant described under "-- Limitation on Sales of Assets and
Subsidiary Stock"; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such purchase or redemption will be
excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (iv) dividends
paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of
declaration such dividend would have complied with this covenant; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that such dividend will be included in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments; or (v) the repurchase of shares of common stock of the
Company from, or the payment of the stock appreciation on any options to
purchase common stock of the Company held by, any officer or employee of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of the agreements
(including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by
the Board of Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are
granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such common stock; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not exceed $2.5
million in any calendar year and $7.5 million in the aggregate from the Issue
Date; PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that such repurchases shall be included in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.
 
    LIMITATION ON RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS FROM RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective
any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted
Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital
Stock or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company, (ii) make any loans or
advances to the Company or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets to the
Company, except: (1) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to applicable law
or an agreement in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date including those
arising under the Credit Agreement; (2) any encumbrance or restriction with
respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any
Indebtedness Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary prior to the date on which
such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness
Incurred as consideration in, in contemplation of, or to provide all or any
portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction
or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary
became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company) and
outstanding on such date; (3) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an
agreement constituting Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness Incurred
pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this covenant or
this clause (3) or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in
clause (1) or (2) of this covenant or this clause (3); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such refinancing agreement or
amendment are no less favorable to the Noteholders than encumbrances and
restrictions contained in such agreements; (4) in the case of clause (iii), any
encumbrance or restriction (A) that restricts in a customary manner the
subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a
lease, license or similar contract, (B) contained in security agreements or
mortgages securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such
encumbrance or restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to
such security agreements or mortgages, (C) arising in connection with any
transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or Lien on,
any property or asset not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture, or (D) arising
or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, PROVIDED that such encumbrance
or restriction does not, individually or in the aggregate together with other
similar encumbrances and restrictions, impair the value of the property or
assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any material manner; (5)
any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an
agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all
the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of
such sale or disposition; and (6) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to
the Receivables Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to Indebtedness of
the Receivables Subsidiary which is permitted under the covenant described under
"-- Limitation on Indebtedness" or pursuant to an agreement relating to a
Financing Disposition to or by the Receivables Subsidiary in connection with a
Receivables Financing.
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
    LIMITATION ON SALES OF ASSETS AND SUBSIDIARY STOCK.  (a) The Company will
not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Asset
Disposition unless (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives
consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming
sole responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at the time
of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the fair market value, as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination will be conclusive
and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors (including as to the
value of all noncash consideration), of the shares and assets subject to such
Asset Disposition; (ii) at least 80% of the consideration thereof received by
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that in respect of an Asset Disposition, more than 20% of the
consideration may consist of consideration other than cash or cash equivalents
if (A) the portion of such consideration that does not consist of cash or cash
equivalents consists of assets of a type ordinarily used in the operation of the
Company's distribution business (including Capital Stock of a Person that
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and that holds such assets) to be used by the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the conduct of the Company's business, (B)
the terms of such Asset Disposition have been approved by a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors having no personal stake in such transaction,
and (C) if the value of the assets being disposed of by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary in such transaction (as determined in good faith by such
members of the Board of Directors) is at least $15 million, the Board of
Directors has received a written opinion of a nationally recognized investment
banking firm to the effect that such Asset Disposition is fair, from a financial
point of view, to the Company and the Company has delivered a copy of such
opinion to the Trustee; and (iii) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available
Cash from such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be) (A) FIRST, to the extent the Company elects (or
is required by the terms of any Senior Indebtedness or Indebtedness (other than
Preferred Stock) of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary), to prepay, repay or purchase
Senior Indebtedness or such Indebtedness (in each case other than Indebtedness
owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within 360 days after the
later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available
Cash; (B) SECOND, to the extent of the balance of Net Available Cash after
application in accordance with clause (A), to the extent the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary elects, to reinvest in Additional Assets (including by
means of an Investment in Additional Assets by a Restricted Subsidiary with Net
Available Cash received by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) within
360 days from the later of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net
Available Cash; (C) THIRD, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available
Cash after application in accordance with clauses (A) and (B), to make an Offer
(as defined below) to purchase Notes pursuant to and subject to the conditions
set forth in paragraph (b) of this covenant, and (D) FOURTH, to the extent of
the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with
clauses (A), (B) and (C), to fund (to the extent consistent with any other
applicable provision of the Indenture) any corporate purpose; PROVIDED, HOWEVER
that in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness
pursuant to clause (A) or (C) above, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
will retire such Indebtedness and will cause the related loan commitment (if
any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so
prepaid, repaid or purchased. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
covenant, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be required to
apply any Net Available Cash in accordance with this covenant except to the
extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions which
are not applied in accordance with this covenant exceed $500,000.
 
    For the purposes of this covenant, the following are deemed to be cash: (x)
the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock of
the Company) or any Restricted Subsidiary and the release of the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness in connection with
such Asset Disposition and (y) securities received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are promptly converted by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash.
 
                                       75
<PAGE>
    (b)  In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of
Notes pursuant to clause (a)(iii)(C) of this covenant, the Company will be
required to purchase Notes tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company for the
Notes (the "Offer") at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount plus
accrued interest to the date of purchase in accordance with the procedures
(including prorationing in the event of oversubscription) set forth in the
Indenture. If the aggregate purchase price of Notes tendered pursuant to the
Offer is less than the Net Available Cash allotted to the purchase of the Notes,
the Company will apply the remaining Net Available Cash in accordance with
clause (a)(iii)(D) of this covenant. The Company will not be required to make an
Offer for Notes pursuant to this covenant if the Net Available Cash available
therefor (after application of the proceeds as provided in clauses (a)(iii)(A)
and (a)(iii)(B) of this covenant) is less than $5 million (which lesser amount
will be carried forward for purposes of determining whether an Offer is required
with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition).
 
    (c)  The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws
or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this
covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Company will comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to
have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.
 
    (d)  The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
make any Financial Disposition in connection with a Receivables Financing unless
the Board of Directors shall have determined in good faith, which determination
will be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors, that
such Financing Disposition is made at fair market value.
 
    LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.  (a) The Company will not, and
will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into
or conduct any transaction (including, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of
any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Company
(an "Affiliate Transaction") on terms (i) that are less favorable to the Company
or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be
obtained at the time of such transaction in arm's-length dealings with a Person
who is not such an Affiliate and (ii) that, in the event such Affiliate
Transaction involves an aggregate amount in excess of $1 million, are not in
writing and have not been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors having no personal stake in such Affiliate Transaction. In addition,
if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $5 million (other
than fees to investment banking firms constituting customary underwriting
discounts for offerings of securities or customary advisory fees for merger and
acquisition or recapitalization transactions) a fairness opinion must be
provided by a nationally recognized appraisal or investment banking firm.
 
    (b)  The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) will not prohibit (i) any
Restricted Payment permitted to be paid pursuant to the covenant described under
"--Limitation on Restricted Payments," (ii) any issuance of securities, or other
payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the
funding of, employment arrangements, stock options and stock ownership plans
approved by the Board of Directors, or other employee benefit arrangements with
any officer, director or employee of the Company entered into in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices of the Company, (iii) loans or
advances to employees in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices of the Company, (iv) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of
the Company and its Subsidiaries who are not employees of the Company or its
Subsidiaries or (v) any transaction between the Company and a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary or between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
 
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<PAGE>
    LIMITATION ON THE SALE OR ISSUANCE OF CAPITAL STOCK OF RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company will not sell any shares of Capital Stock of a
Restricted Subsidiary, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly
or indirectly, to issue or sell any shares of its Capital Stock except (i)
subject to the covenant described under "--Limitation on the Disposition of
Assets of the Company to Restricted Subsidiaries", to the Company or a Wholly
Owned Subsidiary, (ii) pursuant to arrangements entered into prior to the time a
Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than arrangements entered into in
contemplation of the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to
which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary) or (iii) if, immediately after
giving effect to such issuance or sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would no
longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary. The proceeds of any sale of such
Capital Stock permitted under this covenant will be treated as Net Available
Cash from an Asset Disposition and must be applied in accordance with the terms
of the covenant described under "-- Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary
Stock."
 
    LIMITATION ON LIENS.  The Company will not, and will not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist any
Lien (other than Liens on Receivables that are the subject of a Receivables
Financing) on any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock), whether
owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, securing any Indebtedness other
than Senior Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision
is made to secure the Notes equally and ratably with (or on a senior basis to,
in the case of Indebtedness subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) such
obligation for so long as such obligation is so secured.
 
    SEC REPORTS.  Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to be or
remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, the Company will file with the SEC, if permitted by the SEC, and
provide the Trustee and Noteholders and prospective Noteholders (upon request)
with the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports which
are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company also
will comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
 
    LIMITATION ON THE DISPOSITION OF ASSETS OF THE COMPANY TO RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor
Subsidiary to, sell, lease, transfer or make any other disposition of any
property or assets (including shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary) (each
referred to for the purposes of this covenant as a "disposition") to a
Restricted Subsidiary other than (i) a disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary
that at the time of such disposition is or becomes a Guarantor Subsidiary
pursuant to a Note Guarantee, (ii) dispositions (other than a Financing
Disposition in connection with a Receivables Financing) with a fair market value
of less than $2.5 million in the aggregate for all Restricted Subsidiaries in
any fiscal year, (iii) a Financing Disposition in connection with a Receivables
Financing, (iv) a disposition permitted by the covenant described under
"--Limitation on Restricted Payments" and (v) dispositions of inventory in the
ordinary course of business.
 
    LIMITATION ON LINES OF BUSINESS.  The Company will not, and will not permit
any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business, other than those
businesses in which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on
the Issue Date or which are reasonably related thereto.
 
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
 
    The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey,
transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:
(i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the "Successor Company") will
be a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or business trust
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State
thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the
Company) will expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental to the Indenture,
executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture;
(ii) immediately after
 
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<PAGE>
giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes
an obligation of the Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result
of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default will have
occurred and be continuing; (iii) except in the case of a merger the sole
purpose of which is to change the Company's jurisdiction of incorporation,
immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would
be able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness under paragraph (a) of the
covenant described under "--Limitation on Indebtedness"; (iv) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company will have Consolidated
Net Worth in an amount which is not less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the
Company immediately prior to such transaction; and (v) the Company will have
delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel,
each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental
indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing
clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with,
merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company.
 
    The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture, but the
predecessor Company in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its
assets will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and
interest on the Notes.
 
DEFAULTS
 
    An Event of Default is defined in the Indenture as (i) a default in any
payment of interest on any Note when due, whether or not prohibited by the
provisions described under "Ranking" above, continued for 30 days, (ii) a
default in the payment of principal of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity,
upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or
otherwise, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the provisions described
under "Ranking" above, (iii) the failure by the Company to comply with its
obligations under the covenant described under "Merger and Consolidation" above,
(iv) the failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after notice with any of
its obligations under the covenants described under "Change of Control" or
"Certain Covenants" above (in each case, other than a failure to purchase
Notes), (v) the failure by the Company to comply for 60 days after notice with
its other agreements contained in the Indenture, (vi) the failure by the Company
or any Significant Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness within any applicable
grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness
by the holders thereof because of a default if the total amount of such
Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $5 million or its foreign currency
equivalent (the "cross acceleration provision"), (vii) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary (the "bankruptcy provisions"), (viii) the rendering of any judgment
or decree for the payment of money in excess of $5 million or its foreign
currency equivalent against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and (A) an
enforcement proceeding thereon is commenced which is not promptly stayed or (B)
such judgment or decree remains outstanding for a period of 60 days following
such judgment and is not discharged, waived or stayed (the "judgment default
provision") or (ix)(A) any Note Guaranty ceases to be in full force and effect
(except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any Guarantor Subsidiary denies
or disaffirms its obligations under the Indenture or any Note Guaranty and such
default continues for 10 days or (B) any Guarantor Subsidiary fails to comply
for 60 days after notice with any of its obligations in its Note Guarantee.
 
    The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any
such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected
by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
 
    However, a default under clauses (iv) or (v) will not constitute an Event of
Default until the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the
outstanding Notes notify the Company of the default and
 
                                       78
<PAGE>
the Company does not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (iv)
and (v) after receipt of such notice.
 
    If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the
Company and the Trustee may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid
interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such
principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of
Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
of the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of and interest on all
the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or
other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders. Under certain
circumstances, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its
consequences.
 
    Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will
be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders
have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss,
liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of
principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no Holder may pursue any
remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such Holder has
previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii)
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have made a
written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such Holders have
offered the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability
or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days
after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity and (v)
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not
given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day
period. Subject to certain restrictions, the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method
and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee
or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee,
however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the
Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of
any other Holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior
to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to
indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and
expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
 
    The Indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each Holder notice of the Default
within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is known to a
Trust Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee. Except in the
case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest
on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of
its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the
interests of the Noteholders. In addition, the Company is required to deliver to
the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate
indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during
the previous year. The Company also is required to deliver to the Trustee,
within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which
would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action the Company is
taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.
 
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
 
    Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended with the consent
of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes and
any past default or its consequences may be waived with the consent of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes (other than a default in
the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes, which may not be waived
without the consent of
 
                                       79
<PAGE>
each Holder affected) then outstanding. However, without the consent of each
Holder of an outstanding Note affected, no amendment may, among other things,
(i) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, (ii)
reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note, (iii)
reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note, (iv) reduce
the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which
any Note may be redeemed as described under "--Optional Redemption" above, (v)
make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note, (vi) make any
change to the subordination provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects
the rights of any Holder, (vii) impair the right of any Holder to receive
payment of principal of and interest on such Holder's Notes on or after the due
dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to such Holder's Notes or (viii) make any change in the amendment
provisions which require each Holder's consent or in the waiver provisions.
 
    Without the consent of any Holder, the Company and Trustee may amend the
Indenture to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to provide
for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company
under the Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in
place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued
in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner
such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the
Code), to change the subordination provisions to limit or terminate the benefits
to any holder of Senior Indebtedness, to add Guarantees with respect to the
Notes, to secure the Notes, to add to the covenants of the Company for the
benefit of the Noteholders or to surrender any right or power conferred upon the
Company, to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
Holder, to provide for the issuance and authorization of Exchange Notes or to
comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of
the Indenture under the TIA. However, no amendment may be made to the
subordination provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of
any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness (or any group or representative thereof authorized to give a
consent) consent to such change.
 
    The consent of the Noteholders is not necessary under the Indenture to
approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such
consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.
 
    After an amendment under the Indenture becomes effective, the Company is
required to mail to Noteholders a notice briefly describing such amendment.
However, the failure to give such notice to all Noteholders, or any defect
therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
 
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
 
    A Noteholder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the
Indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange, the registrar and the Trustee may
require a Noteholder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements
and transfer documents and the Company may require a Noteholder to pay any taxes
required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company is not required to
transfer or exchange any Note selected for redemption or to transfer or exchange
any Note for a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed.
The Notes will be issued in registered form and the registered holder of a Note
will be treated as the owner of such Note for all purposes.
 
DEFEASANCE
 
    The Company at any time may terminate all its obligations under the Notes
and the Indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations,
including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the
Notes. The Company at any time may terminate its obligations under the covenants
described under "--Certain Covenants", the
 
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<PAGE>
operation of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions with
respect to Subsidiaries, the judgment default provision described under
"Defaults" above, the provisions with respect to Guarantor Subsidiary defaults
and the limitations contained in clauses (iii) and (iv) under "--Merger and
Consolidation" above ("covenant defeasance").
 
    The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its
prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its
legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of
an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant
defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an
Event of Default specified in clause (iv), (vi), (vii) (with respect only to
Subsidiaries) or (viii) under "--Defaults" above or because of the failure of
the Company to comply with clause (iii) or (iv) under "--Merger and
Consolidation" above.
 
    In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Company must irrevocably
deposit in trust (the "defeasance trust") with the Trustee money or U.S.
Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and
interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must
comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the Notes will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit
and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance
only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue
Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law).
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
    Bankers Trust Company is to be the Trustee under the Indenture and has been
appointed by the Company as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to the Notes.
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
    The Indenture provides that it and the Notes will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the
application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.
 
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
 
    "Additional Assets" means (i) any tangible property or assets (other than
Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary in a Related Business; (ii) the Capital Stock of a Person that
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital
Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or (iii) Capital Stock
constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted
Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), such
Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.
 
    "Adjusted Operating Income" for any period means (a) the sum of (x) the
Operating Income for such period, plus (y) the following to the extent deducted
in calculating such Operating Income: (i) Consolidated Non-Cash Charges and (ii)
LIFO expense, if any, for such period, minus (b) LIFO income, if any, for such
period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the depreciation and amortization of a
Subsidiary of the Company shall be added to Operating Income to compute Adjusted
Operating Income only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the
operating income of such Subsidiary was included in calculating Operating Income
and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of
determination to be dividended to the Company by such Subsidiary without prior
approval (that
 
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<PAGE>
has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements,
instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental
regulations applicable to such Subsidiary or its stockholders.
 
    "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or
indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For
purposes of the provisions described under "--Certain Covenants-- Limitation on
Transactions with Affiliates" and "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Sales of
Assets and Subsidiary Stock" only, "Affiliate" shall also mean any beneficial
owner of shares representing 5% or more of the total voting power of the Voting
Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights or warrants to
purchase such Voting Stock (whether or not currently exercisable) and any Person
who would be an Affiliate of any such beneficial owner pursuant to the first
sentence hereof.
 
    "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a Note at any Redemption Date,
the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (ii) the excess
of (A) the present value at such time of (1) the redemption price of such Note
at September 15, 2000 (such redemption price being described under "--Optional
Redemption") plus (2) all required interest payments (excluding accrued but
unpaid interest) due on such Note through September 15, 2000, computed using a
discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 75 basis points, over (B) the
principal amount of such Note.
 
    "Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of
shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors'
qualifying shares), property or other assets (each referred to for the purposes
of this definition as a "disposition") by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or
similar transaction) in one transaction or in a series of related transactions
which shall be viewed as one transaction other than (i) a disposition (other
than a Financing Disposition in connection with a Receivables Financing) by a
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (ii) a disposition of inventory in the
ordinary course of business, (iii) dispositions (other than a Financing
Disposition in connection with a Receivables Financing) with a fair market value
of less than $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, (iv) a Financing
Diposition in connection with a Receivables Financing provided that immediately
after such Financing Disposition the Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness in
respect of letters of credit) outstanding pursuant to clause (b)(i) of the
covenant described under "Certain Covenants--Limitation on Indebtedness" is
equal to or less than the Maximum Amount, (v) for purposes of the provisions
described under "--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Sales of Assets and
Subsidiary Stock" only, a disposition subject to the covenant described under
"-- Certain Covenants--Limitation on Restricted Payments" and (vi) the
disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company permitted by
the covenant described under "Merger and Consolidation".
 
    "Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum
of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the
dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or
redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by
the amount of such payment by (ii) the sum of all such payments.
 
    "Bank Indebtedness" means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of
the Credit Agreement, as amended or modified from time to time, and any
Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect thereof, including principal,
premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing
of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company
whether or not a claim
 
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<PAGE>
for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges,
expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable
thereunder or in respect thereof.
 
    "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.
 
    "Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
which banking institutions in New York State are authorized or required by law
to close.
 
    "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to
purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests
in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock,
but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
 
    "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is required to be
classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting
purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by
such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in
accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the
last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first
date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a
penalty.
 
    "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
    "Consolidated Coverage Ratio" as of any date of determination means the
ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Adjusted Operating Income for the period of
the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of
such determination and as to which financial statements have been made publicly
available (but in no event ending more than 135 days prior to such date of
determination) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal
quarters; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (1) if the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that
remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving
rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence
of Indebtedness, Adjusted Operating Income and Consolidated Interest Expense for
such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such
Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such
period and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased
or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such
discharge had occurred on the first day of such period (except that in the case
of Indebtedness to finance seasonal fluctuations in working capital needs
Incurred under a revolving credit or similar arrangement, the amount thereof
shall be deemed to be the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such
four quarter period), (2) if since the beginning of such period the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition, the Adjusted
Operating Income for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the
Adjusted Operating Income (if positive) directly attributable to the assets
which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period or increased by
an amount equal to the Adjusted Operating Income (if negative) directly
attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense
directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to
the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such
Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly
attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the
Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such
Indebtedness after such sale), (3) if since the beginning of such period the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an
Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or an Investment in or acquisition of
any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets,
including any acquisition or Investment occurring in connection
 
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<PAGE>
with a transaction causing a calculation to be made under the Indenture, which
constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit of a business,
Adjusted Operating Income and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period
shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to the transaction
(including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness and repayment of then existing
debt) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such
period and (4) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that
subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall
have made any Asset Disposition or any Investment or acquisition of assets that
would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (2) or (3) above if made by
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, Adjusted Operating
Income and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated
after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment
or acquisition of assets occurred on the first day of such period. For purposes
of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition
of assets, the amount of Operating Income relating thereto and the amount of
Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred in
connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good
faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company. If any
Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma
effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the
rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the
entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to
such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term as at the
date of determination in excess of 12 months).
 
    "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total
consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
plus, to the extent Incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
such period but not included in such interest expense, (i) interest expense
attributable to capital leases, (ii) amortization of debt discount, (iii)
capitalized interest, (iv) noncash interest expense, (v) commissions, discounts
and other fees and charges with respect to letters of credit and bankers'
acceptance financing, (vi) net costs associated with Hedging Obligations
(including amortization of fees), (vii) Preferred Stock dividends in respect of
all Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries and Disqualified Stock of the Company held
by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (viii) the
interest portion of any deferred payment obligation, (ix) interest actually paid
on any Indebtedness of any other Person, (x) the cash contributions to any
employee stock ownership plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions
are used by such plan or trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than
the Company) in connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust and
(ix) the earned discount or yield with respect to the sale of Receivables
(without duplication of amounts included in Operating Income) but in no event
shall Consolidated Interest Expense include the amortization of fees incurred on
or prior to the Issue Date in respect of the Credit Agreement or the issuance of
the Notes or bank agency fees under the Credit Agreement.
 
    "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (loss) of
the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there
shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income: (i) any net income (loss)
of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that (A)
subject to the limitations contained in clause (iv) below, the Company's equity
in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such
Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed
by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a
dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other
distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause
(iii) below) and (B) the Company's equity in a net loss of any such Person
(other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period shall be included in
determining such Consolidated Net Income, (ii) any net income (loss) of any
person acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests
transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition, (iii) any net
income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Subsidiary is subject to
restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making
of distributions by such
 
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Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that (A)
subject to the limitations contained in (iv) below, the Company's equity in the
net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included
in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash that could
have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the
Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend (subject, in the case of
a dividend that could have been made to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the
limitation contained in this clause) and (B) the Company's equity in a net loss
of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in
determining such Consolidated Net Income, (iv) any gain or loss realized upon
the sale or other disposition of any asset of the Company or its consolidated
Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not
sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or
loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any
Person, (v) any extraordinary gain or loss, and (vi) the cumulative effect of a
change in accounting principles. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose
of the covenant described under "Certain Covenants--Limitation on Restricted
Payments" only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any
dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from
Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the
extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted
Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (a)(3)(D) thereof.
 
    "Consolidated Net Worth" means the total of the amounts shown on the balance
sheet of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a
Consolidated basis, as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the
Company ending prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the
determination is being made and as to which financial results have been made
publicly available (but in no event ending more than 135 days prior to such date
of determination), as (i) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital
Stock of the Company plus (ii) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to
such Capital Stock plus (iii) any retained earnings or earned surplus less (A)
any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock.
 
    "Consolidated Non-Cash Charges" of any Person means, for any period, the
aggregate depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges of such person
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, as
determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding any such other non-cash charge to
the extent it requires an accrual or reserve for cash charges for any future
period).
 
    "Consolidation" means the consolidation of the amounts of each of the
Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Company in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that "Consolidation" will not include
consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Unrestricted Subsidiary will be
accounted for as an investment. The term "Consolidated" has a correlative
meaning.
 
    "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996,
among Core-Mark International, Inc., the several lenders from time to time
parties thereto and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, as in
effect on the Issue Date.
 
    "Currency Agreement" means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange
contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement as to which such
Person is a party or a beneficiary.
 
    "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
 
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<PAGE>
    "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) the Bank Indebtedness and (ii)
any other Senior Indebtedness which, at the date of determination, has an
aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of
determination, the holders thereof, are committed to lend, at least $10 million
and is specifically designated by the Company in the instrument evidencing or
governing such Senior Indebtedness as "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for
purposes of the Indenture.
 
    "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock
which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable) or upon the happening of any
event (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund
obligation or otherwise, (ii) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or
Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof,
in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to 180 days after the Stated
Maturity of the Notes; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Capital Stock that would not
constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof
the right to require the Company to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon
the occurrence of a change of control occurring prior to the Stated Maturity of
the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the change of control
provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more favorable to the holders
of such Capital Stock than the provisions of the covenant described under
"--Change of Control" are to the holders of the Notes and such Capital Stock
specifically provides that the Company will not purchase or redeem any such
Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions prior to the Company's purchase of the
Notes as are required to be purchased pursuant to the covenant described under
"--Change of Control."
 
    "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company other
than a Foreign Subsidiary.
 
    "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 
    "Financing Disposition" means any sale of Receivables, or interests therein,
by the Company or any Subsidiary to the Receivables Subsidiary, or by the
Receivables Subsidiary.
 
    "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which is
not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State
thereof or the District of Columbia.
 
    "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession.
All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture shall be
computed in conformity with GAAP.
 
    "Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any
obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to
purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such
Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership
arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods,
securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement
conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring in any
other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to
protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
 
    "Guarantor Subsidiary" means any Person that has issued a Note Guarantee.
 
    "Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person
pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.
 
                                       86
<PAGE>
    "Holder" or "Noteholder" means the Person in whose name a Note is registered
on the Registrar's books.
 
    "Incur" means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable
for; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person
existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger,
consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such
person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary.
 
    "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination (without duplication), (i) the principal of and premium (if any)
in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money; (ii) the principal
of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of
such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments
(including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto) (other than
obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than
obligations described in (i), (ii) and (v)) entered into in the ordinary course
of business of such Person to the extent that such letters of credit are not
drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no
later than the third Business Day following receipt by such person of a demand
for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (iv) all
obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of
property or services (except Trade Payables), which purchase price is due more
than six months after the date of placing such property in service or taking
delivery and title thereto or the completion of such services; (v) all
Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (vi) the amount of all obligations
of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of
any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Subsidiary of the Company, any
Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends); (vii) all
Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person,
whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the amount of Indebtedness of such Person shall be the lesser of (A) the
fair market value of such asset at such date of determination and (B) the amount
of such Indebtedness of such other Persons; (viii) all Indebtedness of other
Persons to the extent Guaranteed by such Person; and (ix) to the extent not
otherwise included in this definition, Hedging Obligations of such Person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall not include any liability for
Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company to any
governmental entity. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall
be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as
described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the
contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such
date.
 
    "Interest Rate Agreement" means with respect to any Person any interest rate
protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option
agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest
rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement
or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.
 
    "Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan (other
than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are recorded
as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the Person making such loan or
advance) or other extension of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar
arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or
other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account
or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness
or other similar instruments issued by such Person. For purposes of the
definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the covenant described under
"--Certain Covenants--Limitation on Restricted Payments," (i) "Investment" shall
include the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such
Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the
Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted
Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a
Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a
permanent "Investment" in an Unrestricted
 
                                       87
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Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Company's "Investment" in
such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the portion
(proportionate to the Company's equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair
market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such
redesignation; and (ii) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted
Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such
transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
 
    "Issue Date" means the date on which the Notes are originally issued.
 
    "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or
charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
 
    "Management Investors" means Gary L. Walsh, Robert A. Allen, Leo F. Korman,
Leo Granucci, J. Michael Walsh and Basil P. Prokop.
 
    "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received
(including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or
monetization (but not for less than fair market value) of, a note or installment
receivable or otherwise (other than amounts constituting interest thereon), but
only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the
form of assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness or other obligations
relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset
Disposition or received in any other noncash form) therefrom, in each case net
of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees
and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local
taxes required or estimated in good faith to be required to be paid or accrued
as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all
payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such
Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or
which must by its terms or the terms of any related instrument or agreement, or
in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by
applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii)
all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest
holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition
and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a reserve, in
accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the assets
disposed of in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition (including without limitation
amounts reserved for the cost of any indemnification payments (fixed or
contingent) attributable to the seller's indemnities to the purchaser in respect
of such Asset Disposition).
 
    "Net Cash Proceeds", with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock,
means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts or
commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof.
 
    "Note Guarantee" means any guarantee that may from time to time be executed
and delivered by a Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to which such Subsidiary
will Guarantee payment of the Notes. Each Note Guarantee will be limited in
amount to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be Guaranteed by
that Subsidiary without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it relates to such
Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or
fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
Each such Note Guarantee will be in the form prescribed in the Indenture.
 
    "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Controller, the
Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company.
 
    "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers.
 
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<PAGE>
    "Operating Income" means, with respect to the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for any period, operating income determined in accordance with GAAP
and Rule 5-03 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission (as interpreted
in good faith by the Company and its independent public accountants and in a
manner consistent with the Company's historical audited financial statements as
of the Issue Date); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there shall not be included in
Operating Income: (i) any operating income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary
if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the
payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that (A) subject to
the limitations contained in (ii) below, the Company's proportionate share of
the operating income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be
included in such Operating Income up to the amount that is proportionate to the
net income that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during
such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary in cash as a
dividend (subject, in the case of a dividend that could have been made to
another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and
(B) the Company's proportionate share of an operating loss of any such
Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such
Operating Income, (ii) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other
disposition of any asset of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries
(including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or
otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss
realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person,
and (iii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.
 
    "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or
counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
 
    "Permitted Holders" means (i) each of the Management Investors, (ii) Jupiter
Partners L.P. and (iii) (a) any spouse or lineal descendant (including by
adoption) of any Person described in clause (i) or any spouse of any such lineal
descendant; (b) in the event of the incompetence or death of any Person
described in clause (i) or in subclause (a) of this clause (iii), such Person's
estate, executor, administrator or other legal representative; (c) any trust
100% in interest of the beneficiaries of which consists of Persons described in
clause (i) or in subclause (a) of this clause (iii); or (d) any limited
liability company, corporation or partnership 100% of the members, stockholders
or partners of which are Persons described in clause (i) or in subclause (a) of
this clause (iii); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no Person described in this clause
(iii) shall be a Permitted Holder if such Person is the beneficial owner (as
defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly
of more than 10% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the applicable
company.
 
    "Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in (i) a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which will, upon the
making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related Business;
(ii) another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is
merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or
substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such Person's primary business is a Related Business;
(iii) Temporary Cash Investments; (iv) receivables owing to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business
and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the
Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the
circumstances; (v) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that
are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses
for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;
(vi) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary;
(vii) loans to employees for the payment of the exercise price of options to
purchase Capital Stock of the Company or loans to satisfy federal or state
income tax withholding requirements relating to the issuance of Capital Stock of
the Company pursuant
 
                                       89
<PAGE>
to the Company's employee stock plans, in an aggregate amount with respect to
all loans described in this clause (vii) not to exceed $500,000 outstanding at
any one time; (viii) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of
debts (including payment obligations of customers) created in the ordinary
course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in
satisfaction of judgments; (ix) a Person to the extent such Investment
represents the non-cash consideration otherwise permitted to be received by the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Disposition;
(x) prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of
business consistent with the past practices of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries; (xi) payments to customers in consideration for such customers'
agreements with the Company to purchase goods and inventory made in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries and (xii) performance bonds or similar Investments in
connection with pledges, deposits or payments made or given in the ordinary
course of business in connection with or to secure statutory, regulatory or
similar obligations, including obligations under health, safety or environmental
obligations.
 
    "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any
other entity.
 
    "Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means
Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as
to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over
shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.
 
    "Principal" of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if
any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the
relevant time.
 
    "Public Equity Offering" means an underwritten primary public offering of
common stock of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act.
 
    "Public Market" means any time after (x) a Public Equity Offering has been
consummated and (y) at least 15% of the total issued and outstanding common
stock of the Company has been distributed by means of an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act.
 
    "Receivable" means a right to receive payment arising from a sale or lease
of goods or services by a Person pursuant to an arrangement with another Person
pursuant to which such other Person is obligated to pay for goods or services
under terms that permit the purchase of such goods and services on credit, as
determined in accordance with GAAP.
 
    "Receivables Financing" means any financing by the Receivables Subsidiary
secured substantially by Receivables of the Company and its Subsidiaries that
have been transferred to the Receivables Subsidiary in a Financing Disposition,
provided that (i) all sales of Receivables to or by the Receivables Subsidiary
are made at fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors), (ii) the interest rate applicable to such Receivables Financing
shall be a market interest rate (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors) as of the time such financing is entered into and (iii) such
financing is non-recourse to the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than the
Receivables Subsidiary) except to a limited extent customary for such
financings.
 
    "Receivables Subsidiary" means a bankruptcy-remote, special purpose Wholly
Owned Subsidiary formed for the purposes of a Receivables Financing that (a) is
engaged solely in the business of acquiring, selling, collecting, financing or
refinancing Receivables, accounts (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code)
and other accounts and receivables (including any thereof constituting or
evidenced
 
                                       90
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by chattel paper, instruments or general intangibles), all proceeds thereof and
all rights (contractual and other), collateral and other assets relating
thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business,
and (b) is designated as a "Receivables Subsidiary" by the Board of Directors.
 
    "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund,
refinance, replace, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance
or discharge mechanism) (collectively, "refinances," and "refinanced" shall have
a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness existing on the date of the Indenture or
Incurred in compliance with the Indenture (including Indebtedness of the Company
that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (to the extent
permitted in the Indenture) and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that
refinances Indebtedness of another Restricted Subsidiary) including Indebtedness
that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) the
Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated
Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (ii) the Refinancing Indebtedness
has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that
is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being
refinanced and (iii) the Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate
principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an aggregate issue
price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if
issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then
outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced; PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER,
that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted
Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or (y) Indebtedness of
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
    "Related Business" means any business related, ancillary or complementary to
the businesses of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date.
 
    "Representative" means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an
issue of Senior Indebtedness.
 
    "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
 
    "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property now
owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person
and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other
than leases between the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between Wholly
Owned Subsidiaries.
 
    "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
    "Secured Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company secured by a
Lien.
 
    "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means the Notes and any other
Indebtedness of the Company that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is
to rank PARI PASSU with the Notes and is not subordinated by its terms to any
Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company which is not Senior
Indebtedness.
 
    "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a
"Significant Subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under
Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
 
    "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date specified in
such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such
security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption
provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such
 
                                       91
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security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any
contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has
occurred).
 
    "Subordinated Obligation" means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether
outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or
junior in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement.
 
    "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership
or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of
shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests)
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the
election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or
controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person or (ii) one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person.
 
    "Temporary Cash Investments" means any of the following: (i) any investment
in securities maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof
issued or Guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency
thereof, (ii) investments in certificates of deposit and eurodollar time
deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued by
any commercial bank having capital surplus in excess of $500,000,000, (iii)
repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying
securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with a bank
meeting the qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (iv) investments in
commercial paper issued by a corporation organized and in existence under the
laws of the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any
investment therein is made of "P-2" (or higher) according to Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or "A-2" (or higher) according to Standard and Poor's Corporation,
(v) investments in securities with maturities of one year or less from the date
of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or
territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or by any foreign government and rated at least "A" by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or "A" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., (vi)
investments in securities maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof backed by standby letters of credit issued by a bank meeting the
qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (vii) shares of money market
mutual or similar funds which invest primarily in assets satisfying the
requirements of clauses (i) through (vi) above, (vii) investments in any term
deposit receipts of the Bank of Montreal maturing within 90 days from the date
of acquisition thereof, (ix) investments in cash owned by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries and denominated in Canadian dollars, (x) investments in readily
marketable direct obligations of the Government of Canada or any province
thereof or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit
of the Government of Canada maturing within 90 days from the date of acquisition
thereof, (xi) investments in insured certificates of deposit, deposit notes or
term deposit receipts, maturing within 90 days from the date of acquisition
thereof, of any commercial bank listed on Schedule 1 of the Bank Act (Canada),
and (xii) investments in commercial paper maturing within 90 days from the date
of acquisition thereof in an aggregate amount of no more than $1,000,000 per
issuer outstanding at any time, issued by any corporation organized under the
laws of Canada or any province thereof and rated at least A-1 or better (or the
then equivalent grade) by Canada Bond Rating Service or R-2 (middle) or better
(or the then equivalent grade) by Dominion Bond Rating Service.
 
    "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. SectionSection
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture.
 
    "Total Receivables" means all receivables of a Person as determined in
accordance with GAAP, other than Receivables that are the subject of a
Receivables Financing.
 
    "Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or
any indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or
Guaranteed by such Person arising in the ordinary course of business in
connection with the acquisition of goods or services.
 
                                       92
<PAGE>
    "Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of
United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and
published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which
has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption
Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly
available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from
the Redemption Date to September 15, 2000; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the period
from the Redemption Date to September 15, 2000, is not equal to the constant
maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield
is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation
(calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields
of United States Treasury Securities for which such yields are given, except
that if the period from the Redemption Date to September 15, 2000 is less than
one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury
securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
 
    "Trustee" means the party named as such in the Indenture until a successor
replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
 
    "Trust Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President or any other
officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to
administer its corporate trust matters.
 
    "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that at
the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the
Board of Directors in the manner provided below and (ii) any Subsidiary of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of
the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the
Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its
Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any
Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that
is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets
of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than
$1,000, then such designation would be permitted under the covenant entitled
"--Limitation on Restricted Payments." The Board of Directors may designate any
Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
immediately after giving effect to such designation (x) the Company could Incur
$1.00 of additional Indebtedness under paragraph (a) of the covenant described
under "--Limitation on Indebtedness" and (y) no Default shall have occurred and
be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced
to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of
the Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officers'
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing
provisions.
 
    "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations (or certificates
representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of
America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of
which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and
which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer's option.
 
    "Voting Stock" of a corporation means all classes of Capital Stock of such
corporation then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of
directors.
 
    "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company all
the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by
the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.
 
                                       93
<PAGE>
BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM
 
    Except as set forth below, the New Notes will be issued in the form of one
or more registered notes in global form without coupons (each a "Global Note").
Each Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust
Company (the "Depository") and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee
of the Depository, or will remain in the custody of the Trustee pursuant to the
FAST Balance Certificate Agreement between the Depository and the Trustee.
 
    The Depository has advised the Company that it is (i) a limited purpose
trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, (ii) a member
of the Federal Reserve System, (iii) a "clearing corporation" within the meaning
of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended, and (iv) a "Clearing Agency"
registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depository was
created to hold securities for its participants (collectively, the
"Participants") and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between Participants through electronic book-entry changes to the
accounts of its Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical transfer
and delivery of certificates. The Depository's Participants include securities
brokers and dealers (including the Initial Purchaser), banks and trust
companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the
Depository's system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies (collectively, the "Indirect Participants") that
clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either
directly or indirectly.
 
    The Company expects that pursuant to procedures established by the
Depository (i) upon deposit of the Global Notes, the Depository will credit the
accounts of Participants with an interest in the Global Note and (ii) ownership
of the New Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by the Depository (with respect to the
Interest of Participants), the Participants and the Indirect Participants. The
laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in
definitive form of securities that they own and that security interests in
negotiable instruments can only be perfected by delivery of certificates
representing the instruments. Consequently, the ability to transfer New Notes or
to pledge the New Notes as collateral will be limited to such extent.
 
    So long as the Depository or its nominee is the registered owner of a Global
Note, the Depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the
sole owner or Holder of the New Notes represented by the Global Note for all
purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have New Notes represented by
such Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of Certificated Securities, and will not be considered
the owners or Holders thereof under the Indenture for any purpose, including
with respect to the giving of any directions, instruction or approval to the
Trustee thereunder. As a result, the ability of a person having a beneficial
interest in New Notes represented by a Global Note to pledge such interest to
persons or entities that do not participate in the Depository's system or to
otherwise take action with respect to such interest, may be affected by the lack
of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.
 
    Accordingly, each Person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Note must
rely on the procedures of the Depository and, if such Person is not a
Participant or an Indirect Participant, on the procedures of the Participant
through which such Person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a Holder
under the Indenture or such Global Note. The Company understands that under
existing industry practice, in the event the Company requests any action of
Holders or a Person that is an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Note
desires to take any action that the Depository, as the Holder of such Global
Note, is entitled to take, the Depository would authorize the Participants to
take such action and the Participant would authorize Persons owning through such
Participants to take such action or would otherwise act upon the instruction of
such Persons. Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility
or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on
account of Notes by the
 
                                       94
<PAGE>
Depository, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the
Depository relating to such Notes.
 
    Payments with respect to the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
any New Notes represented by a Global Note registered in the name of the
Depository or its nominee on the applicable record date will be payable by the
Trustee to or at the direction of the Depository or its nominee in its capacity
as the registered Holder of the Global Note representing such New Notes under
the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may
treat the persons in whose names the New Notes, including the Global Notes, are
registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payment and
for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the Company nor
the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of
such amounts to beneficial owners of New Notes (including principal, premium, if
any, and interest), or to immediately credit the accounts of the relevant
Participants with such payment, in amounts proportionate to their respective
holdings in principal amount of beneficial interest in the Global Note as shown
on the records of the Depository. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect
Participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practice and will be the responsibility of the
Participants or the Indirect Participants.
 
CERTIFICATED SECURITIES
 
    If (i) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing that the Depository is no
longer willing or able to act as a depository and the Company is unable to
locate a qualified successor within 90 days or (ii) the Company, at its option,
notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of New
Notes in definitive form under the Indenture, then, upon surrender by the
Depository of its Global Notes, Certificated Securities will be issued to each
person that the Depository identifies as the beneficial owner of the New Notes
represented by the Global Note.
 
    Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the
Depository or any Participant or Indirect Participant in identifying the
beneficial owners of the related New Notes and each such person may conclusively
rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depository
for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and
the respective principal amounts, of the Notes to be issued).
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
    Anyone who receives this Prospectus may obtain copies of the Indenture
without charge by writing to: Core-Mark International, Inc., 395 Oyster Point
Boulevard, Suite 415, South San Francisco, California 94080.
 
                                       95
<PAGE>
                       DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING NOTES
 
    On September 27, 1996, the Company issued and sold $75,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the Existing Notes. The form and terms of the Existing Notes
are the same as the form and terms of the New Notes except that the Existing
Notes are not registered under the Securities Act and bear legends restricting
the transfer thereof. See "Description of the New Notes."
 
    In connection with the issuance of the Existing Notes, the Company and Chase
Securities Inc. and Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation, the
initial purchasers of the Existing Notes (the "Initial Purchasers"), entered
into an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (the "Registration Rights
Agreement") to provide for the Exchange Offer. The Registration Rights Agreement
also obligates the Company under certain circumstances to file with the
Commission a so-called "shelf" Registration Statement to register the resale of
the Notes under the Securities Act (a "Shelf Registration Statement"). The
Registration Rights Agreement further provides that if the Company fails to
complete the Exchange Offer, and/or to have the Shelf Registration Statement
become effective under the Securities Act, within and for certain specified time
periods, the Company would become obligated to pay to the Holders of affected
Notes liquidated damages at a rate of 1% per annum of the principal amount of
the affected Notes. Except as described under "Plan of Distribution," completion
of the Exchange Offer by the Company on or before February 9, 1999 will satisfy
the Company's obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement with respect
to the Exchange Offer. Following completion of the Exchange Offer, the Company
will be obligated to file and cause to become effective under the Securities Act
a Shelf Registration Statement only if (i) any Holder of Existing Notes (other
than exchanging dealer) is not permitted by applicable law to participate in the
Exchange Offer (such Holder being an "Ineligible Holder") or (ii) a participant
in the Exchange Offer (other than an exchanging dealer) does not receive a
freely tradable New Note in exchange for such Holder's Existing Note (an
"Affected Holder"). If a Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed
under the Registration Rights Agreement, only those Notes held by an Ineligible
Holder or an Affected Holder will be required to be included therein. Liquidated
damages under the Registration Rights Agreement for failure to cause any such
Shelf Registration Statement to become and remain effective under the Securities
Act will only be payable in respect of Notes held by an Ineligible Holder on an
Affected Holder. HOLDERS OF EXISTING NOTES WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE
EXCHANGE OFFER BUT WHO ARE NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR INTERPRETATION
FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL NOT HAVE ANY RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR
EXISTING NOTES INCLUDED IN A SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT, NOR WILL ANY SUCH
HOLDER BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES FOR FAILURE BY THE COMPANY TO
INCLUDE THEIR NOTES IN ANY SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT OR FOR FAILURE TO HAVE A
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOME AND REMAIN EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD SPECIFIED IN THE REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT.
 
                                       96
<PAGE>
                    CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
    The federal income tax discussion set forth below is intended only as a
summary and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all
potential tax considerations that may be relevant to holders of the Notes. The
discussion deals only with Notes held as capital assets by United States
citizens and residents ("United States Holders") and does not include special
rules that may apply to certain holders (including insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions or broker-dealers and foreign
corporations), and does not address the tax consequences of the laws of any
state, locality or foreign jurisdiction. The discussion is based upon currently
existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and
current administrative rulings and court decisions. All of the foregoing are
subject to change and any such change could affect the continuing validity of
this discussion.
 
EXCHANGE PURSUANT TO EXCHANGE OFFER
 
    Although the matter is not free from doubt, an exchange of Existing Notes
for New Notes of the Company with terms identical to those of the Existing Notes
should not be a taxable event to holders of Notes, and holders should not
recognize any taxable gain or loss or any interest income as a result of such an
exchange. The Company is obligated to pay liquidated damages to the holder under
certain circumstances described under "Description of the Existing Notes" above.
Such payments should be treated for tax purposes as additional interest, taxable
to holders as such payments become fixed and determinable.
 
MARKET DISCOUNT
 
    If a United States Holder purchases a Note for an amount that is less than
its principal amount, the amount of the difference will be treated as "market
discount" for federal income tax purposes, unless such difference is less than a
specified de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, a United States
Holder will be required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain on the
sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a Note as ordinary income to
the extent of the market discount which has not previously been included in
income and is treated as having accrued on such a Note at the time of such
payment or disposition. In addition, the United States Holder may be required to
defer, until the maturity of the Note or its earlier disposition in a taxable
transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on any
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such Note.
 
    Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period
from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the Note, unless the United
States Holder elects to accrue on a constant interest method. A United States
Holder of a Note may elect to include market discount in income currently as it
accrues (on either a ratable or constant interest method), in which case the
rule described above regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply.
This election to include market discount in income currently, once made, applies
to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first taxable year
to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").
 
AMORTIZABLE BOND PREMIUM
 
    A United States Holder that purchases a Note for an amount in excess of the
sum of its principal amount will be considered to have purchased the Note at a
"premium." A United States Holder generally may elect to amortize the premium
over the remaining term of the Note on a constant yield method. The amount
amortized in any year will be treated as a reduction of the United States
Holder's interest income from the Note. Bond premium on a Note held by a United
States Holder that does not make such an election will decrease the gain or
increase the loss otherwise recognized on disposition of the Note. The election
to amortize premium on a constant yield method once made applies to all debt
obligations held
 
                                       97
<PAGE>
or subsequently acquired by the electing United States Holder on or after the
first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be
revoked without the consent of the IRS.
 
SALE, EXCHANGE AND RETIREMENT OF NOTES
 
    A United States Holder's tax basis in a Note will, in general, be the United
States Holder's cost therefor, increased by market discount previously included
in income by the United States Holder and reduced by any amortized premium. Upon
the sale, exchange or retirement of a Note, a United States Holder will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon
the sale, exchange or retirement (less any accrued interest, which will be
taxable as such) and the adjusted tax basis of the Note. Except as described
above with respect to market discount, such gain or loss will be capital gain or
loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange
or retirement the Note has been held for more than one year. Under current law,
long-term capital gains of individuals are, under certain circumstances, taxed
at lower rates than items of ordinary income. The deductibility of capital
losses is subject to limitations.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
    In general, information reporting requirements will apply to certain
payments of principal, interest and premium paid on Notes and to the proceeds of
sale of a Note made to United States Holders other than certain exempt
recipients (such as corporations). A 31% backup withholding tax will apply to
such payments if the United States Holder fails to provide a taxpayer
identification number or certification of foreign or other exempt status or
fails to report in full dividend and interest income.
 
    Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a
refund or a credit against such holder's U.S. federal income tax liability
provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
    THE FOREGOING SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS ALL ASPECTS OF FEDERAL INCOME
TAXATION THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO A PARTICULAR HOLDER OF NOTES IN LIGHT OF HIS
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AND INCOME TAX SITUATION. EACH HOLDER OF NOTES SHOULD
CONSULT SUCH HOLDER'S TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO SUCH
HOLDER OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION
AND EFFECT OF STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN AND OTHER TAX LAWS, OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS
THEREOF.
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
    Sections 406 and 407 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended ("ERISA"), and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit certain employee
benefit plans, individual retirement accounts, individual retirement annuities,
and employee annuity plans ("Plans") from engaging in certain transactions with
persons who, with respect to such Plan, are "parties in interest" under ERISA or
"disqualified persons" under the Code. A violation of these "prohibited
transactions" rules may generate excise taxes under the Code and other
liabilities under ERISA for such persons. Possible violations of the prohibited
transaction rules could occur if the Notes are purchased with the assets of any
Plan if the Company or any of its affiliates is a party in interest or
disqualified person with respect to such Plan, unless such acquisition is
subject to a statutory or administrative exemption.
 
    The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be
all-inclusive. Any fiduciary of a Plan considering the purchase of the Notes
should consult its legal advisors regarding the consequences of such purchases
under ERISA and the Code. If the Plan is not subject to ERISA, the fiduciary
should consult its legal advisors regarding the consequences of any state law or
Code considerations.
 
                                       98
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
    Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Existing Notes
where such Existing Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities
or other trading activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180
days after the Expiration Date, it will make this Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such
resale. In addition, until              , 1997, all dealers effecting
transactions in the New Notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.
 
    The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New Notes by
broker-dealers. New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such New Notes. Any broker-dealer that
resells New Notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the
Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of
such New Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of New Notes and any commission
or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting
compensation under the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by
acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-
dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act.
 
    For a period of 180 days after the close of the Exchange Offer the Company
will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal. The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the
holders of the Existing Notes) other than commissions or concessions of any
brokers or dealers and will indemnify the holders of the Existing Notes
(including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
    The validity of the New Notes offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, New York, New York.
 
                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    The financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and
for each of the years ended in the three-year period ended December 31, 1995
have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants included elsewhere herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       99
<PAGE>
                   INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               PAGE
                                                                                                             ---------
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
Independent Auditors' Report...............................................................................        F-2
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995...............................................        F-3
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995.....................        F-4
 
Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and
  1995.....................................................................................................        F-5
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995.................        F-6
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.................................................................        F-7
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1996............................       F-18
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996................       F-19
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996............       F-20
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................       F-21
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
The Board of Directors
Core-Mark International, Inc.:
 
    We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Core-Mark
International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 1995 and
1994, and the related consolidated statements of income, common shareholders'
equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1995. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Core-Mark
International, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
 
                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
San Francisco, California
February 23, 1996
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                           DECEMBER 31, 1994 AND 1995
 
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               1994        1995
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                                         <C>         <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash....................................................................................  $   17,080  $   24,447
  Receivables:
    Trade accounts, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,692 and $3,600,
      respectively........................................................................      84,647      91,858
    Other.................................................................................      10,432      13,332
  Inventories, net of LIFO allowance of $7,661 and $11,076, respectively..................      92,732      96,703
  Prepaid expenses and other..............................................................       3,248       4,542
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
      Total current assets................................................................     208,139     230,882
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
 
Property and equipment:
  Equipment...............................................................................      26,530      33,000
  Leasehold improvements..................................................................       6,833       7,746
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                                33,363      40,746
 
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization..........................................     (16,508)    (20,217)
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
  Net property and equipment..............................................................      16,855      20,529
Other assets..............................................................................         346       6,700
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $11,264 and $13,242, respectively............      68,403      66,425
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            $  293,743  $  324,536
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable..................................................................  $   50,026  $   47,205
  Cigarette and tobacco taxes payable.....................................................      37,205      40,613
  Income taxes payable....................................................................       3,605       3,057
  Deferred income taxes...................................................................       8,029       7,274
  Other accrued liabilities...............................................................      20,228      28,503
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
      Total current liabilities...........................................................     119,093     126,652
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
 
Long-term debt............................................................................      84,627     101,598
Other accrued liabilities and deferred income taxes.......................................       8,910       8,617
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
  Total liabilities.......................................................................     212,630     236,867
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
Commitments and contingencies:
Preferred shareholders' equity:
  Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock; 50,000,000 shares authorized, issued and
    outstanding; $50,000 redemption value.................................................      41,767      --
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
Common shareholder's equity:
  Common stock; $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 5,297 shares issued and
    outstanding in 1994...................................................................      --          --
  Common stock; $.01 par value; 3,000 shares authorized; 100 shares issued and outstanding
    in 1995...............................................................................      --          --
Additional paid-in capital................................................................      87,579     128,351
Accumulated deficit.......................................................................     (42,513)    (35,790)
Cumulative currency translation adjustments...............................................      (1,954)     (1,313)
Additional minimum pension liability......................................................      (3,766)     (3,579)
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
      Total common shareholder's equity...................................................      39,346      87,669
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            $  293,743  $  324,536
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
                                                                                            ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
 
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1993           1994           1995
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Net sales...........................................................  $   1,868,932  $   1,855,356  $   2,047,187
Cost of goods sold..................................................      1,704,982      1,719,999      1,901,604
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
  Gross profit......................................................        163,950        135,357        145,583
Operating and administrative expenses...............................        117,411        116,080        125,245
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
  Operating income..................................................         46,539         19,277         20,338
Interest expense, net...............................................          4,887          5,773          6,987
Debt refinancing costs..............................................             --          1,600          1,065
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
  Income before income taxes and cumulative effects of changes in
    accounting principles...........................................         41,652         11,904         12,286
Income tax expense..................................................          2,472          2,816          5,563
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
  Income before cumulative effects of changes in accounting
    principles......................................................         39,180          9,088          6,723
Cumulative effects on prior years of changes in accounting
  principles for:
Income taxes........................................................            492             --             --
Postretirement benefits other than pensions.........................           (988)            --             --
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Net income..........................................................  $      38,684  $       9,088  $       6,723
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                  (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         COMMON STOCK                                      CUMULATIVE    ADDITIONAL       TOTAL
                                   -------------------------  ADDITIONAL                    CURRENCY       MINIMUM        COMMON
                                      SHARES                    PAID-IN     ACCUMULATED    TRANSLATION     PENSION    SHAREHOLDERS'
                                   OUTSTANDING     AMOUNT       CAPITAL       DEFICIT      ADJUSTMENTS    LIABILITY       EQUITY
                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------
 
<S>                                <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>          <C>
Balance, December 31, 1992.......      670,000    $       1    $ 103,567    $   (90,285)    $    (714)    $  (2,864)    $    9,705
Net income.......................           --           --           --         38,684            --            --         38,684
Additional minimum pension
  liability......................           --           --           --             --            --        (1,056)        (1,056)
Capital contribution for
  compensation...................           --           --           94             --            --            --             94
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment.....................           --           --           --             --          (546)           --           (546)
Increase in carrying value of
  preferred stock................           --           --       (5,744)            --            --            --         (5,744)
                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------
 
Balance, December 31, 1993.......      670,000            1       97,917        (51,601)       (1,260)       (3,920)        41,137
Net income.......................           --           --           --          9,088            --            --          9,088
Additional minimum pension
  liability......................           --           --           --             --            --           154            154
Capital contribution for
  compensation...................           --           --           38             --            --            --             38
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment.....................           --           --           --             --          (694)           --           (694)
Increase in carrying value of
  preferred stock................           --           --       (6,877)            --            --            --         (6,877)
Purchases of common shares.......     (664,703)          (1)      (3,499)            --            --            --         (3,500)
                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------
 
Balance, December 31, 1994.......        5,297           --       87,579        (42,513)       (1,954)       (3,766)        39,346
Net income.......................           --           --           --          6,723            --            --          6,723
Reduction in additional minimum
  pension liability..............           --           --           --             --            --           187            187
Increase in carrying value of
  preferred stock................           --           --       (1,271)            --            --            --         (1,271)
Recapitalization.................       (5,197)          --       42,043             --            --            --         42,043
Foreign currency translation
  adjustment.....................           --           --           --             --           641            --            641
                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------
 
Balance, December 31, 1995.......          100    $      --    $ 128,351    $   (35,790)    $  (1,313)    $  (3,579)    $   87,669
                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------
                                   ------------  -----------  -----------  -------------  -------------  -----------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
 
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
CASH PROVIDED BY
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1993       1994       1995
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                <C>        <C>        <C>
Net income.......................................................................  $  38,684  $   9,088  $   6,723
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
    activities:
    LIFO (income) expense........................................................    (22,967)      (547)     3,415
    Amortization of goodwill.....................................................      1,978      1,978      1,978
    Depreciation and amortization................................................      3,759      3,563      3,965
    Amortization of debt refinancing fees........................................         --         --      1,065
    Amortization of debt premium.................................................     (3,454)    (1,972)        --
    Deferred income taxes........................................................      1,081        (72)      (769)
    Provision for postretirement benefits........................................        861         63         64
    Other adjustments for non-cash and non-operating activities..................       (361)      (403)       805
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
    (Increase) decrease in trade accounts receivable.............................     (3,329)     6,731     (3,789)
    (Increase) decrease in other receivables.....................................     (7,317)     2,649     (2,699)
    (Increase) decrease in inventories...........................................     28,476     24,181     (3,285)
    (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other............................     (1,047)        96     (2,122)
    Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable................................    (25,428)     9,396     (3,303)
    Increase in accrued liabilities and income taxes payable.....................        749      3,502      7,506
    Increase (decrease) in cigarette and tobacco taxes payable...................      9,491     (3,545)     2,975
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities........................................     21,176     54,708     12,529
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Additions to property and equipment............................................     (5,501)    (5,376)    (7,286)
  Net assets of acquired businesses..............................................         --         --     (9,610)
  Other..........................................................................     (1,305)      (598)        --
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash used in investing activities............................................     (6,806)    (5,974)   (16,896)
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net (payments) borrowings under revolving credit agreement.....................     (7,896)   (37,783)    16,971
  Principal payments under term loan agreements..................................     (3,510)    (2,303)        --
  Debt refinancing fees..........................................................         --         --     (5,379)
  Purchases of common shares.....................................................         --     (3,500)      (195)
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities..............................    (11,406)   (43,586)    11,397
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates.....................................       (510)      (519)       337
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Increase in cash.................................................................      2,454      4,629      7,367
Cash, beginning of year..........................................................      9,997     12,451     17,080
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
CASH, END OF YEAR................................................................  $  12,451  $  17,080  $  24,447
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash payments during the year for:
  Interest.......................................................................  $   8,393  $   7,384  $   6,739
  Income taxes...................................................................        528        920      6,903
</TABLE>
 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part
                              of these statements.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
1. ORGANIZATION AND FORM OF BUSINESS
 
    Core-Mark International, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is a
full-service wholesale distributor of tobacco, food and other consumer products
to convenience stores, grocery stores, mass merchandisers and liquor and drug
stores in western North America.
 
    On December 16, 1994, the Company purchased all of the common stock owned by
its previous majority shareholder, leaving management as the sole common
shareholder as of December 31, 1994.
 
    On March 2, 1995, the Company's capital structure was modified as described
in Note 4. As a result, management and the former preferred shareholders
beneficially own all of the outstanding common stock of the Company through a
newly formed limited liability company, Core-Mark L.L.C. ("LLC").
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
    These financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of
accounting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates. Management believes any differences resulting from
estimates will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated
financial position.
 
    PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
 
    The consolidated financial statements include the Company and its wholly
owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are
eliminated.
 
    FOREIGN CURRENCY
 
    Assets and liabilities of the Company's Canadian operations are translated
at exchange rates in effect at year-end. Income and expenses have been
translated at average rates for the year. Adjustments resulting from such
translation are included in cumulative currency translation adjustments, a
separate component of common shareholder's equity.
 
    EXCISE TAXES
 
    State and provincial excise taxes paid by the Company on cigarettes were
$404,890,000, $435,018,000, and $466,533,000, for the years ended December 31,
1993, 1994, and 1995, respectively, and are included in net sales and cost of
goods sold.
 
    INVENTORIES
 
    Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. In the U.S., cost is
determined on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis (using Producer Price Indices as
determined by the Department of Labor and Statistics). Under LIFO, current costs
of goods sold are matched against current sales. Inventories in Canada amount to
$19,634,000 and $20,227,000 at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively, and are
valued on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
    Property and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation
and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided on the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of owned assets. The
estimated useful lives for equipment are principally 4 to 10 years. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the estimated useful life of the property or
over the term of the lease, whichever is shorter.
 
    GOODWILL
 
    Goodwill, which is the excess of purchase price over fair value of net
assets acquired, is amortized on a straight-line basis over a forty-year period.
Amortization expense for each of the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995 was $1,978,000. The Company annually evaluates its carrying value and
expected period of benefit of goodwill in relation to results of operations. The
Company's review of goodwill includes an analysis of past operating results and
future projections related to the specific operations acquired.
 
    INCOME TAXES
 
    On January 1, 1993 the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". Under the asset and
liability method of SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between
the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and
their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in
which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under
SFAS No. 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in
tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment
date. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle on the
Company's consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 1993
was a benefit of $492,000. The Company previously provided for income taxes in
accordance with SFAS No. 96. See Note 7.
 
    PENSION COSTS
 
    Pension costs charged to earnings are determined on the basis of annual
valuations by an independent actuary. Adjustments arising from plan amendments,
changes in assumptions and experience gains and losses are amortized over the
expected average remaining service life of the employee group. See Note 6.
 
    POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSION
 
    In December 1990, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions",
which establishes accounting and reporting standards for such benefits. SFAS No.
106 requires accrual of the expected cost of these benefits during the
employees' years of service. The assumptions and calculations involved in
determining the accrual closely parallel pension plan accounting requirements.
The Company adopted SFAS No. 106 effective January 1, 1993. The cumulative
effect of the change in accounting principal on the Company's
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 1993 was a
charge of $988,000. The Company previously recognized these costs on a cash
basis. See Note 6.
 
    RECLASSIFICATIONS
 
    Prior years' amounts in the consolidated financial statements have been
reclassified where necessary to conform to the current year's presentation.
 
3. FINANCING
 
    Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1994        1995
                                                                       ---------  -----------
<S>                                                                    <C>        <C>
U.S. credit facility:
  Term loan..........................................................  $  37,127  $        --
  Revolving credit facility..........................................     47,500      101,598
                                                                       ---------  -----------
Long-term debt.......................................................  $  84,627  $   101,598
                                                                       ---------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
    EXISTING CREDIT FACILITY
 
    On March 2, 1995, the Company entered into the existing credit facility
which replaced the previously existing credit facility. The existing credit
facility provides for aggregate borrowings up to $175,000,000 until December 31,
1998 subject to borrowing base limitations based upon levels of eligible
inventories and accounts receivable. Included in this facility are letters of
credit up to a maximum of $40,000,000.
 
    Under the existing credit facility, Base Rate Advances bear interest at
1.25% above the bank's Base Rate. The Company has the option to borrow under
Eurodollar Rate Advances which bear interest at 2.5% above the bank's Eurodollar
Rate. The bank's Base Rate and Eurodollar Rate was 8.5% and 5.72%, respectively,
at December 31, 1995. There is a commitment fee of 0.5% on the unused portion of
the working capital revolving credit facility. The obligations are secured by
all assets of the Company, including inventories, trade accounts receivable and
property and equipment.
 
    Under the existing credit facility, the Company must maintain certain
financial covenants, including, but not limited to, working capital, tangible
net worth, leverage and fixed charge coverage. The existing credit facility
limits certain activities of the Company, including, but not limited to,
indebtedness, creation of liens, acquisitions and dispositions, capital
expenditures, investments and dividends.
 
    The Canadian credit facility allows for borrowings up to $16,000,000 for
general corporate use subject to and secured by letters of credit under the
existing credit facility. The Canadian dollar advances bear interest at the
Canadian bank's prime rate which was 7.5% at December 31, 1995. There were no
borrowings under this facility at December 31, 1994 and 1995.
 
    The Company had letters of credit of $30,861,000 and $18,719,000 outstanding
at December 31, 1994 and 1995, respectively, of which $5,000,000 and $1,000,000,
respectively, were issued as security
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
3. FINANCING (CONTINUED)
for the Canadian credit facility. The remaining letters of credit are issued
primarily to secure the Company's bond and insurance programs. The Company pays
fees of 2.25% per annum on the outstanding portion of letters of credit.
 
    The Company incurred approximately $4,900,000 for legal, professional, and
other costs related to the structuring of the existing credit facility. These
costs were capitalized and classified as other assets and are being amortized on
a straight-line basis over the term of the existing credit facility.
Amortization for the year ended December 31, 1995 was approximately $1,065,000.
 
    PREVIOUSLY EXISTING CREDIT FACILITY
 
    Under the terms of the facility which was in place through March 2, 1995,
total credit available at December 31, 1994 was approximately $132,337,000,
comprised of a $37,127,000 term loan and $95,210,000 under a revolving credit
facility. Included in this credit facility were letters of credit up to a
maximum of $55,000,000. Borrowings under this facility bore interest at the
bank's base rate plus 1.5%. Additionally, a commitment fee of 0.5% per annum was
charged on the unused portion. The obligations were collateralized by all asset
of the Company, including inventories, trade accounts receivable, and property
and equipment.
 
    1991 DEBT AND CAPITAL RESTRUCTURING
 
    In April 1991, the Company's U.S. credit facility was restructured,
resulting in the previously existing credit facility described above. Pursuant
to this restructuring, debt was converted into mandatorily redeemable preferred
stock and warrants to purchase common stock of the Company. The difference
between the face value of the debt converted and the fair value assigned to the
preferred stock and warrants was amortized as a reduction of interest expense on
an effective yield basis and amounted to $3,454,000 and $1,972,000 for the years
ended December 31, 1993 and 1994, respectively.
 
    The preferred stock was initially recorded at its 1991 estimated fair value
and has been increased to its redemption value by charges to additional paid-in
capital which amounted to $5,744,000, $6,877,000 and $1,271,000 for the years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. On March 2, 1995, the
preferred shareholders' stock and warrants were replaced pursuant to the
recapitalization described in Note 4.
 
4. RECAPITALIZATION
 
    The Company changed its capital structure on March 2, 1995, simultaneously
with the execution of the existing credit facility described in Note 3. The
Company's common and preferred shareholders contributed their equity interest in
the Company in exchange for the equity interest in the LLC. Accordingly, the LLC
became the Company's sole common shareholder. Additionally, the Company
reincorporated in the State of Delaware and issued 100 shares of new $.01 par
value common stock to the LLC, in exchange for the old $.001 par value common
stock, preferred stock and warrants. As a result of this recapitalization, the
carrying value of the preferred stock was reclassified to additional paid-in
capital, increasing total common shareholder's equity. Approximately $800,000 of
legal, professional and other costs related to this recapitalization were
charged to additional paid-in capital.
 
                                      F-10
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
4. RECAPITALIZATION (CONTINUED)
    In December 1995 the Company loaned a shareholder of the LLC $635,000 to
acquire another shareholder's equity interest in the LLC. This note bears
interest at the Company's average cost of funds and is due on or before December
2005.
 
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
    LEASES
 
    The Company leases the majority of its sales and warehouse distribution
facilities, automobiles and trucks under lease agreements expiring at various
dates through 2005, excluding renewal options. The leases generally require the
Company to pay taxes, maintenance and insurance. Management expects that in the
normal course of business, leases that expire will be renewed or replaced by
other leases.
 
    Future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases (with
initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) were as follows as of
December 31, 1995 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
1996..............................................................  $   9,436
1997..............................................................      7,639
1998..............................................................      5,515
1999..............................................................      3,957
2000..............................................................      3,261
Thereafter........................................................      8,010
                                                                    ---------
    Total minimum lease payments..................................     37,818
    Less minimum sublease rental income...........................     (2,730)
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    $  35,088
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    ---------
</TABLE>
 
    Rental expense for operating leases was $11,118,000, $11,247,000 and
$11,308,000 for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
 
    CLAIMS AND ASSESSMENTS
 
    The Company and its subsidiaries are defendants to claims arising in the
ordinary course of business. Management has provided reserves it believes are
adequate and is of the view that the disposition of these matters will not have
a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position.
 
6. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
    PENSION PLAN
 
    The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan for qualified employees.
As of September 30, 1986, the plan was frozen and plan participants ceased
accruing benefits as of that date. The most recent actuarial valuation of the
plan was performed as of January 1, 1995.
 
                                      F-11
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
6. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The following table sets forth the funded status of the plan and amounts
recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets as of December 31 (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1994       1995
                                                                         ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                      <C>        <C>
Interest cost..........................................................  $   1,086  $   1,100
Return on assets.......................................................        155     (2,178)
Net other components...................................................       (757)     1,413
                                                                         ---------  ---------
    Net periodic pension cost..........................................        484        335
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Accumulated benefit obligation.........................................     13,372     14,972
Plan assets at estimated fair value....................................     10,018     12,864
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                             3,354      2,108
Prepaid pension cost...................................................        412      1,471
                                                                         ---------  ---------
    Additional minimum pension liability (a reduction of common
      shareholder's equity)............................................  $   3,766  $   3,579
                                                                         ---------  ---------
                                                                         ---------  ---------
Weighted average discount rate.........................................       8.50%      7.50%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets............................       7.50%      7.50%
</TABLE>
 
    The additional minimum pension liability is equal to the accumulated benefit
obligation in excess of plan assets at estimated fair value, plus prepaid
pension costs.
 
    POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS
 
    The Company sponsors a defined benefit postretirement health care plan for
qualified employees. As of September 30, 1986, the plan was frozen and is only
available to those who qualify for the pension plan as described previously in
this note. The plan pays stated percentages of most necessary medical expenses
incurred by retirees, after subtracting payments by Medicare or other providers
and after a stated deductible has been met. Participants become eligible for the
benefit if they retire from the Company after reaching age 55 with 5 or more
years of service and qualify under the Company defined benefit pension plan. The
plan is contributory, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The Company
does not fund this plan.
 
    The components of the expense under SFAS No. 106 are summarized in the
following table for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1994       1995
                                                                                ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                             <C>        <C>
Service cost--benefits attributed to service during the period................  $      29  $      28
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation................        135        154
Other components..............................................................         53         54
                                                                                ---------  ---------
    Net postretirement health care cost.......................................  $     217  $     236
                                                                                ---------  ---------
                                                                                ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-12
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
6. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)
    The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation is summarized in the
following table at December 31 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1994       1995
                                                                           ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>
Retirees.................................................................  $   1,106  $   1,379
Other fully eligible participants........................................        244        268
Other active participants................................................        342        513
                                                                           ---------  ---------
    Total................................................................      1,692      2,160
Prior service cost.......................................................         --        219
Unrecognized net loss....................................................       (768)    (1,455)
                                                                           ---------  ---------
    Accrued postretirement benefit liability.............................  $     924  $     924
                                                                           ---------  ---------
                                                                           ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    For measurement purposes, a 13% annual rate of increase in the per capita
cost of covered health care claims was assumed for 1995; the rate was assumed to
decrease gradually to 6% for 2002, and remain at that level thereafter. The
health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the amounts
reported. Increasing the assumed health care cost trend rates by 1% in each year
would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December
31, 1995 by $393,000 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost
components of net postretirement health care cost for the year ended December
31, 1995 by $34,000. The weighted-averaged discount rate used in determining the
accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 7.5%.
 
7. INCOME TAXES
 
    On January 1, 1993, the Company adopted SFAS No. 109 and has reported the
cumulative benefit of $492,000 of this change in accounting principle in the
year ended December 31, 1993 consolidated statement of income.
 
    The Company's income tax expense consists of the following for the years
ended December 31 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       1993       1994       1995
                                                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>
Current:
  Federal..........................................................................  $     634  $     675  $   4,625
  State............................................................................        215      1,102      1,218
  Foreign..........................................................................         50      1,111        489
                                                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                           899      2,888      6,332
 
Deferred:
  Federal..........................................................................       (271)        59       (990)
  State............................................................................      1,844       (353)        53
  Foreign..........................................................................         --        222        168
                                                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                         1,573        (72)      (769)
                                                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------
Income tax expense.................................................................  $   2,472  $   2,816  $   5,563
                                                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                     ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-13
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
7. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    A reconciliation between the Company's income tax expense and income taxes
computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before
income taxes and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles is as
follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     1993       1994       1995
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                                <C>        <C>        <C>
Expected federal income tax expense at the statutory rate........................  $  14,578  $   4,166  $   4,300
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
  Goodwill amortization..........................................................        692        692        692
  State income tax expense, net of federal taxes.................................      1,339        487        684
  Alternative minimum tax........................................................      1,030        707         --
  Utilization of loss carryforwards..............................................    (11,610)    (8,432)      (980)
  Net operating loss and timing differences not tax effected.....................     (3,639)     4,206        946
  Other, net.....................................................................         82        990        (79)
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Income tax expense...............................................................  $   2,472  $   2,816  $   5,563
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The tax effects of significant temporary differences which comprise deferred
tax assets and liabilities are as follows at December 31 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1994       1995
                                                                        ----------  ---------
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforwards....................................  $   11,990  $  10,822
  Employee benefits, including postretirement benefits................       4,508      4,768
  Other...............................................................       4,269      5,196
                                                                        ----------  ---------
    Total deferred tax assets.........................................      20,767     20,786
  Less valuation allowance............................................     (11,842)   (10,824)
    Net deferred tax assets...........................................       8,925      9,962
                                                                        ----------  ---------
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Inventories.........................................................       9,420      9,001
  Other...............................................................       7,681      8,374
                                                                        ----------  ---------
    Total deferred tax liabilities....................................      17,101     17,375
                                                                        ----------  ---------
    Net deferred tax liability........................................  $    8,176  $   7,413
                                                                        ----------  ---------
                                                                        ----------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The Company established a valuation allowance as of January 1, 1993 in
accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 109 against tax benefits that are
potentially available to the Company but have not yet been recognized. This
valuation allowance relates to the amount of net operating loss carryforwards in
excess of existing net taxable temporary differences and to certain deductible
temporary differences that may not reverse during periods in which the Company
may generate net taxable income. During 1994 and 1995, the Company recorded a
reduction of $4,015,000 and $1,018,000, respectively, in the valuation allowance
primarily as a result of net taxable income generated during both years.
 
                                      F-14
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
7. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
    At December 31, 1995, the Company has available for U.S. federal income tax
return purposes net operating losses totaling approximately $32,000,000, subject
to certain limitations, which will expire between the years 2005 and 2007. The
Company also has available for U.S. income tax return purposes investment tax
credits and alternative minimum credits totaling $500,000 and $1,100,000
respectively. The investment tax credits expire by the year 2000 while the
alternative minimum tax credits have an indefinite utilization period.
 
8. FAIR MARKET VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
    The carrying amount for the Company's cash, trade accounts receivable, other
receivables, trade accounts payable, cigarette and tobacco taxes payable and
other accrued liabilities approximates fair market value because of the short
maturity of these financial instruments.
 
    The carrying amount of the Company's long-term debt approximates fair market
value as the debt is a variable rate instrument. The rate of interest, which is
tied to either the bank's Base Rate or Eurodollar Rate, fluctuates with market
changes.
 
9. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
    During periods of rising prices, the LIFO method of costing inventories
generally results in higher current costs being charged against income while
lower costs are retained in inventories. An increase in cost of goods sold and a
decrease in inventories of $3,415,000 resulted from using the LIFO method for
the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
    Conversely, in periods of decreasing prices, the LIFO method generally
results in a reduction of current costs charged against income while higher
costs are retained in inventories. In 1993, cigarette prices decreased
significantly, contributing to a net decrease in cost of goods sold and an
increase in inventories using the LIFO method of $22,967,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1993. In 1994, although cigarette prices remained flat, a reduction
in cigarette inventories contributed to a net decrease in cost of goods sold and
an increase in inventories using the LIFO method of $547,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1994.
 
    The cumulative effect of the LIFO adjustments on inventories at December 31,
1994 and 1995 is $7,661,000 and $11,076,000, respectively.
 
                                      F-15
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
9. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED)
    The FIFO information below is presented in order to provide a basis for
comparison to the financial position and operating results of those companies
within the distribution industry which do not use the LIFO method. The following
table presents the Company's FIFO financial information as of and for the years
ended December 31 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             1994         1995
                                                                                          -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                                       <C>          <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Inventories.............................................................................  $   100,393  $   107,779
Current assets..........................................................................      215,800      241,958
Total assets............................................................................      301,404      335,612
Current liabilities.....................................................................      119,093      126,652
Total liabilities.......................................................................      212,630      236,867
Total shareholders' equity..............................................................       88,774       98,745
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          1993           1994           1995
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Income Statement Data:
Net sales...........................................................  $   1,868,932  $   1,855,356  $   2,047,187
Cost of goods sold..................................................      1,727,949      1,720,546      1,898,189
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Gross profit........................................................        140,983        134,810        148,998
Operating and administrative expenses...............................        117,411        116,080        125,245
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Operating income....................................................         23,572         18,730         23,753
Interest expense and debt refinancing costs.........................          4,887          7,373          8,052
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
Income before income taxes and cumulative effects of changes in
  accounting principles.............................................         18,685         11,357         15,701
Net income..........................................................         15,717          8,541         10,138
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-16
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994, AND 1995
 
10. SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
    The Company has substantially all of its operations in the distribution
business. Its revenues are generated from the distribution of cigarettes,
tobacco products, candy, food, health and beauty aids, and general merchandise.
The Company operates principally in the United States and Canada. Foreign and
domestic net sales, operating income, and identifiable assets are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                          1993           1994           1995
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Net Sales:
  United States.....................................................  $   1,297,494  $   1,343,911  $   1,538,816
  Canada............................................................        571,438        511,445        508,371
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
  Total.............................................................  $   1,868,932  $   1,855,356  $   2,047,187
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Operating Income:
  United States.....................................................  $      43,736  $      16,590  $      19,411
  Canada............................................................          2,803          2,687            927
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
  Total.............................................................  $      46,539  $      19,277  $      20,338
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
 
Identifiable Assets:
  United States.....................................................  $     272,282  $     237,558  $     257,755
  Canada............................................................         50,958         48,898         49,284
  Corporate.........................................................          6,615          7,287         17,497
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
  Total.............................................................  $     329,855  $     293,743  $     324,536
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
                                                                      -------------  -------------  -------------
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-17
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      DECEMBER
                                                                         31,       JUNE 30,
                                                                        1995         1996
                                                                     -----------  -----------
ASSETS                                                                            (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                                  <C>          <C>
Current Assets:
Cash...............................................................   $  24,447    $  12,911
Receivables:
  Trade accounts, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,600
    and $3,958, respectively.......................................      91,858       95,506
  Other............................................................      13,332       13,815
Inventories, net of LIFO allowance of $11,076 and $11,803,
  respectively.....................................................      96,703       72,933
Prepaid expenses and other.........................................       4,542        5,240
                                                                     -----------  -----------
  Total current assets.............................................     230,882      200,405
                                                                     -----------  -----------
Property and equipment.............................................      40,746       42,922
  Less accumulated depreciation and amortization...................     (20,217)     (22,051)
                                                                     -----------  -----------
  Net property and equipment.......................................      20,529       20,871
Other assets.......................................................       6,700        5,882
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $13,242 and $14,231,
  respectively.....................................................      66,425       65,436
                                                                     -----------  -----------
                                                                      $ 324,536    $ 292,594
                                                                     -----------  -----------
                                                                     -----------  -----------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Trade accounts payable...........................................   $  47,205    $  49,052
  Cigarette and tobacco taxes payable..............................      40,613       42,003
  Income taxes payable.............................................       3,057        3,099
  Deferred income taxes............................................       7,274        6,975
  Other accrued liabilities........................................      28,503       26,581
                                                                     -----------  -----------
      Total current liabilities....................................     126,652      127,710
                                                                     -----------  -----------
Long-term debt.....................................................     101,598       62,404
Other accrued liabilities and deferred income taxes................       8,617        8,529
                                                                     -----------  -----------
  Total liabilities................................................     236,867      198,643
                                                                     -----------  -----------
Commitments and contingencies
Common shareholder's equity:
  Common stock; $.01 par value; 3,000 shares authorized; 100 shares
    issued and outstanding.........................................      --           --
Additional paid-in capital.........................................     128,351      128,351
Accumulated deficit................................................     (35,790)     (29,574)
Cumulative currency translation adjustments........................      (1,313)      (1,247)
Additional minimum pension liability...............................      (3,579)      (3,579)
                                                                     -----------  -----------
      Total common shareholder's equity............................      87,669       93,951
                                                                     -----------  -----------
                                                                      $ 324,536    $ 292,594
                                                                     -----------  -----------
                                                                     -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
           See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-18
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                         JUNE 30,
                                                    -------------------
                                                     1995       1996
                                                    -------  ----------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>
Net sales.........................................  $983,435 $1,068,575
Cost of good sold.................................  912,808     989,608
                                                    -------  ----------
  Gross profit....................................   70,627      78,967
Operating and administrative expenses.............   60,678      64,516
                                                    -------  ----------
  Operating income................................    9,949      14,451
Interest expense, net.............................    3,759       2,971
Debt refinancing costs............................      426         635
                                                    -------  ----------
  Income before income taxes......................    5,764      10,845
Income tax expense................................    2,624       4,629
                                                    -------  ----------
Net income........................................  $ 3,140  $    6,216
                                                    -------  ----------
                                                    -------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
           See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-19
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                           (IN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     1995     1996
                                                    -------  -------
                                                    SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                        JUNE 30,
                                                    ----------------
<S>                                                 <C>      <C>
 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY
  OPERATING ACTIVITIES............................  $28,560  $30,016
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Additions to property and equipment.............   (3,256)  (2,423)
  Net assets of acquired businesses...............   (9,151)   --
  Other...........................................       19       (8)
                                                    -------  -------
Net cash used in investing activities.............  (12,388)  (2,431)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net borrowings (payments) under revolving credit
    agreement.....................................    5,790  (39,194)
  Debt refinancing fees...........................   (5,353)   --
  Purchase of common shares.......................     (154)   --
                                                    -------  -------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
  activities......................................      283  (39,194)
                                                    -------  -------
Effects of changes in foreign exchange rates......      263       73
                                                    -------  -------
Increase (decrease) in cash.......................   16,718  (11,536)
Cash, beginning of period.........................   17,080   24,447
                                                    -------  -------
CASH, END OF PERIOD...............................  $33,798  $12,911
                                                    -------  -------
                                                    -------  -------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash payments during the period for:
  Interest........................................  $ 3,345  $ 3,062
  Income taxes....................................    3,067    4,849
</TABLE>
 
           See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      F-20
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
    The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 1996, the condensed
consolidated
statements of income for the six-month periods ended June 30, 1995 and 1996, and
the statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 1995 and
1996, have been prepared by the Company. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments (which included only normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to
present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows at
June 30, 1996, and for all periods presented, have been made. The results of
operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the
operating results for the full year.
 
    The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1995, is derived
from the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures
required by generally accepted accounting principles. The notes accompanying the
consolidated financial statements in the Offering Memorandum include accounting
policies and additional information pertinent to an understanding of both the
December 31, 1995 balance sheet and the interim financial statements.
 
2. EXCISE TAXES
 
    State and provincial excise taxes paid by the Company on cigarettes were
$221,975,000 and $237,793,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996,
respectively. These amounts are included in net sales and cost of goods sold for
the periods indicated.
 
3. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA
 
    During periods of rising prices, the LIFO method of costing inventories
generally results in higher current costs being charged against income while
lower costs are retained in inventories. An increase in cost of goods sold and a
decrease in inventories resulted using the LIFO method of $1,133,000 and
$727,000 for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
 
    The cumulative effect of the LIFO adjustments on inventories at December 31,
1995, and June 30, 1996 was $11,076,000 and $11,803,000, respectively.
 
                                      F-21
<PAGE>
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                         SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
                                  (UNAUDITED)
 
3. SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED)
    The FIFO information below is presented in order to provide a basis for
comparison to the financial position and operating results of those companies
within the distribution industry which do not use the LIFO method. The following
table presents FIFO financial information as of December 31, 1995 and June 30,
1996 and for the six months ended June 30, 1995 and 1996 (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,    JUNE 30,
                                                                        1995          1996
                                                                   --------------  -----------
<S>                                                                <C>             <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Inventories......................................................   $    107,779   $    84,736
Current assets...................................................        241,958       212,208
Total assets.....................................................        335,612       304,397
Current liabilities..............................................        126,652       127,710
Total liabilities................................................        236,867       198,643
Total common shareholders' equity................................         98,745       105,754
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                             JUNE 30,
                                                       ---------------------
                                                         1995        1996
                                                       ---------  ----------
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>
Income Statement Data:
Net Sales............................................  $ 983,435  $1,068,575
Gross Profit.........................................     71,760      79,694
Operating income.....................................     11,082      15,178
Income before income taxes...........................      6,897      11,572
Net income...........................................      4,273       6,943
</TABLE>
 
4. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
    On August 7, 1996, a series of transactions were consummated to effect a
recapitalization of the Company, including (i) the issuance of common stock to
Jupiter Partners L.P. ("Jupiter") for $41.3 million, (ii) the issuance of a
subordinated note to Jupiter for $18.8 million and (iii) the redemption of
common shares for $135 million in cash and $6.3 million of subordinated notes.
In connection with the recapitalization, the Company entered into a credit
facility which provides for aggregate borrowings of up to $210 million, upon
which the Company borrowed $135 million to fund the redemptions described above,
refinance existing debt and pay other expenses of the transaction. The Company
also effected a 155,000 to 1 stock split on August 7, 1996 in connection with
the recapitalization.
 
    On September 27, 1996, the Company issued and sold $75 million of senior
subordinated notes in a private placement exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The proceeds of the
offering were used to repay a portion of the borrowings under the credit
facility and the subordinated notes described above and for other general
corporate purposes.
 
                                      F-22
<PAGE>
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THE SECURITIES TO
WHICH IT RELATES OR ANY OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY
SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS
UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.
 
- ------------------------------------------------
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Available Information.....................          3
Prospectus Summary........................          4
Summary Financial and Other Data..........         12
Risk Factors..............................         14
The Company...............................
Use of Proceeds...........................         21
Capitalization............................         22
Selected Historical and Pro Forma
 Consolidated Financial and Other Data....         23
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
 Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations...............................         26
The Exchange Offer........................
Business..................................         43
Management................................         58
Recapitalization and Related
 Transactions.............................
Certain Relationships and Related
 Transactions.............................
Ownership of Voting Securities............         61
Certain Transactions......................         62
Description of Senior Credit Facility.....         63
Description of Capital Stock..............         64
Description of the New Notes..............         65
Description of the Existing Notes.........         95
Certain United States Tax
 Considerations...........................         97
ERISA Considerations......................         98
Plan of Distribution......................         99
Legal Matters.............................         99
Independent Auditors......................         99
Index to Consolidated Financial
 Statements...............................        F-1
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
UNTIL                  (90 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE REGISTERED SECURITIES, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN
ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
PROSPECTUS
 
$75,000,000
 
CORE-MARK
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
OFFER TO EXCHANGE $75,000,000 OF ITS 11 3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT FOR $75,000,000 OF ITS
OUTSTANDING 11 3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003.
 
                                     [LOGO]
 
              , 1996
<PAGE>
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
    The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by the Company
in connection with the offering of New Notes. All amounts are estimates except
the registration fees.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                <C>
Registration fees................................................  $  23,239
Printing.........................................................      *
Legal expenses...................................................      *
Trustee's and Exchange Agent's fees..............................      3,000
Accounting fees..................................................      *
Miscellaneous....................................................      *
                                                                   ---------
    Total........................................................  $   *
                                                                   ---------
                                                                   ---------
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   To be supplied by amendment.
 
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
    The Company is a Delaware corporation. Subsection (b)(7) of Section 102 of
the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL"), enables a corporation in its
original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or
limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its
stockholders for monetary damages for violations of the director's fiduciary
duty, except (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii)
pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for
unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or
(iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal
benefit. Article Seventh of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation has
eliminated the personal liability of directors to the fullest extent permitted
by Subsection (b)(7) of Section 102 of the DGCL.
 
    Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to
indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer, who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the
corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding
provided that such director or officer acted in good faith in a manner
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, provided
further that such director or officer had no reasonable cause to believe his
conduct was unlawful.
 
    Subsection (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to
indemnify any director or officer, or former director or officer, who was or is
a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the
capacities set forth above, against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense
or settlement of such action or suit provided that such director or officer
acted in
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to,
the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be
made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such director or
officer shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only
to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or
suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication
of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such director
or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such
expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
 
    Section 145 further provides that to the extent a director or officer of a
corporation has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding
referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 or in the defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonable incurred by such
person in connection therewith; that indemnification and advancement of expenses
provided for, by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled;
and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
person who is or was a director of officer of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any liability asserted against him or incurred by him in any
such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liabilities under
Section 145.
 
    Article SEVENTH of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation provides, in
relevant part, as follows:
    "(a) A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable either to
the Corporation or to any stockholder for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except (i) for any breach of the director's duty
of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, or (ii) for acts or omissions
not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law, or (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or any successor provision
thereto or (iv) for any transaction from which the director shall have derived
an improper personal benefit. Neither amendment nor repeal of this paragraph (a)
nor the adoption of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation
inconsistent with this paragraph (a) shall eliminate or reduce the effect of
this paragraph (a) in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of action,
suit or claim that, but for this paragraph (a) of this Article SEVENTH, would
accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent
provision.
 
    (b) The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to, or testifies in, any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative in nature, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director, officer, employee, agent, stockholder or a holder of any ownership
interest in any stockholder of the Corporation (each, an "Indemnitee"), or is or
was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or
other enterprise (an "Other Entity"), against expenses (including attorneys'
fees and disbursements), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding to the full extent permitted by law. Persons who are not
Indemnitees of the Corporation may be similarly indemnified in respect of
service to the Corporation or to an Other Entity at the request of the
Corporation to the extent the Board of Directors at any time specifies that such
persons are entitled to the benefits of this Article SEVENTH, and the
Corporation may adopt By-Laws or enter into agreements with any such person for
the purpose of providing for such indemnification."
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
    ITEM 21. EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                                     EXHIBIT
- ----------  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>         <C>
 
2.1         Stock Subscription Agreement, dated June 17, 1996, by and among Jupiter Partners, L.P., as amended
 
2.2         Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 17, 1996, by and between
              Core-Mark L.L.C. and the Company, as amended
 
3.1         Articles of Incorporation of the Company
 
3.2         By-laws of the Company
 
4.1         Indenture, dated as of September 27, 1996, between the Company and Bankers Trust Company as Trustee
 
4.2         Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 27, 1996, among the Company, Chase
              Securities Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
 
4.3         Form of Face of Initial Security
 
4.4         Form of Face of Exchange Security
 
4.5         Form of Letter of Transmittal
 
4.6         Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
 
4.7         Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number or Substitute Form W-9
 
5           Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison re the legality of the Notes being registered
 
10.1        Manufacturing Rights Agreement by and among Famous Value Brands, the Company, Core-Mark Interrelated
              Companies, Inc. and C/M Products, Inc.*
 
10.2        Manufacturing Agreement for "Best Buy" Cigarettes by and between Famous Value Brands and C/M Products,
              Inc.*
 
10.3        Trademark License Agreement by and between Famous Value Brands and Core-Mark Interrelated Companies,
              Inc.*
 
10.4        The Credit Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, among the Company, several lenders parties thereto and The
              Chase Manhattan Bank
 
10.5        Stockholders Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996, by and among the Company and all of the holders of
              its Common Stock
 
10.6.1      Severance and Noncompetition Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, between the Company and Gary L. Walsh
 
10.6.2      Schedule of Agreements omitted pursuant to Instruction no. 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K
 
10.7        Letter, dated August 7, 1996, from Jupiter Partners LP to Gary L. Walsh
 
10.8        Purchase Agreement, dated September 24, 1996, between the Company, Chase Securities Inc. and
              Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation
 
12          Statements re computation of ratios
 
21          List of Subsidiaries of the Company
 
23.1        Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
23.2        Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
              (included in Exhibit 5)
 
24          Power of attorney (included on signature pages)
 
25          Statement of eligibility of Trustee
 
27          Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   To be filed by amendment.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly
caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of South San Francisco,
State of California, on October 15, 1996.
 
                                CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
                                By               /s/ LEO F. KORMAN
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                      Leo F. Korman, Senior Vice President and
                                              Chief Financial Officer
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the persons who appear below
appoint and constitute each of Gary L. Walsh and Leo F. Korman such person's
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for such person and in such person's name, place and stead, in
this Form S-4 Registration Statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and to file the same, together with all exhibits thereto, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and such other agencies, offices and persons
as may be required by applicable law, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact
and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as each such person might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that each said attorney-in-fact and agent may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
    PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                         DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------
<C>                                                     <S>                              <C>
                  /s/ GARY L. WALSH
     -------------------------------------------        Chairman, Chief Executive                October 15, 1996
                    Gary L. Walsh                        Officer and Director
                 /s/ ROBERT A. ALLEN
     -------------------------------------------        President, Chief Operating               October 15, 1996
                   Robert A. Allen                       Officer and Director
                  /s/ LEO F. KORMAN                     Senior Vice President, Chief
     -------------------------------------------         Financial Officer and                   October 15, 1996
                    Leo F. Korman                        Principal Accounting Officer
                /s/ THOMAS A. BERGLUND
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                 October 15, 1996
                  Thomas A. Berglund
                 /s/ TERRY J. BLUMER
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                 October 15, 1996
                   Terry J. Blumer
                  /s/ JOHN F. KLEIN
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                 October 15, 1996
                    John F. Klein
                 /s/ JOHN A. SPRAGUE
     -------------------------------------------        Director                                 October 15, 1996
                   John A. Sprague
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1993, 1994 AND 1995
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    COLUMN C
                                 COLUMN B           ADDITIONS                        COLUMN E
                                ----------   -----------------------                ----------
           COLUMN A             BALANCE AT   CHARGED TO   CHARGED TO    COLUMN D    BALANCE AT
- ------------------------------  BEGINNING    COSTS AND      OTHER      ----------     END OF
         DESCRIPTION             OF YEAR      EXPENSES     ACCOUNTS    DEDUCTIONS      YEAR
- ------------------------------  ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL
 ACCOUNTS
Year Ended December 31,
  1993........................   $ 3,478      $ 2,515           --      $ (2,971)(a)  $ 3,022
  1994........................     3,022        1,159           --        (1,489)(a)    2,692
  1995........................     2,692        1,720           --          (812)(a)    3,600
</TABLE>
 
(a) Deductions consist of accounts determined to be uncollectible and charged
    against reserves, net of collections on accounts previously charged off.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
DEFERRED TAX ASSET VALUATION
 ALLOWANCE
Year Ended December 31,
  1993........................   $29,139           --           --      $(13,282)(b)  $15,857
  1994........................    15,857           --           --        (4,015)(b)   11,842
  1995........................    11,842           --           --        (1,018)(b)   10,824
</TABLE>
 
(b) Deductions are primarily the result of the utilization of net operating loss
    carryforwards.
<PAGE>
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                                                SEQUENTIALLY
NUMBER                                              EXHIBIT                                            NUMBERED PAGE
- ----------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------------
<S>         <C>                                                                                       <C>
 
2.1         Stock Subscription Agreement, dated June 17, 1996, by and among Jupiter Partners, L.P.,
              as amended............................................................................
 
2.2         Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 17, 1996, by and between
              Core-Mark L.L.C. and the Company, as amended .........................................
 
3.1         Articles of Incorporation of the Company................................................
 
3.2         By-laws of the Company..................................................................
 
4.1         Indenture, dated as of September 27, 1996, between the Company and Bankers Trust Company
              as Trustee............................................................................
 
4.2         Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 27, 1996, among the Company,
              Chase Securities Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation.........
 
4.3         Form of Face of Initial Security........................................................
 
4.4         Form of Face of Exchange Security.......................................................
 
4.5         Form of Letter of Transmittal...........................................................
 
4.6         Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery...................................................
 
4.7         Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number or Substitute Form W-9...
 
5           Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison re the legality of the Notes being
              registered............................................................................
 
10.1        Manufacturing Rights Agreement by and among Famous Value Brands, the Company, Core-Mark
              Interrelated Companies, Inc. and C/M Products, Inc.*..................................
 
10.2        Manufacturing Agreement for "Best Buy" Cigarettes by and between Famous Value Brands and
              C/M Products, Inc.*...................................................................
 
10.3        Trademark License Agreement by and between Famous Value Brands and Core-Mark
              Interrelated Companies, Inc.*.........................................................
 
10.4        The Credit Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, among the Company, several lenders parties
              thereto and The Chase Manhattan Bank..................................................
 
10.5        Stockholders Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996, by and among the Company and all of
              the holders of its Common Stock.......................................................
 
10.6.1      Severance and Noncompetition Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, between the Company and
              Gary L. Walsh.........................................................................
 
10.6.2      Schedule of Agreements omitted pursuant to Instruction no. 2 to Item 601 of Regulation
              S-K...................................................................................
 
10.7        Letter, dated August 7, 1996, from Jupiter Partners LP to Gary L. Walsh.................
 
10.8        Purchase Agreement, dated September 24, 1996, between the Company, Chase Securities Inc.
              and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation...............................
 
12          Statements re computation of ratios.....................................................
 
21          List of Subsidiaries of the Company.....................................................
 
23.1        Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP........................................................
 
23.2        Consent of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
              (included in Exhibit 5)...............................................................
 
24          Power of attorney (included on signature pages).........................................
 
25          Statement of eligibility of Trustee.....................................................
 
27          Financial Data Schedule.................................................................
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
*   To be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>






                          STOCK SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT


                                 BY AND BETWEEN


                              CM/J ACQUISITION, LLC


                                       AND


                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.




                              DATED:  JUNE 17, 1996



<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            Page


1.   Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   2

2.   Sale of Shares; Purchase Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   8

3.   Representations and Warranties of the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     (a)  Organization and Good Standing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     (b)  Capitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   9
     (c)  Scheduled Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
     (d)  Execution of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
     (e)  Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
     (f)  No Undisclosed Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
     (g)  No Material Adverse Change; No Dividends . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
     (h)  Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
     (i)  Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
     (j)  Real Property; Leases of Real Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  17
     (k)  Governmental Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
     (l)  Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
     (m)  Material Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
     (n)  Title to Properties; Absence of Encumbrances . . . . . . . . . . .  21
     (o)  No Restriction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
     (p)  Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
     (q)  Governmental Consents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
     (r)  Environmental Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
     (s)  Collective Bargaining Agreements and Labor . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
     (t)  ERISA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
     (u)  Absence of Changes or Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
     (v)  Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
     (w)  Transactions with Affiliates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28

4.   Representations and Warranties of Purchaser . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
     (a)  Organization and Good Standing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
     (b)  Execution and Effect of Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
     (c)  No Restriction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
     (d)  Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
     (e)  Governmental Consents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
     (f)  Investment Representation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29


                                        i
<PAGE>


     (g)  Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
     (h)  Financing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

5.   Covenants of the Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
     (a)  Access to Documents; Opportunity to Ask Questions. . . . . . . . .  31
     (b)  Conduct of Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
     (c)  Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
     (d)  Consents; Conditions Precedent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
     (e)  Hart-Scott-Rodino Filings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  34
     (f)  Company/LLC Purchase Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
     (g)  Delivery of Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
     (h)  Notification of Certain Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
     (i)  No Inconsistent Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36

6.   Covenants of Purchaser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
     (a)  Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
     (b)  Consents; Conditions Precedent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
     (c)  Hart-Scott-Rodino Filings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37

7.   Conditions Precedent to the Company's and the Purchaser's Obligations .  37

8.   Conditions Precedent to Purchaser's Obligation. . . . . . . . . . . . .  39

9.   Conditions Precedent to the Company's Obligation. . . . . . . . . . . .  40

10.  Closing Date; Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41

11.  No Brokers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43

12.  Survival of Representations and Warranties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44

13.  Indemnification and Limitation of Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44

14.  Specific Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49

15.  Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49

16.  Further Assurances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50

17.  Confidentiality; Press Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  50


                                       ii
<PAGE>


18.  Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51

19.  Entire Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53

20.  Successors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53

21.  Section Headings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53

22.  Applicable Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  53

23.  Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54

24.  Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54

25.  No Third Party Beneficiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55


                                       iii
<PAGE>

                         LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

SCHEDULES

3(b)      Management Employees

3(c)      Subsidiaries

3(h)      Tax Matters

3(i)      Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights

3(j)      Material Leases

3(l)      Insurance Policies

3(m)      Material Contracts

3(n)      Encumbrances

3(o)      Restrictions

3(p)      Litigation

3(q)      Governmental Consents

3(r)      Environmental Matters

3(s)      Collective Bargaining Agreements and Labor

3(t)      ERISA

3(u)      Certain Changes

3(w)      Affiliate Transactions

7(c)      Escrow Agreement Term Sheet

7(d)      Term Sheet for Certain Employee/Shareholder Arrangements


                                       iv
<PAGE>


EXHIBITS

A    Company/LLC Purchase Agreement


                                        v
<PAGE>


                          STOCK SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT

          AGREEMENT, made this 17th day of June, 1996, by and among CM/J
Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Purchaser"), and Core-
Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the
"Company").
                              W I T N E S S E T H :
          WHEREAS, the Company is an independent wholesaler to the convenience
retail industry in the western United States and western Canada and distributes,
as part of its wholesale business, among other things, candy and snack products,
other food products, non-food products, health and beauty care products and
cigarettes and other tobacco products; and

          WHEREAS, Core-Mark L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company
("LLC"), currently owns 100 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share,
of the Company (the "LLC Shares"), which, as of the date hereof, represents all
of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company; and

          WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and sell to Purchaser, and
Purchaser desires to purchase from the Company, 38.70968 shares of the common
stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Purchaser Shares"), which
Purchaser Shares will represent, upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Company/LLC Purchase Agreement (as
hereinafter defined), 75% of the issued and outstanding capital stock


                                        1
<PAGE>


of the Company, for the purchase price and upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth; and

          WHEREAS, immediately following the sale and purchase of the Purchaser
Shares provided for herein, the Company, pursuant to the terms of the Stock
Purchase Agreement, dated the date hereof, between LLC and the Company, a copy
of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Company/LLC Purchase Agreement"),
will purchase from LLC 87.09677 of the LLC Shares, and the 12.90323 shares not
purchased from the LLC will represent, upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, 25% of the issued and outstanding capital stock
of the Company and such retained shares will be immediately distributed by LLC
and CMI Partnership to the individuals and in the amounts set forth in Schedule
3(b) hereto;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.   DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the indicated meanings, which meanings shall be applicable, except to
the extent otherwise indicated in a definition of a particular term, both to the
singular and plural forms of such terms.  Any agreement referred to below shall
mean such agreement as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time to
the extent permitted by the applicable provisions thereof and by this Agreement.

          "ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION" has the meaning specified in Section 2(d)
hereof.


                                        2
<PAGE>


          "AFFILIATED GROUP" means any group of corporations with respect to
which a Consolidated Tax Return has been filed.

          "BALANCE SHEET" shall mean the audited Consolidated Balance Sheet of
the Company and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1995.

          "BALANCE SHEET DATE" shall mean December 31, 1995.

          "BEST EFFORTS" shall mean reasonable good faith efforts but shall in
no event require the commencement of litigation against any third party or the
payment of any fees (other than nominal fees) to any third party.

          "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any weekday on which commercial banks in New
York City are open.  Any action, notice or right which is to be exercised or
lapses on or by a given date which is not a Business Day may be taken, given or
exercised, and shall not lapse, until the end of the next Business Day.

          "CLOSING" has the meaning specified in Section 10(a) of this
Agreement.

          "CLOSING DATE" has the meaning specified in Section 10(a) of this
Agreement.

          "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          "COMPANY/LLC PURCHASE AGREEMENT" has the meaning specified in the
recitals of this Agreement.

          "COMPANY PLAN" has the meaning specified in Section 3(t)(i) of this
Agreement.

          "COMPANY'S KNOWLEDGE" or "KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMPANY" shall mean the
knowledge of a Management Employee.


                                        3
<PAGE>


          "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT" shall mean that certain letter agreement,
heretofore executed, between the Company and Purchaser with respect to, among
other things, the treatment of confidential information regarding the Company.

          "CONSOLIDATED TAX RETURN" means any Tax Return that has been filed on
a consolidated, combined or unitary basis.

          "ENCUMBRANCES" shall mean any lien, security interest, mortgage,
pledge, hypothecation, easement, conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, right of first refusal other similar encumbrances; provided, however,
that Encumbrances shall not include any Permitted Encumbrance.

          "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" shall mean any federal, state, or local law,
ordinance, regulation, order or permit pertaining to the environment, natural
resources or health or safety.

          "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended.

          "ESCROW AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 7(c) of this
Agreement.

          "FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" shall mean (1) the audited Consolidated Balance
Sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1994 and 1995 and
the audited Consolidated Statements of Income and Cash Flows of the Company and
its Subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, certified
by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, and (ii) the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet of
the Company and its Subsidiaries as at


                                        4
<PAGE>


April 30, 1996 and the related unaudited Consolidated Statement of Income of the
Company and its Subsidiaries for the four-month period then ended.

          "HART-SCOTT-RODINO ACT" shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

          "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" shall mean hazardous wastes as presently defined
by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42 U.S.C. SECTION 609 ET.
SEQ., as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder and hazardous
substances as presently defined by the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. SECTION 9601 ET. SEQ., as
amended ("CERCLA" or "Superfund") and regulations promulgated thereunder, and
any other substance or waste regulated under or defined by Environmental Laws.

          "LLC SHARES" has the meaning specified in the recitals of this
Agreement.

          "MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES" has the meaning specified in Section 3(b) of
this Agreement.

          "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean a material adverse effect on the
business, operations, assets or financial condition of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

          "MATERIAL LEASE" OR "MATERIAL LEASES" has the meaning specified in
Section 3(j) of this Agreement.

          "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" has the meaning specified in Section 3(t)(i) of
this Agreement.


                                        5
<PAGE>


          "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCE" shall mean, (a) encumbrances imposed by any
governmental authority for Taxes, assessments or charges not yet due and payable
or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if
adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the
Company or its Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles; (b) carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's,
repairmen's or other like encumbrances arising in the ordinary course of
business which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are
being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, if adequate
reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Company or its
Subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c)
pledges or deposits in connection with worker's compensation, unemployment
insurance and other social security legislation; (d) deposits to secure the
performance of any or all of the following:  bids, trade contracts (other than
for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds,
performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the
ordinary course of business; (e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and
other similar encumbrances on real property incurred in the ordinary course of
business and encroachments (whether or not in the ordinary course of business)
which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any
case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or
interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business thereon; and (f) all the
exceptions to title reflected in Schedule 3(n).


                                        6
<PAGE>


          "PERSON" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, association, trust or other entity.

          "PURCHASER" has the meaning specified in the first paragraph of this
Agreement.

          "PURCHASER SHARES" has the meaning specified in the recitals of this
Agreement.

          "STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT" has the meaning specified in Section 7(e) of
this Agreement.

          "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean each corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the
outstanding voting shares of which or other voting interests or equity interests
in the case of a partnership are owned or controlled directly or indirectly by
the Company.

          "TAX" OR "TAXES" means all taxes, charges, fees, imposts, levies or
other assessments, including, without limitation, all net income, franchise,
profits, gross receipts, capital, sales, use, ad valorem, value added, transfer,
transfer gains, inventory, capital stock, license, withholding, payroll,
employment, social security, unemployment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation,
real or personal property, and estimated taxes, water, rent and sewer service
charges, customs duties, fees, assessments and charges of any kind whatsoever,
together with any interest and any penalties, fines, additions to tax or
additional amounts thereon, imposed by any taxing authority (federal, state,
local or foreign) and shall include any transferee liability in respect of
Taxes.


                                        7
<PAGE>


          "TAX RETURN" means all returns, declarations, reports, estimates,
information returns and statements required to be filed in respect of any Taxes.

          2.   SALE OF SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE. (a)  On the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company hereby agrees to issue,
sell and deliver to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the
Company, at the Closing, the Purchaser Shares.

          (b) The per share purchase price to be paid by Purchaser for the
Purchaser Shares shall be $1,550,000, for a total purchase price of $60,000,000,
which shall be payable in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds as
hereinafter provided.

          (c) The Company hereby directs Purchaser to pay, on the Closing Date,
by wire transfer in U.S. dollars in immediately available federal funds
$60,000,000 to an account specified on or prior to the Closing Date by the
Company.

          Immediately following the sale and purchase of the Purchaser Shares,
the Company will transfer to an account designated by LLC $125,000,000, payable
in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, in payment of the purchase price
for the 87.09677 LLC shares to be purchased by the Company pursuant to the
Company/LLC Purchase Agreement.

          (d) On the Closing Date, the Company shall pay, by wire transfer in
U.S. dollars in immediately available federal funds, $10,000,000 (the
"Additional Consideration") to an account specified on or prior to the Closing
Date to the escrow agent mutually selected by the Company and Purchaser to be
held in accordance with the Escrow Agreement.


                                        8
<PAGE>


          3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.  The Company
hereby represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows:

          (a)  ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.  The Company is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has full corporate power and authority to own its
properties and carry on its business as it is now being conducted.  The Company
is duly qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation under the laws
of (i) each jurisdiction in which it owns real property and (ii) each other
jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its assets
requires such qualification, other than for failures to be so qualified that in
the aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.
The copies of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws (together
with all amendments thereto) that have been previously delivered or made
available to Purchaser are correct and complete and the transfer books are and
the minute books of the Company will be on the Closing Date true and complete in
all material respects.

          (b)  CAPITALIZATION.  The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of 3,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 100
shares are issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.  All of the issued and
outstanding shares of the Company are owned, beneficially and of record, by LLC
and have been validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and free of
preemptive rights.  Other than this Agreement, there is no existing option,
warrant, call, commitment or other right or agreement of any kind which
obligates the


                                        9
<PAGE>


Company to issue, transfer or sell, and there are no convertible securities of
the Company outstanding which upon conversion would require, the issuance,
transfer or sale, of any additional shares of capital stock of the Company or
other securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into shares of capital
stock or any debt or equity security of the Company of any kind.  Upon the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the
Company/LLC Purchase Agreement,  including the liquidation of LLC and CMI
Partnership,  Purchaser and the management employees of the Company identified
on Schedule 3(b) hereto (the "Management Employees") shall be the owners of 75%
and 25%, respectively, of the total issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company and such stock shall be owned as among the Management Employees in the
amounts set forth on Schedule 3(b).

          (c)  SCHEDULED SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company does not have any active
Subsidiaries, except as listed on Schedule 3(c) hereto (the "Scheduled
Subsidiaries").  The authorized and outstanding capital stock or equity
interests of each Scheduled Subsidiary and record and beneficial owners thereof
are as set forth on Schedule 3(c) hereto and, except as set forth on Schedule
3(c) hereto, there are no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of
any Subsidiary outstanding.  All of such outstanding capital stock or equity
interests have been validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free
of preemptive rights and, except as set forth on Schedule 3(c), owned by the
Company as indicated thereon, free and clear of any and all Encumbrances.  There
is no existing option, warrant, call, commitment or other agreement of any kind
which obligates the Company or any Subsidiary to issue, transfer or


                                       10
<PAGE>


sell, and there are no convertible securities of any Subsidiary outstanding
which upon conversion would require, the issuance, transfer or sale of any
additional shares of capital stock or equity interests of any Subsidiary or
other securities convertible into shares of capital stock or any other debt or
equity security of any kind of any Subsidiary.  Each Scheduled Subsidiary is
duly incorporated or organized and validly existing in good standing under the
laws of its state of incorporation or organization.  Each Scheduled Subsidiary
is duly qualified to transact business as a foreign corporation under the laws
of (i) each jurisdiction in which it owns real property and (ii) each other
jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership of its assets
requires such qualification, other than for failures to be so qualified that in
the aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.
Each Scheduled Subsidiary has all requisite corporate or partnership power and
authority to own its properties and carry on its business as presently
conducted.  There have been delivered or made available to Purchaser complete
and correct copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws (together
with all amendments thereto) or other organizational documents of non-corporate
persons of each Scheduled Subsidiary and the transfer books and minute books
thereof are true and complete in all material respects.  Neither the Company nor
any of the Subsidiaries is a member of or participant in any partnership, joint
venture or similar person.

          (d)  EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT.  The Company has all requisite corporate
power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to perform its obligations
hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, including,
without limitation, to issue, sell


                                       11
<PAGE>


and deliver the Purchaser Shares as provided herein, and such issuance, sale and
delivery will convey to Purchaser good and valid title to the Purchaser Shares,
free and clear of any and all Encumbrances.  The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the sale of the Purchaser Shares to Purchaser
and purchase from LLC of 87.09677 of the LLC shares contemplated hereby have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
Company.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Company, enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms.

          (e)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Company has delivered to Purchaser
copies of the Financial Statements.  Each of the Financial Statements is in
accordance with the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
the dates and for the periods therein indicated, has been prepared in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (except as
heretofore otherwise disclosed in writing to Purchaser) and presents fairly the
financial position, results of operations and (with respect to the audited
statements only) cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates
and for the periods indicated, subject, in the case of the unaudited interim
financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments, the absence of
footnotes and their not having been prepared on a full "Last-In-First-Out"
basis.

          (f)  NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  As at the Balance Sheet Date,
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary had any indebtedness or liabilities
(whether accrued, absolute,


                                       12
<PAGE>


contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due) required to be shown
on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and the Subsidiaries prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that are not shown on
the Balance Sheet or disclosed herein or in a schedule hereto or in any document
referred to in a schedule hereto or in the Financial Statements (including the
footnotes thereto), other than those which in the aggregate have no reasonable
likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.  Since the Balance Sheet Date,
neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has incurred any indebtedness or
liability required to be shown on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company
and the Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, other than those incurred in the ordinary course of business and not
in violation of this Agreement or disclosed herein or in a schedule hereto or in
any document referred to in a schedule hereto or in the Financial Statements
(including the footnotes thereto), and those that in the aggregate have no
reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.

          (g)  NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE; NO DIVIDENDS.  Since the Balance
Sheet Date there has been no material adverse change in the business,
operations, assets or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.  No dividends or distributions have been declared or paid on
or made with respect to the shares of capital stock or other equity interests of
the Company nor have any such shares been repurchased or redeemed during the 12
months preceding the date hereof.


                                       13
<PAGE>


          (h)  TAXES.  (i)  Except as set forth on Schedule 3(h) hereto, (A) all
material Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of the Company or the
Subsidiaries or any Affiliated Group of which the Company or the Subsidiaries is
or was a member have been filed with the appropriate taxing authorities in all
jurisdictions in which such Tax Returns are required to be filed and are true,
correct and complete in all material respects, (B) all amounts shown on such Tax
Returns as due from the Company or the Subsidiaries either directly, as part of
a Consolidated Tax Return, or otherwise, have been fully and timely paid and (C)
no waivers of statutes of limitation or extension of time within which to file
any franchise, income or other material Tax Return which has not yet been filed
have been given or requested with respect to the Company or the Subsidiaries in
connection with any such income, franchise or other material tax returns
covering the Company or the Subsidiaries.

               (ii) Except as set forth on Schedule 3(h) hereto, all
deficiencies asserted or assessments made as a result of examination by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority of the income Tax Returns
of or covering the Company or any of the Subsidiaries have been fully paid, and
there are no unpaid deficiencies asserted or assessments made in excess of
$100,000 in the aggregate by any such taxing authority against the Company or
any of the Subsidiaries.

               (iii) Except as set forth on Schedule 3(h) hereto, neither the
Company nor any of the Subsidiaries, and no other person on their behalf, has
filed a consent pursuant to Section 341(f) of the Code or agreed to have Section
341(f)(2) of the Code apply to any


                                       14
<PAGE>


disposition of a subsection (f) asset (as such term is defined in Section
341(f)(4) of the Code) owned by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries.

               (iv) Except as set forth on Schedule 3(h) hereto, no property
owned by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries (A) is property required to be
treated as being owned by another person pursuant to the provisions of Section
168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended and in effect
immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, (B)
constitutes "tax-exempt use property" within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of
the Code or (C) is tax-exempt bond financed property within the meaning of
Section 168(g) of the Code.

               (v)  Schedule 3(h) sets forth the status of all actual, pending,
or to the knowledge of the Tax Director of the Company, threatened Federal,
state, local and foreign Tax audits of the Tax Returns of the Company and the
Subsidiaries other than those involving less than $100,000 in the aggregate,
including the amounts of any deficiencies and additions to Tax (other than
interest and penalties) indicated on any notice from any taxing authority, and
the amounts of any payments made with respect thereto.  No other audits or
investigations are under way, pending or to the knowledge of the Tax Director of
the Company or the Company threatened with respect to the Company's or any of
the Subsidiaries' Tax Returns or Taxes not shown on a Tax Return.

               (vi) Except as set forth on Schedule 3(h), since 1984, neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a member of or was acquired
from any group of affiliated corporations that file consolidated returns for
Federal income tax purposes other than


                                       15
<PAGE>


in (a) a transaction in which the common parent of such affiliated group was
acquired or (b) the affiliated group in which the Company was the common parent.

              (vii) Except as set forth on Schedule 3(h), neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary has agreed to or is required to make any adjustment under
section 481(a) of the Code by reason of a change in accounting method or
otherwise.

             (viii) Schedule 3(h) sets forth all material Federal, state, local
and foreign Tax elections under the Code and other applicable provisions of law
that are in effect with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries for calendar
year ended December 31, 1995.

               (ix) Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries will have
any liability on or after the Closing Date under any Tax sharing agreement to
which they have been a party, and all such Tax sharing agreements in effect
before the Closing Date shall terminate and be of no further force and effect as
of the Closing Date.

               (x)  There are no tax rulings or requests for rulings relating
to the Company or any of the Subsidiaries which could affect its liability for
Taxes for any period after the Closing.

               (xi) Except as set forth on Schedule 3(h), no power of attorney
has been granted by the Company or any of the Subsidiaries with respect to any
matter relating to Taxes which is currently in force.

          (i)  PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND COPYRIGHTS.  Schedule 3(i) hereto
contains a complete and correct list of each material patent, trademark, trade
name, service mark and copyright owned or used by the Company or a Subsidiary
and all pending applications


                                       16
<PAGE>


therefor, and each license or other agreement relating thereto (the
"Intellectual Property").  Except as set forth on Schedule 3(i) or 3(m) hereto,
the Intellectual Property is owned by the party shown on such Schedule as owning
the same, free and clear of all licenses and other Encumbrances.  With respect
to registered trademarks, Schedule 3(i) hereto sets forth a list of all
jurisdictions in which such trademarks are registered or applied for and all
registrations and application numbers.  There have been no claims asserted in
writing, which are still pending, with respect to the ownership, validity,
enforceability, effectiveness or use of any Intellectual Property.  The
Intellectual Property does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of
any person and, to the knowledge of the Company, no third party is infringing
upon or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of the Company or
any Subsidiary.  The Company and the Subsidiaries have taken all necessary
action to maintain and protect each item of Intellectual Property owned or used
by the Company and any Subsidiary, except where failure to take such action in
the aggregate would have no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse
Effect.

          (j)  REAL PROPERTY; LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY.  Neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries owns any real property.  Schedule 3(j) hereto contains a
complete and correct list in all material respects of all leases, subleases,
license agreements or other rights of possession or occupancy of real property
to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party (as tenant, occupier or
possessor) (each such lease or agreement, a "Material Lease" and, collectively,
the "Material Leases").  All of the Material Leases are in full force and
effect.


                                       17
<PAGE>


Complete and correct copies of each Material Lease have been furnished or made
available to Purchaser.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3(j) hereto, neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default beyond any applicable
notice or grace period or has received written notice of default still
outstanding on the date hereof under any such Material Lease, and to the
Company's knowledge, on the date hereof, there exists no uncured default
thereunder by any third party, other than, in either case, those which in the
aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.
Except as disclosed on Schedule 3(j) hereto, no consent is required of any
landlord or other third party to any Material Lease to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, and upon consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, each Material Lease will continue to entitle the Company or
its Subsidiary, as the case may be, to the use and possession of the real
property specified in such Material Lease and for the purposes for which such
real property is now being used by the Company or its Subsidiary, respectively.

          (k)  GOVERNMENTAL PERMITS.  The Company and its Subsidiaries have all
necessary permits, licenses and governmental authorizations required for the
ownership or occupancy of their respective properties and assets and the
carrying on of their respective businesses (collectively, "Permits"), except for
those which in the aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having a Material
Adverse Effect.

          (l)  INSURANCE.  Schedule 3(1) hereto contains a complete and correct
list in all material respects of all policies of insurance of any kind or nature
covering the Company or


                                       18
<PAGE>


its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, policies of life, fire, theft,
employee fidelity and other casualty and liability insurance, and such policies
are in full force and effect.  Complete and correct copies of each such policy
have been furnished or made available to Purchaser.

          (m)  MATERIAL CONTRACTS.  Except as listed in Schedule 3(m) hereto or
any other Schedule hereto, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is a party to
any (i) material contract not made in the ordinary course of business or, to the
knowledge of the Company, any other contract not made in the ordinary course of
business; (ii) contract for the employment of any officer or employee; (iii)
contract for the future purchase of materials, supplies, services, merchandise
or equipment not capable of being fully performed or not terminable within a
period of one year from the date hereof or, except for purchase orders executed
in the ordinary course of business, involving annual payments in excess of $1
million (in the case of merchandise contracts) and $250,000 (in the case of all
other such contracts) or in excess of normal operating requirements; (iv)
agreement for the sale or lease of any of its assets other than in the ordinary
course of business; (v) contract or commitment for capital expenditures in
excess of $250,000; (vi) mortgage, pledge, conditional sales contract, security
agreement, factoring agreement or other similar agreement with respect to any of
its real or personal property; (vii) lease of machinery or equipment involving
annual payments in excess of $1,000,000; (viii) loan agreement, promissory note
issued by it, guarantee, subordination or similar type of agreement; (ix) stock
option, retirement, severance, pension, bonus, profit sharing, group insurance,
medical or other fringe benefit plan or program providing employee


                                       19
<PAGE>


benefits; or (x) municipal or other governmental franchise agreements; (xi)
agreement or contract with any shareholder, officer, director, employee, member,
consultant or agent of LLC, the Company or any Subsidiary (other than employment
agreements covered by clause (ii) above); (xii) lease or similar agreement under
which the Company or any Subsidiary is a lessor or sublessor of, or makes
available for use by any third party, any real property leased by the Company or
any Subsidiary or any portion of premises otherwise occupied by the Company or
any Subsidiary; or (xiii) any tax sharing agreement.  Complete and correct
copies of each agreement set forth in Schedule 3(m) hereto have been furnished
or made available to Purchaser.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3(m) hereto,
the Company and the Subsidiaries have performed all of the obligations required
to be performed by them to date and are not in default under any of the
agreements, leases, contracts or other documents to which they are a party
listed on Schedule 3(m) hereto, other than for those failures to perform and
defaults which in the aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having a
Material Adverse Effect.  Except as set forth in Schedule 3(m) hereto, to the
Company's knowledge, no party with whom the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
has such a scheduled agreement is in default thereunder, other than those
defaults which in the aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having a
Material Adverse Effect.  Except as disclosed herein or in Schedule 3(m) hereto,
neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is a party to any non-compete or
similar agreement.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 3(m) hereto, no consent is
required of any party with whom the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an
agreement required to be listed on a


                                       20
<PAGE>


schedule hereto to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and, upon
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, each scheduled agreement
will continue to entitle the Company and the Subsidiaries to the rights and
benefits specified in such agreements.

          (n)  TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ABSENCE OF ENCUMBRANCES.  The Company and
the Subsidiaries have good and valid title to all of their respective assets
shown as owned on the Balance Sheet (except for assets disposed of in the
ordinary course of business since the Balance Sheet Date or as set forth in
Schedule 3(n) hereto), free and clear of any and all Encumbrances, except as set
forth in Schedule 3(n) hereto.

          (o)  NO RESTRICTION.  Except as set forth in Schedules 3(j), 3(m) 
or 3(o) hereto, neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the 
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will conflict with or 
result in a breach of, or give rise to a right of termination of, or 
accelerate the performance required by, any terms of any agreement to which 
the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is a party, or constitute a default 
thereunder, or result in the creation of any Encumbrance upon any of their 
respective assets, except for such conflicts, breaches, rights of termination 
or acceleration, defaults and Encumbrances that in the aggregate have no 
reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect, nor will it 
violate any of the provisions of their respective Certificates of 
Incorporation or By-Laws or, as to non-corporate Subsidiaries, organizational 
documents, or violate any judgment, order or decree by which any of them are 
bound or, except for violations that in the aggregate have no 


                                       21
<PAGE>


reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect, any statute, law, 
rule or regulation applicable to any of them.

          (p)  LITIGATION.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(p) hereto, there
is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the Company's knowledge,
threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries which seeks to
restrain or prohibit or otherwise challenges the consummation, legality or
validity of the transactions contemplated hereby.  Except as disclosed in
Schedule 3(p) hereto, there is no action, suit or proceeding pending or, to the
Company's knowledge, threatened against the Company or any of the Subsidiaries
other than those which in the aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having
a Material Adverse Effect.

          (q)  GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS.  Except with respect to local governmental
permits or licenses and the applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Act, no consent, approval or authorization of, or filing with, any governmental
authority on the part of the Company or any Subsidiary is required in connection
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of any of
the transactions contemplated hereby.

          (r)  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 3(r)
hereto, (i) the operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance
with applicable Environmental Laws, except for such noncompliances that in the
aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect,
(ii) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is subject to any judicial
or administrative proceeding alleging the violation of any


                                       22
<PAGE>


Environmental Law, (iii) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has
received any written notice from any governmental authority that it is a
potentially responsible party at any State or Federal Superfund site and
(iv) neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has disposed of or released
Hazardous Materials, or generated or transported Hazardous Materials which are
or have been disposed of or released, on, in or at any real property in any
quantity which hereafter will require investigation or remediation pursuant to
Environmental Laws for which the Company or any of the Subsidiaries will be
liable having any reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.

          (s)  COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS AND LABOR.(i) Except as set
forth in Schedule 3(s) hereto, none of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries is
a party to any labor or collective bargaining agreement and there are no labor
or collective bargaining agreements which pertain to employees of the Company or
the Subsidiary.

             (ii)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3(s) hereto, there are no
pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened strikes, work stoppages,
slowdowns, lockouts or other material labor disputes against the Company or any
of the Subsidiaries which in the aggregate have any reasonable likelihood of
having a Material Adverse Effect.

             (iii)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3(s) hereto, the Company and
the Subsidiaries are in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders
relating to the employment of labor, including all such laws, regulations and
orders relating to wages, hours, collective bargaining, discrimination, civil
rights, safety and health, workers' compensation and the


                                       23
<PAGE>


collection and payment of employee withholding and/or social security Taxes and
any similar Tax, except for such non-compliance as in the aggregate have no
reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.

             (iv)  There is no unfair labor practice charge or complaint against
the Company or any Subsidiary pending, or to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened before the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission or any similar state or local governmental agency, and
there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, union
grievances against the Company or any Subsidiary except for all such cases those
which in the aggregate have no reasonable likelihood of having a Material
Adverse Effect.

          (t)  ERISA. (i) Schedule 3(t) hereto sets forth all "employee benefit
plans", as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, and all other material plans
maintained by the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or any Commonly Controlled
Entity (within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) of the Code) or
to which the Company, any of the Subsidiaries or any Commonly Controlled Entity
contributes or is obligated to contribute for current or former employees of the
Company, such Subsidiary or such Commonly Controlled Entity (the "Company
Plans").  Schedule 3(t) hereto separately identifies each Company Plan which is
a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA ("Multiemployer
Plan").

             (ii)  True, correct and complete copies of the following documents
(where applicable), with respect to each of the Company Plans (other than the
Multiemployer Plans),


                                       24
<PAGE>


have been made available or delivered to Purchaser by the Company or the
Subsidiaries:  (a) plans and related trust documents, including amendments
thereto; (b) summary plan descriptions; (c) the most recent annual reports, Form
5500s; (d) the most recent annual and periodic accounting of plan assets; (e)
the most recent determination letter received from the Internal Revenue Service;
and (f) the most recent actuarial valuation.

             (iii)  With respect to each Company Plan other than the
Multiemployer Plan:  (a) if intended to qualify under Code section 401(a) or
403(a), such Company Plan so qualifies, and its related trust is exempt from
taxation under Code section 501(a); (b) such Company Plan has been administered
in accordance with its terms and applicable law in all material respects; (c) no
event has occurred and there exists no circumstance under which the Company
could directly, or indirectly through a Commonly Controlled Entity, incur any
material liability under ERISA, the Code or otherwise (other than routine claims
for benefits); and (d) there are no material actions, suits or claims pending
(other than routine claims for benefits) or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened with respect to any Company Plan or against the assets of any Company
Plan.

             (iv)  With respect to each Company Plan other than a Multiemployer
Plan, no "prohibited transaction" (as defined in ERISA section 406 or in Code
section 4975) nor "reportable event" (as defined in ERISA section 4043) has
occurred which has any reasonable likelihood of causing any material liability
to the Company.


                                       25
<PAGE>


             (v)  With respect to each Company Plan, all contributions and
premiums have been made on a timely basis and all required contributions that
have not been made have been properly recorded on the books of the Company or a
Commonly Controlled Entity in accordance with GAAP.

             (vi)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3(t) hereto, with respect to
each Company Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) that is subject to Title IV
of ERISA:  (a) as of the most recent actuarial valuation, the present value of
all benefit liabilities (as defined in ERISA section 4001(a)(16)) will not
exceed the then current fair market value of the assets of such plan (determined
by using the actuarial assumptions used for the most recent actuarial valuation)
and (b) the Company has not incurred or is expected to incur directly, or
indirectly through a Commonly Controlled Entity, any liability arising from a
plan termination or a plan withdrawal.

             (vii)  Except as set forth in Schedule 3(t) hereto, with respect to
each Company Plan that is a "welfare plan" (as defined in ERISA section 3(1)):
(a) no such plan provides medical or death benefits (whether or not insured)
with respect to current or former employees beyond their termination of
employment (other than coverage mandated by law) and (b) the Company and each
Commonly Controlled entity are in good faith compliance with the requirements of
Code section 4980B.

             (viii)  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement will not entitle any individual to severance pay, or  accelerate the
time of payment, vesting or


                                       26
<PAGE>


increase the amount of compensation due to any individual, or result in the
payment of an amount subject to the requirements of Section 280G of the Code.

               (ix) To the knowledge of the Company, there would be no
withdrawal liability under Section 4219 of ERISA as a result of a complete or
partial withdrawal from any of the Multiemployer Plans listed in Schedule 3(t)
hereto.

          (u)  ABSENCE OF CHANGES OR EVENTS.  Since the Balance Sheet Date,
there has not been (i) any payment of or commitment to pay by or on behalf of
the Company or any of the Subsidiaries any severance or termination payment to
any officer, director, employee, consultant, agent or other representative of
the Company or any of the Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of
business or (ii) except as described on Schedule 3(u) hereto, a grant or any
agreement to make a grant of any general increase in the compensation of its
officers or employees or any increase in the compensation payable or to become
payable to any Management Employee and, except in the ordinary course of
business, any other employee.  Since the Balance Sheet Date, the Company and the
Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses only in the ordinary
course.

          (v)  COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  The Company and the Subsidiaries are in
compliance with all applicable statutes, laws, ordinances, rules, orders and
regulations of any governmental entity (whether domestic or foreign) and all
Permits, except for such noncompliances which in the aggregate have no
reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect.


                                       27
<PAGE>


          (w)  TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.  Except as set forth in Schedule
3(w) hereto or any other Schedule to this Agreement, there are no agreements,
contracts or other arrangements between the Company or any Subsidiary, on the
one hand, and LLC or any of its affiliates (including, without limitation, any
member of LLC) on the other hand, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
will have any liability under any of such items after the Closing Date.

          4.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.  Purchaser hereby
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

          (a)  ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.  Purchaser is a limited liability
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the state of Delaware, and has the requisite power and authority to own its
properties and carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

          (b)  EXECUTION AND EFFECT OF AGREEMENT.  Purchaser has all requisite
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the
transactions contemplated hereby, and the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Purchaser.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Purchaser and constitutes
the legal, valid and binding obligation of Purchaser, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms.


                                       28
<PAGE>


          (c)  NO RESTRICTION.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with
or result in a breach of any terms of any agreement to which Purchaser is a
party, except for such conflicts and breaches that in the aggregate have no
reasonable likelihood of having a material adverse effect on Purchaser's ability
to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or a Material
Adverse Effect, nor will it violate any of the provisions of Purchaser's
organizational documents.

          (d)  LITIGATION.  There is no action, suit, proceeding or formal
governmental inquiry or investigation pending or, to Purchaser's knowledge,
threatened against Purchaser or any of its affiliates which seeks to restrain or
prohibit or otherwise challenges the consummation, legality or validity of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

          (e)  GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS.  Except in connection with the applicable
requirements under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, no consent, approval or
authorization of, or filing with, any governmental authority on the part of
Purchaser is required in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement or the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.

          (f)  INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION.  Purchaser possesses such knowledge
and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of
evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Purchaser Shares.
Purchaser is acquiring the Purchaser Shares for its own account, for investment
purposes only and not with a view to the distribution thereof in


                                       29
<PAGE>


violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
Purchaser is an "accredited investor" as defined in Regulation D under the
Securities Act.  Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchaser Shares are not
registered under the Securities Act, any applicable state securities laws or any
applicable foreign securities laws, and that the Purchaser Shares may not be
transferred or sold except pursuant to the registration provisions of or
applicable exemptions from such laws.

          (g)  ACCESS.  Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that Purchaser and its
representatives have had access to such of the records and documents and
properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries as Purchaser and its
representatives shall have requested to see and/or review; that Purchaser and
its representatives have had an opportunity to meet with appropriate management
and employees of the Company to discuss the business and assets of the Company,
it being understood that nothing in this Section 4(g) is intended to diminish or
otherwise impair the ability of Purchaser to rely on and enforce its rights with
respect to the breach by the Company of any of the representations, warranties
or covenants made by it herein.

          (h)  FINANCING.  Purchaser has, or has access to, sufficient funds and
financing to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (subject to the
conditions specified in the Commitment Letter referred to below).  Purchaser has
delivered to the Company a true and complete copy of a Commitment Letter
executed by Chemical Bank and


                                       30
<PAGE>


Chase Securities, Inc. relating to, among other matters, the financing of such
transactions (the "Commitment Letter").

          5.   COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.  The Company hereby covenants and
agrees that:

          (a)  ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS; OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS.  From and
after the date hereof and until the Closing Date, the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall make available for inspection by Purchaser, the financial
institution referred to in Section 4(h) hereof, and their representatives, upon
reasonable advance notice and during normal business hours, the Company's and
its Subsidiaries' corporate or comparable records, books of account, contracts
and all other documents reasonably requested by Purchaser, as well as physical
access to the properties owned, leased or operated by the Company and its
Subsidiaries, including access for the purposes of taking soil, air,
surfacewater and groundwater samples, in order to permit Purchaser, such
financial institution and such representatives to make reasonable inspection and
examination of the business and affairs of the Company and the Subsidiaries.
Company shall make available upon reasonable advance notice managerial
employees, counsel and regular independent certified public accountants of the
Company and its Subsidiaries to answer questions of Purchaser, such financial
institution and their respective representatives concerning the business and
affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and shall further cause them to make
available all relevant books and records in connection with such inspection and
examination.


                                       31
<PAGE>


          (b)  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  From and after the date hereof and until
the Closing Date, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall conduct their business
only in the ordinary course, consistent with the present conduct of their
business and shall make all reasonable efforts consistent with past practices to
preserve their relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and others
with whom the Company or any Subsidiary deals.  During such period of time,
except upon the prior written consent of Purchaser, the Company shall not permit
the Company or its Subsidiaries to (a) amend its Certificate of Incorporation or
By-Laws or comparable organizational documents, (b) issue any additional shares
of capital stock or issue, sell or grant any option or right to acquire or
otherwise dispose of or commit to dispose of any of its authorized but unissued
capital stock or other corporate securities, (c) declare or pay any dividends or
declare or make any other distribution in cash or property on its capital stock
or other equity interests, (d) repurchase or redeem any shares of its stock or
other equity interests (except on the Closing Date pursuant to the terms of the
Company/LLC Purchase Agreement), (e) voluntarily incur any obligation or
liability, except current obligations and except liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business, (f) enter into any employment agreement or become
liable for any bonus, profit-sharing or incentive payment to any of its officers
or directors, except pursuant to presently existing plans, arrangements or
agreements disclosed herein or in a schedule hereto or in the ordinary course of
business, (g) mortgage, pledge, or otherwise encumber any part of its assets,
tangible or intangible, except for Permitted Encumbrances, (h) sell, transfer or
acquire any properties or assets, tangible or


                                       32
<PAGE>


intangible, other than in the ordinary course of business and, except as set
forth in Schedule 3(n) hereto, (i) make any material changes in its customary
method of operations, including marketing and pricing policies, collection of
receivables, purchasing or payment of payables and maintenance of business
premises, fixtures, furniture and equipment, (j) modify, amend or cancel any of
its existing Material Leases or enter into any contracts, agreements, leases or
understandings, other than in the ordinary course of business, (k) enter into
any collective bargaining agreement, (l) merge or consolidate with any
corporation or other person, acquire control or (except in the ordinary course
of business or for transactions involving the acquisition of assets from another
distributor for not more than $3,000,000 in the aggregate), acquire the assets
of, or acquire any capital stock or other securities of, any other corporation
or business entity, (m) modify the Company/LLC Purchase Agreement, (n) take any
other action that would cause any of the representations and warranties made by
the Company in this Agreement not to be true and correct in all material
respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if such
representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Closing Date, (o)
make or incur capital expenditures not currently budgeted which in the aggregate
are in excess of $300,000, (p) enter into any lease of real property or any
renewals of existing leases, except with respect to the renewal of the lease of
the Company's corporate headquarters on terms previously disclosed to Purchaser,
(q) make any material federal, state, local or foreign Tax elections under the
Code or other applicable provision of law that are in effect with respect to the
Company and the Subsidiaries, except to the extent


                                       33
<PAGE>


consistent with past practices, or (r) agree, whether in writing or otherwise,
to do any of the foregoing.

          (c)  TAXES.  From and after the date hereof and until the Closing
Date, all Tax Returns required to be filed by or with respect to the Company or
any of the Subsidiaries shall be prepared in a manner consistent with prior
years, timely filed and shall be true, correct and complete in all material
respects and the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, as the case may be, shall
use its reasonable efforts to deliver drafts of any Federal income or material
franchise tax returns to the Purchaser for its review no later than 10 business
days prior to the date, including extensions, on which such federal income and
franchise tax returns are required to be filed and shall make any changes to
such federal income and franchise tax returns as Purchaser may reasonably
request.

          (d)  CONSENTS; CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.  From and after the date hereof
and until the Closing Date, the Company shall use its Best Efforts to obtain the
consents of those parties indicated on Schedules 3(j), 3(m) and 3(o) in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and to cause the conditions
precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby to be
satisfied.

          (e)  HART-SCOTT-RODINO FILINGS.  The Company shall make all required
filings as promptly as possible with the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S.
Department of Justice-Antitrust Division pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act,
and shall cooperate with Purchaser in connection with such filings.


                                       34
<PAGE>


          (f)  COMPANY/LLC PURCHASE AGREEMENT.  The Company shall cause the
transactions contemplated by the Company/LLC Purchase Agreement to be
consummated immediately following the Closing hereunder.

          (g)  DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  From the date hereof and until
the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Purchaser copies of the monthly
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries,
which monthly statements shall be prepared on the same basis as the unaudited
statements included in the Financial Statements, promptly following the time
that such monthly statements become available.

          (h)  NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS.  From the date hereof and until
the Closing Date, the Company shall give prompt notice to Purchaser of (i) any
notice of, or other communication relating to, a default or event which, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default, received by the Company
or any of the Subsidiaries after the date of this Agreement under any agreement
that is required to be listed in a Schedule to this Agreement; (ii) any notice
or other communication from any third party alleging that the consent of such
third party is or may be required in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) any notice or other communication from any
governmental entity or any customer material to the business of the Company or
any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; (iv) any event or circumstance that becomes known to the Company
after the date hereof that has a


                                       35
<PAGE>


reasonable likelihood of having a Material Adverse Effect; and (v) any claim,
action, proceeding or investigation commenced or, to the Company's knowledge,
threatened, involving or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their property or assets which, if pending on the date of this Agreement,
would have been required to have been disclosed to Purchaser.

          (i)  NO INCONSISTENT ACTIVITIES.  From the date hereof and until the
Closing Date, (i) the Company will not, and will direct its officers, directors
and other representatives not to, directly or indirectly, solicit, encourage, or
participate in any way in discussions or negotiations with, or provide any
information or assistance to any third party concerning the acquisition of
shares of capital stock of the Company or a substantial portion of the total
assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (whether by
merger, purchase of assets or otherwise), (ii) the Company will promptly
communicate to Purchaser the terms of any proposal or contact it may receive in
respect of any such transaction and (iii) the Company shall not release any
third party from any confidentiality or standstill agreement to which the
Company is a party without Purchaser's consent.

          6.   COVENANTS OF PURCHASER.  Purchaser hereby covenants and agrees
that:

          (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  From and after the date hereof
and until the Closing Date, Purchaser will not take any action that would cause
any of the representations and warranties made by it in this Agreement not to be
true and correct in all


                                       36
<PAGE>


material respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same force and effect
as if such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the Closing
Date.

          (b)  CONSENTS; CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.  From and after the date hereof
and until the Closing Date, Purchaser shall use its Best Efforts to obtain any
consents required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and to
cause the conditions precedent to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby to be satisfied.

          (c)  HART-SCOTT-RODINO FILINGS.  Purchaser shall make all required
filings as promptly as possible with the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S.
Department of Justice-Antitrust Division pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act,
and it shall cooperate with the Company in connection with such filings.

          7.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE COMPANY'S AND THE PURCHASER'S
OBLIGATIONS.  The respective obligations of the Company and the Purchaser to
consummate the sale and purchase of the Purchaser Shares on the Closing Date is,
at the respective option of the Company or the Purchaser, subject to the
satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:

          (a) The waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act shall have
expired or been terminated.

          (b) There shall not be in effect an order of a governmental body of
competent jurisdiction enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Company/LLC
Purchase Agreement.


                                       37
<PAGE>


          (c)  The Company, Purchaser and an escrow agent mutually chosen by the
Company and Purchaser shall have executed and delivered an escrow agreement
having customary terms and such other terms set forth on Schedule 7(c) hereto
(the "Escrow Agreement").

          (d)  Each Management Employee shall have executed and delivered an
agreement with the Company with respect to severance arrangements and non-
competition in form reasonably acceptable to Purchaser having the principal
terms set forth on Schedule 7(d) hereto.

          (e)   The Management Employees, the Company and Purchaser shall have
executed and delivered a stockholders agreement having the principal terms set
forth on Schedule 7(d) hereto (the "Stockholders Agreement").

          (f)  The Board of Directors of the Company shall have been
reconstituted to consist of the people listed on Schedule 7(d) hereto.

          (g) The Company shall have adopted a stock option plan for the benefit
of certain employees of the Company reasonably acceptable to Purchaser and
having the principal terms set forth in Schedule 7(d) hereto.

          8.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PURCHASER'S OBLIGATION.  The obligation
of Purchaser to consummate the purchase of the Purchaser Shares on the Closing
Date is, at the option of Purchaser, also subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions:


                                       38
<PAGE>


          (a) Each of the representations and warranties of the Company
contained in Section 3 hereof that does not have a materiality qualification
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date and
each of the other representations and warranties of the Company contained in
Section 3 hereof shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date, in each case
with the same force and effect as though the same had been made on and as of the
Closing Date.

          (b) The Company shall have performed and complied in all material
respects with the covenants and provisions in this Agreement required herein to
be performed or complied with by the Company between the date hereof and the
Closing Date.

          (c) Purchaser shall have received an opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges
LLP, counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date and in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser and its counsel covering such matters as
are customary for   transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement.
Such opinion also shall be addressed to the Purchaser's financing source.

          (d) Purchaser shall have received certificates to the effect set forth
in subsections (a) and (b) above, dated the Closing Date, signed by a duly
authorized officer of the Company.

          (e) The consents of all persons who are parties to the agreements with
the Company, or its Subsidiaries identified on Schedules 3(j), 3(m) or 3(o) with
an asterisk (*) shall have been obtained, and signed copies thereof shall have
been delivered to Purchaser.


                                       39
<PAGE>


          (f)  All employment and severance agreements in effect on the date
hereof between the Management Employees and the Company shall have been
terminated.

          (g)  The $635,000 loan by the Company to CMI Partnership shall have
been paid in full.

          (h)  All conditions to the availability of the financing contemplated
by the Commitment Letter shall have been met and such financing shall be
available; PROVIDED that Purchaser may rely on this condition only if it has
used all reasonable and diligent efforts to obtain such financing upon the terms
set forth in the Commitment Letter.

          (i)  There shall not have occurred any material adverse change in the
prospects of the Company since the date hereof.

          9.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATION.  The obligation
of the Company to consummate the issuance, sale and assignment to Purchaser of
the Purchaser Shares is, at the option of the Company, also subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions:

          (a) Each of the representations and warranties of Purchaser contained
in Section 4 hereof shall be true and correct as of the Closing Date with the
same force and effect as though the same had been made on and as of the Closing
Date.

          (b) Purchaser shall have performed and complied in all material
respects with the covenants and provisions in this Agreement required herein to
be performed or complied with by Purchaser between the date hereof and the
Closing Date.


                                       40
<PAGE>


          (c)  The Company shall have received an opinion of Paul, Weiss,
Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, counsel for Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its counsel
covering such matters as are customary for transactions of the type contemplated
by this Agreement.

          (d) The Company shall have received certificates to the effect set
forth in subsections (a) and (b) above, dated the Closing Date, signed by a duly
authorized officer of Purchaser.

          10.  CLOSING DATE; CLOSING. (a)  The closing hereunder (herein called
the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP,
767 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10153 at 10:00 A.M. on the date that is three
(3) Business Days after each of the conditions precedent to the Closing shall
have been satisfied or waived, but not later than August 15, 1996, unless
otherwise mutually agreed to in writing by Purchaser and the Company.  The date
of the Closing is referred to in this Agreement as the "Closing Date".

          (b) All proceedings to be taken and all documents to be executed and
delivered by the Company in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
Purchaser and its counsel.  All proceedings to be taken and all documents to be
executed and delivered by Purchaser in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to the Company and its counsel.  All proceedings to be taken and all
documents to be executed and delivered by all parties at the Closing shall be


                                       41
<PAGE>


deemed to have been taken and executed simultaneously and no proceedings shall
be deemed taken nor any documents executed or delivered until all have been
taken, executed and delivered.

          (c) At the Closing, the Company shall deliver, or shall cause to be
delivered, to Purchaser the following:

                (i) Certificates representing the Purchaser Shares duly
registered on the books of the Company in the name of Purchaser.

               (ii) An opinion of counsel for the Company, dated the Closing
Date, as required by Section 8(c) hereof.

              (iii) The certificate signed by the Company as referred to in
Section 8(d) hereof.

               (iv) An incumbency certificate setting forth the names of
officers of the Company who are authorized to execute this Agreement and all
documents executed by the Company pursuant hereto, together with their
respective signatures, signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.

                (v) An executed counterpart to each of the Escrow Agreement,
each of the agreements and the Stockholders Agreement referred to in Sections
7(c), 7(d) and 7(e) hereof, respectively.

               (vi) Director resignations as required to comply with Section
7(f) hereof.


                                       42
<PAGE>


          (d) At the Closing, Purchaser shall deliver to the Company the
following:

                (i) The wire transfers of funds provided in Section 2 hereof.

               (ii) An opinion of counsel for Purchaser, dated the Closing
Date, setting forth the matters required pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof.

              (iii) The certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of
Purchaser referred to in Section 9(d) hereof.

               (iv) An incumbency certificate setting forth the names of
officers of Purchaser who are authorized to execute this Agreement and all
documents executed by Purchaser pursuant hereto, together with their respective
signatures, signed by a duly authorized officer of Purchaser.

                (v) An executed counterpart to each of the Escrow Agreement and
the Stockholders Agreement referred to in Sections 7(c) and 7(e), respectively.

          11.  NO BROKERS.  The Company represents to Purchaser, and Purchaser
represents to the Company, that they respectively have had no dealings with any
broker or finder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, other than, with respect to the Company, Lazard Freres & Co. LLC.  As
set forth in the Company/LLC Purchase Agreement, LLC will indemnify and hold
Purchaser harmless from and against any and all liability to which Purchaser may
be subjected by reason of any broker's, finder's or similar fee with respect to
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to the extent such fee is
attributable to any action undertaken by or on behalf of LLC or the Company.


                                       43
<PAGE>


Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold the Company and LLC harmless from and
against any and all liability to which the Company and LLC may be subjected by
reason of any broker's, finder's or similar fee with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement to the extent such fee is attributable to any
action undertaken by or on behalf of Purchaser.

          12.  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The parties hereto
agree that the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement shall
survive for a period ending three years after the filing of the Company's
federal income tax return for fiscal 1995 and thereafter shall expire.  The sole
remedy for any breach of any representation or warranty set forth in this
Agreement shall be as set forth in Section 13 hereof.

          13.  INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

          (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold Purchaser, its affiliates
and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, stockholders,
partners, agents and representatives in their capacities as such (collectively,
"Purchaser Indemnitees") harmless from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, damages, deficiencies and expenses (including, without limitation,
expenses associated with contesting any proposed adjustment relating to Taxes,
and fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by any Purchaser Indemnitee in
any action or proceeding between the Company and such Purchaser Indemnitee in
which such Purchaser Indemnitee prevails pursuant to a final non-appealable
judgment or between such Purchaser Indemnitee and any third party or otherwise)
directly incurred by any of the Purchaser Indemnitees (including, without
limitation, by reason of a diminishment of value of


                                       44
<PAGE>


the Purchaser's interest in the Company; for example, and without giving effect
to Section 13(d), if the Company suffered a $100,000 loss, the Purchaser would
be entitled to an indemnification payment of $75,000) resulting from (i) any
misrepresentation or breach of warranty set forth in this Agreement on the part
of the Company, it being agreed by the Company that for purposes of this Section
13 only, the materiality exceptions set forth in the Company's representations
and warranties shall be given no effect and (ii) any liability for Taxes
incurred by Purchaser or its affiliates pursuant to Treasury Regulation SECTION
1.1502-6(a) or comparable provision of State, local or foreign law.

          (b) Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold the Company, its affiliates
and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, stockholders,
partners, agents and representatives in their capacities as such (collectively,
the "Company Indemnitees") harmless from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, damages, deficiencies and expenses (including, without limitation,
fees and disbursements of counsel incurred by a Company Indemnitee in any action
or proceeding between Purchaser and such Company Indemnitee in which such
Company Indemnitee prevails pursuant to a final non-appealable judgment or
between such Company Indemnitee and any third party or otherwise) directly
incurred by the Company Indemnitees resulting from any misrepresentation or
breach of warranty set forth in this Agreement on the part of Purchaser, it
being agreed by Purchaser that for purposes of this Section 13 only, the
materiality exceptions set forth in Purchaser's representations and warranties
shall be given no effect.


                                       45
<PAGE>


          (c) The indemnification by the Company set forth in subsection (a)
above and any and all liabilities and obligations of and causes of action
against the Company, and any recovery in respect thereof, arising out of or
relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (i) shall be
effective only if, and to the extent that, the aggregate of such losses,
liabilities, damages, deficiencies or expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees) indemnified against shall exceed $350,000, in which event such
indemnification shall be effective with respect to all such losses, liabilities
or damages in excess of such amount, and shall be limited to an aggregate
payment of no more than $10,000,000 as provided in subsection (g) below.

          (d) If any legal proceedings shall be instituted or any claim or
demand shall be asserted by any person in respect of which payment may be sought
by an indemnified party from an indemnifying party pursuant to the provisions of
this Section 13, regardless in the case of the Company of the $350,000 minimum
referred to in subsection (c) above, the indemnified party promptly shall cause
written notice of the assertion of any claim of which it has knowledge which is
covered by this indemnity to be forwarded to the indemnifying party, and the
indemnifying party shall have the right, at its option and at its own expense,
to be represented by counsel of its choice (which counsel shall be reasonably
acceptable to the indemnified parties) and to defend against, negotiate, settle
or otherwise deal with any third-party proceeding, claim or demand which relates
to any loss, liability, damage or deficiency indemnified against hereunder.  The
parties hereto agree to cooperate fully with each other in


                                       46
<PAGE>


connection with the defense, negotiation or settlement of any such legal
proceeding, claim or demand, and an indemnified party may elect to participate
in the defense, negotiation or settlement thereof with counsel of its choice at
its expense.  An indemnifying party shall not settle any proceeding, claim or
demand for which indemnification is available hereunder without the indemnified
party's prior written consent; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, if such consent is withheld
with respect to a settlement which involves (i) only the payment of cash, (ii)
provides a complete release to all indemnified parties and (iii) does not exceed
the amount in the escrow held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement, then the
indemnifying party shall not be required to indemnify the indemnified party
hereunder for any expense or costs to settle the matter in excess of cost of the
settlement rejected by the indemnified party.  Purchaser hereby acknowledges and
agrees that the defense or settlement of any third party claim for which
Purchaser seeks indemnification from the Company hereunder pursuant to the terms
of this Section 13(d) shall be exclusively controlled on behalf of the Company
by the Management Employees.

          Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the
indemnities provided for in this Section 13 shall exist with respect to any
loss, liability, damage or deficiency whether or not the actual amount thereof
shall have been ascertained prior to the conclusion of the three-year period
referred to in Section 12 hereof, as long as written notice of the matter as to
which indemnification has been asserted shall have been given to the


                                       47
<PAGE>


Company by Purchaser, or to Purchaser by the Company, as the case may be, prior
to the conclusion of such three-year period.

          (e) Any indemnity payments otherwise due and payable hereunder shall
be decreased to the extent of any reduction of tax liability that is actually
realized by the indemnified party upon payment of an indemnifiable loss net of
all insurance proceeds and other recoveries actually received by the indemnified
party in respect of the indemnified matter.

          (f) Any payments under this Section 13 shall be treated by the parties
hereto for federal, state, local and foreign income tax purposes either as a
non-taxable reimbursement or capital contribution or as a purchase price
adjustment, as the case may be, except to the extent that another treatment is
required by law.

          (g) Each of the parties agree that any amounts payable by the Company
to Purchaser pursuant to this Section 13 shall be paid solely from the funds
held in escrow pursuant to the Escrow Agreement and that Purchaser shall not
have any recourse for any such amounts against the Company, its directors,
officers, employees, direct or indirect stockholders or control persons.

          14.  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties hereto acknowledge that
irreparable damage would result if this Agreement is not specifically enforced.
Therefore, the parties hereto agree that the rights and obligations of the
parties under this Agreement, including, without limitation, their respective
rights and obligations to issue and to purchase the Purchaser


                                       48
<PAGE>


Shares, shall be enforceable by a decree of specific performance issued by any
court of competent jurisdiction, and appropriate injunctive relief may be
applied for and granted in connection therewith.  Such remedies shall, however,
be cumulative and not exclusive and shall be in addition to any other remedies
which any party may have under this Agreement or otherwise.

          15.  TERMINATION.  Anything contained in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement may be terminated:

               (a) At any time on or prior to the Closing Date, by the mutual
consent in writing of Purchaser and the Company; or

               (b) By either Purchaser or the Company if the Closing shall not
have occurred on or before August 15, 1996 (or such later date as may be agreed
upon in writing by the parties hereto).

               (c)  By either the Company or Purchaser if there shall be in
effect a final nonappealable order of a governmental body of competent
jurisdiction restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Company/LLC Purchase Agreement;
it being agreed that the parties hereto shall promptly appeal any adverse
determination which is not nonappealable (and pursue such appeal with reasonable
diligence).

          In the event that this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to this
Section 15, all further obligations of the parties under this Agreement (other
than Sections 17 and 23) shall


                                       49
<PAGE>


terminate without further liability of either party to the other, provided that
nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for its breach of this
Agreement.

          16.  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  The parties hereto each agree to execute
such other documents or agreements as may be necessary or desirable for the
implementation of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

          17.  CONFIDENTIALITY; PRESS RELEASES. (a) As more specifically set
forth in the Confidentiality Agreement, prior to the Closing, Purchaser agrees
to keep proprietary information regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries
confidential and agrees that it will only use such information in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and not disclose any of
such information other than (i) to Purchaser's directors, officers, employees,
representatives, advisors, and agents (including financing sources) who are or
may be involved with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,(ii) to the
extent such information presently is or hereafter becomes available, on a non-
confidential basis, from a source other than the Company or Purchaser, and
(iii) the extent disclosure is required by law, regulation or judicial order by
any governmental authority.

          (b) The Company agrees to keep proprietary information regarding
Purchaser confidential and agrees that it will only use such information in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and not disclose
any of such information other than (i) to the Company's directors, officers,
employees, representatives and agents who are involved with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, (ii) to the extent such


                                       50
<PAGE>


information presently is or hereafter becomes available, on a non-confidential
basis, from a source other than the Company or Purchaser, and (iii) to the
extent disclosure is required by law, regulation or judicial order by any
governmental authority.

          (c)  Prior to any disclosure required by law, regulation or judicial
order, Purchaser or the Company, as the case may be, shall advise the other of
such requirement so that it may seek a protective order.

          (d) Prior to Closing or thereafter, neither Purchaser nor the Company
shall make any press release or public announcement in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of the other
party or, if required by law, without prior consultation with the other party.

          18.  NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication hereunder may be
given to a party at its address set forth below or to such other address as such
party shall have given notice of pursuant hereto.  Any notice shall be in
writing and or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, by facsimile, by personal delivery or reputable overnight
courier.  Notices shall be deemed to have been given (i) in case of personal
delivery, when receipt has been confirmed, (ii) in the case of delivery to a
reputable overnight courier, on the next day, (iii) in the case of mail, on the
third Business Day following deposit in the mails and (iv) in the case of
facsimile, when telecopied with confirmation of transmission.


                                       51
<PAGE>


          In the case of Purchaser:

               c/o Jupiter Partners L.P.
               30 Rockefeller Plaza
               Suite 4525
               New York, New York  10112
               Attention:  John A. Sprague
               Telecopy:  212-332-2820

          With a copy to:

               Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
               1285 Avenue of the Americas
               New York, New York  10019-6064
               Attention:  Richard S. Borisoff, Esq.
               Telecopy:   212-373-2523

          In the case of the Company:

               Core-Mark International, Inc.
               395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415
               South San Francisco,  CA  94060
               Attention:  Leo F. Korman
               Telecopy:   415-952-4284

          With copies to:

               Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
               767 Fifth Avenue
               New York, New York  10153
               Attention:   Ronald F. Daitz, Esq.
               Telecopy:    212-310-8007

          19.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and the Confidentiality
Agreement represent the entire understanding and agreement between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and can be amended,
supplemented or changed, and any provision hereof can be waived, only by written
instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed


                                       52
<PAGE>


by the party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, supplement,
modification or waiver is sought.

          20.  SUCCESSORS.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement and all rights and obligations
hereunder may not be assigned or transferred without the prior written consent
of the other party hereto.

          21.  SECTION HEADINGS.  The section headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

          22.  APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, construed
and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

          23.  EXPENSES.  Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
are consummated, and except as otherwise specifically provided in this
agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such
costs or expenses.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) all transaction-related
fees and expenses incurred by the Company and/or LLC, including, without
limitation, the fees and expenses for services by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP,
Keesal, Young & Logan, Lazard Freres & Co. and the Company's accountants, and
any other advisor of LLC or the Company shall be borne by LLC and not by the
Company or the Purchaser and, simultaneously with the Closing, LLC will
reimburse the Company for any of


                                       53
<PAGE>


such fees and expenses paid by the Company and (ii) if the Closing does not
occur notwithstanding that Purchaser has used all reasonable and diligent
efforts to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and is not
in breach of its obligations in this Agreement, all transaction-related fees and
expenses incurred by Purchaser (including, without limitation, all commitment
and other fees payable in connection with the financing of the purchase price
hereunder, all legal fees and expenses, and all fees and expenses payable to
Jupiter Advisor Inc.) up to a maximum amount of $1,000,000 shall be reimbursed
to Purchaser by the Company.

          24.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          25.  NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  Except as expressly provided in
Section 13 hereof, no provision of this Agreement is for the benefit of or shall
confer any rights upon any person who is not a party to this Agreement.


                                       54
<PAGE>

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


                         CM/J ACQUISITION, LLC



                         By:
                             /s/ John A. Sprague
                             ------------------------------
                              Name:  John A. Sprague
                              Title: Authorized Signatory


                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.



                         By:
                             /s/ Gary L. Walsh
                             ------------------------------
                              Name:  Gary L. Walsh
                              Title: Chairman And Chief Executive Officer


                                       55
<PAGE>

                                    GUARANTY


          The undersigned, Jupiter Partners, L.P., hereby unconditionally
guarantees the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of
CM/J Acquisition, LLC under the foregoing Agreement.  The liabilities of Jupiter
Partners, L.P. under this Guaranty shall in no event exceed $60,000,000.

                                        JUPITER PARTNERS, L.P.
                                        By:  Ganymede, L.P., its General
                                             Partner
                                        By:  Europa, L.P., its General Partner


                                        By:
                                           /s/ John A. Sprague
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                      General Partner


                                       56
<PAGE>


          AMENDMENT NO. 1, dated as of August 6, 1996, between CM/J Acquisition,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Purchaser"), and Core-Mark
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

          The Purchaser and the Company are parties to the Stock Subscription
Agreement dated June 17, 1996 (the "Agreement").  The Purchaser and the Company
wish to amend the Agreement in certain respects and, accordingly, the parties
hereto hereby agree as follows:

          1.   DEFINITIONS.  Except as otherwise defined in this Amendment
No. 1, terms defined in the Agreement are used herein as defined therein.

          2.   AMENDMENTS.  Effective as of the date hereof, the Agreement is
hereby amended as follows:

               (a)  The third and fourth "WHEREAS" clauses in the recitals to
the Agreement are hereby amended to read, in their entirety, as follows:

               "WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue and sell to Purchaser, and
     Purchaser desires to purchase from the Company, (i) 26.61290 shares of the
     common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Purchaser
     Shares"), which Purchaser Shares will represent, upon consummation of the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Company/LLC Purchase
     Agreement (as hereinafter defined), 75% of the issued and outstanding
     capital stock of the Company, and (ii) a Subordinated Note (as hereinafter
     defined), each for the purchase price and upon the terms and conditions
     hereinafter set forth; and

               "WHEREAS, immediately following the sale and purchase of the
     Purchaser Shares provided for herein, the Company, pursuant to the terms of
     the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 17, 1996, between LLC (or assigns)
     and the Company, as amended on the date hereof, a copy of which agreement,
     as amended, is attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Company/LLC Purchase
     Agreement"), will purchase from LLC or its assigns 91.12903 of the LLC
     Shares, and the 8.87097 shares not so purchased will represent, upon

<PAGE>

                                                                               2


     consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, 25% of the
     issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company and such retained
     shares will, as a consequence of the liquidation of LLC and CMI
     Partnership, be issued to the individuals and in the amounts set forth in
     Schedule 3(b) hereto;"

               (b)  Section 1 of the Agreement is hereby amended by adding the
following definitions:

                    "'SUBORDINATED DEBT' shall mean indebtedness of the Company
having the principal terms set forth on Schedule 1."

                    "'SUBORDINATED NOTE' shall mean a promissory note of the
Company evidencing Subordinated Debt."

               (c)  Section 2 of the Agreement is hereby amended to read, in its
entirety, as follows:

          "2.  SALE OF SHARES AND NOTE; PURCHASE PRICE.  (a)  On the terms and
     subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company hereby
     agrees to issue, sell and deliver to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby agrees
     to purchase from the Company, at the Closing, (i) the Purchaser Shares and
     (ii) a Subordinated Note with an original issue price of $18,750,000.

               (b)  The per share purchase price to be paid by Purchaser for the
     Purchaser Shares shall be $1,550,000, for a total purchase price of
     $41,250,000, which shall be payable in U.S. dollars in immediately
     available funds as hereinafter provided.

               (c)  The purchase price for the Subordinated Note shall be
     $18,750,000, which shall be payable in U.S. dollars in immediately
     available funds as provided herein.

               (d)  The Company hereby directs Purchaser to pay, on the Closing
     Date, by wire transfer in U.S. dollars in immediately available federal
     funds $60,000,000 to an account specified on or prior to the Closing Date
     by the Company.

               Immediately following the sale and purchase of the Purchaser
     Shares, the Company will transfer to an account designated by LLC
     $125,000,000, payable in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, and
     will issue and deliver Subordinated Notes to LLC (or assigns) with an
     aggregate

<PAGE>

                                                                               3


     original issue price of $6,250,000, and such Notes as a consequence of the
     liquidation of LLC and CMI Partnership will be issued to the individuals
     and in the amounts specified in Schedule 3(b), in payment of the purchase
     price for the 91.12903 LLC shares to be purchased by the Company pursuant
     to the Company/LLC Purchase Agreement.

               (e)  On the Closing Date, the Company shall pay, by wire transfer
     in U.S. dollars in immediately available federal funds, $10,000,000 (the
     "Additional Consideration") to an account specified on or prior to the
     Closing Date to the escrow agent mutually selected by the Company and
     Purchaser to be held in accordance with the Escrow Agreement."

               (d)  Schedule 3(b) to the Agreement is hereby deleted and
replaced with Schedule 3(b) hereto.

               (e)  Section 3(d) of the Agreement is hereby amended by changing,
in the second sentence thereof, "87.09677" to "91.12903."

               (f)  Section 4(f) of the Agreement is hereby amended by adding,
after the words "Purchaser Shares," as such words appear once in the first and
second sentences thereof and twice in the fourth sentence thereof, the words
"and the Subordinated Notes acquired hereunder."

               (g)  Section 10(c)(i) of the Agreement is hereby amended to read,
in its entirety, as follows:

               "(i)(x)  Certificates representing the Purchaser Shares duly
     registered on the books of the Company in the name of Purchaser, and (y) a
     Subordinated Note payable to the order of Purchaser with an original issue
     price of $18,750,000."

               (h)  The Company/LLC Purchase Agreement set forth as Exhibit A of
the Agreement shall be amended as follows:

<PAGE>

                                                                               4


                    (1)  The second "WHEREAS" clause in the recitals to the
     Company/LLC Purchase Agreement shall be amended to read, in its entirety,
     as follows:

               "WHEREAS, immediately following the issuance and sale by
     Purchaser to CM/J Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
     (hereinafter referred to as "CAC"), of 26.61290 shares of its Common Stock
     and a Subordinated Note (as defined in the CAC Subscription Agreement) with
     an original issue price of $18,750,000, pursuant to the terms of the Stock
     Subscription Agreement, dated the date hereof, between Purchaser and CAC
     (the "CAC Subscription Agreement"), Seller (or assigns) will sell to
     Purchaser, and Purchaser will purchase from Seller (or assigns), 91.12903
     shares of Common Stock (the "Seller Shares"), for the purchase price and
     upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;

                    (2)  Section 1 of the Company/LLC Purchase Agreement shall
     be amended to read, in its entirety, as follows:

               "1.  PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE.  (a)  On the
     terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller
     hereby agrees to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase
     from Seller, at the Closing (as hereinafter defined), the Seller Shares.

                 (b)  The total purchase price to be paid by Purchaser for the
     Seller Shares (the "Purchase Price") shall be $131,250,000 plus the
     Additional Consideration (as hereinafter defined), which Purchase Price
     shall be payable (i) $125,000,000 in U.S. dollars in immediately available
     funds, and (ii) the remainder by delivery of Subordinated Notes with an
     original issue price of $6,250,000.

                 (c)  Any funds held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement (as
     defined in the CAC Subscription Agreement) at the termination thereof
     following the distribution to CAC of all payments therefrom to which it is
     entitled shall be distributed by the escrow agent in the manner to be
     determined by the members of Seller, which distribution of the remaining
     funds held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement shall constitute additional
     consideration for the Seller Shares (the "Additional Consideration")."

                    (3)  Section 5(c) of the Company/LLC Purchase Agreement
     shall be amended to read, in its entirety, as follows:

<PAGE>

                                                                               5


               "(c)  At the Closing, Purchaser shall (i) cause the wire transfer
     of $125,000,000 in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to be made
     to an account specified by Seller and shall issue and deliver Subordinated
     Notes with an aggregate original issue price of $6,250,000 as specified on
     Schedule 3(b) to the CAC Subscription Agreement."

          3.   EFFECTIVENESS.  This Amendment No. 1 shall become effective upon
the amendment of the Company/LLC Agreement as provided herein, which the Company
represents has occurred concurrently with the execution of this Amendment No. 1.

          4.   MISCELLANEOUS.  Except as provided herein, the Agreement shall
remain unchanged and in full force and effect.  This Amendment No. 1 shall be
governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the law of the State
of New York.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Amendment No. 1 as of the day and year first above written.

                                        CM/J ACQUISITION, LLC


                                        By
                                          /s/ Gary L. Walsh
                                          ------------------------------



                                        CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                        By
                                          /s/ Leo F. Korman
                                          ------------------------------
<PAGE>


                                  Schedule 3(b)
                              Management Employees


                                    Shares              Subordinated Note
                                    ------              -----------------

Gary L. Walsh                      2.21775                 $1,562,505

Robert A. Allen                    1.81855                  1,281,251

Leo F. Korman                      1.37500                    968,750

J. Michael Walsh                   1.37500                    968,750

Basil P. Prokop                    1.06451                    749,995

Leo Granucci                       1,02016                    718,749
                                   -------                 ----------

                                   8.87097                 $6,250,000

<PAGE>


                                                                      Schedule 1




                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                          SUBORDINATED DEBT TERM SHEET


Ownership                      Pro-rata by common shareholders according to
                               their common interests


Principal Amount               To be computed at closing on the basis of a
                               deemed annual interest rate of 6.73%,
                               compounded semi-annually, for the period
                               commencing on the closing and ending on July 1,
                               2001


Original Issue Price           $25 million


Interest Rate                  0% through July 1, 2001 (deemed annual interest
                               to be added to original issue price to
                               determine principal amount); 6.73% per annum
                               thereafter on the then outstanding principal
                               amount, payable semi-annually


Maturity Date                  July 31, 2004; single payment maturity


Optional Redemption            Callable at any time at original issue price
                               plus accrued OID.


Ranking                        Subordinated to all present and future
                               indebtedness for borrowed money and like debt

Restrictive Covenants          None

<PAGE>




                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                 BY AND BETWEEN


                                CORE-MARK L.L.C.


                                       AND


                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.




                                  JUNE 17, 1996



<PAGE>

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

          AGREEMENT, made this 17th day of June, 1996, by and between Core-Mark
L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as
"Seller"), and Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter referred to as "Purchaser").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

          WHEREAS, Seller currently owns 100 shares of common stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of Purchaser (the "Common Stock"), which, as of the date
hereof, represents all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Purchaser;
and
          WHEREAS, immediately following the issuance and sale by Purchaser of
38.70968 shares of its Common Stock to CM/J Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (hereinafter referred to as "CAC"), pursuant to the terms of
the Stock Subscription Agreement, dated the date hereof, between Purchaser and
CAC (the "CAC Subscription Agreement"), Seller will sell to Purchaser, and
Purchaser will purchase from Seller, 87.09677 shares of Common Stock (the
"Seller Shares"), for the purchase price and upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

<PAGE>

          1.  PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE.  (a)  On the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller hereby agrees
to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from Seller, at
the Closing (as hereinafter defined), the Seller Shares.

          (b)  The total purchase price to be paid by Purchaser for the Seller
Shares (the "Purchase Price") shall be $125,000,000 plus the Additional
Consideration (as hereinafter defined), which Purchase Price shall be payable in
U.S. dollars in immediately available funds.

          (c)  Any funds held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement (as defined in
the CAC Subscription Agreement) at the termination thereof following the
distribution to CAC of all payments therefrom to which it is entitled shall be
distributed by the escrow agent in the manner to be determined by the members of
Seller, which distribution of the remaining funds held pursuant to the Escrow
Agreement shall constitute additional consideration for the Seller Shares (the
"Additional Consideration").

          2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER.  Purchaser hereby
represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

          (a)  ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.  Purchaser is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and has full corporate power and authority to own its properties and
carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

          (b)  EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT.  Purchaser has the corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transaction
contemplated hereby.  The


                                        2
<PAGE>

execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transaction
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of Purchaser.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
by Purchaser and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of
Purchaser, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

          (c)  NO RESTRICTION.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby will not conflict with
or result in a breach of any applicable law or judicial or administrative order
or decree or any terms of any agreement to which Purchaser is a party, except
for such conflicts and breaches of any agreement that in the aggregate have no
reasonable likelihood of having a material adverse effect on Purchaser's ability
to consummate the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, nor will it
violate any of the provisions of Purchaser's organizational documents.

          (d)  GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS.  No consent, approval or authorization of,
or filing with, any governmental authority on the part of Purchaser is required
in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby.

          3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER.  Seller hereby
represents and warrants to Purchaser as follows:

          (a)  ORGANIZATION AND GOOD STANDING.  Seller is a limited liability
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Delaware, and


                                        3
<PAGE>

has the requisite power and authority to own its properties and carry on its
business as it is now being conducted.

          (b)  EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT.  Seller has the requisite power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transaction
contemplated hereby.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by
all necessary action on the part of Seller.   This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Seller and constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of Seller, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

          (c)  NO RESTRICTION.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby will not conflict with
or result in a breach of any applicable law or judicial or administrative order
or decree or any terms of any agreement to which Seller is a party, except for
such conflicts and breaches of any agreement that in the aggregate have no
reasonable likelihood of having a material adverse effect on Seller's ability to
consummate the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, nor will it violate
any of the provisions of Seller's organizational documents.

          (d)  GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS.  No consent, approval or authorization of,
or filing with, any governmental authority on the part of Seller is required in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
of the transaction contemplated hereby.

          (e)  OWNERSHIP OF SELLER SHARES.  Seller owns and has good and valid
title to the Seller Shares free and clear of all security interests, liens,
claims and similar encumbrances.


                                        4
<PAGE>

          4.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO PURCHASER'S AND SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS.  The
obligations of Purchaser and Seller to consummate the sale and purchase of the
Seller Shares on the Closing Date is conditioned only upon the occurrence of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the CAC Subscription Agreement.

          5.  CLOSING DATE; CLOSING.  (a)  The closing hereunder (herein called
the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP,
767 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10153 immediately following the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by the CAC Subscription Agreement.  The date of
the Closing is referred to in this Agreement as the "Closing Date".

          (b)  At the Closing, Seller shall deliver, or shall cause to be
delivered, to Purchaser certificates representing the Seller Shares duly
endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed stock powers as requested by
Purchaser.

          (c)  At the Closing, Purchaser shall cause the wire transfer of
$125,000,000 in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to be made to an
account specified by Seller.

          6.  EXPENSES.  Provided that the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the CAC Subscription Agreement are consummated, Seller hereby
agrees to be responsible for and to pay all costs and expenses incurred by it
and Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated by the CAC
Subscription Agreement and this Agreement, including without limitation, the
fees and expenses of Lazard Freres & Co. LLC, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP,
Kessal, Young & Logan and Purchaser's accountants and advisors.  All such costs
and expenses shall be paid to Purchaser simultaneously with the Closing.  From
and after


                                        5
<PAGE>

the time the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the CAC
Subscription Agreement are consummated, Seller will indemnify and hold Purchaser
and CAC harmless from and against any and all liability to which Purchaser or
CAC may be subjected by reason of any broker's, finder's or similar fee with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the CAC
Subscription Agreement to the extent such fee is attributable to any action
undertaken by or on behalf of Seller or Purchaser.  If the CAC Subscription
Agreement and this Agreement are terminated without the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby and hereby, Purchaser will be responsible for
and pay the expenses incurred by it and Seller pursuant to the CAC Subscription
Agreement and this Agreement.

          7.  NO INCONSISTENT ACTIVITIES.  Seller will not solicit, and will
direct its members, officers and other representatives not to, directly or
indirectly encourage, or participate in any way in discussions or negotiations
with, or provide any information or assistance to any third party concerning the
acquisition of shares of capital stock of Purchaser or a substantial portion of
the total assets of Purchaser (whether by merger, purchase of assets or
otherwise).  Seller will promptly communicate to Purchaser and CAC the terms of
any proposal or contact it may receive in respect of any such transaction.
Seller shall not release any third party from any confidentiality or standstill
agreement to which Seller is a party without the prior written consent of CAC.

          8.  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties hereto acknowledge that
irreparable damage would result to the parties and to CAC if this Agreement is
not specifically enforced.  Therefore, the rights and obligations of the parties
under this Agreement, including, without


                                        6
<PAGE>

limitation, their respective rights and obligations to sell and to purchase the
Seller Shares, shall be enforceable by the parties and by CAC a decree of
specific performance issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, and
appropriate injunctive relief may be applied for and granted in connection
therewith.  Such remedies shall, however, be cumulative and not exclusive and
shall be in addition to any other remedies which any party may have under this
Agreement or otherwise.

          9.  TERMINATION.  This Agreement may be terminated only if the CAC
Subscription Agreement is terminated, in which event this Agreement
automatically shall terminate.  In the event that this Agreement shall be
terminated pursuant to this Section 9, all further obligations of the parties
under this Agreement shall terminate without further liability of either party
to the other.

          10.  NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication hereunder may be
given to a party at its address set forth below or to such other address as such
party shall have given notice of pursuant hereto.  Any notice shall be in
writing and sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return
receipt requested, by facsimile, by personal delivery or reputable overnight
courier.  Notices shall be deemed to have been given in case of personal
delivery when receipt has been confirmed, in the case of delivery to a reputable
overnight courier, on the next day, in the case of mail, on the third business
day following deposit in the mails and in the case of facsimile, when telecopied
with confirmation of transmission.


                                        7
<PAGE>

          In the case of Purchaser:

                    Core-Mark L.L.C.
                    395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415
                    South San Francisco, CA 94060
                    Attention:     Gary L. Walsh
                    Telecopy: 415-952-4284



          In the case of Purchaser:

                    Core-Mark International, Inc.
                    395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415
                    South San Francisco, CA 94060
                    Attention:  Leo F. Korman
                    Telecopy:  415-952-4284

          11.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement represents the entire
understanding and agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and can be amended, supplemented or changed, and any
provision hereof can be waived, only by written instrument making specific
reference to this Agreement signed by the party against whom enforcement of any
such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is sought.

          12.  SUCCESSORS.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement and all rights and obligations
hereunder may not be assigned or transferred without the prior written consent
of the other party hereto.

          13.  SECTION HEADINGS.  The section headings contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.


                                        8
<PAGE>

          14.  APPLICABLE LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, construed
and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of New York.

          15.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          16.  PRESS RELEASE.  Prior to the Closing or thereafter, Seller shall
not make any press release or public announcement in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written consent of Purchaser
and CAC or, if disclosure is required by law, without prior consultation with
Purchaser and CAC.

          17.  THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY; AMENDMENT.  This Agreement is for the
benefit of the parties hereto and for the benefit of CAC.  The parties
acknowledge and agree that CAC, as a third party beneficiary of this Agreement,
is executing the CAC Subscription Agreement in reliance on this Agreement and
CAC may enforce this Agreement as if it were a party hereto.  The parties agree
that this Agreement will not be amended without the prior written consent of
CAC.


                                        9
<PAGE>

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


                     CORE-MARK L.L.C.



                     By:  
                          /s/ Gary L. Walsh
                          ------------------------------
                          Name:  Gary L. Walsh
                          Title: Managing General Partner of CMI Parntership,
                          Holder of all the Class A Interests


                     CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.



                     By:  
                          /s/ Leo F. Korman
                          ------------------------------
                          Name:  Leo F. Korman
                          Title: Senior Vice President


                                       10
<PAGE>
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1

                                       TO

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                 BY AND BETWEEN

                                CORE-MARK L.L.C.

                                       AND

                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.



                                 AUGUST 6, 1996
<PAGE>

                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

          AMENDMENT NO. 1, made this 6th day of August, 1996, by and between
Core-Mark L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (hereinafter referred to
as "Seller"), and Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(hereinafter referred to as "Purchaser").
                              W I T N E S S E T H :

          WHEREAS, Seller and Purchaser are parties to the Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated June 17, 1996 (the "Agreement"); and

          WHEREAS, Seller and Purchaser wish to amend the Agreement in certain
respects, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.   DEFINITIONS.  Except as otherwise defined in this Amendment No.
1, terms defined in the Agreement are used herein as defined therein.

          2.   AMENDMENTS.  Effective as of the date hereof, the Agreement is
hereby amended as follows:

               (a)  The second "WHEREAS" clause in the recitals to the
     Agreement shall be amended to read, in its entirety, as follows:
<PAGE>

                    "WHEREAS, immediately following the issuance and
          sale by Purchaser to CM/J Acquisition, LLC, a Delaware
          limited liability company (hereinafter referred to as
          "CAC"), of 26.61290 shares of its Common Stock and a
          Subordinated Note (as defined in the CAC Subscription
          Agreement) with an original issue price of $18,750,000,
          pursuant to the terms of the Stock Subscription Agreement,
          dated the date hereof, between Purchaser and CAC (the "CAC
          Subscription Agreement"), Seller (or assigns) will sell to
          Purchaser, and Purchaser will purchase from Seller (or
          assigns), 91.12903 shares of Common Stock (the "Seller
          Shares"), for the purchase price and upon the terms and
          conditions hereinafter set forth;

          (b)  Section 1 of the Agreement shall be amended to read, in its
entirety, as follows:

          "1.  PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES; PURCHASE PRICE.  (a) On the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller hereby agrees
to sell to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from Seller, at
the Closing (as hereinafter defined), the Seller Shares.

          (b)  The total purchase price to be paid by Purchaser for the Seller
Shares (the "Purchase Price") shall be $131,250,000 plus the Additional
Consideration (as hereinafter defined), which Purchase Price shall be payable
(i) $125,000,000 in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, and (ii) the
remainder by delivery of Subordinated Notes with an original issue price of
$6,250,000.

          (c)  Any funds held pursuant to the Escrow Agreement (as defined in
the CAC Subscription Agreement) at the termination thereof following the
distribution to CAC of all payments therefrom to which it is entitled shall be
distributed by the escrow agent in the manner to be determined by the members of
Seller (or assigns)n, which distribution of the remaining funds held pursuant to
the Escrow Agreement shall constitute additional consideration for the Seller
Shares (the "Additional Consideration")."

          (c)  Section 5(c) of the Agreement shall be amended to read, in its
entirety, as follows:

          "(c) At the Closing, Purchaser shall (i) cause the wire transfer of
$125,000,000 in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to be made to an
account specified by Seller and shall issue and deliver Subordinated Notes with
an aggregate original issue price of $6,250,000 as specified on Schedule 3(b) to
the CAC Subscription Agreement."


                                        2
<PAGE>

          3.   EFFECTIVENESS.  This Amendment No. 1 shall become effective upon
the amendment of the CAC Subscription Agreement as provided herein, which the
Company represents has occurred concurrently with the execution of this
Amendment No. 1.

          4.   MISCELLANEOUS.  Except as provided herein, the Agreement shall
remain unchanged and in full force and effect.  This Amendment No. 1 shall be
governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the law of the State
of New York.


                                        3
<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement on the day and year first above
written.


                         CORE-MARK L.L.C.



                         By:  /s/ Gary L. Walsh
                              ------------------------------
                              Name:  Gary L. Walsh
                              Title: Managing General Partner of CMI
                                     Partnership, holder of all the Class A
                                     Interests


                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.



                         By:  /s/ Leo F. Korman
                              ------------------------------
                              Name:  Leo F. Korman
                              Title: Senior Vice President


                                        4

<PAGE>


                             CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                          OF

                            CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.



         THE UNDERSIGNED, being a natural person for the purpose of organizing
a corporation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
("DGCL"), hereby certifies that:

         FIRST:  The name of the Corporation is: Core-Mark International, Inc.
(the "CORPORATION").

         SECOND:  The address of the registered office of the Corporation in
the State of Delaware is: 32 Loockerman Square, Suite L-100, Dover, Kent County,
Delaware 19904.  The name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the
State of Delaware at such address is: The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.

         THIRD:  The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in and conduct any
lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

         FOURTH:  The total number of shares of capital stock that the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is 3,000, all of which shall be shares
of Common Stock having a par value of $.01 per share.

         FIFTH:  The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator are:
Brian B. Margolis, Weil, Gotshal & Manges, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York
10153.

         SIXTH:  In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred
by law, subject to any limitations contained elsewhere in this Certificate of
Incorporation, By-Laws of the Corporation may be adopted, amended or repealed by
a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, but any By-Laws of the
Corporation  adopted by the Board of Directors may be amended or repealed by the
stockholders entitled to vote thereon.  Election of directors need not be by
written ballot.
<PAGE>

         SEVENTH: (a)  A director of the Corporation shall not be personally
liable either to the Corporation or to any stockholder for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except (i) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, or (ii) for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, or (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL or any
successor provision thereto or (iv) for any transaction from which the director
shall have derived an improper personal benefit.  Neither amendment nor repeal
of this paragraph (a) nor the adoption of any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation inconsistent with this paragraph (a) shall eliminate or reduce the
effect of this paragraph (a) in respect of any matter occurring, or any cause of
action, suit or claim that, but for this paragraph (a) of this Article SEVENTH,
would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an
inconsistent provision.

         (b) The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to, or testifies in, any threatened, pending
or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative in nature, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director, officer, employee, agent, stockholder or a holder of any ownership
interest in any stockholder of the Corporation (each, an "INDEMNITEE"), or is or
was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or
other enterprise (an "OTHER ENTITY"), against expenses (including attorneys'
fees and disbursements), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding to the full extent permitted by law.  Persons who are not
Indemnitees of the Corporation may be similarly indemnified in respect of
service to the Corporation or to an Other Entity at the request of the
Corporation to the extent the Board of Directors at any time specifies that such
persons are entitled to the benefits of this Article SEVENTH, and the
Corporation may adopt By-Laws or enter into agreements with any such person for
the purpose of providing for such indemnification.

         (c) The Corporation shall, from time to time, reimburse or advance to
any Indemnitee or other person entitled to indemnification under this Article
SEVENTH the


                                          2

<PAGE>

funds necessary for payment of expenses (including attorney's fees and
disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in defending or
testifying in a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or
proceeding; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Corporation may pay such expenses in
advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt
of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Indemnitee to repay such amount if it
shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision that such Indemnitee
is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation against such expenses as
authorized by this Article SEVENTH, and the Corporation may adopt By-Laws or
enter into agreements with such persons for the purpose of providing for such
advances.

         (d) The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was an Indemnitee of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of an Other Entity against any liability
asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity,
or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not the Corporation
would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the
provisions of this Article SEVENTH or otherwise.

         (e) The rights to indemnification and reimbursement or advancement of
expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article SEVENTH shall not be
deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification
or reimbursement or advancement of expenses may have or hereafter be entitled
under any statute, this Certificate of Incorporation, the By-Laws, any
agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise,
both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another
capacity while holding such office.

         (f) The rights to indemnification and reimbursement or advancement of
expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article SEVENTH shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be an Indemnitee (or other person
indemnified hereunder) and shall inure to the benefit of the executors,
administrators, legatees and distributees of such person.

         (g) The provisions of this Article SEVENTH shall be a contract between
the Corporation, on the one hand, and


                                          3

<PAGE>

each Indemnitee who serves in such capacity at any time while this Article
SEVENTH is in effect and any other person indemnified hereunder, on the other
hand, pursuant to which the Corporation and each such Indemnitee or other person
intend to be legally bound.  No repeal or modification of this Article SEVENTH
shall affect any rights or obligations with respect to any state of facts then
or theretofore existing or thereafter arising or any proceeding theretofore or
thereafter brought or threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state
of facts.

         (h) The rights to indemnification and reimbursement or advancement of
expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article SEVENTH shall be
enforceable by any person entitled to such indemnification or reimbursement or
advancement of expenses in any court of competent jurisdiction.  The burden of
proving that such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is
not appropriate shall be on the Corporation.  Neither the failure of the
Corporation (including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel and
its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is
proper in the circumstances nor an actual determination by the Corporation
(including its Board of Directors, its independent legal counsel and its
stockholders) that such person is not entitled to such indemnification or
reimbursement or advancement of expenses shall constitute a defense to the
action or create a presumption that such person is not so entitled.  Such a
person shall also be indemnified for any expenses incurred in connection with
successfully establishing his or her right to such indemnification or
reimbursement or advancement of expenses, in whole or in part, in any such
proceeding.

         (i) Any Indemnitee of the Corporation serving in any capacity for (a)
another corporation of which a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the
election of its directors is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation or
(b) any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any corporation referred to
in clause (a) shall be deemed to be doing so at the request of the Corporation.

         (j) Any person entitled to be indemnified or to reimbursement or
advancement of expenses as a matter of right pursuant to this Article SEVENTH
may elect to have the right to indemnification or reimbursement or advancement
of


                                          4

<PAGE>

expenses interpreted on the basis of the applicable law in effect at the time of
the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the applicable action, suit
or proceeding, to the extent permitted by law, or on the basis of the applicable
law in effect at the time such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement
of expenses is sought.  Such election shall be made, by a notice in writing to
the Corporation, at the time indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of
expenses is sought; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if no such notice is given, the
right to indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses shall be
determined by the law in effect at the time indemnification or reimbursement or
advancement of expenses is sought.

         EIGHTH:  (a) For purposes of this Article EIGHTH of this Certificate
of Incorporation, the following capitalized terms shall have the following
meanings:

         "AFFILIATE" of a Person means a Person that, directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by or is under
common Control with the subject Person.

         "CONTROL", "CONTROLS" or "CONTROLLED" means the possession, direct or
indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, contract,
or otherwise, and, in any event, any Person owning fifteen percent (15%) or more
of the outstanding Voting Stock of another Person shall be deemed to control
that Person.

         "CREDIT AGREEMENT" means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of
March 2, 1995, among Core-Mark International, Inc., the lenders party thereto,
Citibank, N.A., as U.S. and Canadian Letter of Credit Issuing Bank, Citicorp
USA, Inc. as Swing Line Bank and as Agent, and Citicorp Securities, Inc., as
Arranger.

         "INDEBTEDNESS" means, as to any Person, (i) indebtedness created,
issued or incurred by such Person for borrowed money (whether by loan or the
issuance and sale of debt securities); (ii) obligations of such Person to pay
the deferred purchase or acquisition price of property or services, other than
trade accounts payable arising, and accrued expenses incurred, in the ordinary
course of business so long as such trade accounts payable are payable within 90
days of the date the respective goods are


                                          5

<PAGE>

delivered or respective services rendered; (iii) indebtedness of others secured
by a lien on the property of such Person, whether or not the respective
indebtedness so secured has been assumed by such Person; (iv) obligations of
such Person in respect of letters of credit or similar instruments issued or
accepted by banks and other financial institutions for the account of such
Person; (v) capital lease obligations of such Person; (vi) indebtedness of
others guaranteed by such Person; and (vii) obligations of such Person in
respect of any interest rate swap, cap, collar, floor or other interest rate
protection agreement.

         "INVESTMENT" means (i) the acquisition (whether for cash, property,
services or securities or otherwise) of capital stock, bonds, notes, debentures,
partnership or other ownership interests or other securities of another Person;
and (ii) any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension of credit to,
such Person (other than any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a
term not exceeding 90 days representing the purchase price of inventory or
supplies purchased in the ordinary course of business) or guarantee of, or other
contingent obligation with respect to, Indebtedness or other liability of such
Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, loaned or
extended to such Person.

         "LLC" means Core-Mark L.L.C., a limited liability company organized
under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Law.

         "LLC AGREEMENT" means the Limited Liability Company Agreement of
Core-Mark L.L.C.

         "MEMBER" means each of the Persons party to the LLC Agreement.

         "PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS" means any purchase, lease or other
acquisition by Core-Mark or any Subsidiary of Core-Mark of any business or
assets from, or capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership or
profit interests in, any other Person for a purchase price which, alone or when
added to the aggregate purchase prices paid by Core-Mark or any of its
Subsidiaries in respect of all such acquisitions consummated during the same
fiscal year of Core-Mark, is less than (i) $5,000,000 or (ii) $20,000,000 if the
director designated by the Required B Holders votes in favor of the resolution
of the Board of Directors of


                                          6

<PAGE>

Core-Mark approving and authorizing such purchase, lease or other acquisition.

         "PERMITTED DISPOSITION" means (i) any sale of inventory of Core-Mark
or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (ii) dispositions
of property and assets by Core-Mark or any of its Subsidiaries in connection
with any transaction otherwise permitted by Section 6.06(a) of the LLC
Agreement; (iii) dispositions of damaged, worn-out or obsolete equipment of
Core-Mark or any of its Subsidiaries that is no longer used or useful in the
conduct of business; (iv) sales of assets of Core-
Mark or its Subsidiaries for an aggregate purchase price not exceeding
$5,000,000 in any calendar year; and (v) any sale for cash to a third party
which is not an Affiliate of any of Core-Mark, the LLC, any Member or any
partner of CMI Partnership, a California general partnership ("CMI
PARTNERSHIP"), of all or substantially all the assets or capital stock of
Core-Mark in which the resulting net cash proceeds to Core-Mark or the LLC, as
the case may be (cash proceeds, net of transactions expenses, including legal,
accounting, registration, filing or other expenses and taxes paid (or reasonably
expected to be incurred or payable) in connection therewith), are at least
$30,000,000, in the case of any sale consummated prior to December 31, 1995,
$40,000,000, in the case of any sale consummated on or after December 31, 1995
to and including December 30, 1996, $50,000,000, in the case of any sale
consummated on or after December 31, 1996 to and including December 30, 1997, or
$60,000,000, in the case of any sale consummated on or after December 31, 1997.

         "PERMITTED INVESTMENT" means (i) direct obligations of the United
States or Canada, or of any agency thereof, or obligations guaranteed as to
principal and interest by the United States or Canada, or of any agency thereof,
in either case maturing not more than 90 days from the date of acquisition
thereof; (ii) certificates of deposit issued by The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association) ("CHASE") or Citibank, N.A. and certificates of deposit
rated A-1 or better or P-1 or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's
Investors Service, respectively, issued by any bank or trust company organized
under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or Canada or any
province thereof and having capital, surplus and undivided profits of at least
$500,000,000 (or the Canadian Dollar equivalent), maturing not more than 90 days
from the date of acquisition thereof; (iii) commercial paper issued


                                          7

<PAGE>

by Chase or Citibank, N.A. and commercial paper rated A-1 or better or P-1 by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors Service, respectively,
maturing not more than 90 days from the date of acquisition thereof; (iv)
Investments existing on the date hereof; (v) Investments by Core-Mark in
wholly-owned Subsidiaries, including any Subsidiary created in contemplation of
a structured financing of receivables; (vi) loans and advances to employees in
an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60,000 individually and $300,000 in
the aggregate; (vii) Investments permitted under the Credit Agreement as in
effect on the date hereof; (viii) obligations of Core-Mark in respect of any
interest rate swap, cap, collar, floor or other interest rate protection
agreement; and (ix) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of
debts (created in the ordinary course of business) owing to Core-Mark or its
Subsidiaries pursuant to a reorganization or a bona fide workout of any account
debtor applicable to the creditors of such account debtor generally.

         "PERSON" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
other entity or organization, including any government or political subdivision
or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

         "SUBSIDIARY" of a Person means (i) any corporation of which at least a
majority of the outstanding shares of stock having by the terms thereof ordinary
voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation
(irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes
of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the
happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or
Controlled by such Person and/or one or more of the Subsidiaries of such Person,
or (ii) any partnership of which at least a majority of the partnership or other
ownership interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to direct
or cause the direction of management or policies of such partnership is at the
time directly or indirectly owned by such Person and/or with respect to which
such Person has the power, directly or indirectly, to direct or cause the
direction of certain or all of the management and policies thereof.

         "VOTING STOCK" means, with respect to any Person, securities with
respect to any class or classes of capital stock of such Person entitling the
holders thereof at the


                                          8

<PAGE>


time to vote for the election of a majority of the board of directors (or
persons performing similar functions) of such Person, whether or not the right
to so vote exists by reason of the happening of a contingency.

         "WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, (i) any
corporation all of the shares of capital stock of which, other than directors'
qualifying shares, are owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such
Person, or (ii) any partnership all of the partnership or other ownership
interests of which are owned or Controlled, directly or indirectly, by such
Person.

         (b) In addition to any other vote that may be required by law, for all
periods of time during which the LLC Agreement, or any successor instrument
among the beneficial owners of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock of the
Corporation, providing for special restrictions relating to the voting of the
capital stock of the Corporation with respect to the matters set forth in this
Article EIGHTH, shall remain in full force and effect, a vote of the
stockholders of the Corporation shall be required for the Corporation to:

              (1)  enter, or cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter,
    into any merger or consolidation, or to liquidate, wind up or dissolve
    itself, other than any merger, consolidation or liquidation (A) of any
    Wholly Owned Subsidiary with or into (x) Core-Mark or (y) any other Wholly
    Owned Subsidiary and (B) for the purpose of engaging in any Permitted
    Acquisition;

              (2)  amend its Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws;

              (3)  authorize, or cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
    authorize, the creation or issuance of any capital stock of Core-Mark or
    any of its Subsidiaries, or any options, warrants or other rights
    exercisable for any such stock, or any other securities convertible into or
    exchangeable for any such stock, other than issuances of any such
    securities to the LLC;

              (4)  effect, or cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
    effect, any change in the shares of capital stock of Core-Mark or any of
    its Subsidiaries


                                          9

<PAGE>

    by reclassification, recapitalization, subdivision, consolidation,
    combination or reorganization;

              (5)  purchase, lease or otherwise acquire, or cause or permit any
    of its Subsidiaries to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire, any business
    or assets from, or capital stock or other securities of, or other ownership
    or profit interests in, any Person, or otherwise be a party to any such
    purchase, lease or other acquisition, other than (A) Permitted Investments
    and (B) Permitted Acquisitions;

              (6)  convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or
    cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to convey, sell, lease, transfer or
    otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of related
    transactions, any asset or capital stock, other than in respect of
    Permitted Dispositions and Permitted Investments;

              (7)  engage, or cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
    engage, in any line of business, other than the business of wholesale
    distribution of consumer packaged goods and related services to vendors and
    customers and any other reasonably related business and related services,
    PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that this restriction shall not apply to any other line
    of business activity in which Core-Mark and its Subsidiaries may engage
    that does not constitute, individually and together with any other such
    activity, a material portion of the business and operations of Core-Mark
    and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

              (8)  engage, or cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
    engage, in any transaction with an Affiliate other than (A) loans and
    advances to employees in the ordinary course of the business of Core-Mark
    and its Subsidiaries as presently conducted in an aggregate principal
    amount not to exceed $60,000 to any individual or $300,000 in the aggregate
    at any time outstanding, (B) in the event of the death of any partner of
    CMI Partnership, loans or advances by Core-Mark to CMI Partnership or the
    estate of such partner made for the purpose of assisting in the payment of
    estate taxes in respect of the death of such partner (which loans or
    advances shall provide, in addition to any other repayment terms, for
    repayment thereof receipt by CMI Partnership of any distributions from,


                                          10

<PAGE>

    or in respect of its interests in, the LLC, to the extent of such partner's
    share thereof, and shall otherwise be on commercially reasonable terms),
    (C) transactions with, by and among Wholly Owned Subsidiaries, (D)
    employment agreements and arrangements (other than those in effect on the
    date hereof) which have been approved by the Compensation Committee of the
    Board of Directors of Core-Mark and (E) the payment of bonuses to employees
    of Core-Mark, not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate for all employees
    from and after the date hereof, to enable such employees to pay any taxes
    subsequently asserted in connection with the exercise of certain stock
    options; or

              (9)  incur, or cause or permit any of its Subsidiaries to incur,
    any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness of Core-Mark and its Subsidiaries
    under the Credit Agreement, as in effect from time to time, and any
    refinancings, refundings, renewals, replacements or modifications thereof,
    in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $200,000,000) in an
    aggregate principal amount which, when added to the aggregate principal
    amount of the then existing Indebtedness of Core-Mark, is greater than
    $20,000,000.


                                          11

<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Certificate
of Incorporation on this 1st day of March 1995.



                             Brian B. Margolis
                             Sole Incorporator



                                          12

<PAGE>

                                     BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                            (A DELAWARE CORPORATION)



                                    ARTICLE I
                                  STOCKHOLDERS

          SECTION 1.1.  ANNUAL MEETINGS.  The annual meeting of stockholders for
the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the meeting shall be held each year at such date and time,
within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors shall
determine.

          SECTION 1.2.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of stockholders for
the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting may be
called by order of the Board of Directors or by stockholders holding together at
least a majority of all the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the
meeting, and shall be held at such date and time, within or without the State of
Delaware, as may be specified by such order.  Whenever the directors shall fail
to fix such place, the meeting shall be held at the principal executive office
of the Corporation.

          SECTION 1.3.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  Written notice of all meetings of
the stockholders, stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the place
within the city or other municipality or community at which the list of
stockholders may be examined, shall be mailed or delivered to each stockholder
not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the meeting.  Notice of any
special meeting shall state in general terms the purpose or purposes for which
the meeting is to be held.

          SECTION 1.4.  STOCKHOLDER LISTS.  The officer who has charge of the
stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before
every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to
vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of
each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each
stockholder.  Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for
any purpose germane to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the
meeting is to be held, which place
<PAGE>

shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at the
place where the meeting is to be held.  The list shall also be produced and kept
at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be
inspected by any stockholder who is present.

          The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the
stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by this
section, or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at
any meeting of stockholders.

          SECTION 1.5.  QUORUM.  Except as otherwise provided by law, the
Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, a majority of the
shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum at a meeting of the stockholders.  If there is no quorum, a
majority of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or
represented by proxy, may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further
notice until a quorum shall be obtained.  When a quorum is obtained, it is not
broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholder.

          SECTION 1.6.  ORGANIZATION.  Meetings of stockholders shall be
presided over by the Chairman, if any, or if none or in the Chairman's absence
the Vice Chairman, if any, or if none or in the Vice Chairman's absence the
President, or if none or in the President's absence a Vice President, or, if
none of the foregoing is present, by a chairman to be chosen by the stockholders
entitled to vote who are present in person or by proxy at the meeting.  The
Secretary of the Corporation, or in the Secretary's absence an Assistant
Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary
nor an Assistant Secretary is present, the presiding officer of the meeting
shall appoint any person present to act as secretary of the meeting.

          SECTION 1.7.  VOTING; PROXIES; REQUIRED VOTE.  (a)  At each meeting of
stockholders, every stockholder shall be entitled to vote in person or by proxy
appointed by instrument in writing, subscribed by such stockholder or by such
stockholder's duly authorized attorney-in-fact (but no such proxy shall be voted
or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a
longer period), and, unless the Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise,
shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote registered in the
name of such stockholder on the books of the Corporation on the applicable
record date fixed pursuant to these By-Laws.  At


                                        2
<PAGE>

all elections of directors taken at any meeting of stockholders, the voting may
be, but need not be, by written ballot.  Directors shall be elected by a
plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy
at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.  In all
matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the
majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and
entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders,
whether or not a quorum is present when the vote is taken.

          (b)  Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of
stockholders may, except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of
Incorporation, be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a
vote, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be
signed by the holders of record of the issued and outstanding capital stock of
the Corporation having the number of votes that would be necessary to authorize
or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon
were present and voted, and the writing or writings are filed with the permanent
records of the Corporation.  Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action
without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those
stockholders who have not consented in writing.

          SECTION 1.8.  INSPECTORS.  The Board of Directors, in advance of any
meeting, may, but need not, appoint one or more inspectors of election to act at
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.  If an inspector or inspectors are not
so appointed, the person presiding at the meeting may, but need not, appoint one
or more inspectors.  In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector
fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the
directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the person presiding
thereat.  Each inspector, if any, before entering upon the discharge of his or
her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of
inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of
his ability.  The inspectors, if any, shall determine the number of shares of
stock outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares of stock represented
at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, and the validity and effect of
proxies, and shall receive votes, ballots, or consents, hear and determine all
challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and
tabulate all votes, ballots, or consents, determine the result, and do such acts
as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stock-


                                        3
<PAGE>

holders.  On request of the person presiding at the meeting, the inspector or
inspectors, if any, shall make a report in writing of any challenge, question,
or matter determined by such inspector or inspectors and execute a certificate
of any fact found by such inspector or inspectors.


                                   ARTICLE II
                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

          SECTION 2.1.  GENERAL POWERS.  The business, property, and affairs of
the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board of
Directors.

          SECTION 2.2.  QUALIFICATION; NUMBER; TERM; REMUNERATION.  (a)  Each
director shall be at least 18 years of age.  A director need not be a
stockholder, a citizen of the United States, or a resident of the State of
Delaware.  The number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be eight,
or such other number as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the
Board of Directors, one of whom may be selected by the Board of Directors to be
its Chairman.  The use of the phrase "entire Board" herein refers to the total
number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.

          (b)  Directors who are elected at an annual meeting of stockholders,
and directors who are elected in the interim to fill vacancies and newly created
directorships, shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders
and until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier
resignation or removal.

          (c)  Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at
each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for
attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as
director.  No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.  Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.

          SECTION 2.3.  QUORUM AND MANNER OF VOTING.  Except as otherwise
provided by law or by agreement of the stockholders, a majority of the entire
Board shall constitute a quorum.  A majority of the directors present, whether
or not a quorum is present, may adjourn a meeting from time to time to another
time and place without notice.  The vote of the majority of the directors
present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board
of Directors.


                                        4
<PAGE>

          SECTION 2.4.  PLACES OF MEETINGS.  Meetings of the Board of Directors
may be held at any place within or without the State of Delaware, as may from
time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors, or as may be
specified in the notice of meeting.

          SECTION 2.5.  ANNUAL MEETING.  Following the annual meeting of
stockholders, the newly elected Board of Directors shall meet for the purpose of
the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the meeting.  Such meeting may be held without notice
immediately after the annual meeting of stockholders at the same place at which
such stockholders' meeting is held.

          SECTION 2.6.  REGULAR MEETINGS.  Regular meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be held at such times and places as the Board of Directors shall
from time to time by resolution determine.  Notice need not be given of regular
meetings of the Board of Directors held at times and places fixed by resolution
of the Board of Directors.

          SECTION 2.7.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be held whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the
President, or by a majority of the directors then in office.

          SECTION 2.8.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  A notice of the place, date, and
time and the purpose or purposes of each meeting of the Board of Directors shall
be given to each director by mailing the same at least five business days before
the meeting, or by telegraphing or telephoning the same or by delivering the
same personally not later than two days before the day of the meeting.

          SECTION 2.9.  ORGANIZATION.  At all meetings of the Board of
Directors, the Chairman, if any, or, if none or in the Chairman's absence or
inability to act, the President, or in the President's absence or inability to
act, any Vice President who is a member of the Board of Directors, or in such
Vice President's absence or inability to act, a chairman chosen by the
directors, shall preside.  The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as
secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors when present, and, in the
Secretary's absence, the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as
secretary.

          SECTION 2.10.  RESIGNATION.  Any director may resign at any time upon
written notice to the Corporation and such resignation shall take effect upon
receipt thereof by the President or the Secretary, unless otherwise


                                        5
<PAGE>

specified in the resignation.  Any or all of the directors may be removed, with
or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares of stock
outstanding and entitled to vote for the election of directors.

          SECTION 2.11.  VACANCIES.  Unless otherwise provided in these By-Laws
or in an agreement among or binding upon the stockholders, vacancies on the
Board of Directors, whether caused by resignation, death, disqualification,
removal, an increase in the authorized number of directors, or otherwise, may be
filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors,
although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, or at a special
meeting of the stockholders, by the holders of shares entitled to vote for the
election of directors; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the director (the "Required B
Holders Director") designated by the Required B Holders (as defined in the
Limited Liability Company Agreement (the "LLC Agreement") of Core-Mark L.L.C., a
limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware, dated as of
March 2, 1995 among CMI Partnership, Post-Mark, Inc., The Nippon Credit Bank,
Ltd., Van Kampen Merritt Prime Rate Income Trust and Westpac Investment Capital
Corp.) pursuant to Section 6.06 of the LLC Agreement may only be removed,
without cause, by the affirmative vote of the Required B Holders (as defined in
the LLC Agreement).

          SECTION 2.12.  ABSENCE FROM MEETINGS.  If the Required B Holders
Director is unable, for any reason, to attend a meeting of the Board of
Directors, such Required B Holders Director may send an observer to attend such
Board meeting; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that under no circumstances will such observer
be able to vote on any matter brought to a vote of the directors.

          SECTION 2.13.  ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT.  Any action required or
permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken
without a meeting if all the directors consent thereto in writing, and the
writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of
Directors.


                                   ARTICLE III
                                   COMMITTEES

          SECTION 3.1.  APPOINTMENT; MEMBERSHIP.  (a)  In addition to the
committees established under Section 3.6 hereof, from time to time the Board of
Directors by a resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board may appoint
any committee or committees for any purpose or


                                        6
<PAGE>

purposes, to the extent lawful, which shall have powers as shall be determined
and specified by the Board of Directors in the resolution of appointment.

          (b)  As long as no Change in Control Event (as defined in the LLC
Agreement) has occurred, each committee of the Board shall be comprised of three
members: a director who is also an executive officer of the Corporation, the
Required B Holders Director and the Independent Director (each as defined in the
LLC Agreement).

          SECTION 3.2.  PROCEDURES, QUORUM, AND MANNER OF ACTING.  Each
committee shall fix its own rules of procedure, and shall meet where and as
provided by such rules or by resolution of the Board of Directors.  Except as
otherwise provided by law, the presence of a majority of the then appointed
members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
by that committee, and in every case where a quorum is present the affirmative
vote of a majority of the members of the committee present shall be the act of
the committee.  Each committee shall keep minutes of its proceedings, and
actions taken by a committee shall be reported to the Board of Directors.

          SECTION 3.3.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS.  Notice of the place, date and time
and the purpose or purposes of each meeting of any committee of the Board of
Directors shall be given to each member of such committee the same at least five
business days before the meeting, or by telegraphing or telephoning the same or
by delivering the same personally not later than two days before the day of the
meeting.

          SECTION 3.4.  ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT.  Any action required or
permitted to be taken at any meeting of any committee of the Board of Directors
may be taken without a meeting if all the members consent thereto in writing,
and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the
committee.

          SECTION 3.5.  TERM; TERMINATION.  In the event any person shall cease
to be a director of the Corporation, such person shall simultaneously therewith
cease to be a member of any committee appointed by the Board of Directors.

          SECTION 3.6.  STANDING COMMITTEES.

          (a)  COMPENSATION COMMITTEE.  There shall be a committee of the Board
of Directors, which shall be the Compensation Committee.  As long as no Change
in Control Event shall have occurred, the Compensation Committee shall be
comprised of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the


                                        7
<PAGE>

Required B Holders Directors and the Independent Director.  The Compensation
Committee shall have the authority and responsibility for considering, adopting,
authorizing and implementing the salary, bonus and other benefits, direct and
indirect, of, and any employment, severance, termination, bonus, benefit or
other similar agreements or plans with or for the benefit of, the officers of
the Corporation and shall have the authority and responsibility for considering,
authorizing and acting upon such other matters as may be designated to such
committee from time to time by the Board of Directors.  The vote of the majority
of the members of the Compensation Committee present at a meeting at which a
quorum is present shall be the act of the Compensation Committee.

          (b)  AUDIT COMMITTEE.  There shall be a committee of the Board of
Directors, which shall be the Audit Committee.  As long as no Change in Control
Event shall have occurred, the Audit Committee shall be comprised of the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Required B Holders Directors and the
Independent Director.  The Audit Committee shall have the authority and
responsibility for considering and recommding to the Board of Directors the
process for producing the Corporation's financial data, internal controls and
the independence of the Corporation's external auditors and shall have the
authority and responsibility for considering and recommending to the Board of
Directors such other matters as may be designated to such committee from time to
time by the Board of Directors.  The vote of the majority of the members of the
Audit Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the
act of the Audit Committee.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    OFFICERS

          SECTION 4.1.  ELECTION AND QUALIFICATIONS.  The Board of Directors
shall elect the officers of the Corporation, which shall include a President and
a Secretary, and may include, by election or appointment, one or more Vice
Presidents (any one or more of whom may be given an additional designation of
rank or function), a Treasurer, and such Assistant Secretaries, such Assistant
Treasurers, and such other officers as the Board may from time to time deem
proper.  Each officer shall have such powers and duties as may be prescribed by
these By-Laws and as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or the President.
Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.


                                        8
<PAGE>

          SECTION 4.2.  TERM OF OFFICE AND REMUNERATION.  Except as otherwise
provided in an employment agreement, the term of office of all officers shall be
one year and until their respective successors have been elected and qualified,
but any officer may be removed from office, either with or without cause, at any
time by the Board of Directors.  Any vacancy in any office arising from any
cause may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of
Directors.  The remuneration of all officers of the Corporation may be fixed by
the Board of Directors or in such manner as the Board of Directors shall
provide.

          SECTION 4.3.  RESIGNATION; REMOVAL.  Any officer may resign at any
time upon written notice to the Corporation and such resignation shall take
effect upon receipt thereof by the President or the Secretary, unless otherwise
specified in the resignation.  Any officer shall be subject to removal, with or
without cause, at any time by vote of a majority of the entire Board.

          SECTION 4.4.  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.  The Chairman of the Board of
Directors, if there be one, shall be the chief executive officer of the
Corporation.  The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and
duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.

          SECTION 4.5.  PRESIDENT.  The President shall be the chief operating
officer of the Corporation, and shall have such duties as customarily pertain to
that office.  The President shall have general management and supervision of the
property, business, and affairs of the Corporation and over its other officers;
may appoint and remove assistant officers and other agents and employees; and
may execute and deliver, in the name of the Corporation, powers of attorney,
contracts, bonds, and all other obligations and instruments.  In the absence of
the Chairman of the Board or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, or
if the Board has not designated a Chairman, the President shall perform the
duties of the Chairman of the Board, and when so acting, shall have all of the
powers of, and be subject to all of the restrictions upon, the Chairman of the
Board.

          SECTION 4.6.  VICE PRESIDENT.  A Vice President may execute and
deliver in the name of the Corporation contracts and other obligations and
instruments pertaining to the regular course of the duties of said office, and
shall have such other authority as from time to time may be assigned by the
Board of Directors or the President.


                                        9
<PAGE>

          SECTION 4.7.  TREASURER.  The Treasurer shall in general have all
duties incident to the position of Treasurer and such other duties as may be
assigned by the Board of Directors or the President.

          SECTION 4.8.  SECRETARY.  The Secretary shall in general have all the
duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be
assigned by the Board of Directors or the President.

          SECTION 4.9.  ASSISTANT OFFICERS.  Any assistant officer shall have
such powers and duties of the officer such assistant officer assists as such
officer or the Board of Directors shall from time to time prescribe.


                                    ARTICLE V
                                 INDEMNIFICATION

          SECTION 5.1.  INDEMNITY.  The Corporation shall indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to, or testifies in,
any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative in nature, by reason of the fact that
such person is or was a director, officer, employee, agent, stockholder or a
holder of any ownership interest in any stockholder of the Corporation (each, an
"INDEMNITEE"), or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee
benefit plan, trust or other enterprise (an "OTHER ENTITY"), against expenses
(including attorneys' fees and disbursements), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with
such action, suit or proceeding to the full extent permitted by law.  Persons
who are not Indemnitees of the Corporation may be similarly indemnified in
respect of service to the Corporation or to an Other Entity at the request of
the Corporation to the extent the Board at any time specifies that such persons
are entitled to the benefits of this Article V, and the Corporation may enter
into agreements with any such person for the purpose of providing for such
indemnification.

          SECTION 5.2.  ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES.  The Corporation shall, from
time to time, reimburse or advance to any Indemnitee or other person entitled to
indemnification under this Article V the funds necessary for payment of expenses
(including attorney's fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred
by such person in defending or testifying in a civil, criminal, administrative
or


                                       10
<PAGE>

investigative action, suit or proceeding; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Corporation may pay such expenses in advance of the final disposition of such
action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
such Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined by
final judicial decision that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified
by the Corporation against such expenses as authorized by this Article V, and
the Corporation may enter into agreements with such persons for the purpose of
providing for such advances.

          SECTION 5.3.  INSURANCE.  The Corporation shall have the power to
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was an
Indemnitee of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of an Other Entity against
any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any
such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether or not
the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such
liability under the provisions of this Article V or otherwise.

          SECTION 5.4.  RIGHTS NOT EXCLUSIVE.  The rights to indemnification and
reimbursement or advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to,
this Article V shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a
person seeking indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses may
have or hereafter be entitled under any statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation, these By-Laws, any agreement, any vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.

          SECTION 5.5.  CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS.  The rights to indemnification
and reimbursement or advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant
to, this Article V shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an
Indemnitee (or other person indemnified hereunder) and shall inure to the
benefit of the executors, administrators, legatees and distributees of such
person.

          SECTION 5.6.  BINDING EFFECT.  The provisions of this Article V shall
be a contract between the Corporation, on the one hand, and each Indemnitee who
serves in such capacity at any time while this Article V is in effect and any
other person indemnified hereunder, on the other hand, pursuant to which the
Corporation and each such Indemnitee or other person intend to be legally bound.
No repeal or modification of this Article V shall affect any rights or


                                       11
<PAGE>

obligations with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or
thereafter arising or any proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought or
threatened based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.

          SECTION 5.7.  PROCEDURAL RIGHTS.  The rights to indemnification and
reimbursement or advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to,
this Article V shall be enforceable by any person entitled to such
indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses in any court of
competent jurisdiction.  The burden of proving that such indemnification or
reimbursement or advancement of expenses is not appropriate shall be on the
Corporation.  Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of
Directors, its independent legal counsel and its stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of such action that such indemnification
or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is proper in the circumstances nor
an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors,
its independent legal counsel and its stockholders) that such person is not
entitled to such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses
shall constitute a defense to the action or create a presumption that such
person is not so entitled.  Such a person shall also be indemnified for any
expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right
to such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses, in whole or
in part, in any such proceeding.

          SECTION 5.8.  SERVICE DEEMED AT CORPORATION'S REQUEST.  Any Indemnitee
of the Corporation serving in any capacity for (a) another corporation of which
a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of its directors is
held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation or (b) any employee benefit
plan of the Corporation or any corporation referred to in clause (a) shall be
deemed to be doing so at the request of the Corporation.

          SECTION 5.9.  ELECTION OF APPLICABLE LAW.  Any person entitled to be
indemnified or to reimbursement or advancement of expenses as a matter of right
pursuant to this Article V may elect to have the right to indemnification or
reimbursement or advancement of expenses interpreted on the basis of the
applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events
giving rise to the applicable action, suit or proceeding, to the extent
permitted by law, or on the basis of the applicable law in effect at the time
such indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses is sought.
Such election shall be made, by a notice in writing to the


                                       12
<PAGE>

Corporation, at the time indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of
expenses is sought; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if no such notice is given, the
right to indemnification or reimbursement or advancement of expenses shall be
determined by the law in effect at the time indemnification or reimbursement or
advancement of expenses is sought.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                BOOKS AND RECORDS

          SECTION 6.1.  LOCATION.  The books and records of the Corporation may
be kept at such place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the
Board of Directors or the respective officers in charge thereof may from time to
time determine.  The record books containing the names and addresses of all
stockholders, the number and class of shares of stock held by each, and the
dates when they respectively became the owners of record thereof shall be kept
by the Secretary as prescribed in the By-Laws and by such officer or agent as
shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

          SECTION 6.2.  ADDRESSES OF STOCKHOLDERS.  Notices of meetings and all
other corporate notices may be delivered personally or mailed to each
stockholder at the stockholder's address as it appears on the records of the
Corporation.

          SECTION 6.3.  FIXING DATE FOR DETERMINATION OF STOCKHOLDERS OF RECORD.
(a)  In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof,
the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not
precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by
the Board of Directors and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less
than 10 days before the date of such meeting.  If no record date is fixed by the
Board of Directors, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to
notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of
business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if
notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on
which the meeting is held.  A determination of stockholders of record entitled
to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any
adjournment of the meeting; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Board of Directors may
fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.


                                       13
<PAGE>

          (b)  In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board
of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date
upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of
Directors and which date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon
which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of
Directors.  If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the
record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action
in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is
required, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting
forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation
by delivery to its registered office in this State, its principal place of
business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book
in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.  Delivery made to
the Corporation's registered office shall be by hand or by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested.  If no record date has been fixed by
the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by
this chapter, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent
to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of
business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking
such prior action.

          (c)  In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders
entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment
of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of
any change, conversion, or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other
lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date
shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is
adopted and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such
action.  If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining
stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day
on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.


                                   ARTICLE VII
                         CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING STOCK

          SECTION 7.1.  CERTIFICATES; SIGNATURES.  The shares of the Corporation
shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors of
the Corporation may provide by resolution or resolutions that


                                       14
<PAGE>

some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated
shares.  Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a
certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation.
Notwithstanding the adoption of such a resolution by the Board of Directors,
every holder of stock represented by certificates and upon request every holder
of uncertificated shares shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by or
in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of
Directors, or the President or Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an
Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Corporation, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form.
Any and all signatures on any such certificate may be facsimiles.  In case any
officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile
signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such
officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may
be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer,
transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.  The name of the holder of
record of the shares represented thereby, with the number of such shares and the
date of issue, shall be entered on the books of the Corporation.

          SECTION 7.2.  TRANSFERS OF STOCK.  Upon compliance with provisions
restricting the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock, if any,
shares of capital stock shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation
only by the holder of record thereof in person, or by duly authorized attorney,
upon surrender and cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares,
properly endorsed, and the payment of all taxes due thereon.

          SECTION 7.3.  FRACTIONAL SHARES.  The Corporation may, but shall not
be required to, issue certificates for fractions of a share where necessary to
effect authorized transactions, or the Corporation may pay in cash the fair
value of fractions of a share as of the time when those entitled to receive such
fractions are determined, or it may issue scrip in registered or bearer form
over the manual or facsimile signature of an officer of the Corporation or of
its agent, exchangeable as therein provided for full shares, but such scrip
shall not entitle the holder to any rights of a stockholder except as therein
provided.

          The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make all such
rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer
and registration of certificates representing shares of the Corporation.


                                       15
<PAGE>

          SECTION 7.4.  LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES.  The Corporation
may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any certificate theretofore
issued by it that is alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, and the
Board of Directors may require the owner of any allegedly lost, stolen, or
destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the Corporation a
bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made
against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    DIVIDENDS

          SECTION 8.1.  Subject always to the provisions of law and the
Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have full power to
determine whether any, and, if any, what part of any, funds legally available
for the payment of dividends shall be declared as dividends and paid to
stockholders.  The division of the whole or any part of such funds of the
Corporation shall rest wholly within the lawful discretion of the Board of
Directors, and it shall not be required at any time, against such discretion, to
divide or pay any part of such funds among or to the stockholders as dividends
or otherwise.  Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any
funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board
of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, thinks proper as a
reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for
repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other
purpose as the Board of Directors shall determine to be in the best interests of
the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such
reserve in the manner in which it was created.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                                  RATIFICATION

          SECTION 9.1.  Any transaction questioned in any law suit on the ground
of lack of authority, defective or irregular execution, adverse interest of a
director, officer, or stockholder, non-disclosure, miscomputation, or the
application of improper principles or practices of accounting, may be ratified
before or after judgment, by the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, and
if so ratified shall have the same force and effect as if the questioned
transaction had been originally duly authorized.


                                       16
<PAGE>

Such ratification shall be binding upon the Corporation and its stockholders and
shall constitute a bar to any claim or execution of any judgment in respect of
such questioned transaction.


                                    ARTICLE X
                                 CORPORATE SEAL

          SECTION 10.1.  The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the
name of the Corporation and the year of its incorporation, and shall be in such
form and contain such other words and/or figures as the Board of Directors shall
determine.  The corporate seal may be used by printing, engraving,
lithographing, stamping, or otherwise making, placing, or affixing, or causing
to be printed, engraved, lithographed, stamped, or otherwise made, placed, or
affixed, upon any paper or document, by any process whatsoever, an impression,
facsimile, or other reproduction of said corporate seal.


                                   ARTICLE XI
                                   FISCAL YEAR

          SECTION 11.1.  The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed, and
shall be subject to change, by the Board of Directors.  Unless otherwise fixed
by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the
calendar year.


                                   ARTICLE XII
                                WAIVER OF NOTICE

          SECTION 12.1.  Whenever notice is required to be given by these
By-Laws or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by law, a written waiver
thereof, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before
or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice.


                                  ARTICLE XIII
                     BANK ACCOUNTS, DRAFTS, CONTRACTS, ETC.

          SECTION 13.1.  BANK ACCOUNTS AND DRAFTS.  In addition to such bank
accounts as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, the primary financial
officer or any person designated by said primary financial officer, whether or
not an employee of the Corporation, may authorize such


                                       17
<PAGE>

bank accounts to be opened or maintained in the name and on behalf of the
Corporation as may be deemed necessary or appropriate, payments from such bank
accounts to be made upon and according to the check of the Corporation in
accordance with the written instructions of said primary financial officer, or
other person so designated by the Treasurer.

          SECTION 13.2.  CONTRACTS.  The Board of Directors may authorize any
person or persons, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to enter into
or execute and deliver any and all deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, and other
obligations or instruments, and such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances.

          SECTION 13.3.  PROXIES; POWERS OF ATTORNEY; OTHER INSTRUMENTS.  The
Chairman, the President or any other person designated by either of them shall
have the power and authority to execute and deliver proxies, powers of attorney,
and other instruments on behalf of the Corporation in connection with the rights
and powers incident to the ownership of stock by the Corporation.  The Chairman,
the President or any other person authorized by proxy or power of attorney
executed and delivered by either of them on behalf of the Corporation may attend
and vote at any meeting of stockholders of any company in which the Corporation
may hold stock, and may exercise on behalf of the Corporation any and all of the
rights and powers incident to the ownership of such stock at any such meeting,
or otherwise as specified in the proxy or power of attorney so authorizing any
such person.  The Board of Directors, from time to time, may confer like powers
upon any other person.

          SECTION 13.4.  FINANCIAL REPORTS.  The Board of Directors may appoint
the primary financial officer or other fiscal officer and/or the Secretary or
any other officer to cause to be prepared and furnished to stockholders entitled
thereto any special financial notice and/or financial statement, as the case may
be, which may be required by any provision of law.


                                       18
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE XIV
                                   AMENDMENTS

          SECTION 14.1.  The Board of Directors shall have power to adopt,
amend, or repeal by-laws.  Any by-laws adopted by the Board of Directors may be
repealed or changed, and new by-laws made, by the stockholders, and the
stockholders may prescribe that any by-law made by them shall not be altered,
amended, or repealed by the Board of Directors.


                                       19



<PAGE>


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

                            CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                      11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003


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

                                      INDENTURE

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


                            Dated as of September 27, 1996


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


                                BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,

                                       Trustee

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


<PAGE>


                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

                                      ARTICLE 1

                      DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE


     SECTION 1.01.     Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1
     SECTION 1.02.     Other Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
     SECTION 1.03.     Incorporation by Reference of Trust
                         Indenture Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
     SECTION 1.04.     Rules of Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28


                                      ARTICLE 2
                                           
                                    THE SECURITIES

     SECTION 2.01.     Form and Dating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
     SECTION 2.02.     Execution and Authentication. . . . . . . . . . . .   31
     SECTION 2.03.     Registrar and Paying Agent. . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
     SECTION 2.04.     Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust . . . . . . . .   33
     SECTION 2.05      Securityholder Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
     SECTION 2.06.     Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
     SECTION 2.07.     Replacement Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
     SECTION 2.08.     Outstanding Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
     SECTION 2.09      Temporary Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
     SECTION 2.10      Cancelation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
     SECTION 2.11      Defaulted Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
     SECTION 2.12.     CUSIP Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44


                                      ARTICLE 3

                                      REDEMPTION

     SECTION 3.01.     Notices to Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
     SECTION 3.02.     Selection of Securities
                         To Be Redeemed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
     SECTION 3.03.     Notice of Redemption. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   45
     SECTION 3.04.     Effect of Notice of Redemption. . . . . . . . . . .   46
     SECTION 3.05.     Deposit of Redemption Price . . . . . . . . . . . .   46
     SECTION 3.06.     Securities Redeemed in Part . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
     SECTION 3.07      Optional Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47


<PAGE>

                                                                               2


                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

                                      ARTICLE 4

                                      COVENANTS

     SECTION 4.01.     Payment of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
     SECTION 4.02.     SEC Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
     SECTION 4.03.     Limitation on Indebtedness. . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
     SECTION 4.04.     Limitation on Restricted Payments . . . . . . . . .   51
     SECTION 4.05.     Limitation on Restrictions on
                         Distributions from Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . .   54
     SECTION 4.06.     Limitation on Sales of Assets and
                         Subsidiary Stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   56
     SECTION 4.07.     Limitation on Transactions with
                         Affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   60
     SECTION 4.08.     Change of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   61
     SECTION 4.09.     Compliance Certificate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
     SECTION 4.10.     Further Instruments and Acts. . . . . . . . . . . .   63
     SECTION 4.11.     Limitation on Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
     SECTION 4.12.     Limitation on the Sale or Issuance of 
                         Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries. . . . .   63
     SECTION 4.13.     Limitation on Lines of Business . . . . . . . . . .   64
     Section 4.14.     Limitation on the Disposition of Assets
                         of the Company to Restricted Subsidiaries . . . .   64


                                      ARTICLE 5

                                  SUCCESSOR COMPANY

     SECTION 5.01.     When Company May Merge or Transfer
                         Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   65


                                      ARTICLE 6

                                DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     SECTION 6.01.     Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   66
     SECTION 6.02.     Acceleration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   68
     SECTION 6.03.     Other Remedies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   69
     SECTION 6.04.     Waiver of Past Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   69
     SECTION 6.05.     Control by Majority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   69
     SECTION 6.06.     Limitation on Suits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   70
     SECTION 6.07.     Rights of Holders To Receive Payment. . . . . . . .   70
     SECTION 6.08.     Collection Suit by Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . .   71


<PAGE>

                                                                               3

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

     SECTION 6.09.     Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. . . . . . . . . .   71
     SECTION 6.10.     Priorities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   71
     SECTION 6.11.     Undertaking for Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   72
     SECTION 6.12.     Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. . . . . . . . . .   72


                                      ARTICLE 7

                                       TRUSTEE

     SECTION 7.01.     Duties of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   72
     SECTION 7.02.     Rights of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   74
     SECTION 7.03.     Individual Rights of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . .   74
     SECTION 7.04.     Trustee's Disclaimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   75
     SECTION 7.05.     Notice of Defaults. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   75
     SECTION 7.06.     Reports by Trustee to Holders . . . . . . . . . . .   75
     SECTION 7.07.     Compensation and Indemnity. . . . . . . . . . . . .   75
     SECTION 7.08.     Replacement of Trustee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   77
     SECTION 7.09.     Successor Trustee by Merger . . . . . . . . . . . .   78
     SECTION 7.10.     Eligibility; Disqualification . . . . . . . . . . .   78
     SECTION 7.11.     Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company .   78


                                      ARTICLE 8

                          DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

     SECTION 8.01.     Discharge of Liability on Securities;
                         Defeasance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   79
     SECTION 8.02.     Conditions to Defeasance. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   80
     SECTION 8.03.     Application of Trust Money. . . . . . . . . . . . .   81
     SECTION 8.04.     Repayment to Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   81
     SECTION 8.05.     Indemnity for Government Obligations. . . . . . . .   82
     SECTION 8.06.     Reinstatement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   82


                                      ARTICLE 9

                                      AMENDMENTS

     SECTION 9.01.     Without Consent of Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . .   82
     SECTION 9.02.     With Consent of Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   83
     SECTION 9.03.     Compliance with Trust Indenture Act . . . . . . . .   85
     SECTION 9.04.     Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers . . .   85


<PAGE>

                                                                               4

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

     SECTION 9.05.     Notation on or Exchange of Securities . . . . . . .   85
     SECTION 9.06.     Trustee To Sign Amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . .   86
     SECTION 9.07.     Payment for Consent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   86


                                      ARTICLE 10

                                    SUBORDINATION

     SECTION 10.01.    Agreement To Subordinate. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   86
     SECTION 10.02.    Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. . . . . . . .   87
     SECTION 10.03.    Default on Senior Indebtedness. . . . . . . . . . .   87
     SECTION 10.04.    Acceleration of Payment of Securities . . . . . . .   88
     SECTION 10.05.    When Distribution Must Be Paid Over . . . . . . . .   88
     SECTION 10.06.    Subrogation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   88
     SECTION 10.07.    Relative Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   89
     SECTION 10.08.    Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company. . . .   89
     SECTION 10.09.    Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. . . . . . . . .   89
     SECTION 10.10.    Distribution or Notice to Representative. . . . . .   90
     SECTION 10.11.    Article 10 Not To Prevent Events
                         of Default or Limit Right To Accelerate . . . . .   90
     SECTION 10.12.    Trust Moneys Not Subordinated . . . . . . . . . . .   90
     SECTION 10.13.    Trustee Entitled To Rely. . . . . . . . . . . . . .   90
     SECTION 10.14.    Trustee to Effectuate Subordination . . . . . . . .   91
     SECTION 10.15.    Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of
                         Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   91
     SECTION 10.16.    Reliance by Holders of Senior
                         Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions. . . . .   91
     SECTION 10.17.    Trustee's Compensation Not Prejudiced . . . . . . .   92



                                      ARTICLE 11

                                    MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 11.01.    Trust Indenture Act Controls. . . . . . . . . . . .   92
     SECTION 11.02.    Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   92
     SECTION 11.03.    Communication by Holders with Other Holders . . . .   93
     SECTION 11.04.    Certificate of Opinion as to Conditions
                         Precedent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   93
     SECTION 11.05.    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion . . .   93


<PAGE>

                                                                               5

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

     SECTION 11.06.    When Securities Disregarded . . . . . . . . . . . .   94
     SECTION 11.07.    Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. . . .   94


     SECTION 11.08.    Legal Holidays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   94
     SECTION 11.09.    Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   95
     SECTION 11.10.    No Recourse Against Others. . . . . . . . . . . . .   95
     SECTION 11.11.    Successors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   95
     SECTION 11.12.    Multiple Originals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   95
     SECTION 11.13.    Table of Contents; Headings . . . . . . . . . . . .   95


Exhibit A - Form of Initial Security
Exhibit B - Form of Exchange Security
Exhibit C - Form of Transferee Letter of Representation
Exhibit D - Form of Note Guarantee 


<PAGE>

                                CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE


   TIA                                                          Indenture
 Section                                                         Section
 -------                                                        ---------

310(a)(1)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.10
   (a)(2)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.10
   (a)(3)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A.
   (a)(4)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A.
   (b)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.08; 7.10
   (c)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A
311(a)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.11
   (b)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.11
   (c)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A.
312(a)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2.05
   (b)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       11.03
   (c)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       11.03
313(a)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.06
   (b)(1)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A.
   (b)(2)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.06
   (c)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       11.02
   (d)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.06
314(a)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       4.02; 4.12;
                                                                        11.02
   (b)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A.
   (c)(1)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       11.04
   (c)(2)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       11.04
   (c)(3)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A.
   (d)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A.
   (e)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       11.05
   (f)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       4.12
315(a)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.01
   (b)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.05; 11.02
   (c)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.01
   (d)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7.01
   (e)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6.11
316(a)(last
sentence)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       11.06
   (a)(1)(A)   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6.05
   (a)(1)(B)   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6.04
   (a)(2)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       N.A.
   (b)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6.07
317(a)(1)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6.08
   (a)(2)      . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6.09
   (b)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2.04
318(a)         . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       11.01

                              N.A. means Not Applicable.


- ----------------------
Note:  This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be
part of the Indenture.


<PAGE>

                    INDENTURE dated as of September 27, 1996, 1996, between
               CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
               "Company"), and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking
               corporation (the "Trustee").


          Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's 11-3/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Initial Securities") and, if and when issued
pursuant to a registered exchange for Initial Securities, the Company's 11-3/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003.


                                      ARTICLE 1

                      DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

          SECTION 1.01.  DEFINITIONS.

          "Additional Assets" means (i) any tangible property or assets (other
than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary in a Related Business; (ii) the Capital Stock of a Person that
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital
Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or (iii) Capital Stock
constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted
Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), such
Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business. 

          "Adjusted Operating Income" for any period means (a) the sum of (x)
the Operating Income for such period, plus (y) the following to the extent
deducted in calculating such Operating Income: (i) Consolidated Non-Cash Charges
and (ii) LIFO expense, if any, for such period, minus (b) LIFO income, if any,
for such period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the depreciation and
amortization of a Subsidiary of the Company shall be added to Operating Income
to compute Adjusted Operating Income only to the extent (and in the same
proportion) that the operating income of such Subsidiary was included in
calculating Operating Income and only if a corresponding amount would be
permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such
Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the
terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees,
orders, 


<PAGE>

                                                                               2

statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Subsidiary or
its stockholders. 

          "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person, directly
or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For
purposes of Section 4.07 and Section 4.06 only, "Affiliate" shall also mean any
beneficial owner of shares representing 5% or more of the total voting power of
the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights or
warrants to purchase such Voting Stock (whether or not currently exercisable)
and any Person who would be an Affiliate of any such beneficial owner pursuant
to the first sentence hereof. 

          "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a Security at any
Redemption Date, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such
Security and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such time of (1) the
redemption price of such Security at September 15, 2000 (such redemption price
set forth in Section 3.07) plus (2) all required interest payments (excluding
accrued but unpaid interest) due on such Security through September 15, 2000,
computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 75 basis points,
over (B) the principal amount of such Security. 

          "Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition of shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than
directors' qualifying shares), property or other assets (each referred to for
the purposes of this definition as a "disposition") by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (including any disposition by means of a merger,
consolidation or similar transaction) in one transaction or in a series of
related transactions which shall be viewed as one transaction other than (i) a
disposition (other than a Financing Disposition in connection with a Receivables
Financing) by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (ii) a disposition of
inventory in the ordinary course of business, (iii) dispositions (other than a
Financing Disposition in connection with a Receivables Financing) with a fair
market 


<PAGE>

                                                                               3

value of less than $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year, (iv) a
Financing Disposition in connection with a Receivables Financing provided that
immediately after such Financing Disposition the Indebtedness (other than
Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit) outstanding pursuant to Section
4.03(b)(i) is equal to or less than the Maximum Amount, (v) for purposes of
Section 4.06 only, a disposition subject to Section 4.04 and (vi) the
disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company permitted by
the Section 5.01. 

          "Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to
any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the
sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to
the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or
redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by
the amount of such payment by (ii) the sum of all such payments. 

          "Bank Indebtedness" means any and all amounts payable under or in
respect of the Credit Agreement, as amended or modified from time to time, and
any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect thereof, including principal,
premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing
of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company
whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings),
fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other
amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof. 

          "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or
any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board. 

          "Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which banking institutions in New York State are authorized or required by
law to close. 

          "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, interests,
rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or
interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred
Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity. 


<PAGE>

                                                                               4

          "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is required
to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness
represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such
obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof
shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such
lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the
lessee without payment of a penalty. 


          "Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following
events:

          (i) prior to the first public offering of Voting Stock of the Company,
     the Permitted Holders cease to be the "beneficial owner" (as defined in
     Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a
     majority in the aggregate of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of
     the Company, whether as a result of issuance of securities of the Company,
     any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company, any
     direct or indirect transfer of securities or otherwise (for purposes of
     this clause (i), the Permitted Holders shall be deemed to beneficially own
     any Voting Stock of a corporation (the "specified corporation") held by any
     other corporation (the "parent corporation") so long as the Permitted
     Holders beneficially own (as so defined), directly or indirectly, in the
     aggregate a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the parent
     corporation); 

          (ii) (A) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
     14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or
     becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the
     Exchange Act, except that such person shall be deemed to have "beneficial
     ownership" of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire,
     which right is subject to no conditions other than passage of time and
     conditions substantially within the control of the parties to such
     acquisition)), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the total voting
     power of the Voting Stock of the Company and (B) the Permitted Holders
     "beneficially own" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange
     Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the
     total voting power of the Voting Stock of the 


<PAGE>

                                                                               5

     Company than such other person and do not have the right or ability by
     voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a
     majority of the Board of Directors (for the purposes of this clause (ii),
     such other person shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a
     specified corporation held by a parent corporation, if such other person
     "beneficially owns" (as defined in this clause (ii)), directly or
     indirectly, a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such
     parent corporation; 

          (iii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another
     Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the
     sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to another
     Person (in each case, other than a Person that is controlled by the
     Permitted Holders), and, in the case of any such merger or consolidation,
     the securities of the Company that are outstanding immediately prior to
     such transaction and which represent 100% of the aggregate voting power of
     the Voting Stock of the Company are changed into or exchanged for cash,
     securities or property, unless pursuant to such transaction such securities
     are changed into or exchanged for, in addition to any other consideration,
     securities of the surviving corporation that represent immediately after
     such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the
     Voting Stock of the surviving corporation; or 

          (iv) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
     the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors (together
     with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose
     nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by
     a vote of a majority of the directors of the Company then still in office
     who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election
     or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason
     to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. 

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

          "Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a
successor replaces it pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture
and, thereafter, 


<PAGE>

                                                                               6

means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and
required by the TIA, such other obligor on the indenture securities.

          "Consolidated Coverage Ratio" as of any date of determination means
the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Adjusted Operating Income for the
period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the
date of such determination and as to which financial statements have been made
publicly available (but in no event ending more than 135 days prior to such date
of determination) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal
quarters; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (1) if the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that
remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving
rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence
of Indebtedness, Adjusted Operating Income and Consolidated Interest Expense for
such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such
Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such
period and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased
or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such
discharge had occurred on the first day of such period (except that in the case
of Indebtedness to finance seasonal fluctuations in working capital needs
Incurred under a revolving credit or similar arrangement, the amount thereof
shall be deemed to be the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during such
four quarter period), (2) if since the beginning of such period the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition, the Adjusted
Operating Income for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the
Adjusted Operating Income (if positive) directly attributable to the assets
which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period or increased by
an amount equal to the Adjusted Operating Income (if negative) directly
attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense
directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to
the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such
Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted
Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly
attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the
Company and its continuing


<PAGE>

                                                                               7

Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such
sale), (3) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any
Restricted Subsidiary (or an Investment in or acquisition of any Person which
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition of assets, including any
acquisition or Investment occurring in connection with a transaction causing a
calculation to be made under the Indenture, which constitutes all or
substantially all of an operating unit of a business, Adjusted Operating Income
and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after
giving effect on a pro forma basis to the transaction (including the Incurrence
of any Indebtedness and repayment of then existing debt) as if such Investment
or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period and (4) if since the
beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted
Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition or any
Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment
pursuant to clause (2) or (3) above if made by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary during such period, Adjusted Operating Income and Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma
effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition of assets
occurred on the first day of such period. For purposes of this definition,
whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition of assets, the amount
of Operating Income relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Interest
Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred in connection therewith, the
pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a responsible
financial or accounting Officer of the Company. If any Indebtedness bears a
floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest
expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the
date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking
into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such
Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term as at the date of determination in
excess of 12 months). 

          "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total
consolidated interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
plus, to the extent Incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in
such period but not included in such interest expense, (i) interest expense
attributable to capital leases, 


<PAGE>

                                                                               8

(ii) amortization of debt discount, (iii) capitalized interest, (iv) noncash
interest expense, (v) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges with
respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing, (vi) net costs
associated with Hedging Obligations (including amortization of fees),
(vii) Preferred Stock dividends in respect of all Preferred Stock of
Subsidiaries and Disqualified Stock of the Company held by Persons other than
the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (viii) the interest portion of any
deferred payment obligation, (ix) interest actually paid on any Indebtedness of
any other Person, (x) the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership
plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or
trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in
connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust and (ix) the earned
discount or yield with respect to the sale of Receivables (without duplication
of amounts included in Operating Income) but in no event shall Consolidated
Interest Expense include the amortization of fees incurred on or prior to the
Issue Date in respect of the Credit Agreement or the issuance of the Securities
or bank agency fees under the Credit Agreement. 

          "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the net income (loss)
of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there
shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income: 

          (i) any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a
     Restricted Subsidiary, except that (A) subject to the limitations contained
     in clause (iv) below, the Company's equity in the net income of any such
     Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up
     to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during
     such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or
     other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other
     distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in
     clause (iii) below) and (B) the Company's equity in a net loss of any such
     Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period shall be
     included in determining such Consolidated Net Income, 

          (ii) any net income (loss) of any person acquired by the Company or a
     Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to
     the date of such acquisition, 


<PAGE>

                                                                               9

          (iii) any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary if such
     Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the
     payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted
     Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that (A) subject
     to the limitations contained in (iv) below, the Company's equity in the net
     income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included
     in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash that
     could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such
     period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend
     (subject, in the case of a dividend that could have been made to another
     Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and
     (B) the Company's equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary
     for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net
     Income, 

          (iv) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of
     any asset of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries (including
     pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise
     disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss
     realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any
     Person, 

          (v) any extraordinary gain or loss, and 

          (vi) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04 only, there shall
be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or
advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments or
transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section
4.04(a)(3)(D). 

          "Consolidated Net Worth" means the total of the amounts shown on the
balance sheet of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a
Consolidated basis, as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the
Company ending prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the
determination is being made and as to which financial results have been made
publicly available (but in no event ending more than 135 days prior to such 


<PAGE>

                                                                              10

date of determination), as (i) the par or stated value of all outstanding
Capital Stock of the Company plus (ii) paid-in capital or capital surplus
relating to such Capital Stock plus (iii) any retained earnings or earned
surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts attributable to
Disqualified Stock. 

          "Consolidated Non-Cash Charges" of any Person means, for any period,
the aggregate depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges of such
person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated
basis, as determined in accordance with GAAP (excluding any such other non-cash
charge to the extent it requires an accrual or reserve for cash charges for any
future period). 

          "Consolidation" means the consolidation of the amounts of each of the
Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Company in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that "Consolidation" shall not include
consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Unrestricted Subsidiary shall
be accounted for as an investment. The term "Consolidated" has a correlative
meaning.

          "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal office of the Trustee at
which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered
which office at the date of the execution of this Indenture is located at Four
Albany Street, New York, New York 10006, Attention:  Corporate Trust and Agency
Group or at any other time at such other address as the Trustee may designate
from time to time by notice to the Company and the Holders.

          "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as of August 7,
1996, among Core-Mark International, Inc., the several lenders from time to time
parties thereto and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, as in
effect on the Issue Date. 

          "Currency Agreement" means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange
contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement as to which such
Person is a party or a beneficiary. 

          "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time
or both would be, an Event of Default. 


<PAGE>

                                                                              11

          "Definitive Securities" means Securities that are in the form of
Exhibit A or Exhibit B attached hereto that do not include the information
called for by footnote 1 thereof.

          "Depository" means, with respect to the Securities issuable or issued
in whole or in part in global form, the person specified in Section 2.03 as the
Depository with respect to the Securities, until a successor shall have been
appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture, and thereafter, "Depository" shall mean or include such successor.

          "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) the Bank Indebtedness and
(ii) any other Senior Indebtedness which, at the date of determination, has an
aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of
determination, the holders thereof, are committed to lend at least $10 million
and is specifically designated by the Company in the instrument evidencing or
governing such Senior Indebtedness as "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for
purposes of the Indenture. 

          "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital
Stock which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable) or upon the
happening of any event (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a
sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is convertible or exchangeable for
Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable at the option of the
holder thereof, in whole or in part, in each case on or prior to 180 days after
the Stated Maturity of the Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Capital Stock
that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving
holders thereof the right to require the Company to purchase or redeem such
Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control occurring prior to the
Stated Maturity of the Securities shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the
change of control provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are no more
favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the provisions of Section
4.08 are to the holders of the Securities and such Capital Stock specifically
provides that the Company shall not purchase or redeem any such Capital Stock
pursuant to such provisions prior to the Company's purchase of the Securities as
are required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.08. 


<PAGE>

                                                                              12

          "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
other than a Foreign Subsidiary. 

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

          "Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement" means the Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 27, 1996, by and between the
Initial Purchasers and the Company, as such agreement may be amended, modified,
or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

          "Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set
forth in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

          "Exchange Securities" means the 11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2003 to be issued pursuant to this Indenture in connection with the offer to
exchange Securities for the Initial Securities that may be made by the Company
pursuant to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

          "Financing Disposition" means any sale of Receivables, or interests
therein, by the Company or any Subsidiary to the Receivables Subsidiary, or by
the Receivables Subsidiary.

          "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
which is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
State thereof or the District of Columbia.

          "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America as in effect as of the Issue Date, including those set forth
in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and
pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other
statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the
accounting profession. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in
the Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP. 

          "Global Security" means a Security that is in the form of Exhibit A or
Exhibit B hereto that includes the information called for by footnote 1 thereof.


<PAGE>

                                                                              13

          "Guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any
Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person
and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person
(i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment
of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of
partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets,
goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial
statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for purposes of assuring
in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or
to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the term "Guarantee" shall not include endorsements for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term "Guarantee"
used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. 

          "Guarantor Subsidiary" means any Person that has issued a Note
Guarantee. 

          "Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such
Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement. 

          "Holder" or "Securityholder" means the Person in whose name a Security
is registered on the Registrar's books. 

          "Incur" means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become
liable for; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger,
consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such
person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. 

          "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination (without duplication), 

          (i) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness
     of such Person for borrowed money; 

          (ii) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations
     of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar
     instruments; 


<PAGE>

                                                                              14

          (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit
     or other similar instruments (including reimbursement obligations with
     respect thereto) (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit
     securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i), (ii) and
     (v)) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the
     extent that such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the
     extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the third
     Business Day following receipt by such person of a demand for reimbursement
     following payment on the letter of credit); 

          (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid
     purchase price of property or services (except Trade Payables), which
     purchase price is due more than six months after the date of placing such
     property in service or taking delivery and title thereto or the completion
     of such services; 

          (v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; 

          (vi) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the
     redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or,
     with respect to any Subsidiary of the Company, any Preferred Stock (but
     excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends); 

          (vii) all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset
     of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person;
     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the amount of Indebtedness of such Person shall be
     the lesser of (A) the fair market value of such asset at such date of
     determination and (B) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other
     Persons; 

          (viii) all Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by
     such Person; and 

          (ix) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, Hedging
     Obligations of such Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness
     shall not include any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes
     owed or owing by the Company to any governmental entity. 


<PAGE>

                                                                              15

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding
balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the
maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the
obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date. 

          "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time
to time.

          "Initial Securities" means the 11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2003, issued under this Indenture on or about the date hereof.

          "Interest Rate Agreement" means with respect to any Person any
interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest
rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap
agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or
other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a
beneficiary. 

          "Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
(other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are
recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the Person making such
loan or advance) or other extension of credit (including by way of Guarantee or
similar arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of
cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the
account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock,
Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by such Person. For purposes of
the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and Section 4.04, (i) "Investment"
shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in
such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of
the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted
Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a
Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a
permanent "Investment" in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive)
equal to (x) the Company's "Investment" in such Subsidiary at the time of such
redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity
interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such
Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and (ii) any property transferred
to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value
at the


<PAGE>

                                                                              16

time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors. 

          "Issue Date" means the date on which the Initial Securities are
originally issued. 

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

          "Management Investors" means Gary L. Walsh, Robert A. Allen, Leo F.
Korman, Leo Granucci, J. Michael Walsh and Basil P. Prokop. 

          "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments
received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment
pursuant to, or monetization (but not for less than fair market value) of, a
note or installment receivable or otherwise (other than amounts constituting
interest thereon), but only as and when received, but excluding any other
consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring person of
Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are
the subject of such Asset Disposition or received in any other noncash form)
therefrom, in each case net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses,
commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state,
provincial, foreign and local taxes required or estimated in good faith to be
required to be paid or accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of
such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is
secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the
terms of any Lien upon such assets, or which must by its terms or the terms of
any related instrument or agreement, or in order to obtain a necessary consent
to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law be repaid out of the proceeds
from such Asset Disposition, (iii) all distributions and other payments required
to be made to minority interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a
result of such Asset Disposition and (iv) appropriate amounts to be provided by
the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities
associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition and retained by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition (including
without limitation amounts reserved for the cost of any indemnification payments
(fixed or contingent) 


<PAGE>

                                                                              17

attributable to the seller's indemnities to the purchaser in respect of such
Asset Disposition). 

          "Net Cash Proceeds", with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital
Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts or
commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result thereof. 

          "Note Guarantee" means any guarantee that may from time to time be
executed and delivered by a Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to which such
Subsidiary shall Guarantee payment of the Securities. Each Note Guarantee shall
be limited in amount to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be
Guaranteed by that Subsidiary without rendering the Note Guarantee, as it
relates to such Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent
conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of
creditors generally. Each such Note Guarantee shall be in the form of Exhibit D
hereto.  

          "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Controller, the
Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. 

          "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers. 

          "Operating Income" means, with respect to the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, operating income determined in
accordance with GAAP and Rule 5-03 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC
(as interpreted in good faith by the Company and its independent public
accountants and in a manner consistent with the Company's historical audited
financial statements as of the Issue Date); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there shall
not be included in Operating Income: (i) any operating income (loss) of any
Restricted Subsidiary if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or
indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such
Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that
(A) subject to the limitations contained in (ii) below, the Company's
proportionate share of the operating income of any such Restricted Subsidiary
for such period shall be included in such Operating Income up to the amount that
is proportionate to the net income 


<PAGE>

                                                                              18

that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such
period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary in cash as a dividend
(subject, in the case of a dividend that could have been made to another
Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and (B) the
Company's proportionate share of an operating loss of any such Restricted
Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Operating
Income, (ii) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any
asset of the Company or its consolidated Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any
Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the
ordinary course of business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other
disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person, and (iii) the cumulative effect
of a change in accounting principles. 

          "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or
counsel to the Company or the Trustee. 

          "Permitted Holders" means (i) each of the Management Investors,
(ii) Jupiter Partners L.P. and (iii) (a) any spouse or lineal descendant
(including by adoption) of any Person described in clause (i) or any spouse of
any such lineal descendant; (b) in the event of the incompetence or death of any
Person described in clause (i) or in subclause (a) of this clause (iii), such
Person's estate, executor, administrator or other legal representative; (c) any
trust 100% in interest of the beneficiaries of which consists of Persons
described in clause (i) or in subclause (a) of this clause (iii); or (d) any
limited liability company, corporation or partnership 100% of the members,
stockholders or partners of which are Persons described in clause (i) or in
subclause (a) of this clause (iii); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no Person described
in this clause (iii) shall be a Permitted Holder if such Person is the
beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act)
directly or indirectly of more than 10% of the voting power of the Voting Stock
of the applicable company. 

          "Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary in (i) a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person which shall,
upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is a Related
Business; (ii) another Person if as 


<PAGE>

                                                                              19

a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or
into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such Person's
primary business is a Related Business; (iii) Temporary Cash Investments;
(iv) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, if created
or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in
accordance with customary trade terms; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such trade terms
may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances; (v) payroll, travel and
similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances
ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made
in the ordinary course of business; (vi) loans or advances to employees made in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary; (vii) loans to employees for the payment of the
exercise price of options to purchase Capital Stock of the Company or loans to
satisfy federal or state income tax withholding requirements relating to the
issuance of Capital Stock of the Company pursuant to the Company's employee
stock plans, in an aggregate amount with respect to all loans described in this
clause (vii) not to exceed $500,000 outstanding at any one time; (viii) stock,
obligations or securities received in settlement of debts (including payment
obligations of customers) created in the ordinary course of business and owing
to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;
(ix) a Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash
consideration otherwise permitted to be received by the Company or its
Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Disposition; (x) prepayments
and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business
consistent with the past practices of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries; (xi) payments to customers in consideration for such customers'
agreements with the Company to purchase goods and inventory made in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries and (xii) performance bonds or similar Investments in
connection with pledges, deposits or payments made or given in the ordinary
course of business in connection with or to secure statutory, regulatory or
similar obligations, including obligations under health, safety or environmental
obligations. 

          "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint venture, 


<PAGE>

                                                                              20

association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government
or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity. 

          "Preferred Stock", as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation,
means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is
preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such
corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such
corporation. 

          "principal" of a Security means the principal of the Security plus the
premium, if any, payable on the Security which is due or overdue or is to become
due at the relevant time. 

          "Public Equity Offering" means an underwritten primary public offering
of common stock of the Company pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act. 

          "Public Market" means any time after (x) a Public Equity Offering has
been consummated and (y) at least 15% of the total issued and outstanding common
stock of the Company has been distributed by means of an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act. 

          "Receivable" means a right to receive payment arising from a sale or
lease of goods or services by a Person pursuant to an arrangement with another
Person pursuant to which such other Person is obligated to pay for goods or
services under terms that permit the purchase of such goods and services on
credit, as determined in accordance with GAAP. 

          "Receivables Financing" means any financing by the Receivables
Subsidiary secured substantially by Receivables of the Company and its
Subsidiaries that have been transferred to the Receivables Subsidiary in a
Financing Disposition, provided that (i) all sales of Receivables to or by the
Receivables Subsidiary are made at fair market value (as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors), (ii) the interest rate applicable to such
Receivables Financing shall be a market interest rate (as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors) as of the time such financing is entered into
and (iii) such financing is non-recourse to the Company and its 


<PAGE>

                                                                              21

Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables Subsidiary) except to a limited extent
customary for such financings. 

          "Receivables Subsidiary" means a bankruptcy-remote, special purpose
Wholly Owned Subsidiary formed for the purposes of a Receivables Financing that
(a) is engaged solely in the business of acquiring, selling, collecting,
financing or refinancing Receivables, accounts (as defined in the Uniform
Commercial Code) and other accounts and receivables (including any thereof
constituting or evidenced by chattel paper, instruments or general intangibles),
all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual and other), collateral and
other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or
related to such business, and (b) is designated as a "Receivables Subsidiary" by
the Board of Directors. 

          "Redemption Date" means the date on which the Securities are
optionally redeemed pursuant to Section 3.07.

          "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that is Incurred to
refund, refinance, replace, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any
defeasance or discharge mechanism) (collectively, "refinances," and "refinanced"
shall have a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness existing on the date of the
Indenture or Incurred in compliance with the Indenture (including Indebtedness
of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (to the
extent permitted in the Indenture) and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary
that refinances Indebtedness of another Restricted Subsidiary) including
Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
(i) the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the
Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (ii) the Refinancing
Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is
Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness
being refinanced and (iii) the Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an
aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original issue discount, an
aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal
amount (or if issued with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value)
then outstanding of the Indebtedness being refinanced; PROVIDED FURTHER,
HOWEVER, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or (y)
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances
Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. 


<PAGE>

                                                                              22

          "Registered Exchange Offer" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

          "Related Business" means the business conducted by the Company and the
Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and any business related, ancillary or
complementary thereto. 

          "Representative" means the trustee, agent or representative (if any)
for an issue of Senior Indebtedness. 

          "Restricted Securities Legend" means the legend set forth in Section
2.06 hereof.

          "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary. 

          "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property
now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
whereby the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a
Person and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person,
other than leases between the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries. 

          "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

          "Secured Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Company secured
by a Lien. 

          "Securities" means, collectively, the Initial Securities and, when and
if issued as provided in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the
Exchange Securities.

          "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          "Securities Custodian" means the custodian with respect to the Global
Security (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor entity thereto and
shall initially be the Trustee.

          "Senior Indebtedness" means all principal of, premium (if any),
accrued interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any
petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company 


<PAGE>

                                                                              23

whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings),
fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and other amounts
owing with respect to all Indebtedness of the Company, including all Bank
Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred,
unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which
the same is outstanding it is provided that such obligations are not superior in
right of payment to the Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that Senior Indebtedness
shall not include (1) any obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary, (2) any
liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company,
(3) any Trade Payables, (4) any Indebtedness or obligation of the Company which
is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or obligation
of the Company, including any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and any
Subordinated Obligations, (5) any obligations with respect to any Capital Stock,
or (6) any Indebtedness Incurred in violation of the Indenture. 

          "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means the Securities and any other
Indebtedness of the Company that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is
to rank PARI PASSU with the Securities and is not subordinated by its terms to
any Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company which is not Senior
Indebtedness. 

          "Shelf Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

          "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be
a "Significant Subsidiary" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under
Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC. 

          "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date
specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal
of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory
redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase
of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any
contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has
occurred). 

          "Subordinated Obligation" means any Indebtedness of the Company
(whether outstanding on the Issue Date or 


<PAGE>

                                                                              24

thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the
Securities pursuant to a written agreement. 

          "Subsidiary" of any Person means any corporation, association,
partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting
power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership
interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to
vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person or (ii) one or
more Subsidiaries of such Person. 

          "Temporary Cash Investments" means any of the following: (i) any
investment in securities maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof issued or Guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any
agency thereof, (ii) investments in certificates of deposit and eurodollar time
deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued by
any commercial bank having capital surplus in excess of $500,000,000,
(iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying
securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with a bank
meeting the qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (iv) investments in
commercial paper issued by a corporation organized and in existence under the
laws of the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any
investment therein is made of "P-2" (or higher) according to Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. or "A-2" (or higher) according to Standard and Poor's Corporation,
(v) investments in securities with maturities of one year or less from the date
of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or
territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or by any foreign government and rated at least "A" by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or "A" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., (vi)
investments in securities maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof backed by standby letters of credit issued by a bank meeting the
qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (vii) shares of money market
mutual or similar funds which invest primarily in assets satisfying the
requirements of clauses (i) through (vi) above, (vii) investments in any term
deposit receipts of the Bank of Montreal maturing within 90 days from the date
of acquisition thereof, (ix) investments in cash owned by the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries and denominated in Canadian dollars, 


<PAGE>

                                                                              25

(x) investments in readily marketable direct obligations of the Government of
Canada or any province thereof or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the
full faith and credit of the Government of Canada maturing within 90 days from
the date of acquisition thereof, (xi) investments in insured certificates of
deposit, deposit notes or term deposit receipts, maturing within 90 days from
the date of acquisition thereof, of any commercial bank listed on Schedule 1 of
the Bank Act (Canada), and (xii) investments in commercial paper maturing within
90 days from the date of acquisition thereof in an aggregate amount of no more
than $1,000,000 per issuer outstanding at any time, issued by any corporation
organized under the laws of Canada or any province thereof and rated at least
A-1 or better (or the then equivalent grade) by Canada Bond Rating Service or
R-2 (middle) or better (or the then equivalent grade) by Dominion Bond Rating
Service. 

          "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.  Sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture. 

          "Total Receivables" means all receivables of a Person as determined in
accordance with GAAP, other than Receivables that are the subject of a
Receivables Financing. 

          "Trade Payables" means, with respect to any Person, any accounts
payable or any indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created,
assumed or Guaranteed by such Person arising in the ordinary course of business
in connection with the acquisition of goods or services. 

          "Transfer Restricted Securities" means Securities that bear or are
required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.06 hereof.

          "Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of computation
of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and
published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) which
has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the Redemption
Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly
available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from
the Redemption Date to September 15, 2000; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the period
from the Redemption Date to September 15, 2000, is not equal to the constant
maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield
is given, the Treasury Rate shall be 


<PAGE>

                                                                              26

obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a
year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury Securities for
which such yields are given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date
to  September 15, 2000 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on
actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant
maturity of one year shall be used. 

          "Trustee" means the party named as such in the Indenture until a
successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor. 

          "Trust Officer" means when used with respect to the Trustee, any
officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee including any vice
president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant
treasurer, managing director or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily
performs functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time
shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is
referred because of such officer's knowledge of and familiarity with the
particular subject. 

          "Uniform Commercial Code" means the New York Uniform Commercial Code
as in effect from time to time.

          "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that
at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by
the Board of Directors in the manner provided below and (ii) any Subsidiary of
an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary
of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the
Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its
Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any
Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that
is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total consolidated assets
of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has consolidated assets greater than
$1,000, then such designation would be permitted under Section 4.04  The Board
of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that immediately after giving effect to such
designation (x) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under
Section 4.03(a) and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any
such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to 


<PAGE>

                                                                              27

the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the
Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officers'
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing
provisions. 

          "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct obligations (or
certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the
United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for
the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America
is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer's option. 

          "Voting Stock" of a corporation means all classes of Capital Stock of
such corporation then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election
of directors. 

          "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is
owned by the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary. 


<PAGE>

                                                                              28

          SECTION 1.02.  OTHER DEFINITIONS.

                                                                    Defined in
                                  Term                                Section 
                                  ----                              ----------

     "Affiliate Transaction" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             4.07
     "Agent Members" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.01(b)
     "Bankruptcy Law". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             6.01
     "Blockage Notice" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            10.03
     "covenant defeasance option". . . . . . . . . . . . . .             8.01(b)
     "Custodian" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             6.01
     "Event of Default". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             6.01
     "Initial Purchasers". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.01(a)
     "legal defeasance option" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             8.01(b)
     "Legal Holiday" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            11.08
     "Maximum Amount". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             4.03(b)
     "Non-Global Purchaser". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.01(c)
     "Offer" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             4.06
     "Offer Amount". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             4.06
     "Offer Period". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             4.06
     "pay the Securities". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            10.03
     "Paying Agent". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.03
     "Payment Blockage Period" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            10.03
     "Purchase Agreement". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.01(a)
     "Purchase Date" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             4.06
     "QIBs". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.01(a)
     "Registrar" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.03
     "Restricted Certificated Securities . . . . . . . . . .             2.01(c)
     "Restricted Global Security". . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.01(a)
     "Restricted Payment". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             4.04
     "Rule 144A" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             2.01(a)
     "Successor Company" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             5.01

          SECTION 1.03.  INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT. 
This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA, which are
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following
TIA terms have the following meanings:

          "Commission" means the SEC.

          "indenture securities" means the Securities.

          "indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.

          "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.


<PAGE>

                                                                              29

          "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.

          "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company and any other
obligor on the indenture securities.

          All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the
TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the
meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

          SECTION 1.04.  RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.  Unless the context otherwise
requires:

          (1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

          (2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned
     to it in accordance with GAAP;

          (3) "or" is not exclusive;

          (4) "including" means including without limitation;

          (5) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural
     include the singular;

          (6) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or
     junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured
     Indebtedness;

          (7) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount
     security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be
     shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in
     accordance with GAAP and accretion of principal on such security shall be
     deemed to be the Incurrence of Indebtedness; and

          (8) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the
     maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum
     mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such
     Preferred Stock, whichever is greater.


<PAGE>

                                                                              30

                                      ARTICLE 2

                                    THE SECURITIES

          SECTION 2.01.  FORM AND DATING.  The Initial Securities and the
Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of
Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this
Indenture.  Any Exchange Securities and the Trustee's certificate of
authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B, which is
incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture.  The Securities may
have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule,
agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any
such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). 
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.  The terms of the
Securities set forth in Exhibits A and B are part of the terms of this
Indenture.

          (a)  GLOBAL SECURITIES.  The Initial Securities are being offered and
sold by the Company pursuant to a Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"),
dated September 24, 1996, between the Company and Chase Securities Inc. and
Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (the "Initial Purchasers").  

          Initial Securities offered and sold to "qualified institutional
buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) ("QIBs") in
accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act ("Rule 144A") as provided in
the Purchase Agreement, shall be issued initially in the form of a single,
permanent Global Security in definitive, fully registered form without interest
coupons with the Restricted Securities Legend and the legend set forth in
footnote 1 to Exhibit A hereto (the "Restricted Global Security"), which shall
be deposited on behalf of the Initial Purchasers of the Initial Securities
represented thereby with the Trustee, as Securities Custodian for the
Depository, and registered in the name of the Depository or a registered nominee
of the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee
as hereinafter provided.  The aggregate principal amount of the Restricted
Global Security may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments
made on the records of the Trustee, as Securities Custodian, and the Depository
or its nominee as hereinafter provided.


<PAGE>

                                                                              31

          (b)  BOOK-ENTRY PROVISIONS.  This Section 2.01(b) shall apply only to
Global Securities deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

          The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with
this Section 2.01(b), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global
Securities that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such
Global Security or Global Securities or the registered nominee of such
Depository and (ii) shall be held by the Trustee as Securities Custodian for the
Depository.

          Members of, or participants in, the Depository ("Agent Members") shall
have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on
their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as the custodian of the
Depository or under such Global Security, and the Depository may be treated by
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the
absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the
Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any
written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository
or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of
customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a
holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Security.

          (c)  CERTIFICATED SECURITIES.  Except as otherwise provided herein,
owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities shall not be entitled to
receive physical delivery of certificated Securities.  Purchasers of Initial
Securities who are not QIBs (referred to herein as the "Non-Global Purchasers")
shall receive certificated Initial Securities bearing the Restricted Securities
Legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto ("Restricted Certificated Securities");
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon transfer of such Restricted Certificated Securities
to a QIB or in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act, such
Restricted Certificated Securities shall, unless the relevant Global Security
has previously been exchanged, be exchanged for an interest in a Global Security
pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.06 hereof.  Restricted Certificated
Securities shall include the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A
unless removed in accordance with this Section 2.01(c) or Section 2.06(g)
hereof.


<PAGE>

                                                                              32

          After a transfer of any Initial Securities during the period of the
effectiveness of, and pursuant to, a Shelf Registration Statement with respect
to the Initial Securities, all requirements pertaining to legends on such
Initial Securities shall cease to apply, the requirements requiring that any
such Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be issued in global form shall
cease to apply, and certificated Initial Securities without legends shall be
made available to the Holders of such Initial Securities.  Upon the consummation
of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Securities pursuant
to which Holders of Initial Securities are offered Exchange Securities in
exchange for their Initial Securities, all requirements pertaining to such
Initial Securities that Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be issued
in global form shall cease to apply and certificated Initial Securities with the
Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto shall be available to
Holders of such Initial Securities that do not exchange their Initial
Securities, and Exchange Securities in certificated form shall be available to
Holders that exchange such Initial Securities in such Registered Exchange Offer.

          SECTION 2.02.  EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION.  Two Officers shall sign
the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.  The Company's
seal shall be impressed, affixed, imprinted or reproduced on the Securities and
may be in facsimile form.

          If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that
office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be
valid nevertheless.

          A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security.  The
signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated
under this Indenture.

          The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (1) Initial Securities for
original issue in an aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000, and (2) Exchange
Securities for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer, pursuant to the
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement for Initial Securities for a like
principal amount of Initial Securities exchanged pursuant thereto, in each case
upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and
either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary 


<PAGE>

                                                                              33

of the Company.  Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be
authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be
authenticated and whether the Securities are to be Initial Securities or
Exchange Securities.  The aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding
at any time may not exceed $75,000,000 except as provided in Section 2.07.

          The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable
to the Company to authenticate the Securities.  Unless limited by the terms of
such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever
the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by
the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has
the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices
and demands.

          SECTION 2.03.  REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT.  The Company shall maintain
an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of
transfer or for exchange (the "Registrar") and an office or agency where
Securities may be presented for payment (the "Paying Agent").  The Registrar
shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange.  The
Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying
agents.  The term "Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent.

          The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any
Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture, which
shall incorporate the terms of the TIA.  The agreement shall implement the
provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent.  The Company shall
notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent.  If the Company
fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and
in such capacity shall be entitled to (i) all of the rights, duties, immunities
and protections of the Trustee hereunder  and (ii) compensation therefor
pursuant to Section 7.07.  The Company or any of its domestically incorporated
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or
transfer agent.

          The Company initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
Office as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities.


<PAGE>

                                                                              34

          The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company to act as
Depository with respect to the Global Securities.

          SECTION 2.04.  PAYING AGENT TO HOLD MONEY IN TRUST.  Prior to 2:00
p.m. New York time on each due date of the principal on any Security and at
least one Business Day prior to each due date of the interest on any Security,
the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such
principal and interest when so becoming due.  The Company shall require each
Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent
shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders or the Trustee all money
held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the
Securities and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making
any such payment.  If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall
segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust
fund.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held
by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent.
Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further
liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

          SECTION 2.05.  SECURITYHOLDER LISTS.  The Trustee shall preserve in as
current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it
of the names and addresses of Securityholders.  If the Trustee is not the
Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five
Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders.

          SECTION 2.06.  TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE.    (a)  TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF
DEFINITIVE SECURITIES.  When Definitive Securities are presented to the
Registrar or a co-registrar with a request:

          (x)  to register the transfer of such Definitive Securities; or

          (y)  to exchange such Definitive Securities for an equal principal
     amount of Definitive Securities of other authorized denominations,


<PAGE>

                                                                              35

the Registrar or co-registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange
as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Definitive Securities surrendered for transfer or
exchange:

          (i)  shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of
     transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar
     or co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly
     authorized in writing; and

          (ii)  in the case of Transfer Restricted Securities that are
     Definitive Securities, are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an
     effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to
     clause (A), (B) or (C) below, and are accompanied by the following
     additional information and documents, as applicable:

               (A)  if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being delivered
          to the Registrar by a Holder for registration in the name of such
          Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that
          effect (in substantially the form set forth on the reverse of the
          Security); or

               (B)  if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being transferred
          to the Company or to a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in
          Rule 144A under the Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 144A under
          the Securities Act, a certification to that effect (in substantially
          the form set forth on the reverse of the Security); or

               (C)  if such Transfer Restricted Securities are being transferred
          (w) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with
          Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act; or (x) to an
          institutional "accredited investor" within the meaning of
          Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is
          acquiring the security for its own account, or for the account of such
          an institutional accredited investor, in each case in a minimum
          principal amount of the Securities of $250,000 for investment purposes
          and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any
          distribution in violation of the Securities Act; or (y) in reliance on
          another exemption from 


<PAGE>

                                                                              36

          the registration requirements of the Securities Act: (i) a
          certification to that effect (in substantially the form set forth on
          the reverse of the Security), (ii) if the Company or Registrar so
          requests, an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company
          and to the Registrar to the effect that such transfer is in compliance
          with the Securities Act and (iii) in the case of clause (x), a signed
          letter substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto. 

          (b)  RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF A DEFINITIVE SECURITY FOR A
BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A GLOBAL SECURITY.  A Definitive Security may not be
exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Security except upon
satisfaction of the requirements set forth below.  Upon receipt by the Trustee
of a Definitive Security, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate
instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, together with:

          (i)  if such Definitive Security is a Transfer Restricted Security,
     certification, substantially in the form set forth on the reverse of the
     Security, that such Definitive Security is being transferred to a
     "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the
     Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act; and 

         (ii)  whether or not such Definitive Security is a Transfer Restricted
     Security, written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct
     the Securities Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records
     with respect to such Global Security to reflect an increase in the
     aggregate principal amount of the Securities represented by the Global
     Security,

then the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Security and cause, or direct the
Securities Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and
procedures existing between the Depository and the Securities Custodian, the
aggregate principal amount of Securities represented by the Global Security to
be increased accordingly.  If no Global Securities are then outstanding, the
Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon written order of
the Company in the form of an Officers' Certificate, a new Global Security in
the appropriate principal amount.


<PAGE>

                                                                              37

          The Trustee or Registrar has no duties to obtain certificates or other
documentation with respect to the transfer or exchange between or among any
depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any global security and
shall have no liability or responsibility with respect to the legality thereof.

          (c)  TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF GLOBAL SECURITIES.  The transfer and
exchange of Global Securities or beneficial interests therein shall be effected
through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable
restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the
Depository therefor.

          (d)  TRANSFER OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A GLOBAL SECURITY FOR A
DEFINITIVE SECURITY.

          (i)  Any person having a beneficial interest in a Global Security that
     is being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration
     statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to clause (A),(B) or (C)
     below may upon request, and if accompanied by the information specified
     below, exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Security of the
     same aggregate principal amount.  Upon receipt by the Trustee of written
     instructions or such other form of instructions as is customary for the
     Depository from the Depository or its nominee on behalf of any Person
     having a beneficial interest in a Global Security and upon receipt by the
     Trustee of a written order or such other form of instructions as is
     customary for the Depository or the Person designated by the Depository as
     having such a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Security only,
     the following additional information and documents (all of which may be
     submitted by facsimile):

               (A)  if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the
          Person designated by the Depository as being the owner of a beneficial
          interest in a Global Security, a certification from such Person to
          that effect (in substantially the form set forth on the reverse of the
          Security); or 

               (B)  if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a
          "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A under the
          Securities Act) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities 


<PAGE>

                                                                              38

          Act, a certification to that effect (in substantially the form set
          forth on the reverse of the Security); or 

               (C)  if such beneficial interest is being transferred
          (w) pursuant to an exemption from registration in accordance with
          Rule 144 or Regulation S under the Securities Act; or (x) to an
          institutional "accredited investor" within the meaning of
          Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is
          acquiring the security for its own account, or for the account of such
          an institutional accredited investor, in each case in a minimum
          principal amount of the Securities of $250,000 for investment purposes
          and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any
          distribution in violation of the Securities; or (y) in reliance on
          another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
          Act: (i) a certification to that effect from the transferee or
          transferor (in substantially the form set forth on the reverse of the
          Security), (ii) if the Company or Registrar so requests, an Opinion of
          Counsel from the transferee or transferor reasonably acceptable to the
          Company and to the Registrar to the effect that such transfer is in
          compliance with the Securities Act, and (iii) in the case of
          clause (x), a signed letter substantially in the form of Exhibit C
          hereto,

          then the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, at the direction of the
     Trustee, shall cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and
     procedures existing between the Depository and the Securities Custodian,
     the aggregate principal amount of the Global Security to be reduced on its
     books and records and, following such reduction, the Company shall execute
     and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the transferee a
     Definitive Security.

         (ii)  Definitive Securities issued in exchange for a beneficial
     interest in a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.06(d) shall be
     registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the
     Depository, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect
     participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee.  The Trustee shall
     deliver such Definitive Securities to the persons in whose names such
     Securities are so 


<PAGE>

                                                                              39

     registered in accordance with the written instructions of the Depository.

          (e)  RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF GLOBAL SECURITIES. 
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture (other than the
provisions set forth in subsection (f) of this Section 2.06), a Global Security
may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the
Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another
nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a
successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

          (f)  AUTHENTICATION OF DEFINITIVE SECURITIES IN ABSENCE OF DEPOSITORY.
If at any time:

          (i)  the Depository for the Securities notifies the Company that the
     Depository is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the Global
     Securities and a successor Depository for the Global Securities is not
     appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice; or

         (ii)  the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in
     writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Securities under
     this Indenture,

then the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers'
Certificate requesting the authentication and delivery of Definitive Securities
to the Persons designated by the Company, shall authenticate and deliver
Definitive Securities in exchange for such Global Securities.

     (g)  LEGEND.

          (i)  Except as permitted by the following paragraph (ii), each
     Security certificate evidencing the Global Securities and the Definitive
     Securities (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or substitution
     thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

          "THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
          1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
          NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE
          REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR


<PAGE>

                                                                              40

          OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS
          SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER,
          SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE
          "RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE
          LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE
          COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY
          (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY,
          (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED
          EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES
          ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES
          ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
          BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES
          FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
          BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN
          RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR
          OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE
          SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE
          MEANING OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT
          THAT IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT
          OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A
          MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SECURITIES OF $250,000 FOR INVESTMENT
          PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION
          WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR
          (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
          REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S AND THE
          TRUSTEE'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO
          CLAUSES (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF
          COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF
          THEM, AND IN THE CASE OF CLAUSE (E), A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE
          FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND
          DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE.  THIS LEGEND SHALL BE
          REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION
          TERMINATION DATE."


<PAGE>

                                                                              41

          (ii)  Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security
     (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Global
     Security) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or an effective
     registration statement under the Securities Act:

               (A)  in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is a
          Definitive Security, the Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to
          exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a Definitive Security
          that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any
          restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security; and

               (B)  any such Transfer Restricted Security represented by a
          Global Security shall not be subject to the provisions set forth in
          clause (i) of this Section 2.06(g) (such sales or transfers being
          subject only to the provisions of Section 2.06(c) hereof); PROVIDED,
          HOWEVER, that with respect to any request for an exchange of a
          Transfer Restricted Security that is represented by a Global Security
          for a Definitive Security that does not bear a legend, which request
          is made in reliance upon Rule 144, the Holder thereof shall certify in
          writing to the Registrar that such request is being made pursuant to
          Rule 144 (such certification to be substantially in the form set forth
          on the reverse of the Security).

          (h)  CANCELATION AND/OR ADJUSTMENT OF GLOBAL SECURITY.  At such time
as all beneficial interests in a Global Security have either been exchanged for
Definitive Securities, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Security
shall be returned to the Depository for cancelation or retained and canceled by
the Trustee.  At any time prior to such cancelation, if any beneficial interest
in a Global Security is exchanged for Definitive Securities, redeemed,
repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Securities represented by such
Global Security shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books
and records of the Trustee (if it is then the Securities Custodian for such
Global Security) with respect to such Global Security, by the Trustee or the
Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.

          (i)  OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO TRANSFERS AND EXCHANGES OF
SECURITIES.


<PAGE>

                                                                              42

          (i)  To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company
     shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Securities and
     Global Securities at the Registrar's or co-registrar's written request.

          (ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer
     or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
     cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable
     in connection therewith.

          (iii)  The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register
     the transfer of or exchange of (a) any Definitive Security selected for
     redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article 3, except the unredeemed
     portion of any Definitive Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any
     Security for a period beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing of a
     notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Securities or 15 Business Days
     before an interest payment date.

          (iv)  Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of
     any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or
     any co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is
     registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of
     receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Security and for all
     other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and
     none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any
     co-registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

          (v)  All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to
     the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be
     entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities
     surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

          (j)  NO OBLIGATION OF THE TRUSTEE. (i) The Trustee shall have no
responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, a
member of, or a participant in the Depository or other Person with respect to
the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any
participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the
Securities or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member,
beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice
(including any 


<PAGE>

                                                                              43

notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to
such Securities.  All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and
all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be given or made
only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the
Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Security).  The rights of
beneficial owners in any Global Security in global form shall be exercised only
through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the
Depository.  The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in
relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its
members, participants and any beneficial owners.

          (ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor,
     determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer
     imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any
     transfer of any interest in any Security (including without limitation any
     transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial
     owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such
     certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required
     by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this
     Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as
     to form with the express requirements hereof.

          SECTION 2.07.  REPLACEMENT SECURITIES.  If a mutilated Security is
surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the
Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue
and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of
Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Holder
(i) satisfies the Company or the Trustee within a reasonable time after he has
notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not
register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (ii) so requests the
Company or the Trustee prior to the Security being acquired by a bona fide
purchaser and (iii) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. 
If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an
indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee to protect the Company,
the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss
that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced.  The Company and the
Trustee may


<PAGE>

                                                                              44

charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

          Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.

          SECTION 2.08.  OUTSTANDING SECURITIES.  Securities outstanding at any
time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled
by it, those delivered to it for cancelation and those described in this Section
as not outstanding.  A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the
Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

          If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to
them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

          If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with
this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay
all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Securities
(or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and the
Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Securityholders on
that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date
such Securities (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on
them ceases to accrue.

          SECTION 2.09.  TEMPORARY SECURITIES.  Until Definitive Securities are
ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate
temporary Securities.  Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form
of Definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers
appropriate for temporary Securities.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company
shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Securities and
deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.

          SECTION 2.10.  CANCELATION.  The Company at any time may deliver
Securities to the Trustee for cancelation.  The Registrar and the Paying Agent
shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration
of transfer, exchange or payment.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and
destroy (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all
Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment 


<PAGE>

                                                                              45

or cancelation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company,
unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Securities to the
Company.  The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has
redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancelation.  The Trustee shall
not authenticate Securities in place of canceled Securities other than pursuant
to the terms of this Indenture.

          SECTION 2.11.  DEFAULTED INTEREST.  If the Company defaults in a
payment of interest on the Securities, the Company shall pay the defaulted
interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any
lawful manner.  The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who
are Securityholders on a subsequent special record date.  The Company shall fix
or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail to each
Securityholder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date
and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.  

          SECTION 2.12.  CUSIP NUMBERS.  The Company in issuing the Securities
may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall
use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any such notice may state that no representation is made
as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as
contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on
the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such
redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.


                                      ARTICLE 3

                                      REDEMPTION

          SECTION 3.01.  NOTICES TO TRUSTEE.  If the Company elects to redeem
Securities pursuant to Section 3.07, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of
the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and the
paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the redemption shall occur.  

          The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this
Section at least 60 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee consents
in writing to a 


<PAGE>

                                                                              46

shorter period.  Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption
shall comply with the conditions herein.  If fewer than all the Securities are
to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by
the Company and given to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than
15 days after the date of notice to the Trustee.  Any such notice may be
canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any
Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect.
     
          SECTION 3.02.  SELECTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED.  If fewer than
all the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities
to be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by a method that complies with applicable
legal and securities exchange requirements, if any, and that the Trustee
considers fair and appropriate and in accordance with methods generally used at
the time of selection by fiduciaries in similar circumstances.  The Trustee
shall make the selection from outstanding Securities not previously called for
redemption.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of
Securities that have denominations larger than $1,000.  Securities and portions
of them the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or a whole multiple of
$1,000.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for
redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.  The
Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of
Securities to be redeemed.

          SECTION 3.03.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.  At least 30 days but not more
than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall mail
a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed.

          The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall
state:

          (1) the redemption date;

          (2) the redemption price;

          (3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

          (4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the
     Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;


<PAGE>

                                                                              47

          (5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed,
     the certificate numbers and principal amounts of the particular Securities
     to be redeemed;
     
          (6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption
     payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant
     to the terms of this Indenture interest on Securities (or portion thereof)
     called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

          (7) the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the Securities
     called for redemption are being redeemed;

          (8) the CUSIP number, if any, printed on the Securities being
     redeemed; and

          (9) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy
     of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the
     Securities.

          At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at the Company's expense.  In such event,
the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this
Section.

          SECTION 3.04.  EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION.  Once notice of
redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on
the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice.  Upon
surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption
price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption
date; PROVIDED that if the redemption date is after a regular record date and on
or prior to the interest payment date, the accrued interest shall be payable to
the Securityholder of the redeemed Securities registered on the relevant record
date.  Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall
not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

          SECTION 3.05.  DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE.  Prior to 2:00 p.m. New
York time on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying
Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate
and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued
interest on all Securities to be 


<PAGE>

                                                                              48

redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions of Securities called for
redemption that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for
cancelation.

          SECTION 3.06.  SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART.  Upon surrender of a
Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate for the Holder (at the Company's expense) a new Security
equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

          SECTION 3.07.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.  (a)  Except as set forth in the
next two paragraphs, the Securities may not be redeemed prior to September 15,
2000.  On and after that date, the Company may redeem the Securities in whole at
any time or in part from time to time at the following redemption prices
(expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued interest to the
redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant
record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if
redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on or after September 15 of the
years set forth below:


                                                           Redemption
              Period                                          Price  
              ------                                       ----------

              2000                                          105.688%
              2001                                          102.844%
              2002 and thereafter                           100.000%


          (b)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to September 15,
1999, the Company may redeem in the aggregate up to 30% of the original
aggregate principal amount of Securities with the proceeds of one or more Public
Equity Offerings by the Company following which there is a Public Market, at a
redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 111.375%
plus accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the
relevant interest payment date); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at least 70% of the
original aggregate principal amount of the Securities must remain outstanding
after each such redemption.  

          (c)  At any time on or prior to September 15, 2000, the Securities may
be redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company within 90 days after a
Change of Control, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% 


<PAGE>

                                                                              49

of the principal amount thereof plus (ii) the Applicable Premium plus
(iii) accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to the Redemption Date (subject to
the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest
due on the relevant interest payment date).


                                   ARTICLE 4
                                   COVENANTS

          SECTION 4.01.  PAYMENT OF SECURITIES.  The Company shall promptly pay
the principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner
provided in the Securities and in this Indenture.  Principal and interest shall
be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying
Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all
principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case
may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Securityholders on that
date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

          The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate
specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

          SECTION 4.02.  SEC REPORTS.  Notwithstanding that the Company may not
be or remain required to be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC, if permitted
by the SEC, and provide the Trustee and Securityholders and prospective
Securityholders (upon request) within 15 days after it files them with the SEC,
copies of its annual report and the information, documents and other reports
that are specified in Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  In addition,
following a Public Equity Offering, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee and
the Securityholders, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of the
annual report to shareholders and any other information provided by the Company
to its public shareholders generally.  The Company also shall comply with the
other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

          SECTION 4.03.  LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS.  (a) The Company shall not,
and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur any Indebtedness;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company (but not any Restricted

<PAGE>

                                                                              50

Subsidiary) may Incur Indebtedness if on the date of such Incurrence the 
Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be greater than 2:1, if such Indebtedness is 
Incurred on or prior to September 30, 1999, and 2.5:1 if such Indebtedness is 
Incurred thereafter. 

          (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness: 

          (i) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
     outstanding from time to time pursuant to the Credit Agreement or otherwise
     in an amount not to exceed (A) the sum (the "Maximum Amount") of (x) 85% of
     the net book value of the consolidated Total Receivables of the Company and
     its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables Subsidiary) and (y)
     80% of the net book value of the consolidated inventory of the Company and
     its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables Subsidiary),
     determined in accordance with GAAP, and (B) $20 million but only in respect
     of letters of credit; 

          (ii) Indebtedness of the Receivables Subsidiary Incurred pursuant to
     Receivables Financings;

          (iii) Indebtedness of the Company owing to and held by any Wholly
     Owned Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary owing to and
     held by the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
     any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event
     which results in any such Wholly Owned Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly
     Owned Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness
     (except to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in
     each case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer
     thereof; 

          (iv)  Indebtedness represented by the Securities (and the Note
     Guarantees), any Indebtedness (other than the Indebtedness described in
     clauses (i) and (iii) above) outstanding on the Issue Date and any
     Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness described
     in clause (i), this clause (iv) or paragraph (a); 

          (v) (A) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and
     outstanding on or prior to the date on

<PAGE>

                                                                              51

     which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than 
     Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, in contemplation of, or to 
     provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to 
     consummate, the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant 
     to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or was otherwise 
     acquired by the Company); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at the time such 
     Restricted Subsidiary is acquired by the Company, the Company would have 
     been able to Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to 
     paragraph (a) after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness 
     pursuant to this clause (v) and (B) Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred by 
     a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness Incurred by such 
     Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this clause (v); 

          (vi) Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance bonds, bankers'
     acceptances, letters of credit and surety or appeal bonds provided by the
     Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their
     business and which do not secure other Indebtedness, and (B) under Currency
     Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in the
     case of Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements, such Currency
     Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements do not increase the Indebtedness of
     the Company outstanding at any time other than as a result of fluctuations
     in foreign currency exchange rates or interest rates or by reason of fees,
     indemnities and compensation payable thereunder; or 

          (vii) Indebtedness of the Company (but not of a Restricted Subsidiary)
     in an aggregate principal amount on the date of Incurrence which, when
     added to all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (vii) and
     then outstanding, shall not exceed $10 million. 

          (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the
Company may not Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (b) above if the
proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to repay, prepay, redeem,
defease, retire, refund or refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such
Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Securities to at least the same extent
as such Subordinated Obligations. The Company may not Incur any Indebtedness if
such Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to any
Senior Indebtedness unless

<PAGE>

                                                                              52

such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly 
subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. In 
addition, the Company may not Incur any Secured Indebtedness which is not 
Senior Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is 
made to secure the Securities equally and ratably with such Secured 
Indebtedness for so long as such Secured Indebtedness is secured by a Lien. 

          (d)  For purposes of determining the outstanding principal amount of
any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this Section 4.03, (i)
Indebtedness permitted by this Section need not be permitted solely by reference
to one provision permitting such Indebtedness but may be permitted in part by
one such provision and in part by one or more other provisions of this provision
permitting such Indebtedness and (ii) in the event that Indebtedness or any
portion thereof meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness
described in this section, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify
such Indebtedness and only be required to include the amount of such
Indebtedness in one of such clauses.

          SECTION 4.04.  LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS.   (a) The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, to (i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in
respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any
merger or consolidation involving the Company) except dividends or distributions
payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) and except
dividends or distributions payable to the Company or another Restricted
Subsidiary (and, if such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary,
to its other shareholders on a pro rata basis in accordance with their
respective ownership of the class of Capital Stock affected), (ii) purchase,
redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary held by Persons other than the Company or another
Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise
acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or
scheduled sinking fund payment any Subordinated Obligations (other than the
purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations purchased
in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment
or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition)
or (iv) make any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person
(any such dividend,

<PAGE>

                                                                              53

distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, 
retirement or Investment being herein referred to as a "Restricted Payment") if 
at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted 
Payment: 

          (1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result
     therefrom); 

          (2) the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional
     Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); or 

          (3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other
     Restricted Payments (the amount so expended, if other than in cash, to be
     determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination
     shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of
     Directors) declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date would exceed the
     sum of: 

               (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period
          (treated as one accounting period) from October 1, 1996, to the end of
          the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such
          Restricted Payment and as to which financial results have been made
          publicly available (but in no event ending more than 135 days prior to
          the date of such Restricted Payment) (or, in case such Consolidated
          Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); 

               (B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from
          the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
          and the amount received in cash as voluntary contributions to the
          capital of the Company, subsequent to the Issue Date (other than an
          issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock
          ownership plan or other trust established by the Company or any of its
          Restricted Subsidiaries); 

               (C) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or its
          Restricted Subsidiaries is reduced on the Company's balance sheet upon
          the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary) subsequent to
          the Issue Date of any Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted
          Subsidiaries convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock

<PAGE>

                                                                              54

          (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of 
          any cash or other property distributed by the Company or any 
          Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange); and 

               (D) the amount equal to the net reduction in Investments in
          Unrestricted Subsidiaries resulting from (i) payments of dividends,
          repayments of the principal of loans or advances or other transfers of
          assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from Unrestricted
          Subsidiaries or (ii) the redesignation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as
          Restricted Subsidiaries (valued in each case as provided in the
          definition of "Investment") not to exceed, in the case of any
          Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously made by
          the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted
          Subsidiary, which amount was included in the calculation of the amount
          of Restricted Payments. 

          (b)  The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) shall not prohibit:

          (i) any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock of the Company or
     Subordinated Obligations made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of
     the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other
     than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a
     Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or other trust established
     by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
     that (A) such purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the calculation
     of the amount of Restricted Payments and (B) the Net Cash Proceeds from
     such sale shall be excluded from clause (3)(B) of paragraph (a) above; 

          (ii) any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations made by
     exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale
     of, Indebtedness of the Company which is permitted to be Incurred pursuant
     to Section 4.03; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such purchase or redemption shall
     be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; 

          (iii) any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations from Net
     Available Cash to the extent permitted by Section 4.06; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
     that such

<PAGE>

                                                                              55

     purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount 
     of Restricted Payments; 

          (iv) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration
     thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend would have complied
     with this Section; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such dividend shall be included
     in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; or

          (v) the repurchase of shares of common stock of the Company from, or
     the payment of the stock appreciation on any options to purchase common
     stock of the Company held by, any officer or employee of the Company or any
     of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of the agreements (including
     employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the
     Board of Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are
     granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such common stock;
     PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not
     exceed $2.5 million in any calendar year and $7.5 million in the aggregate
     from the Issue Date; PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that such repurchases shall
     be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.
 
          SECTION 4.05.  LIMITATION ON RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on
its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company, (ii) make any
loans or advances to the Company or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets
to the Company, except: 

          (1) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to applicable law or an
     agreement in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date including those
     arising under the Credit Agreement; 

          (2) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted
     Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred
     by such Restricted Subsidiary prior to the date on which such Restricted
     Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as
     consideration in,

<PAGE>

                                                                             56

     in contemplation of, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or 
     credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of 
     related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a 
     Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company) and 
     outstanding on such date; 

          (3) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement
     constituting Refinancing Indebtedness of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to
     an agreement referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this Section or this
     clause (3) or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in
     clause (1) or (2) of this Section or this clause (3); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
     that the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such refinancing
     agreement or amendment are no less favorable to the Securityholders than
     encumbrances and restrictions contained in such agreements; 

          (4) in the case of clause (iii), any encumbrance or restriction
     (A) that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or
     transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license or
     similar contract, (B) contained in security agreements or mortgages
     securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such
     encumbrance or restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject
     to such security agreements or mortgages, (C) arising in connection with
     any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect to, or
     Lien on, any property or asset not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture,
     or (D) arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, PROVIDED
     that such encumbrance or restriction does not, individually or in the
     aggregate together with other similar encumbrances and restrictions, impair
     the value of the property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
     Subsidiary in any material manner; 

          (5) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed
     pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or
     substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary
     pending the closing of such sale or disposition; and

          (6) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to the Receivables
     Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to Indebtedness of the
     Receivables Subsidiary

<PAGE>

                                                                              57

     which is permitted under Section 4.03 or pursuant to an agreement relating 
     to a Financing Disposition to or by the Receivables Subsidiary in 
     connection with a Receivables Financing. 

          SECTION 4.06. LIMITATION ON SALES OF ASSETS AND SUBSIDIARY STOCK.  (a)
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make
any Asset Disposition unless 

          (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration
     (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming sole
     responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at the time
     of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the fair market value, as
     determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, whose determination
     shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors
     (including as to the value of all noncash consideration), of the shares and
     assets subject to such Asset Disposition;

          (ii) at least 80% of the consideration thereof received by the Company
     or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
     that in respect of an Asset Disposition, more than 20% of the consideration
     may consist of consideration other than cash or cash equivalents if (A) the
     portion of such consideration that does not consist of cash or cash
     equivalents consists of assets of a type ordinarily used in the operation
     of the Company's distribution business (including Capital Stock of a Person
     that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and that holds such assets) to be used
     by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the conduct of the Company's
     business, (B) the terms of such Asset Disposition have been approved by a
     majority of the members of the Board of Directors having no personal stake
     in such transaction, and (C) if the value of the assets being disposed of
     by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in such transaction (as
     determined in good faith by such members of the Board of Directors) is at
     least $15 million, the Board of Directors has received a written opinion of
     a nationally recognized investment banking firm to the effect that such
     Asset Disposition is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company
     and the Company has delivered a copy of such opinion to the Trustee; and

<PAGE>

                                                                              58

          (iii) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such
     Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary,
     as the case may be) (A) FIRST, to the extent the Company elects (or is
     required by the terms of any Senior Indebtedness or Indebtedness (other
     than Preferred Stock) of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary), to prepay, repay or
     purchase Senior Indebtedness or such Indebtedness (in each case other than
     Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within 360
     days after the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt
     of such Net Available Cash; (B) SECOND, to the extent of the balance of Net
     Available Cash after application in accordance with clause (A), to the
     extent the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary elects, to reinvest in
     Additional Assets (including by means of an Investment in Additional Assets
     by a Restricted Subsidiary with Net Available Cash received by the Company
     or another Restricted Subsidiary) within 360 days from the later of such
     Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; (C) THIRD, to
     the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in
     accordance with clauses (A) and (B), to make an Offer (as defined below) to
     purchase Securities pursuant to and subject to the conditions set forth in
     section (b) of this Section, and (D) FOURTH, to the extent of the balance
     of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clauses
     (A), (B) and (C), to fund (to the extent consistent with any other
     applicable provision of this Indenture) any corporate purpose; PROVIDED,
     HOWEVER, that in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of
     Indebtedness pursuant to clause (A) or (C) above, the Company or such
     Restricted Subsidiary shall retire such Indebtedness and shall cause the
     related loan commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount
     equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, the Company and
     the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply any Net
     Available Cash in accordance with this Section except to the extent that
     the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions which are not
     applied in accordance with this Section exceed $500,000. 

          For the purposes of Section 4.06(a)(ii), the following are deemed to
be cash: (x) the assumption of Indebtedness of the Company (other than
Disqualified Stock of the Company) or any Restricted Subsidiary and the release

<PAGE>

                                                                              59

of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such
Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition and (y) securities
received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that
are promptly converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash. 

          (b)  In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase
of Securities pursuant to Section (a)(iii)(C), the Company shall be required to
purchase Securities tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company for the
Securities (the "Offer") at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount
plus accrued interest to the date of purchase in accordance with the procedures
(including prorationing in the event of oversubscription) set forth in
Section 4.06(c).  If the aggregate purchase price of Securities tendered
pursuant to the Offer is less than the Net Available Cash allotted to the
purchase of the Securities, the Company shall apply the remaining Net Available
Cash in accordance with Section 4.06(a)(iii)(D).  The Company shall not be
required to make an Offer for Securities pursuant to this Section if the Net
Available Cash available therefor (after application of the proceeds as provided
in clauses (A) and (B) of Section 4.06(a)(iii)) is less than $5 million (which
lesser amount shall be carried forward for purposes of determining whether an
Offer is required with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent
Asset Disposition). 

          (c)(1)  Promptly, and in any event within 10 days after the Company
becomes obligated to make an Offer, the Company shall be obligated to deliver to
the Trustee and send, by first-class mail to each Holder, a written notice
stating that the Holder may elect to have his Securities purchased by the
Company either in whole or in part (subject to prorationing as hereinafter
described in the event the Offer is oversubscribed) in integral multiples of
$1,000 of principal amount, at the applicable purchase price.  The notice shall
specify a purchase date not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the
date of such notice (the "Purchase Date") and shall contain such information
concerning the business of the Company which the Company in good faith believes
shall enable such Holders to make an informed decision (which at a minimum shall
include (i) the most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K (including
audited consolidated financial statements) of the Company, the most recent
subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and any Current Report on Form
8-K of the Company filed subsequent to such Quarterly Report, other than Current

<PAGE>

                                                                              60

Reports describing Asset Dispositions otherwise described in the offering
materials (or corresponding successor reports), (ii) a description of material
developments in the Company's business subsequent to the date of the latest of
such Reports, and (iii) if material, appropriate pro forma financial
information) and all instructions and materials necessary to tender Securities
pursuant to the Offer, together with the information contained in clause (3).

          (2)  Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Offer is
delivered to the Trustee as provided above, the Company shall deliver to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate as to (i) the amount of the Offer (the "Offer
Amount"), (ii) the allocation of the Net Available Cash from the Asset
Dispositions pursuant to which such Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance
of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(a).  On such date, the
Company shall also irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent
(or, if the Company is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in
trust) in Temporary Cash Investments an amount equal to the Offer Amount to be
held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section.  Upon the
expiration of the period for which the Offer remains open (the "Offer Period"),
the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancelation the Securities or
portions thereof which have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted by
the Company.  The Trustee (or the Paying Agent, if not the Trustee) shall, on
the Purchase Date, mail or deliver payment to each tendering Holder in the
amount of the purchase price.  In the event that the aggregate purchase price of
the Securities delivered by the Company to the Trustee is less than the Offer
Amount, the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Company immediately after
the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this
Section.

          (3)  Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be required
to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the
Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days
prior to the Purchase Date.  Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their
election if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day
prior to the Purchase Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter
setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which
was delivered by the Holder for purchase and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased.  If at the expiration
of the Offer Period the aggregate principal amount of Securities

<PAGE>

                                                                              61

surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the 
Securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be 
deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Securities in denominations of 
$1,000, or integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased).  Holders whose 
Securities are purchased only in part shall be issued new Securities equal in 
principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered.

          (4)  At the time the Company delivers Securities to the Trustee which
are to be accepted for purchase, the Company shall also deliver an Officers'
Certificate stating that such Securities are to be accepted by the Company
pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section.  A Security shall
be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly
or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering
Holder.

          (d)  The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws
or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this
Section. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations
conflict with provisions of this Section, the Company shall comply with the
applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have
breached its obligations under this Section by virtue thereof. 

          (e)  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, make any Financing Disposition in connection with a Receivables
Financing unless the Board of Directors shall have determined in good faith,
which determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of the
Board of Directors, that such Financing Disposition is made at fair market
value. 

          SECTION 4.07.  LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.   (a)  The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly
or indirectly, enter into or conduct any transaction (including, the purchase,
sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with
any Affiliate of the Company (an "Affiliate Transaction") on terms (i) that are
less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
than those that could be obtained at the time of such transaction in
arm's-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate and (ii) that,
in the

<PAGE>

                                                                              62

event such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate amount in excess
of $1 million, are not in writing and have not been approved by a majority of
the members of the Board of Directors having no personal stake in such Affiliate
Transaction. In addition, if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in
excess of $5 million (other than fees to investment banking firms constituting
customary underwriting discounts for offerings of securities or customary
advisory fees for merger and acquisition and recapitalization transactions) a
fairness opinion must be provided by a nationally recognized appraisal or
investment banking firm. 

          (b)  The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not prohibit (i) any
Restricted Payment permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 4.04, (ii) any
issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities
or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock
options and stock ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors, or other
employee benefit arrangements with any officer, director or employee of the
Company entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices of the Company, (iii) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practices of the Company, (iv) the
payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries who
are not employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or (v) any transaction
between the Company and a Wholly Owned Subsidiary or between Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries. 

          SECTION 4.08.  CHANGE OF CONTROL.  (a)  Upon a Change of Control, each
Holder shall have the right to require that the Company repurchase all or any
part of such Holder's Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of
the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the
date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on a record date
to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), in accordance
with the terms contemplated in Section 4.08(b); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company shall not be
obligated to purchase the Securities pursuant to this Section 4.08 in the event
that it has exercised its right to redeem all the Securities under Section 3.07
hereof. 

          (b)  Within 30 days following any Change of Control (except as
provided in the proviso to the first

<PAGE>

                                                                              63

sentence of Section 4.08(a)), the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder 
with a copy to the Trustee stating:

          (1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the
     right to require the Company to purchase such Holder's Securities at a
     purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus
     accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to
     the right of Holders of record on a record date to receive interest due on
     the relevant interest payment date);

          (2) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information
     regarding such Change of Control;

          (3) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor
     later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and

          (4) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this
     Section, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Securities
     purchased.

          (c)  Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be required
to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the
Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days
prior to the purchase date.  Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their
election if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day
prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter
setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which
was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased.

          (d)  On the purchase date, all Securities purchased by the Company
under this Section shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancelation, and the
Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
to the Holders entitled thereto.

          (e)  The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws
or regulations  in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this
Section.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of this Section, the Company shall comply
with the applicable

<PAGE>

                                                                              64

securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its 
obligations under this Section by virtue thereof.

          SECTION 4.09.  COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE.  The Company shall deliver to
the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an
Officers' Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the
signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have
knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that
occurred during such period.  If they do, the certificate shall describe the
Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take
with respect thereto.  The Company also shall comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4).
For purposes of this paragraph, such compliance shall be determined without
regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder.

          SECTION 4.10.  FURTHER INSTRUMENTS AND ACTS.  Upon request of the
Trustee, the Company shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do
such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more
effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

          SECTION 4.11.  LIMITATION ON LIENS.   The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or
permit to exist any Lien (other than Liens on Receivables that are the subject
of a Receivables Financing) on any of its property or assets (including Capital
Stock), whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, securing any
Indebtedness other than Senior Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith
effective provision is made to secure the Securities equally and ratably with
(or on a senior basis to, in the case of Indebtedness subordinated in right of
payment to the Securities) such obligation for so long as such obligation is so
secured.

          SECTION 4.12   LIMITATION ON THE SALE OR ISSUANCE OF CAPITAL STOCK OF
RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company shall not sell any shares of Capital Stock
of a Restricted Subsidiary, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary,
directly or indirectly, to issue or sell any shares of its Capital Stock except:

          (i) subject to Section 4.14, to the Company or a Wholly Owned
     Subsidiary, 

<PAGE>

                                                                              65

          (ii) pursuant to arrangements entered into prior to the time a Person
     becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than arrangements entered into in
     contemplation of the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant
     to which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary) or 

          (iii) if, immediately after giving effect to such issuance or sale,
     such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer constitute a Restricted
     Subsidiary.

The proceeds of any sale of such Capital Stock permitted hereby shall be treated
as Net Available Cash from an Asset Disposition and shall be applied in
accordance with the terms of Section 4.06.

          SECTION 4.13.  LIMITATION ON LINES OF BUSINESS.  The Company shall
not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any business,
other than a Related Business.

          SECTION 4.14.  LIMITATION ON THE DISPOSITION OF ASSETS OF THE COMPANY
TO RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES.  The Company shall not, and shall not permit any
Guarantor Subsidiary to, sell, lease, transfer or make any other disposition of
any property or assets (including shares of Capital Stock of a Subsidiary) (each
referred to for the purposes of this Section as a "disposition") to a Restricted
Subsidiary other than (i) a disposition to a Restricted Subsidiary that at the
time of such disposition is or becomes a Guarantor Subsidiary pursuant to a Note
Guarantee, (ii) dispositions (other than a Financing Disposition in connection
with a Receivables Financing) with a fair market value of less than $2.5 million
in the aggregate for all Restricted Subsidiaries in any fiscal year, (iii) a
Financing Disposition in connection with a Receivables Financing, (iv) a
disposition permitted by Section 4.04 and (v) dispositions of inventory in the
ordinary course of business. 

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                                                                              66

                                   ARTICLE 5
                               SUCCESSOR COMPANY

          SECTION 5.01.  WHEN COMPANY MAY MERGE OR TRANSFER ASSETS.  The Company
shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease
all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

          (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the "Successor
     Company") shall be a corporation partnership, limited liability company or
     business trust organized and existing under the laws of the United States
     of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor
     Company (if not the Company)  shall expressly assume, by an indenture
     supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
     reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company
     under the Securities and this Indenture;

          (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating
     any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or
     any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been
     Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time
     of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

          (iii) except in the case of a merger the sole purpose of which is to
     change the Company's jurisdiction of incorporation, immediately after
     giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would be able to
     incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

          (iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the
     Successor Company shall have Consolidated Net Worth in an amount which is
     not less than the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company immediately prior
     to such transaction; and

          (v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
     consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any)
     comply with this Indenture.

<PAGE>

                                                                              67

          Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv), any
Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part
of its properties and assets to the Company.

          The Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and
may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, but the
predecessor Company in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its
assets shall not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and
interest on the Securities.


                                   ARTICLE 6
                             DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

          SECTION 6.01.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  An "Event of Default" occurs if:

          (1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any Security
     when the same becomes due and payable, whether or not such payment shall be
     prohibited by Article 10, and such default continues for a period of 30
     days;

          (2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of any
     Security when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon
     optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or
     otherwise, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article 10;

          (3) the Company fails to comply with Section 5.01;

          (4) the Company fails to comply with Section 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05,
     4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13 or 4.14 (other than a failure to
     purchase Securities), and such failure continues for 30 days after the
     notice specified in the penultimate paragraph of this Section;

          (5) the Company fails to comply with any of its agreements in the
     Securities or this Indenture (other than those referred to in (1), (2), (3)
     or (4) above) and such failure continues for 60 days after the notice
     specified in the penultimate paragraph of this Section;

          (6) Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary is not
     paid within any applicable grace

<PAGE>

                                                                              68

     period after final maturity or the acceleration by the holders thereof 
     because of a default and the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or 
     accelerated exceeds $5 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the 
     time;

          (7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within
     the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

               (A) commences a voluntary case;

               (B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
          involuntary case;

               (C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any
          substantial part of its property;

               (D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

     or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to
     insolvency;

          (8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under
     any Bankruptcy Law that:

               (A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant
          Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

               (B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant
          Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

               (C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any
          Significant Subsidiary;

     or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or
     decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

          (9) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $5
     million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time is entered against
     the Company or any Significant Subsidiary and is not discharged, waived or
     stayed and either (A) an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any
     creditor upon such judgment or decree which is not promptly stayed or

<PAGE>

                                                                              69

     (B) there is a period of 60 days following the entry of such judgment or
     decree during which such judgment or decree is not discharged, waived or
     the execution thereof stayed; or

          (10) (A) any Note Guarantee shall cease to be in full force and effect
     (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any Guarantor Subsidiary
     or person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor Subsidiary shall deny or
     disaffirm its obligations under this Indenture or any Note Guarantee and
     such Default continues for 10 days or (B) any Guarantor Subsidiary fails to
     comply with any of its agreements in its Note Guarantee and such failure
     continues for 60 days after the notice specified in the penultimate
     paragraph of this Section.

          The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason
for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any
court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental
body.

          The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, UNITED STATES CODE, or any
similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.  The term "Custodian"
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official
under any Bankruptcy Law.

          A Default under clause (4) or (5) is not an Event of Default until the
Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Securities notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such
Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.  Such notice
must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice
is a "Notice of Default".

          The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the
occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate of
any Event of Default under clauses (3), (6), (7) or (10) and any event which
with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default
under clause (4), (5), (8) or (9), its status and what action the Company is
taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

<PAGE>

                                                                              70

          SECTION 6.02.  ACCELERATION.  If an Event of Default (other than an
Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the
Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities by notice to the
Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid
interest on all the Securities to be due and payable.  Upon such a declaration,
such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately.  If an Event
of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company
occurs, the principal of and interest on all the Securities shall IPSO FACTO
become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act
on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholders.  The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities by notice to the Trustee may rescind an
acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any
judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or
waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely
because of acceleration.  No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default
or impair any right consequent thereto.

          SECTION 6.03.  OTHER REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment
of principal of or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of
any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

          The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy.  All available remedies are cumulative.

          SECTION 6.04.  WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS.  The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities by written notice to the Trustee may waive an
existing Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on a Security or (ii) a Default in respect of a
provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each
Securityholder affected.  When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no
such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any
consequent right.

<PAGE>

                                                                              71

          SECTION 6.05.  CONTROL BY MAJORITY.  The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee.  However, the Trustee
may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or,
subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to
the rights of other Securityholders or would involve the Trustee in personal
liability; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed
proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.  Prior to
taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification
satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused
by taking or not taking such action.

          SECTION 6.06.  LIMITATION ON SUITS.  A Securityholder may not pursue
any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:

          (1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an
     Event of Default is continuing;

          (2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities
     make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

          (3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee security or indemnity
     reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;

          (4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
     receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

          (5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities do
     not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request during such
     60-day period.

          A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another
Securityholder.

          SECTION 6.07.  RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT.  Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive
payment of principal of and interest on the Securities held by such Holder,

<PAGE>

                                                                              72

on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to bring 
suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, 
shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

          SECTION 6.08.  COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE.  If an Event of Default
specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may
recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the
Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any
unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section
7.07.

          SECTION 6.09.  TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM.  The Trustee may file
such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and take such other actions,
including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of
creditors appointed in the matter, as may be necessary or advisable in order to
have the claims of the Trustee and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial
proceedings relative to the Company, any Subsidiary, their creditors or their
property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on
behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person
performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding
is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the
event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to
the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents
and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

          SECTION 6.10.  PRIORITIES.  If the Trustee collects any money or
property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in
the following order:

          FIRST:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

          SECOND:  to holders of Senior Indebtedness to the extent required by
     Article 10;

          THIRD:  to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the
     Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or
     priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the
     Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

<PAGE>

                                                                              73

          FOURTH:  to the Company.

          The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Securityholders pursuant to this Section.  At least 15 days before such record
date, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder and the Company a notice
that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

          SECTION 6.11.  UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS.  In any suit for the enforcement
of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee
for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may
require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay
the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable
costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the
suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses
made by the party litigant.  This Section does not apply to a suit by the
Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of
more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities.

          SECTION 6.12.  WAIVER OF STAY OR EXTENSION LAWS.  The Company (to the
extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in
any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or
extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may
affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to
the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or
advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution
of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the
execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.


                                   ARTICLE 7
                                    TRUSTEE

          SECTION 7.01.  DUTIES OF TRUSTEE.  (a)  If an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers
vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in
their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances
in the conduct of such Person's own affairs.

<PAGE>

                                                                              74

          (b)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

          (1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties
     as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or
     obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

          (2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
     the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  However,
     the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine
     whether or not they substantially conform to the requirements of this
     Indenture.

          (c)  The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct,
except that:

          (1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this
     Section;

          (2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in
     good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was
     negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

          (3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
     takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
     received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

          (d)  Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

          (e)  The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

          (f)  Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.

<PAGE>

                                                                              75

          (g)  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to
expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the
performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its
rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment
of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.

          (h)  Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the TIA.

          SECTION 7.02.  RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.  Subject to Section 7.01:  (a)  The
Trustee may conclusively rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and
to have been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not
investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

          (b)  Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require
an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel.  The Trustee shall not be
liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the
Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

          (c)  The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible
for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

          (d)  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits
to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or
powers; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee's conduct does not constitute wilful
misconduct or negligence.

          (e)  The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion
of counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the
Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from
liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in
good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

          SECTION 7.03.  INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE.  The Trustee in its
individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities
and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights
it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar
or co-paying agent may do the same


<PAGE>

                                                                            76

with like rights.  However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

          SECTION 7.04.  TRUSTEE'S DISCLAIMER.  The Trustee shall not be
responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company's
use of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any
statement of the Company in the Indenture or in any document issued in
connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the
Trustee's certificate of authentication.

          SECTION 7.05.  NOTICE OF DEFAULTS.   If a Default occurs and is
continuing and if it is actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, the
Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder notice of the Default within the
earlier of 90 days after it occurs or 30 days after it is known to a Trust
Officer or written notice of it is received by the Trustee.  Except in the case
of a Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any
Security (including payments pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions of
such Security, if any), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a
committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding the
notice is in the interests of Securityholders.

          SECTION 7.06. REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS.  As promptly as
practicable after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of
this Indenture, and in any event prior to July 15 in each year, the Trustee
shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of May 15 that
complies with TIA Section 313(a).  The Trustee shall also comply with TIA
Section 313(b) and TIA Section 313(c).

          A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders
shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the
Securities are listed.  The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee
whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting
thereof.

          SECTION 7.07.  COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY.  The Company shall pay to
the Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar from time to time reasonable
compensation for its services.  The Trustee's compensation shall not be limited
by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust.  The Company shall
reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred or made by it,


<PAGE>

                                                                            77

including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services.
Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disburse-
ments and advances of the Trustee's agents, counsel, accountants and experts.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar, and each of
their officers, directors, agents and employees (each in their respective
capacities), for and hold each of them harmless against any and all loss,
liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by them
without negligence or bad faith on their part arising out of or in connection
with the acceptance or the administration of this trust and the performance of
their duties hereunder.  The Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar shall notify
the Company of any claim for which they may seek indemnity promptly upon
obtaining actual knowledge thereof; PROVIDED that any failure so to notify the
Company shall not relieve the Company of its indemnity obligations hereunder
except to the extent the Company shall have been adversely affected thereby.
The Company shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide
reasonable cooperation at the Company's expense in the defense.  Such
indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the
fees and expenses of such counsel; PROVIDED that the Company shall not be
required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties'
defense and, in such indemnified parties' reasonable judgment, there is no
conflict of interest between the Company and such parties in connection with
such defense.  The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its
written consent.  The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify
against any loss, liability or expense incurred by an indemnified party through
such party's own wilful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

          To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the
Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held
or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay
principal of and interest on particular Securities.

          When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection
with a Default or an Event of Default such expenses (including the fees and
expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for such services are intended to
constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law or law relating
to creditors rights generally.


<PAGE>

                                                                            78

          The Company's payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall
survive the discharge or termination of this Indenture or the earlier
resignation or removal of the Trustee.  When the Trustee, Paying Agent or
Registrar incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in
Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to
constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

          SECTION 7.08.  REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE.  The Trustee may resign at any
time by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Company and the
Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee.  The Company shall remove the
Trustee if:

          (1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

          (2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

          (3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or
     its property; or

          (4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

          If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of
a majority in principal amount of the Securities and such Holders do not
reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to
herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee.

          A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Thereupon the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture.  The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its
succession to Securityholders.  The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all
property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien
provided for in Section 7.07.

          If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of
10% in principal


<PAGE>

                                                                            79

amount of the Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction
for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee
and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

          Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this
Section, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the
benefit of the retiring Trustee.

          The retiring Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of
any successor Trustee hereunder.

          All fees, charges and expenses of the retiring Trustee shall become
immediately due and payable upon the appointment of a successor Trustee
hereunder.

          SECTION 7.09.  SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY MERGER.  If the Trustee
consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially
all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking
association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any
further act shall be the successor Trustee.

          In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion
or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this
Indenture any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered,
any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of
any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in
case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any
successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of
any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in
all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere
in the Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the
Trustee shall have. 

          SECTION 7.10.  ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION.  The Trustee shall at
all times satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a).  The Trustee shall
have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its
most recent published annual report of condition.  The Trustee shall comply with
TIA Section 310(b); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of


<PAGE>

                                                                            80

TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities
or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company
are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA Section
310(b)(1) are met.

          SECTION 7.11.  PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY.  The
Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b).  A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.


                                        ARTICLE 8
                          DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
          SECTION 8.01.  DISCHARGE OF LIABILITY ON SECURITIES; DEFEASANCE. 
(a)  When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities
(other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancelation or
(ii) all outstanding Securities have become due and payable, whether at maturity
or as a result of the mailing of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3
hereof and the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee funds or U.S.
Government Obligations on which payment of principal and interest when due shall
be sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding Securities,
including premium (if any) and interest thereon to maturity or such redemption
date (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and if in either
case the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this
Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), cease to be of further effect.  The
Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture on demand
of the Company accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
and at the cost and expense of the Company.

          (b)  Subject to Sections 8.01(c), 8.02 and 8.06, the Company at any
time may terminate (i) all of its obligations under the Securities and this
Indenture ("legal defeasance option") or (ii) its obligations under
Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14,
5.01(iii) and 5.01(iv) and the operation of Section 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7)
(with respect to Subsidiaries of the Company only), 6.01(8) (with respect to
Subsidiaries of the Company only), 6.01(9) and 6.01(10) ("covenant defeasance
option").  The Company may exercise


<PAGE>

                                                                            81

its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant
defeasance option.

          If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the
Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.  If the
Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Securities may
not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(4),
6.01(6), 6.01(7) (with respect to Subsidiaries of the Company only), 6.01(8)
(with respect to Subsidiaries of the Company only), 6.01(9) and 6.01(10) or
because of the failure of the Company to comply with Sections 5.01(iii) and
5.01(iv).

          Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request
of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those
obligations that the Company terminates.

          (c)  Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company's
obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04, 8.05 and
8.06 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full.  Thereafter, the
Company's obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.

          SECTION 8.02.  CONDITIONS TO DEFEASANCE.  The Company may exercise its
legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

          (1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with  the Trustee money
     or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium (if
     any) and interest on the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case
     may be;

          (2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a
     nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their
     opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without
     reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any
     deposited money without investment shall provide cash at such times and in
     such amounts as shall be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due
     on all the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

          (3) 123 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 123-day
     period no Default specified in


<PAGE>

                                                                            82

     Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs which is
     continuing at the end of the period;

          (4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other
     agreement binding on the Company and is not prohibited by Article 10;

          (5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
     effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is
     qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company
     Act of 1940; 

          (6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have
     delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company
     has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue
     Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of this Indenture there has been a
     change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the
     effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that,
     the Securityholders shall not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal
     income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and shall be subject to
     federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same
     times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred;

          (7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall
     have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
     Securityholders shall not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
     tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and shall be subject
     to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
     same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not
     occurred; and
               
          (8) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
     an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the
     defeasance and discharge of the Securities as contemplated by this Article
     8 have been complied with.

          Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements
satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in
accordance with Article 3.


<PAGE>

                                                                            83

          SECTION 8.03.  APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY.  The Trustee shall hold in
trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this
Article 8.  It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this
Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities.  Money
and securities so held in trust are not subject to Article 10.

          SECTION 8.04.  REPAYMENT TO COMPANY.  The Trustee and the Paying Agent
shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money or
securities held by them at any time.

          Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the
Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for
the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and,
thereafter, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for
payment as general creditors.

          SECTION 8.05.  INDEMNITY FOR GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS.  The Company
shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge
imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the
principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

          SECTION 8.06.  REINSTATEMENT.  If the Trustee or Paying Agent is
unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this
Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or
judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or
otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company's obligations under this
Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no
deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee
or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government
Obligations in accordance with this Article 8;  PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if the
Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities
because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the
money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.


<PAGE>

                                                                            84

                                   ARTICLE 9

                                   AMENDMENTS

          SECTION 9.01.  WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS.  The Company and the
Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent
of any Securityholder:

          (1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

          (2) to comply with Article 5;

          (3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in
     place of certificated Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
     uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of
     Section 163(f) of the Code or in a manner such that the uncertificated
     Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;

          (4) to make any change in Article 10 that would limit or terminate the
     benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness (or Representatives
     therefor) under Article 10;

          (5) to add Guarantees with respect to the Securities or to secure the
     Securities; 

          (6) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
     Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
     Company;

          (7) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with
     qualifying this Indenture under the TIA;

          (8) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of
     any Securityholder; or 

          (9) to provide for the issuance and authorization of the Exchange
     Securities.

          An amendment under this Section may not make any change that adversely
affects the rights under Article 10 of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then
outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or


<PAGE>

                                                                            85

representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

          After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment.  The
failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall
not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

          SECTION 9.02.  WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS.  The Company and the Trustee
may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Securityholder
but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the Securities.  However, without the consent of each Securityholder
affected, an amendment may not:

          (1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an
     amendment;

          (2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on
     any Security;

          (3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any
     Security;

          (4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Security or
     change the time at which any Security may be redeemed in accordance with
     Article 3;

          (5) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the
     Security;

          (6) make any change in Article 10 that adversely affects the rights of
     any Securityholder under Article 10;

          (7) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second sentence of
     this Section; or

          (8) impair the right of any Securityholder to receive payment of
     principal of and interest on such Holder's Securities on or after the due
     dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on
     or with respect to such Holder's Notes.

          It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of


<PAGE>

                                                                            86

any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the
substance thereof.

          An amendment under this Section may not make any change that adversely
affects the rights under Article 10 of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then
outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or
representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

          After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment.  The
failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall
not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

          SECTION 9.03.  COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT.  Every amendment
to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

          SECTION 9.04.  REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS AND WAIVERS. A 
consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the 
Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the 
Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder's Security, 
even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security.  
However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or 
waiver as to such Holder's Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee 
receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver 
becomes effective.  After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall 
bind every Securityholder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective once the 
requisite number of consents are received by the Company or the Trustee.

          The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for
the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their consent or
take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken
pursuant to this Indenture.  If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the
immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Securityholders at such
record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be
entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to
take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders


<PAGE>

                                                                            87

after such record date.  No such consent shall be valid or effective for more
than 120 days after such record date.

          SECTION 9.05.  NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES.  If an amendment
changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the
Security to deliver it to the Trustee.  The Trustee may place an appropriate
notation on the Security regarding the changed terms and return it to the
Holder.  Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company
in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a
new Security that reflects the changed terms.  Failure to make the appropriate
notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such
amendment.

          SECTION 9.06.  TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS.  The Trustee shall sign any
amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not
adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. 
If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it.  In signing such amendment the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and
to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying
upon, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such
amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and complies with the
provisions hereof (including Section 9.03).

          SECTION 9.07.  PAYMENT FOR CONSENT.  Neither the Company nor any
Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid
any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder
for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms
or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is
offered to be paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in
the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement.


                                  ARTICLE 10

                                 SUBORDINATION

          SECTION 10.01.  AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE.  The Company agrees, and
each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, that the Indebtedness
evidenced by the Securities is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent
and in the manner provided in this Article 10, to the


<PAGE>

                                                                            88

prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness and that the subordination is
for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of Senior Indebtedness.  The
Securities shall in all respects rank PARI PASSU with all other Senior Subord-
inated Indebtedness of the Company and only Indebtedness of the Company that is
Senior Indebtedness shall rank senior to the Securities in accordance with the
provisions set forth herein.  For purposes of these subordination provisions,
the Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities is deemed to include the liquidat-
ed damages payable pursuant to the provisions set forth in the Securities and
the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.  All provisions of this Article
10 shall be subject to Section 10.12.

          SECTION 10.02.  LIQUIDATION, DISSOLUTION, BANKRUPTCY.  Upon any
payment or distribution of the assets of the Company to creditors upon a total
or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding
relating to the Company or its property:

          (1) holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to receive
     payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness before Securityholders shall be
     entitled to receive any payment of principal of or interest on the
     Securities; and

          (2) until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, any payment or
     distribution to which Securityholders would be entitled but for this
     Article 10 shall be made to holders of Senior Indebtedness as their
     interests may appear.

          SECTION 10.03.  DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.  The Company may not
pay the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Securities or make any
deposit pursuant to Section 8.01 and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise
retire any Securities (collectively, "pay the Securities") if (i) any Senior
Indebtedness is not paid when due or (ii) any other default on Senior
Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated
in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, (x) the default has been
cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or (y) such Senior
Indebtedness has been paid in full; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company may pay
the Securities without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee
receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of the
Designated 

<PAGE>

                                                                            89

Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events in clause 
(i) or (ii) of this sentence has occurred and is continuing.  During the 
continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (i) or 
(ii) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior 
Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated 
immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to 
effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, 
the Company may not pay the Securities for a period (a "Payment Blockage 
Period") commencing upon the receipt by the Company and the Trustee of 
written notice (a "Blockage Notice") of such default from the Representative 
of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a 
Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such 
Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee 
and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, 
(ii) by repayment in full of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or (iii) 
because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer 
continuing).  Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately 
preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in the first 
sentence of this Section), unless the holders of such Designated Senior 
Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the 
maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company may resume 
payments on the Securities after such Payment Blockage Period.  Not more than 
one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, 
irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior 
Indebtedness during such period; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if any Blockage 
Notice within such 360-day period is given by or on behalf of any holders of 
Designated Senior Indebtedness (other than the Bank Indebtedness), the 
Representative of the Bank Indebtedness may give another Blockage Notice 
within such period; PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that in no event may the total 
number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in 
effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period.

          SECTION 10.04.  ACCELERATION OF PAYMENT OF SECURITIES.  If payment of
the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company or the
Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness
(or their Representative) of the acceleration.  If any Designated Senior
Indebtedness is outstanding, the Company may not pay the Securities until five
Business Days after such holders or the Representative of the Designated


<PAGE>

                                                                            90

Senior Indebtedness receive notice of such acceleration and, thereafter, may pay
the Securities only if this Article 10 otherwise permits payment at that time.

          SECTION 10.05.  WHEN DISTRIBUTION MUST BE PAID OVER.  If a
distribution is made to Securityholders that because of this Article 10 should
not have been made to them, the Securityholders who receive the distribution
shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to
them as their interests may appear.

          SECTION 10.06.  SUBROGATION.  After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in
full and until the Securities are paid in full, Securityholders shall be
subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive
distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness.  A distribution made under this
Article 10 to holders of Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been
made to Securityholders is not, as between the Company and Securityholders, a
payment by the Company on Senior Indebtedness.

          SECTION 10.07.  RELATIVE RIGHTS.  This Article 10 defines the relative
rights of Securityholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness.  Nothing in this
Indenture shall:

          (1) impair, as between the Company and Securityholders, the obligation
     of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of
     and interest on the Securities in accordance with their terms; or

          (2) prevent the Trustee or any Securityholder from exercising its
     available remedies upon a Default, subject to the rights of holders of
     Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions otherwise payable to
     Securityholders.

          SECTION 10.08.  SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED BY COMPANY.  No
right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination of the
Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be impaired by any act or failure
to act by the Company or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

          SECTION 10.09.  RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE AND PAYING AGENT.  Notwithstanding
Section 10.03, the Trustee or Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the
Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of


<PAGE>

                                                                            91

facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than
two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Trust Officer of the
Trustee receives notice satisfactory to it that payments may not be made under
this Article 10.  The Company, the Registrar or co-registrar, the Paying Agent,
a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness may give the notice;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness has a
Representative, only the Representative may give the notice.  The Trustee shall
be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a
Person representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Senior Indebtedness
(or a Representative of such holder) to establish that such notice has been
given by a holder of such Senior Indebtedness or Representative thereof.

          The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior
Indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  The
Registrar and co-registrar and the Paying Agent may do the same with like
rights.  The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this
Article 10 with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held
by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness; and
nothing in Article 7 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such
holder.  Nothing in this Article 10 shall apply to claims of, or payments to,
the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07.

          SECTION 10.10.  DISTRIBUTION OR NOTICE TO REPRESENTATIVE.  Whenever a
distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness,
the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if
any).

          SECTION 10.11.  ARTICLE 10 NOT TO PREVENT EVENTS OF DEFAULT OR LIMIT
RIGHT TO ACCELERATE.  The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Securities
by reason of any provision in this Article 10 shall not be construed as
preventing the occurrence of a Default.  Nothing in this Article 10 shall have
any effect on the right of the Securityholders or the Trustee to accelerate the
maturity of the Securities.

          SECTION 10.12.  TRUST MONEYS NOT SUBORDINATED.  Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds
of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article 8 by the Trustee for
the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities


<PAGE>

                                                                            92

shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or
subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article 10, and none of the
Securityholders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company
or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any other creditor of
the Company.

          SECTION 10.13.  TRUSTEE ENTITLED TO RELY.  Upon any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee and the Securityholders
shall be entitled to conclusively rely (i) upon any order or decree of a court
of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in
Section 10.02 are pending, (ii) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or
agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to
the Securityholders or (iii) upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior
Indebtedness for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate
in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and
other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the
amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent
thereto or to this Article 10.  In the event that the Trustee determines, in
good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as
a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution
pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish
evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of
Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is
entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts
pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 10, and, if such
evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person
pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such
payment.  The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all
actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 10.

          SECTION 10.14.  TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION.  Each
Securityholder by accepting a Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his
behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or
effectuate the subordination between the Securityholders and the holders of
Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article 10 and appoints the Trustee as
attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.


<PAGE>

                                                                            93

          SECTION 10.15.  TRUSTEE NOT FIDUCIARY FOR HOLDERS  OF SENIOR
INDEBTEDNESS.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it
shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Securityholders or the Company or any
other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall
be entitled by virtue of this Article 10 or otherwise.

          SECTION 10.16.  RELIANCE BY HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS ON
SUBORDINATION PROVISIONS.  Each Securityholder by accepting a Security
acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are
intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior
Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or
after the issuance of the Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to
continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior
Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination
provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such
Senior Indebtedness.

          SECTION 10.17.  TRUSTEE'S COMPENSATION NOT PREJUDICED.  Nothing in
this Article shall apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other
sections of this Indenture.


                                      ARTICLE 11

                                     MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 11.01.  TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS.  If any provision of
this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is
required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision
shall control.


<PAGE>

                                                                            94

          SECTION 11.02.  NOTICES.  Any notice or communication shall be in
writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as
follows:

                                    if to the Company:

                                Core-Mark International, Inc.
                                395 Oyster Point Boulevard
                                Suite 415
                                San Francisco, CA 94080

                                      Attention of:
                                 Chief Financial Officer

                                    if to the Trustee:

                                Bankers Trust Company
                                Corporate Trust and Agency Group
                                Four Albany Street, 4th Floor
                                New York, New York 10006

                                      Attention of:
                                 Corporate Market Services

          The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

          Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed
to the Securityholder at the Securityholder's address as it appears on the
registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed
within the time prescribed.

          Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any
defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other
Securityholders.  If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

          SECTION 11.03.  COMMUNICATION BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS. 
Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities.  The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have
the protection of TIA Section 312(c).


<PAGE>

                                                                            95

          SECTION 11.04.  CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. 
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain
from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee:

          (1) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
     satisfactory to the Trustee and complying with Section 11.05 stating that,
     in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided
     for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied
     with; and

          (2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably
     satisfactory to the Trustee and complying with Section 11.05 stating that,
     in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been
     complied with.  In furnishing such opinion, such counsel shall be permitted
     to rely on the Officers' Certificate required by clause (1) of this
     Section 11.04, on certificates of government agencies or authorities and on
     any other certificate, instrument or opinion delivered pursuant to the
     terms of this Indenture.

          SECTION 11.05.  STATEMENTS REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE OR OPINION.  Each
certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition
provided for in this Indenture shall include:

          (1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion
     has read such covenant or condition;

          (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
     certificate or opinion are based;

          (3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made
     such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express
     an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
     been complied with; and

          (4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
     individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.


<PAGE>

                                                                            96

          SECTION 11.06.  WHEN SECURITIES DISREGARDED.  In determining whether
the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any
direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or by any Person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only
Securities which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned
shall be so disregarded.  Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities
outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

          SECTION 11.07.  RULES BY TRUSTEE, PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR.  The
Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders.
The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their
functions.

          SECTION 11.08.  LEGAL HOLIDAYS.  A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a
Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the
State of New York.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made
on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall
accrue for the intervening period.  If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday,
the record date shall not be affected.

          SECTION 11.09.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Indenture and the Securities
shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of
New York but without giving effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law
to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be
required thereby.

          SECTION 11.10.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS.  A director, officer,
employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability
for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or for
any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their
creation.  By accepting a Security, each Securityholder shall waive and release
all such liability.  The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration
for the issue of the Securities.

          SECTION 11.11.  SUCCESSORS.  All agreements of the Company in this
Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors.  All agreements of the
Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.


<PAGE>

                                                                            97

          SECTION 11.12.  MULTIPLE ORIGINALS.  The parties may sign any number
of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of
them together represent the same agreement.  One signed copy is enough to prove
this Indenture.

          SECTION 11.13.  TABLE OF CONTENTS; HEADINGS.  The table of contents,
cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this
Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended
to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms
or provisions hereof.


<PAGE>

                                                                            98


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly
executed as of the date first written above.


                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

                                        by /s/ Leo F. Korman
                                           ---------------------------
                                          Name:  Leo F. Korman
                                          Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                 Chief Financial Officer


                                       BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee,

                                        by /s/ Kevin Weeks
                                           ----------------------------
                                          Name:  Kevin Weeks
                                          Title: Assistant Treasurer


<PAGE>

                                                                            99

STATE OF CALIFORNIA            )
                             ) SS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO           )

          On September 25, 1996, before me personally came Leo Korman, to me 
known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is the of 
Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation and that he signed his 
name thereto on behalf of such corporation.

                                                 /s/ James G. Douglas 
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                 Notary Public in and for the
                                                 State of California

                                                 Name: James G. Douglas
                                                 My commission expires:

                                                 December 3rd, 1999
                                                 ---------------------------


<PAGE>

                                                                           100

STATE OF NEW YORK            )
                             ) SS
COUNTY OF NEW YORK           )     

          On September 26, 1996, before me personally came Kevin Weeks, to me 
known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that she is the 
Assistant Treasurer of Bankers Trust Company, a New York banking corporation 
and that she signed her name thereto on behalf of such corporation.

                                                 /s/ Margaret Bereza
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                 Notary Public in and for the
                                                 State of New York

                                                 Name: Maraget Bereza
                                                 My commission expires:

                                                           2/22/98
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                          

                              
<PAGE>
                                                                       EXHIBIT A


             [FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL SECURITY]


          [UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES
IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY
THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY
TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF
SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC"), TO THE
COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR
TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO.,
HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.] 1/
                        --

          THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  NEITHER
THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD,
ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER,
SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY
AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF
SUCH SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS
THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS
OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE
IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT
TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF
REGULATION S UNDER THE


     1/To be included only if note is in global form.
    --

<PAGE>

                                                                               2


SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING
OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING
THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE
SECURITIES OF $250,000 FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR
OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S OR THE
TRUSTEE'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES
(D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION
AND OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN THE CASE OF
CLAUSE (E), A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE.  THIS
LEGEND Shall BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.



                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                     11-3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2003


No.                                                           CUSIP No.
                                                                    $


          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay
to           , or registered assigns, the principal sum of $75,000,000 on
September 15, 2003.

          Interest Payment Dates:  March 15 and September 15.

          Record Dates:  March 1 and September 1.

<PAGE>

                                                                               3


          Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side
of this Security.


Dated:          , 1996

                              CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                by

                                   _______________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:



                                   _______________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:


TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
     AUTHENTICATION

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

  as Trustee, certifies            [Seal]
  that this is one of
  the Securities referred
  to in the Indenture,

  by
    _____________________________
        Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                                                                               4


                   [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY]

                    11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2003

1.  INTEREST

          Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above.  The
Company shall use its best efforts to have the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and, if applicable, a Shelf Registration Statement (each a
"Registration Statement") declared effective by the Commission as promptly as
practicable after the filing thereof.  If (i) the applicable Registration
Statement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to 45 days after the
Issue Date, (ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or, as the case may
be, the Shelf Registration Statement, is not declared effective within 105 days
after the Issue Date, (iii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated on
or prior to 135 days after the Issue Date, or (iv) the Shelf Registration
Statement is filed and declared effective within 105 days after the Issue Date
but shall thereafter cease to be effective (at any time that the Company is
obligated to maintain the effectiveness thereof) without being succeeded within
30 days by an additional Registration Statement filed and declared effective
(each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration
Default"), the Company shall pay liquidated damages to each holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities, during the period of such Registration Default, in an
amount equal to $0.192 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the Securities
constituting Transfer Restricted Securities held by such holder until the
applicable Registration Statement is filed or declared effective, the Exchange
Offer is consummated or the Shelf Registration Statement again becomes
effective, as the case may be.  All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to
holders in the same manner as interest payments on the Securities on semi-annual
payment dates which correspond to interest payment dates for the Securities.
Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of liquidated
damages shall cease.  The Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to
the determination of the amount of any such liquidated damages.

<PAGE>

                                                                               5


          For purposes of the foregoing, "Transfer Restricted Securities" means
each Initial Security until (i) the date on which such Initial Security has been
exchanged for a freely transferable Exchange Security in the Exchange Offer,
(ii) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered
under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf
Registration Statement or (iii) the date on which such Initial Security is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or is
saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

          The Company shall pay interest and liquidated damages, if any,
semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year.  Interest on the
Securities shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from September 27, 1996.  Interest shall
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  The Company
shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Securities plus
1% per annum, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at
the same rate to the extent lawful.


2.  METHOD OF PAYMENT

          The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close
of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding the interest payment
date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the
interest payment date.  Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to
collect principal payments.  The Company shall pay principal and interest in
money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts.  Payments in respect of Securities
(including principal, premium and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof or,
if no U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United
States is designated by any holder to the Trustee or the Paying Agent at least
30 days prior to the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the
Trustee may accept in its discretion), by  mailing a check to the registered
address of such holder.

<PAGE>

                                                                               6


3.  PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

          Initially, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking corporation
("Trustee"), shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may appoint
and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice.  The
Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may
act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.


4.  INDENTURE

          The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
September 27, 1996 ("Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee.  The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made
part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.
Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "Act").
Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Indenture.  The Securities are subject to all such terms, and
Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of
those terms.

          The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company
limited to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding
(subject to Section 2.07 of the Indenture).  This Security is one of the Initial
Securities referred to in the Indenture.  The Securities include the Initial
Securities and any Exchange Securities issued in exchange for the Initial
Securities pursuant to the Indenture.  The Initial Securities and the Exchange
Securities are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.  The
Indenture imposes certain limitations on the Incurrence of Indebtedness by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; the payment of dividends on, and
redemption of, Capital Stock of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and
the redemption of certain Subordinated Obligations of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries; Investments; sales of assets and Restricted Subsidiary
Capital Stock; certain transactions with Affiliates of the Company; the sale or
issuance of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries; the creation of Liens; the
lines of business in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may
operate; the disposition of assets of the Company to Restricted Subsidiaries;
and consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of the

<PAGE>

                                                                               7


Company's assets.  In addition, the Indenture prohibits certain restrictions on
distributions and dividends from Restricted Subsidiaries.


5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

          Except as set forth in the next two paragraphs, the Securities may not
be redeemed prior to September 15, 2000.  On and after that date, the Company
may redeem the Securities in whole at any time or in part from time to time at
the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount),
plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related
interest payment date):

          if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on or after
September 15 of the years set forth below:


Period                                                Redemption
Period                                                  Price
- ------                                                ----------
2000.........................................          105.688%
2001.........................................          102.844%
2002 and thereafter..........................          100.000%

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to September 15,
1999, the Company may redeem in the aggregate up to 30% of the original
aggregate principal amount of Securities with the proceeds of one or more Public
Equity Offerings by the Company following which there is a Public Market, at a
redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 111.375%
plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at least 70% of the original
aggregate principal amount of the Securities must remain outstanding after each
such redemption.

          At any time on or prior to September 15, 2000, the Securities may also
be redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company within 90 days after a
Change of Control, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the
principal amount thereof plus (ii) the Applicable Premium plus (iii) accrued but
unpaid interest, if any, to, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of
Holders of record

<PAGE>

                                                                               8


on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date).


6.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

          Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed at his registered address.  Securities in denominations larger than
$1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000.  If money
sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities
(or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with
the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions
are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such
Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.


7.  PUT PROVISIONS

          Upon a Change of Control, unless the Company has elected to redeem the
Securities pursuant to paragraph 5, any Holder of Securities shall have the
right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the
Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a
repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be
repurchased plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the
right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due
on the relevant interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms
of, the Indenture.


8.  SUBORDINATION

          The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness, as defined in
the Indenture.  To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness
must be paid before the Securities may be paid.  The Company agrees, and each
Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the subordination provisions
contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give such provisions
effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

<PAGE>

                                                                               9


9.  DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE

          The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000.  A Holder may transfer or exchange
Securities in accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a
Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture.  The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any
Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.


10.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

          The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes.


11.  UNCLAIMED MONEY

          If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed
for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the
Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another
Person.  After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to
the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.


12.  DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

          Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate
substantially all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if
the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for
the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or
maturity, as the case may be.


13.  AMENDMENT, WAIVER

          Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least

<PAGE>

                                                                              10


a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities and (ii) any
default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the
Securities.  Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without
the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend the
Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or
inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for
uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities,
or to make certain changes in the Subordination provisions, or to add guarantees
with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities, or to add additional
covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company, or to comply
with any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under
the Act, or to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights
of any Securityholder, or to provide for the issuance and authorization of the
Exchange Securities.


14.  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

          Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for 30 days
in payment of interest on the Securities; (ii) default in payment of principal
on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to paragraph 5 of the
Securities, upon declaration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem
or purchase Securities when required; (iii) failure by the Company to comply
with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases
subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) certain accelerations (including
failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other
Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds
$5,000,000; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments or decrees for
the payment of money in excess of $5,000,000 and (vii) a Note Guarantee ceasing
to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms).  If an
Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all the Securities
to be due and payable immediately.  Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
are Events of Default which shall result in the Securities being due and payable
immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

<PAGE>

                                                                              11


          Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except
as provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture
or the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security.  Subject
to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.  The
Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default
(except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.


15.  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

          Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act,  the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.


16.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

          A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company
or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company
under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of
or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  By accepting a Security,
each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.


17.  AUTHENTICATION

          This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

<PAGE>

                                                                              12



18.  ABBREVIATIONS

          Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).

19.  CUSIP NUMBERS

          Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in
notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders.  No representation is
made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or
as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

          THE COMPANY SHALL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST
AND WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE SECURITYHOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT
THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY IN LARGER TYPE.  REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO:

                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                      395 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD, SUITE 415
                             SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080
                      ATTENTION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

<PAGE>

                                                                              13


                       ASSIGNMENT FORM



To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to


     (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

     (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)


and irrevocably appoint                           agent to transfer this
Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute another to act
for him.


_______________________________________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________ Your Signature: _________________________

Signature Guarantee:___________________________________________________________
                    (Signature must be guaranteed by a
                  participant in a recognized signature
                    guarantee medallion program)
_______________________________________________________________________________

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

<PAGE>

                                                                              14


CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED
                               SECURITIES

This certificate relates to $_________ principal amount of Securities held in
(check applicable space) ____ book-entry or _____ definitive form by the
undersigned.

The undersigned (check one box below):

/ /  has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its
     beneficial interest in the Global Security held by the Depository a
     Security or Securities in definitive, registered form of authorized
     denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial
     interest in such Global Security (or the portion thereof indicated above);

/ /  has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the
     transfer of a Security or Securities.

In connection with any transfer or exchange of any of the Securities evidenced
by this certificate occurring prior to the date that is three years after the
later of the date of original issuance of such Securities and the last date, if
any, on which such Securities were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are being:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:

          (1)  / /  acquired for the undersigned's own account, without transfer
                    (in satisfaction of Section 2.06(a)(ii)(A) or Section
                    2.06(d)(i)(A) of the Indenture); or

          (2)  / /  transferred to the Company; or

          (3)  / /  transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A
                    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

          (4)  / /  transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation S
                    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or


<PAGE>

                                                                              15


          (5)  / /  transferred to an institutional "accredited investor" (as
                    defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
                    Securities Act of 1933, as amended), that has furnished to
                    the Trustee a signed letter containing certain
                    representations and agreements (the form of which letter
                    appears as Exhibit C to the Indenture; or

          (6)  / /  transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the
                    registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
                    amended.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee shall refuse to register any of
the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other
than the registered holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if box (4), (5) or
(6) is checked, the Trustee or the Company may require, prior to registering any
such transfer of the Securities, in its sole discretion, such legal opinions,
certifications and other information as the Trustee or Company has reasonably
requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption
from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144
under such Act.


                                             ______________________________
                                                       Signature
Signature Guarantee:

_________________________                    ______________________________
                                                       Signature
(Signature must be guaranteed
by a participant in a signature
guarantee medallion program)
_______________________________________________________________________________

<PAGE>

                                                                              16


                  OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

               If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, check the box:
                               ___
                              /  /
                              ---

               If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased
by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, state the
amount:
$


Date: ____________________ Your Signature: ___________________________________
                           (Sign exactly as your name appearson the other
                            side of the Security)


Signature Guarantee:_______________________________________
                    (Signature must be guaranteed by a
                  participant in a recognized signature
                    guarantee medallion program)
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT B


                       [FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY]


          UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN
DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE
DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO
THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF
SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") TO THE COMPANY
OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE OR TO
ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS
AN INTEREST HEREIN. 1/


                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

               11-3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE SERIES A DUE 2003

No.                                     Cusip No. [   ]
                                        $[       ]

          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay
to        , or registered assigns, the principal sum of    on September 15,
2003.

          Interest Payment Dates:  March 15 and September 15.

          Record Dates:  March 1 and September 1.
________________________

     1/ This paragraph should only be added if the Security is issued in global
form.

<PAGE>

                                                                               2


          Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side
of this Security.

Dated:

                                        CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

                                          by

                                             ______________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                             ______________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
    AUTHENTICATION

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,

     as Trustee, certifies                        [Seal]
     that this is one of
     the Securities referred
     to in the Indenture,

     by
       _________________________
          Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>

                                                                               3


                   [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY]


                    11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2003


1.  INTEREST

          Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above.  The
Company will pay interest semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each
year.  Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from September 27,
1996.  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.  The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne
by the Securities plus 1% per annum, and it shall pay interest on overdue
installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.


2.  METHOD OF PAYMENT

          The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close
of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding the interest payment
date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the
interest payment date.  Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to
collect principal payments.  The Company will pay principal and interest in
money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts.  Payments in respect of Securities
(including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof or,
if no U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United
States is designated by any holder to the Trustee or the Paying Agent at least
30 days prior to the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the
Trustee may accept in its discretion), by mailing a check to the registered
address of such holder.

<PAGE>

                                                                               4



3.  PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

          Initially, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking corporation
("Trustee"), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may appoint
and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice.  The
Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may
act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.


4.  INDENTURE

          The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
September 27, 1996 ("Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee.  The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made
part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.
Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "Act").
Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Indenture.  The Securities are subject to all such terms, and
Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of
those terms.

          The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company
limited to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding
(subject to Section 2.07 of the Indenture).  This Security is one of the
Exchange Securities referred to in the Indenture.  The Securities include the
Initial Securities and any Exchange Securities issued in exchange for the
Initial Securities pursuant to the Indenture.  The Initial Securities and the
Exchange Securities are treated as a single class of securities under the
Indenture.  The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the Incurrence of
Indebtedness by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; the payment of
dividends on, and redemption of, Capital Stock of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries and the redemption of certain Subordinated Obligations of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; Investments; sales of assets and
Restricted Subsidiary Capital Stock; certain transactions with Affiliates of the
Company; the sale or issuance of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries; the
creation of Liens; the lines of business in which the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may operate; the disposition of assets of the Company to Restricted
Subsidiaries; and consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially
all of the

<PAGE>

                                                                               5


Company's assets.  In addition, the Indenture prohibits certain restrictions on
distributions and dividends from Restricted Subsidiaries.


5.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

          Except as set forth in the next two paragraphs, the Securities may not
be redeemed prior to September 15, 2000.  On and after that date, the Company
may redeem the Securities in whole at any time or in part from time to time at
the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount),
plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related
interest payment date):

          if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on or after
September 15 of the years set forth below:

                                                           Redemption
Period                                                       Price
- ------                                                     ----------

2000...................................................     105.688%
2001...................................................     102.844%
2002 and thereafter....................................     100.000%

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to September 15,
1999, in the aggregate up to 30% of the original aggregate principal amount of
Securities with the proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings by the
Company following which there is a Public Market, at a redemption price
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 111.375% plus accrued
interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on
the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date); provided, however, that at least 70% of the original aggregate
principal amount of the Securities must remain outstanding after each such
redemption.

          At any time on or prior to September 15, 2000, the Notes may also be
redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company within 90 days after a Change
of Control, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus (ii) the Applicable Premium plus (iii) accrued but unpaid
interest, if any, to, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of
record

<PAGE>

                                                                               6


on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date).

6.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

          Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed
at his registered address.  Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may
be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000.  If money sufficient
to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or
portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the
Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are
satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities
(or such portions thereof) called for redemption.


7.  PUT PROVISIONS

          Upon a Change of Control, unless the Company has elected to redeem the
Securities pursuant to paragraph 5, any Holder of Securities will have the
right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the
Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a
repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be
repurchased plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the
right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due
on the relevant interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms
of, the Indenture.


8.  SUBORDINATION

          The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness, as defined in
the Indenture.  To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness
must be paid before the Securities may be paid.  The Company agrees, and each
Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the subordination provisions
contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give such provisions
effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

<PAGE>

                                                                               7


9.  DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE

          The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000.  A Holder may transfer or exchange
Securities in accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a
Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture.  The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any
Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.


10.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

          The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes.


11.  UNCLAIMED MONEY

          If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed
for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the
Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another
Person.  After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to
the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.


12.  DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

          Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate
substantially all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if
the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for
the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or
maturity, as the case may be.


13.  AMENDMENT, WAIVER

          Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least

<PAGE>

                                                                               8


a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities and (ii) any
default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the
Securities.  Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without
the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend the
Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or
inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for
uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities,
or to make certain changes in the Subordination provisions, or to add guarantees
with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities, or to add additional
covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company, or to comply
with any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under
the Act, or to make certain changes in the subordination provisions, or to make
any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.


14.  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

          Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for 30 days
in payment of interest on the Securities; (ii) default in payment of principal
on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to paragraph 5 of the
Securities, upon declaration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem
or purchase Securities when required; (iii) failure by the Company to comply
with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases
subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) certain accelerations (including
failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other
Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds
$5,000,000; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments or decrees for
the payment of money in excess of $5,000,000 and (vii) a Note Guarantee ceasing
to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms).  If an
Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all the Securities
to be due and payable immediately.  Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
are Events of Default which will result in the Securities being due and payable
immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

<PAGE>

                                                                               9


          Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except
as provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture
or the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security.  Subject
to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.  The
Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default
(except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.


15.  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

          Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act,  the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.


16.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

          A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company
or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company
under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of
or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  By accepting a Security,
each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.


17.  AUTHENTICATION

          This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

<PAGE>

                                                                              10


18.  ABBREVIATIONS

          Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).

19.  CUSIP NUMBERS

          Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in
notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders.  No representation is
made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or
as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

          THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST
AND WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE SECURITYHOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT
THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY IN LARGER TYPE.  REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO:

                          COREMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                      395 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD, SUITE 415
                             SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080
                      ATTENTION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

<PAGE>

                                                                              11


                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM


To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to


     (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

     (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)


and irrevocably appoint                           agent to transfer this
Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute another to act
for him.


_______________________________________________________________________________

Date: _____________________ Your Signature: ___________________________________

Signature Guarantee:___________________________________________________________
                    (Signature must be guaranteed by a
                  participant in a recognized signature
                    guarantee medallion program)
_______________________________________________________________________________

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

<PAGE>

                                                                              12


                  OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

               If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, check the box:
                              
                              /  /
                              
               If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased
by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, state the
amount:
$


Date: ____________________ Your Signature: ____________________________________
                           (Sign exactly as your name  appears
                           on the other side of the Security)


Signature Guarantee:___________________________________________________________
                    (Signature must be guaranteed by a
                  participant in a recognized signature
                    guarantee medallion program)

<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT C



                       Transferee Letter of Representation



Core-Mark International, Inc.
c/o Bankers Trust Company




Dear Sirs:

          This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $
principal amount of the 11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Notes")
of Core-Mark International, Inc. (the "Company").

          Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new
beneficial owner as follows:

          Name: ___________________________________

          Address: ________________________________

          Taxpayer ID Number: _____________________

          The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

          1.  We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act")) purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an
institutional "accredited investor," and we are acquiring the Notes not with a
view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation
of the Securities Act.  We have such knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risk of our
investment in the Notes and invest in or purchase securities similar to the
Notes in the normal course of our business.  We and any accounts for which we
are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

          2.  We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the
Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in
the following sentence.  We agree on our own behalf and on

<PAGE>

                                                                               2


behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell
or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date which is three years after
the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which the Company
or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor
thereto) (the "Resale Restriction Termination Date") only (a) to the Company,
(b) pursuant to a registration statement which has been declared effective under
the Securities Act, (c) in a transaction complying with the requirements of Rule
144A under the Securities Act, to a person we reasonably believe is a qualified
institutional buyer under Rule 144A (a "QIB") that purchases for its own account
or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is
being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales that occur
outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the
Securities Act, (e) to an institutional "accredited investor" within the meaning
of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act that is purchasing
for its own account or for the account of such an institutional "accredited
investor", in each case in a minimum principal amount of Notes of $250,000 or
(f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements
of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirement
of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor
account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in
compliance with any applicable state securities laws.  The foregoing
restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction
Termination Date.  If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to
be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination
Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in
the form of this letter to the Company and the Trustee, which shall provide,
among other things, that the transferee is an institutional "accredited
investor" within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and
not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act.  Each purchaser
acknowledges that the Company and the Trustee reserve the right prior to any
offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Termination Date of the Notes
pursuant

<PAGE>

                                                                               3


to clauses (d), (e) or (f) above to require the delivery of an opinion of
counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Company and
the Trustee.

                                             TRANSFEREE:___________________

                                             BY____________________________
<PAGE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT D


                             FORM OF NOTE GUARANTEE


          NOTE GUARANTEE, dated as of             ,     , made by
(the "Guarantor"), the undersigned subsidiary of Core-Mark International, Inc.,
in favor of the Holders and the Trustee (as defined in the Indenture referred to
below).

          Reference is made to the Indenture dated as of September 27, 1996 (as
amended, restated, supplemented, modified or waived from time to time, the
"Indenture"), between Core-Mark International, Inc. (the "Company") and the
Trustee.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS the Company is a party to the Indenture;

          WHEREAS the Company owns directly all of or a majority interest in the
Guarantor;

          WHEREAS the Guarantor shall derive substantial direct and indirect
benefit from the transactions contemplated by the Indenture;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises thereby, the
Guarantor hereby agrees with and for the benefit of the Holders as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

          SECTION 1.01.  DEFINED TERMS.  As used in this Note Guarantee, terms
defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recitals hereto are used herein
as therein defined, except that the term "Holders" in this guarantee shall refer
to the term "Holders" as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on
behalf or for the benefit of such holders.

<PAGE>

                                                                               2


                                   ARTICLE II

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE GUARANTOR

          SECTION 2.01.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The Guarantor hereby
represents and warrants to the Holders as follows:

          (a)  DUE EXISTENCE; COMPLIANCE.  The Guarantor is a corporation or
limited partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing, where
applicable, under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it was incorporated or
organized and has all requisite power and authority under such laws to own or
lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted
and as proposed to be conducted, and to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Note Guarantee.  The Guarantor is duly qualified or
licensed to do business as a foreign corporation or entity and is in good
standing, where applicable, in all jurisdictions in which it owns or leases
property, or proposes to own or lease property, or in which the conduct of its
business requires it to so qualify or be licensed, except to the extent that the
failure to so qualify or be in good standing would have no material adverse
effect on the business, operations, properties, prospects or condition
(financial or otherwise) of the  Guarantor.  The Guarantor is in compliance in
all material respects with all applicable law, rules, regulations and orders.

          (b)  CORPORATE AUTHORITIES; NO CONFLICTS.  The execution, delivery and
performance by the Guarantor of this Guarantee is within its corporate or
limited partnership powers and has been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate and stockholder approvals or partnership approvals and (i) does not
contravene its organizational documents or any law, rule, regulation, judgment,
order or decree applicable to or binding on the Guarantor and (ii) does not
contravene, and shall not result in the creation of any lien under, any
provision of any contract, indenture, mortgage or agreement to which the
Guarantor is a party, or by which it or any of its properties are bound.

          (c)  GOVERNMENT APPROVALS AND AUTHORIZATIONS.  No authorization or
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental
authority or regulatory body is required for the due execution, delivery and
performance by or enforcement against the Guarantor of this

<PAGE>

                                                                               3


Note Guarantee (except such governmental approvals or authorizations as have
been duly obtained or made and remain in full force and effect).

          (d)  LEGAL, VALID AND BINDING.  This Note Guarantee is the legal valid
and binding obligation of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor in
accordance with its terms.

          (e)  LITIGATION.  There is no pending or threatened action or
proceeding affecting the Guarantor by or before any court, governmental agency
or arbitrator, which may materially adversely affect the condition, operations,
business, prospects, properties or assets of the Guarantor, or prohibit, limit
in any way or materially adversely affect the ability of the Guarantor to
perform its obligations under this Guarantee.

          (f)  IMMUNITIES.  Neither the Guarantor nor its property has any
immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether
through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of
execution, execution or otherwise) under applicable law.

          (g)  NO DEFAULTS.  There does not exist any event of default, or any
event that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an event of
default, under any agreement to which the Guarantor is a party or by which it
may be bound, or to which any of its properties or assets may be subject which
default would have a material adverse effect on the Guarantor, or would
materially adversely affect the Guarantor's ability to perform its obligations
under this Note Guarantee.

          (h)  SOLVENCY.  The Guarantor is on the date hereof solvent.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                    GUARANTEE

          SECTION 3.01.  GUARANTEE.  The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and
irrevocably guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, to each
Holder and to the Trustee (a) the full and punctual payment of principal of and
interest on the Securities when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by
redemption or otherwise, and

<PAGE>

                                                                               4


all other monetary obligations of the Company under the Indenture (including
obligations to the Trustee) and the Securities and (b) the full and punctual
performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the
Company whether for expenses, indemnification or otherwise under the Indenture
and the Securities (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the
"Obligations").  The Guarantor further agrees that the Obligations may be
extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from
it, and that it shall remain bound under this Article III notwithstanding any
extension or renewal of any Obligation.

          The Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and
protest to the Company of any of the Obligations and also waives notice of
protest for nonpayment.  The Guarantor waives notice of any default under the
Securities or the Obligations.  The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall
not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand
or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other person under
the Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any
extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or
modification of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture, the Securities
or any other agreement; (d) the failure of any Holder to exercise any right or
remedy against any other Guarantor of the Obligations; (e) the release of any
security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Obligations of any of them;
or (f) any change in the ownership of such Guarantor, except as provided in
Section 3.02(b).

          The Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein
constitutes a guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not
a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be
had by any Holder to any security held for payment of the Obligations.

          Except as otherwise provided herein, the obligations of the Guarantor
hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or
termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender,
alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff,
counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the

<PAGE>

                                                                               5



obligations of the Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or
otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or
to enforce any remedy under the Indenture, the Securities or any other
agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure
or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Obligations, or by any
other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may
or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the Guarantor or would
otherwise operate as a discharge of the Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

          The Guarantor further agrees that its Note Guarantee herein shall
continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time
payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Obligation is
rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder upon the bankruptcy or
reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

          In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other
right which any Holder has at law or in equity against the Guarantor by virtue
hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on
any Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by
acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other
Obligation, the Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written
demand by the Trustee or the Holders of a majority of the Securities (the
"Majority Securityholders"), forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the
Holders an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such
Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Obligations (but only to
the extent not prohibited by law) and (iii) all other monetary Obligations of
the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.

          The Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantor, on the
one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity
of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated for the purposes of the
Guarantor's Note Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other
prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Obligations
guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of
such Obligations, such Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall
forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purposes of this
Section.

<PAGE>

                                                                               6


          The Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in
enforcing any rights under this Section.

          SECTION 3.02.  LIMITATION ON LIABILITY.  (a)  Any term or provision of
this Note Guarantee to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate
amount of the Obligations guarantied hereunder by the Guarantor shall not exceed
the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Note
Guarantee, as it relates to the Guarantor, voidable under applicable law
relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer.

          (b)  This Note Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force or
effect upon the sale or other transfer (i) by the Guarantor of all or
substantially all of its assets or (ii) by the Company of all of its stock or
other equity interests in the Guarantor, to a Person that is not an Affiliate of
the Company; provided, however, that such sale or transfer constitutes an Asset
Disposition (as defined in the Indenture).  Upon notice to the Trustee that such
a sale or transfer described in this clause 3.02(b) has occurred, the Trustee
shall return the original Note Guarantee to the Guarantor.

          SECTION 3.03.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  Subject to Section 3.02(b)
hereof, this Article III shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors
and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the
Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder,
the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Note Guarantee and
in the Securities shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee
or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Note Guarantee.

          SECTION 3.04.  NO WAIVER, ETC.  Neither a failure nor a delay on the
part of the Holders or the Trustee in exercising any right, power or privilege
under this Article III shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or
partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right,
power or privilege.  The rights, remedies and benefits of the Holders and the
Trustee herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other
rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article III at
law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

<PAGE>

                                                                               7


          SECTION 3.05.  MODIFICATION, ETC.  No modification, amendment or
waiver of any provision of this Article, nor the consent to any departure by the
Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by the Majority Securityholders, and then such waiver or
consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for
which it was given.  No notice to or demand on the Guarantor in any case shall
entitle the Guarantor or any other guarantor to any other or further notice or
demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  SUBORDINATION

          SECTION 4.01.  SUBORDINATION.  The Obligations of the Guarantor under
this Note Guarantee are subordinate to the obligations of the Guarantor under
any Guarantee of the Credit Agreement and any other Senior Indebtedness to the
extent and in the manner that the Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities is
subordinate to the obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement and
other Senior Indebtedness under Article X of the Indenture.  By acceptance of
this Note Guarantee, the Holders agree to be bound by the foregoing provisions.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

          SECTION 5.01.  NOTICES.  All notices and other communications
pertaining to this Note Guarantee or any Security shall be in writing and shall
be deemed to have been duly given upon the receipt thereof.  Such notices shall
be delivered by hand, or mailed, certified or registered mail with postage
prepaid (a) if to the Guarantor, at its address set forth below, and (b) if to
the Holders or the Trustee, as provided in the Indenture.

          SECTION 5.02.  PARTIES.  Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Note
Guarantee is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or
corporation, other than the Holders and the Trustee and the holders of any
Senior Indebtedness, any legal or equitable right, remedy or

<PAGE>

                                                                               8


claim under or in respect of this Note Guarantee or any provision herein
contained.

          SECTION 5.03.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Note Guarantee shall be governed
by the laws of the State of New York regardless of the laws that might otherwise
govern under applicable principles of conflict of laws thereof.

          SECTION 5.04.  SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.  In case any provision in this
Note Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the
extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

          SECTION 5.05.  WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND REMEDIES.  The failure to
insist in any one or more instances upon strict performance of any of the
provisions of this Note Guarantee or to take advantage of any of its rights
hereunder shall not be construed as a waiver of any such provisions or the
relinquishment of any such rights, but the same shall continue and remain in
full force and effect.   Except as otherwise expressly limited in this
Guarantee, all remedies under this Note Guarantee shall be cumulative and in
addition to every other remedy provided for herein or by law.

          SECTION 5.06.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Note Guarantee is intended by
the parties to be a final expression of their agreement in respect of the
subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

          SECTION 5.07.  HEADINGS.  The headings of the Articles and the
sections in this Note Guarantee are for convenience of reference only and shall
not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions
hereof.

<PAGE>

                                                                               9


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has duly executed this Note
Guarantee as of the date first above written.



                         [NAME OF GUARANTOR],

                            By
                              ____________________________
                              Name:
                              Title:
                              Address:



<PAGE>
                                                             Exhibit 4.2


                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                   $75,000,000

                   11-3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003


                   EXCHANGE AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT




                                                              September 27, 1996


CHASE SECURITIES INC.
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017

DONALDSON, LUFKIN, & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10072


Dear Sirs:

          Core-Mark International Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell to certain purchasers (the "Initial Purchasers"),
upon the terms set forth in a purchase agreement dated September 24, 1996 (the
"Purchase Agreement"), $75,000,000 principal amount of its Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2003 (the "Notes").  The Notes are to be issued pursuant to an
Indenture dated as of September 27, 1996 (the "Indenture"), between the Company
and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee").  Capitalized terms used
but not specifically defined herein are defined in the Purchase Agreement.  As
an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement and
in satisfaction of a condition to your obligations thereunder, the Company
agrees with you, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes (including the
Initial Purchasers) (the "Holders"), as follows:

          1.  REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER.  The Company shall prepare and, not
later than 45 days following the Closing Date, shall file with the Commission a
registration

<PAGE>

                                                                               2


statement (the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement") on an appropriate form
under the Securities Act with respect to a proposed offer (the "Registered
Exchange Offer") to the Holders to issue and deliver to such Holders, in
exchange for the Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of
the Company (the "Exchange Notes") identical in all material respects to the
Notes, except for the transfer restrictions relating to the Notes, shall use its
best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become
effective under the Securities Act within 105 days of the Closing Date and shall
keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for not less than
30 days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the
Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders (such period being called the "Exchange
Offer Registration Period").  The Exchange Notes will be issued under the
Indenture or an indenture (the "Exchange Notes Indenture") between the Company
and the Trustee or such other bank or trust company reasonably satisfactory to
you, as trustee (the "Exchange Notes Trustee"), such indenture to be identical
in all material respects with the Indenture except for the transfer restrictions
relating to the Notes (as described above).

          Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement,
the Company shall promptly commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it being the
objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder electing to
exchange Notes for Exchange Notes (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate
of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, acquires the Exchange
Notes in the ordinary course of such Holder's business and has no arrangements
or understandings with any person to participate in the distribution of the
Exchange Notes) to trade such Exchange Notes from and after their receipt
without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act and without
material restrictions under the securities laws of the several states of the
United States.  The Company acknowledges that, pursuant to current
interpretations by the Commission's staff of Section 5 of the Securities Act,
(i) each Holder which is a broker-dealer electing to exchange Notes, acquired
for its own account as a result of market making activities or other trading
activities, for Exchange Notes (an "Exchanging Dealer"), is required to deliver
a prospectus containing the information set forth in Annex A hereto on the
cover, in Annex B hereto in the "Exchange Offer Procedures" section and the
"Purpose of the Exchange Offer" section, and in Annex C hereto in the

<PAGE>

                                                                               3


"Plan of Distribution" section of such prospectus in connection with a sale of
any such Exchange Notes received by such Exchanging Dealer pursuant to the
Registered Exchange Offer and (ii) if any Initial Purchaser elects to sell
Exchange Notes acquired in exchange for Notes constituting any portion of an
unsold allotment it is required to deliver a prospectus, containing the
information required by Items 507 and/or 508 of Regulation S-K under the
Securities Act, as applicable, in connection with such a sale.

          In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

          (a) mail to each Holder a copy of the prospectus forming part of the
     Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter
     of transmittal and related documents;

          (b) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days
     after the date notice thereof is mailed to the Holders (or longer if
     required by applicable law);

          (c) utilize the services of a Depositary for the Registered Exchange
     Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York;

          (d) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to the
     close of business, New York time, on the last business day on which the
     Registered Exchange Offer shall remain open; and

          (e) otherwise comply in all respects with all applicable laws
     applicable to the Registered Exchange Offer.

          As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange
Offer, the Company shall:

          (a) accept for exchange all Notes tendered and not validly withdrawn
     pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer;

          (b) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Notes so accepted for
     exchange; and

<PAGE>

                                                                               4


          (c) cause the Trustee or the Exchange Notes Trustee, as the case may
     be, promptly to authenticate and deliver to each Holder of Notes, Exchange
     Notes equal in principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so accepted for
     exchange.

          The Company shall make available for a period of 180 days after the
consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, a copy of the prospectus forming
part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to any broker-dealer for use
in connection with any resale of any Exchange Notes.

          Interest on each Exchange Note issued pursuant to the Registered
Exchange Offer will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest
was paid on the Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has
been paid on the Notes, from the date of original issue of the Notes.

          Each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer shall be
required to represent to the Company that at the time of the consummation of the
Registered Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Notes received by such Holder will be
acquired in the ordinary course of business, (ii) such Holder will have no
arrangements or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of the Notes or the Exchange Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act and
(iii) such Holder is not an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the
Securities Act.

          Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Company will ensure
that (i) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and
any prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto complies in all
material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, (ii) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment
thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement 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 and (iii) any prospectus
forming part of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and any supplement to
such prospectus, does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

<PAGE>

                                                                               5



          2. SHELF REGISTRATION.  If, (a) because of any change in law or
applicable interpretations thereof by the Commission's staff, the Company
determines that it is not permitted to effect the Registered Exchange Offer as
contemplated by Section 1 hereof, or (b) if for any other reason the Registered
Exchange Offer is not consummated within 135 days of the date hereof (unless the
Company has commenced such Registered Exchange Offer prior to such 135th day and
completes such offer within 30 days thereafter), or (c) if any Initial Purchaser
so requests with respect to Notes not eligible to be exchanged for Exchange
Notes in a Registered Exchange Offer and held by it following consummation of
the Registered Exchange Offer, or (d) if any applicable laws or applicable
interpretations do not permit any Holder (including an Initial Purchaser, but
excluding any Exchanging Dealer) to participate in such Registered Exchange
Offer, or (e) any Holder that participates in the Registered Exchange Offer
(other than an Exchanging Dealer), does not receive freely tradeable Exchange
Notes in exchange for tendered Notes upon the consummation of such offer or (f)
if the Company so elects, then the following provisions shall apply:

          (a)  The Company shall use its best efforts as promptly as practicable
to file with the Commission and thereafter shall use its best efforts to cause
to be declared effective a registration statement on an appropriate form under
the Securities Act relating to the offer and sale of the Transfer Restricted
Notes (as defined below) by the Holders from time to time in accordance with the
methods of distribution elected by such Holders and set forth in such
registration statement (hereafter, a "Shelf Registration Statement" and,
together with any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a "Registration
Statement").

          (b)  The Company shall use its best efforts to keep the Shelf
Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the prospectus
forming part thereof to be usable by Holders for a period of three years from
the Closing Date or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Notes
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (in any
such case, such period being called the "Shelf Registration Period").  The
Company shall be deemed not to have used its best efforts to keep the Shelf
Registration Statement effective during the requisite period if it voluntarily
takes any action that would result in Holders of Notes

<PAGE>

                                                                               6


covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such Notes during that period,
unless such action, in the opinion of the Company after consulting with legal
counsel, is required by applicable law.

          (c)  Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Company will
ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and
any prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto complies in all
material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, (ii) any Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does
not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement 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 and (iii) any prospectus forming part
of any Shelf Registration Statement, and any supplement to such prospectus does
not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          3.  LIQUIDATED DAMAGES.  (a) The parties hereto agree that the Holders
of Notes will suffer damages if the Company fails to fulfill its obligations
under Section 1 or Section 2, as applicable, and that it would not be feasible
to ascertain the extent of such damages.  Accordingly, if (i) the applicable
Registration Statement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to 45 days
after the Closing Date, (ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or, as
the case may be, the Shelf Registration Statement, is not declared effective
within 105 days after the Closing Date, (iii) the Exchange Offer is not
consummated on or prior to 135 days after the Closing Date, or (iv) the Shelf
Registration Statement is filed and declared effective within 105 days after the
Closing Date but shall thereafter cease to be effective (at any time that the
Company is obligated to maintain the effectiveness thereof) without being
succeeded within 30 days by an additional Registration Statement filed and
declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a
"Registration Default"), the Company will pay liquidated damages to each holder
of Transfer Restricted Notes (as defined below) in an amount equal to $0.192 per
week per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes constituting Transfer Restricted
Notes held by such holder until (i) the applicable Registration Statement is
filed, (ii) the Exchange Registration Statement is declared effective and the
Exchange Offer is consummated,

<PAGE>

                                                                               7


(iii) the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective or (iv) the Shelf
Registration Statement again becomes effective, as the case may be.  Following
the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of liquidated damages will
cease.  "Transfer Restricted Notes" means each Note until (i) the date on which
such Note has been exchanged for a freely transferrable Exchange Notes in the
Exchange Offer, (ii) the date on which such Note has been effectively registered
under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf
Registration Statement or (iii) the date on which such Note is distributed to
the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or is salable pursuant
to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Section 3(a), the Company shall not be required to pay
liquidated damages to the holder of Transfer Restricted Notes if such holder:
(a) failed to comply with its obligations to make the representations in the
second to last paragraph of Section 1; or (b) failed to provide the information
required to be provided by it, if any, pursuant to Section 4(n).

          (b)  The Company shall notify the Trustee and Paying Agent under the
Indenture immediately upon the happening of each and every Registration Default.
The Company shall pay the liquidated damages due on the Transfer Restricted
Notes by depositing with the Paying Agent (which may not be the Company for
these purposes), in trust, for the benefit of the Holders thereof, prior to
10:00 a.m. New York City time on the next interest payment date specified by the
Indenture and the Notes, sums sufficient to pay the liquidated damages then due.
The liquidated damages due shall be payable on each interest payment date
specified by the Indenture and the Notes to the record holder entitled to
receive this interest payment to be made on such date.  Each obligation to pay
liquidated damages shall be deemed to accrue from and including the applicable
Registration Default.

          (c)  The parties hereto agree that the liquidated damages provided for
in this Section 3 constitute a reasonable estimate of and are intended to
constitute the sole damages that will be suffered by holders of Transfer
Restricted Notes by reason of the failure of (i) the Shelf Registration
Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be filed, (ii) the
Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective or to remain effective, or
(iii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be

<PAGE>

                                                                               8


declared effective and the Exchange Offer to be consummated, to the extent
required by this Agreement.

          4.  REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.  In connection with any Registration
Statement, the following provisions shall apply:

          (a)  The Company shall (i) furnish to you, prior to the filing thereof
with the Commission, a copy of the Registration Statement and each amendment
thereof and each supplement, if any, to the prospectus included therein and, in
the event that any of the Initial Purchasers (with respect to any portion of an
unsold allotment from the original offering) are participating in the Registered
Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration, shall use reasonable efforts to
reflect in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments
as you reasonably may propose; (ii) with respect to an Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, include the information set forth in Annex A hereto on
the cover, in Annex B hereto in the "Exchange Offer Procedures" section and the
"Purpose of the Exchange Offer" section and in Annex C hereto in the "Plan of
Distribution" section of the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, and include the information set forth in Annex D hereto
in the Letter of Transmittal delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange
Offer; and (iii) if requested by any Initial Purchaser, include the information
required by Items 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as
applicable, in the prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement.

          (b)  The Company shall advise you and, in the case of a Shelf
Registration Statement, the Holders (if applicable), and, if requested by you or
any such Holder, confirm such advice in writing (which advice pursuant to
clauses (ii)-(v) hereof shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the
use of the prospectus until the requisite changes have been made):

          (i) when the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto has been
     filed with the Commission and when the Registration Statement or any
     posteffective amendment thereto has become effective;

         (ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to
     the Registration Statement

<PAGE>

                                                                               9


     or the prospectus included therein or for additional information;

        (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
     effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any
     proceedings for that purpose;

         (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to
     the suspension of the qualification of the Notes or the Exchange Notes for
     sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding
     for such purpose; and

          (v) of the happening of any event that requires the making of any
     changes in the Registration Statement or the prospectus so that, as of such
     date, the statements therein are not misleading and do not omit to state a
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading.

          (c)  The Company will use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of
any order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement at the
earliest possible time.

          (d)  The Company will furnish to each Holder of Notes included within
the coverage of any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, at least one
copy of such Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment
thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if the Holder so
requests in writing, all exhibits (including those incorporated by reference).

          (e)  The Company will deliver to each Holder of Notes included within
the coverage of any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies
of the prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) included in such Shelf
Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder
may reasonably request; and the Company consents to the use of the prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of Notes in
connection with the offering and sale of the Notes covered by the prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto.

<PAGE>

                                                                              10


          (f)  The Company will furnish to each Exchanging Dealer or Initial
Purchaser, as applicable, which so requests, without charge, at least one copy
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment
thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if the Exchanging
Dealer or Initial Purchaser, as applicable, so requests in writing, all exhibits
(including those incorporated by reference).

          (g)  The Company will, during the Exchange Offer Registration Period
or the Shelf Registration Period, as applicable, promptly deliver to each
Exchanging Dealer or Initial Purchaser, as applicable, without charge, as many
copies of the prospectus included in such Exchange Offer Registration Statement
or Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, and any amendment or supplement
thereto as such Exchanging Dealer or Initial Purchaser, as applicable, may
reasonably request for delivery by (i) such Exchanging Dealer in connection with
a sale of Exchange Notes received by it pursuant to the Registered Exchange
Offer or (ii) such Initial Purchaser in connection with a sale of Exchange Notes
received by it in exchange for Notes constituting any portion of an unsold
allotment; and the Company consents to the use of the prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto by any such Exchanging Dealer or Initial
Purchaser, as applicable, as aforesaid.

          (h)  Prior to any public offering of Notes or Exchange Notes pursuant
to any Registration Statement, the Company will use its best efforts to register
or qualify or cooperate with the Holders of Notes included therein and their
respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification of such
securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions as any such Holder reasonably requests in writing and do any and
all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the offer and sale in
such jurisdictions of the Notes or Exchange Notes covered by such Registration
Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company (or any subsidiary or affiliate
of the Company) will not be required to qualify generally to do business in any
jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any action which would
subject it to general service of process or to taxation in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then so subject.

          (i)  The Company will cooperate with the Holders of Notes to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
Notes or Exchange Notes to be

<PAGE>


                                                                              11


sold pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and
in such denominations and registered in such names as Holders may request in
writing prior to sales of Notes or Exchange Notes pursuant to such Registration
Statement.


          (j)  Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by
paragraphs (b)(ii) through (v) above during the period for which the Company is
required to maintain an effective Registration Statement, the Company will
promptly prepare a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a
supplement to the related prospectus or file any other required document so
that, as so amended or supplemented, the prospectus will not include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.

          (k)  Not later than the effective date of the applicable Registration
Statement, the Company will provide a CUSIP number for the Notes or Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, and provide the applicable trustee with printed
certificates for the Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, in a form
eligible for deposit with The Depositary Trust Company.

          (l)  The Company will comply with all applicable rules and regulations
of the Commission and will make generally available to its security holders not
later than 90 days after the end of the 12 month period beginning at the end of
the fiscal quarter in which the applicable Registration Statement first became
effective under the Securities Act, an earnings statement (which need not be
audited) satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

          (m)  The Company will cause the Indenture or the Exchange Notes
Indenture, as the case may be, to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act as
required by applicable law in a timely manner.

          (n)  The Company may require each Holder of Notes to be sold pursuant
to any Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Company such information
regarding the Holder and the distribution of such Notes as the Company may from
time to time reasonably require for inclusion in such Registration Statement,
and the Company may exclude from such registration the Notes of any Holder that
unreasonably

<PAGE>

                                                                              12


fails to furnish such information within a reasonable time after receiving such
request.

          (o)  The Company shall enter into such customary agreements
(including, if requested, an underwriting agreement in customary form) and take
all such other action, if any, as Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Notes or Exchange Notes being sold or the managing underwriters (if
any) shall reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Notes
pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement.

          (p)  In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall
(i) make reasonably available for inspection by a representative of, and Special
Counsel (as defined) acting for, a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Holders, and any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a
Shelf Registration Statement, all relevant financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and the Subsidiaries
and (ii) use reasonable efforts to have Company's and the Subsidiaries'
officers, directors, employees, accountants and auditors supply all relevant
information reasonably requested by such representative, counsel or any such
underwriter (an "Inspector") in connection with any such Registration Statement,
subject to executing a confidentiality undertaking in customary form with
respect to confidential or proprietary information of the Company or such
Subsidiary.

          (q)  In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company, if
requested by Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
and Exchange Notes being sold, their Special Counsel, or the managing
underwriters (if any) in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement, shall
use its best efforts to cause (w) its counsel to deliver an opinion relating to
the Registration Statement and the Notes or the Exchange Notes, as applicable,
in customary form, (x) its officers to execute and deliver all customary
documents and certificates requested by Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes and Exchange Notes being sold, their Special
Counsel, or the managing underwriters (if any) and (y) its independent public
accountants to provide a comfort letter in customary form, subject to receipt of
appropriate documentation as contemplated, and only if permitted, by Statement
of Auditing Standards No. 72.

<PAGE>

                                                                              13


          (r)  The Company will use reasonable efforts to cause the Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as applicable, covered by a Registration Statement to be rated
with an appropriate rating agency, if so requested by Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of Securities covered by such Registration Statement
or the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, or by the managing underwriters, if
any.

          (s)  The Company will use reasonable efforts to cause the Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as applicable, relating to such Registration Statement to be
listed on each securities exchange, if any, on which debt securities issued by
the Company are then listed, if so requested by Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of Notes covered by such Registration Statement or
the Exchange Notes, as the case may be, or by the managing underwriters, if any.

          (t)  In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder of
Notes agrees by acquisition of such Notes that, upon receipt of any notice of
the Company pursuant to Section 4(b)(ii) through (v) hereof, such Holder will
discontinue disposition of such Notes covered by such Registration Statement
until such Holder's receipt of copies of the supplemental or amended prospectus
contemplated by Section 4(j) hereof, or until advised in writing (the "Advice")
by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed.  If the
Company shall give any notice under Section 4(b)(ii) through (v) during the
period that the Company is required to maintain an effective Registration
Statement (the "Effectiveness Period"), such Effectiveness Period shall be
extended by the number of days during such period from and including the date of
the giving of such notice to and including the date when each seller of Notes
covered by such Registration Statement shall have received (x) the copies of the
supplemental or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 4(j) (if an amended
or supplemental prospectus is required) or (y) the Advice (if no amended or
supplemental prospectus is required).

          5.  REGISTRATION EXPENSES.  The Company will bear all expenses
incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations under Sections 1,
2, 3 and 4 hereof and the Company will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the
Holders for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of attorneys (in
addition to local counsel) chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes and the Exchange Notes to be sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement (the "Special Counsel") acting for

<PAGE>

                                                                              14


the Initial Purchasers or Holders in connection therewith.  The Holders shall be
responsible for all underwriting commissions and discounts in the case of a
Shelf Registration Statement.

          6.  INDEMNIFICATION.  (a) In the event of a Shelf Registration
Statement or in connection with any prospectus delivery pursuant to an Exchange
Offer Registration Statement by an Exchanging Dealer or Initial Purchaser, as
applicable, as contemplated in Section 4(g) above, the Company shall indemnify
and hold harmless each Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act as follows:

          (i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever, as incurred, (promptly following receipt of a statement or
     statements therefor in reasonable detail) arising out of any untrue
     statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any
     such Registration Statement or any prospectus forming part thereof or the
     omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in
     order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
     under which they were made, not misleading; and

        (ii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (promptly
     following receipt of a statement or statements therefor in reasonable
     detail) (including, subject to Section 6(c) hereof, the reasonable fees and
     disbursements of counsel chosen by the indemnified party), reasonably
     incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation,
     or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental or regulatory agency
     or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any
     such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
     omission;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) this indemnity shall not apply to any loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by you
or the indemnified party expressly for use in such Registration Statement and
(ii) this indemnity with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement

<PAGE>

                                                                              15


or omission or alleged omission in any related preliminary prospectus shall not
enure to the benefit of any indemnified party from whom the person asserting any
such loss, claim damage or liability received Notes or Exchange Notes if such
persons did not receive a copy of the final prospectus at or prior to the
confirmation of the sale of such Notes or Exchange Notes to such person in any
case where such delivery is required by the Securities Act and the untrue
statement or omission of material fact contained in the related preliminary
prospectus was corrected in the final prospectus unless such failure to deliver
the final prospectus was a result of noncompliance by the Company with Sections
4(d), 4(e), 4(f) or 4(g).

          (b) In the event of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder agrees
to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its respective directors,
officers, agents and employees and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the
Exchange Act and the directors, officers, agents and employees of such
controlling persons against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and
expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 6(a) hereof, as
incurred, arising out of or based upon any untrue statements or omissions, or
alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or
any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance on and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by such Holder expressly for use in
the Registration Statement (or in such amendment or supplement); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no such Holder shall be liable for any indemnity claims hereunder
in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of
Notes or Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registration Statement.

          (c)  Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as
reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any claim or action
commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not
relieve such indemnifying party from any obligation that it may have pursuant to
this Section except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such
failure; PROVIDED FURTHER, HOWEVER, that the failure to notify the indemnifying
party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an indemnified
party otherwise than on account of this Section.  If any such claim or action
shall be brought against an indemnified party, the

<PAGE>

                                                                              16


indemnified party shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying
party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it
wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume
the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified
party.  After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its
election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party
shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that an indemnified party will have the right to employ its own counsel
in any such action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel
will be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (1) the employment of
counsel by the indemnified party has been authorized in writing by the
indemnifying party, (2) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on
advice of counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other
indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to
the indemnifying party, (3) a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on
advice of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and
indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party will not have the right
to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or
(4) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel to assume the
defense of such action within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the
commencement of the action, in each of which cases the reasonable fees,
disbursements and other charges of counsel will be at the expense of the
indemnifying party or parties.  It is understood that the indemnifying party or
parties shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in
the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees, disbursements and
other charges of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any
local counsel) at any one time for all such indemnified party or parties.  Each
indemnified party, as a condition of the indemnity agreements contained in
Sections 6(a) and 6(b), shall use all reasonable efforts to cooperate with the
indemnifying party in the defense of any such action or claim.  No indemnifying
party shall be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its
written consent, but if settled with its written consent (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld) or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff
in any such action, the


<PAGE>

                                                                              17


indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party
from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding
in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless
such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from
all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding.

          (d)  If a claim by an indemnified party for indemnification under this
Section 6 is found unenforceable in a final judgment by a court of competent
jurisdiction (not subject to further appeal or review) even though the express
provisions hereof provide for indemnification in such case, then each applicable
indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party in connection with the
actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such losses as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of such
indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a
material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by,
such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
action, statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a
result of any losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth in Section 6(c) herein, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably
incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding.

          The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, an indemnifying party that is a
holder of Transfer Restricted Notes or Exchange Notes shall not be required to

<PAGE>

                                                                              18


contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which
the Notes or Exchange Notes sold by such indemnifying party and distributed to
the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that
such indemnifying party has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to any contribution from any person who
was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

          7.  RULES 144 AND 144A.  The Company shall use its best efforts to
file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if at any time the Company is not required
to file such reports, it will, upon the written request of any holder of
Transfer Restricted Notes, make publicly available other information so long as
necessary to permit sales of their securities pursuant to Rules 144 and 144A.
The Company covenants that it will take such further action as any holder of
Transfer Restricted Notes may reasonably request, all to the extent required
from time to time to enable such holder to sell Transfer Restricted Notes
without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by Rules 144 and 144A (including, without limitation, the
requirements of Rule 144A(d)(4)).  Upon the written request of any holder of
Transfer Restricted Notes, the Company shall deliver to such holder a written
statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing in this Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company
to register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange Act.

          8.  UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS.    If any of the Transfer Restricted
Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten
offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers
that will administer the offering will be selected by the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of such Transfer Restricted Notes included in such
offering, subject to the consent of the Company (which shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed).  The Holders shall be responsible for all underwriting
commissions and discounts.

          No person may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder
unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person's Transfer Restricted Notes on
the basis

<PAGE>

                                                                              19


reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons
entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes
all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and
other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.

          9.  MISCELLANEOUS.  (a)  AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.  The provisions of
this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or
consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the
Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes and the Exchange Notes, taken as a single class.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions
hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of the
Holders of Notes whose Notes or Exchange Notes are being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect the
rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes or Exchange Notes being sold by such Holders
pursuant to such Registration Statement.

          (b)  NOTICES.  All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail,
telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

          (1) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such Holder
     to the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9(b),
     which address initially is, with respect to each Holder, the address of
     such Holder maintained by the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in
     like manner to Chase Securities Inc.;

          (2) if to you, initially at the respective addresses set forth in the
     Purchase Agreement; and

          (3) if to the Company, initially at the address set forth in the
     Purchase Agreement.

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given:  when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; one business day after
being delivered to a next-day air courier; five business days after being
deposited in the mail; when answered back, if faxed; and

<PAGE>

                                                                              20


when receipt is acknowledged by the recipient's telecopier machine, if
telecopied.

          (c)  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns.

          (d)  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts (which may be delivered in original form or by telecopies) and by
the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.

          (e)  HEADINGS.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

          (f)  GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

          THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED
WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE
COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL
COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF
ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND
IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.  THE COMPANY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT IT MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO UNDER APPLICABLE LAW,
TRIAL BY JURY AND ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING
OF THE VENUE OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT
AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT
HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE
RIGHT OF ANY HOLDER OF A TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER
PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST
THE COMPANY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

          (g)  REMEDIES.  In the event of a breach by the Company, or by a
holder of Transfer Restricted Notes, of any of their obligations under this
Agreement, each holder of Transfer Restricted Notes or the Company, as the case
may

<PAGE>

                                                                              21


be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law,
including recovery of damages (other than the recovery of damages for a breach
by the Company of its obligations under Sections 1 or 2 hereof for which
liquidated damages have been paid pursuant to Section 3 hereof), will be
entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement.  The
Company and each holder of Transfer Restricted Notes agree that, except for such
liquidated damages, when payable monetary damages would not be adequate
compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the
provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agree that, in the event of any
action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall waive the
defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

          (h)  NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS.  The Company has not, nor shall the
Company on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of Transfer Restricted Notes
in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.  The
Company has not previously entered into any agreement which remains in effect
granting any registration rights with respect to any of its debt securities to
any person.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the
written consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the then outstanding Transfer Restricted Notes, the Company shall not grant to
any person the right to request the Company to register any debt securities of
the Company under the Securities Act unless the rights so granted are subject in
all respects to the prior rights of the holders of Transfer Restricted Notes set
forth herein, and are not otherwise in conflict or inconsistent with the
provisions of the Agreement.

          (i)  NO PIGGYBACK ON REGISTRATIONS.  Neither the Company nor any of
its securityholders (other than the holders of Transfer Restricted Notes in such
capacity) shall have the right to include any securities of the Company in any
Shelf Registration or Exchange Offer other than Transfer Restricted Notes.

          (j)  SEVERABILITY.  The remedies provided herein are cumulative and
not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.  If any term, provision, covenant
or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions set

<PAGE>

                                                                              22


forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their
reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction.  It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

<PAGE>

                                                                              22


          Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement
between the Company and you.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                          By: /s/ Leo F. Korman
                                             _________________________
                                             Name: Leo F. Korman
                                             Title: Senior Vice President and
                                                    Chief Financial Officer
Accepted in New York, New York

CHASE SECURITIES INC.

  By: /s/ Stephen J. Eichenberger
     ______________________________
      Name: Stephen J. Eichenberger
      Title: Managing Director

DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION


  By: /s/ Daniel K. Flatley
      _____________________________
      Name: Daniel K. Flatley
      Title: Managing Director

<PAGE>

                                                                              23


                                                                         ANNEX A




          Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.  The Letter of
Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a
broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the
meaning of the Securities Act.  This Prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection
with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Existing Notes where
such Existing Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-
making activities or other trading activities.  The Company has agreed that, for
a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date (as defined herein), it will make
this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any
such resale.  See "Plan of Distribution."

<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX B




          Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in
exchange for Notes, where such Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge
that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Notes.  See "Plan of Distribution."

<PAGE>


                                                                         ANNEX C



                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

          Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.  This
Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used
by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in
exchange for Existing Notes where such Existing Notes were acquired as a result
of market-making activities or other trading activities.  The Company has agreed
that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this
prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use
in connection with any such resale.  In addition, until                   , 
199 ,  all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Notes may be required
to deliver a prospectus. */

          The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange
Notes by broker-dealers.  Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their
own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one
or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such
methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices
related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices.  Any such resale
may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may
receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange Notes.  Any broker-dealer
that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a
distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Exchange
Notes and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may be
deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.  The Letter of
Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering
a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that
_______________________
     */ In addition, the legend required by Item 502(e) of Regulation S-K will
appear on the back cover page of the Exchange Offer prospectus.

<PAGE>

                                                                               3


it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

          For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal.  The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the
Holders of the Notes) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or
dealers and will indemnify the Holders of the Notes (including any broker-
dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.

<PAGE>



                                                                         ANNEX D



 ____
/____/    CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO
          RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND
          10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.

          Name: ____________________________________________
          Address: _________________________________________
                   _________________________________________





If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange
Notes.  If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes
for its own account in exchange for Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes;
however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned
will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act.


<PAGE>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.3


             [FORM OF FACE OF INITIAL SECURITY]


          [UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES
IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY
THE DEPOSITORY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY
TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF
SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC"), TO THE
COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY
CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS
REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO
CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR
TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO.,
HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.] 1/

          THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  NEITHER
THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD,
ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE
ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, REGISTRATION.

          THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO OFFER,
SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE "RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE") WHICH IS THREE YEARS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY
AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF
SUCH SECURITY) ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS
THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER" AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS
OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE
IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT
TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF
REGULATION S UNDER THE

     1/ To be included only if note is in global form.

<PAGE>

                                                                               2


SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING
OF RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS ACQUIRING
THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL
ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE
SECURITIES OF $250,000 FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO, OR FOR
OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH, ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY'S OR THE
TRUSTEE'S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES
(D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION
AND OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM, AND IN THE CASE OF
CLAUSE (E), A CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER IN THE FORM APPEARING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF
THIS SECURITY IS COMPLETED AND DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEROR TO THE TRUSTEE.  THIS
LEGEND Shall BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.



                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                     11-3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE 2003


No.                                                           CUSIP No.
                                                                    $


          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay
to           , or registered assigns, the principal sum of $75,000,000 on
September 15, 2003.

          Interest Payment Dates:  March 15 and September 15.

          Record Dates:  March 1 and September 1.

<PAGE>

                                                                               3


          Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side
of this Security.


Dated:          , 1996

                              CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                by

                                   _______________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:



                                   _______________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:


TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
     AUTHENTICATION

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY

  as Trustee, certifies            [Seal]
  that this is one of
  the Securities referred
  to in the Indenture,

  by
    _____________________________
        Authorized Signatory

<PAGE>


                                                                               4


                   [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY]

                    11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2003

1.  INTEREST

          Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (such
corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to, being herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above.  The
Company shall use its best efforts to have the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and, if applicable, a Shelf Registration Statement (each a
"Registration Statement") declared effective by the Commission as promptly as
practicable after the filing thereof.  If (i) the applicable Registration
Statement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to 45 days after the
Issue Date, (ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or, as the case may
be, the Shelf Registration Statement, is not declared effective within 105 days
after the Issue Date, (iii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated on
or prior to 135 days after the Issue Date, or (iv) the Shelf Registration
Statement is filed and declared effective within 105 days after the Issue Date
but shall thereafter cease to be effective (at any time that the Company is
obligated to maintain the effectiveness thereof) without being succeeded within
30 days by an additional Registration Statement filed and declared effective
(each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration
Default"), the Company shall pay liquidated damages to each holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities, during the period of such Registration Default, in an
amount equal to $0.192 per week per $1,000 principal amount of the Securities
constituting Transfer Restricted Securities held by such holder until the
applicable Registration Statement is filed or declared effective, the Exchange
Offer is consummated or the Shelf Registration Statement again becomes
effective, as the case may be.  All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to
holders in the same manner as interest payments on the Securities on semi-annual
payment dates which correspond to interest payment dates for the Securities.
Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of liquidated
damages shall cease.  The Trustee shall have no responsibility with respect to
the determination of the amount of any such liquidated damages.

<PAGE>

                                                                               5


          For purposes of the foregoing, "Transfer Restricted Securities" means
each Initial Security until (i) the date on which such Initial Security has been
exchanged for a freely transferable Exchange Security in the Exchange Offer,
(ii) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered
under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf
Registration Statement or (iii) the date on which such Initial Security is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or is
saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

          The Company shall pay interest and liquidated damages, if any,
semiannually on March 15 and September 15 of each year.  Interest on the
Securities shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been
paid or, if no interest has been paid, from September 27, 1996.  Interest shall
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  The Company
shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Securities plus
1% per annum, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at
the same rate to the extent lawful.


2.  METHOD OF PAYMENT

          The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted
interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close
of business on the March 1 or September 1 next preceding the interest payment
date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the
interest payment date.  Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to
collect principal payments.  The Company shall pay principal and interest in
money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for
payment of public and private debts.  Payments in respect of Securities
(including principal, premium and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders thereof or,
if no U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United
States is designated by any holder to the Trustee or the Paying Agent at least
30 days prior to the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the
Trustee may accept in its discretion), by  mailing a check to the registered
address of such holder.

<PAGE>

                                                                               6


3.  PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

          Initially, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a New York banking corporation
("Trustee"), shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  The Company may appoint
and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice.  The
Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may
act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.


4.  INDENTURE

          The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of
September 27, 1996 ("Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee.  The
terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made
part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C.
Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the "Act").
Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed
thereto in the Indenture.  The Securities are subject to all such terms, and
Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of
those terms.

          The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company
limited to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding
(subject to Section 2.07 of the Indenture).  This Security is one of the Initial
Securities referred to in the Indenture.  The Securities include the Initial
Securities and any Exchange Securities issued in exchange for the Initial
Securities pursuant to the Indenture.  The Initial Securities and the Exchange
Securities are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.  The
Indenture imposes certain limitations on the Incurrence of Indebtedness by the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; the payment of dividends on, and
redemption of, Capital Stock of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and
the redemption of certain Subordinated Obligations of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries; Investments; sales of assets and Restricted Subsidiary
Capital Stock; certain transactions with Affiliates of the Company; the sale or
issuance of Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries; the creation of Liens; the
lines of business in which the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may
operate; the disposition of assets of the Company to Restricted Subsidiaries;
and consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of the

<PAGE>

                                                                               7


Company's assets.  In addition, the Indenture prohibits certain restrictions on
distributions and dividends from Restricted Subsidiaries.


5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

          Except as set forth in the next two paragraphs, the Securities may not
be redeemed prior to September 15, 2000.  On and after that date, the Company
may redeem the Securities in whole at any time or in part from time to time at
the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount),
plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related
interest payment date):

          if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on or after
September 15 of the years set forth below:

                                                            Redemption
Period                                                       Price
- ------                                                      ----------

2000  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         105.688%
2001  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         102.844%
2002 and thereafter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         100.000%

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to September 15,
1999, the Company may redeem in the aggregate up to 30% of the original
aggregate principal amount of Securities with the proceeds of one or more Public
Equity Offerings by the Company following which there is a Public Market, at a
redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of 111.375%
plus accrued interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that at least 70% of the original
aggregate principal amount of the Securities must remain outstanding after each
such redemption.

          At any time on or prior to September 15, 2000, the Securities may also
be redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company within 90 days after a
Change of Control, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the
principal amount thereof plus (ii) the Applicable Premium plus (iii) accrued but
unpaid interest, if any, to, the Redemption Date (subject to the right of
Holders of record

<PAGE>

                                                                               7


on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date).


6.  NOTICE OF REDEMPTION

          Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more
than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be
redeemed at his registered address.  Securities in denominations larger than
$1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000.  If money
sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities
(or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with
the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions
are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such
Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.


7.  PUT PROVISIONS

          Upon a Change of Control, unless the Company has elected to redeem the
Securities pursuant to paragraph 5, any Holder of Securities shall have the
right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the
Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a
repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be
repurchased plus accrued interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the
right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due
on the relevant interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms
of, the Indenture.


8.  SUBORDINATION

          The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness, as defined in
the Indenture.  To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness
must be paid before the Securities may be paid.  The Company agrees, and each
Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the subordination provisions
contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give such provisions
effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

<PAGE>

                                                                               9


9.  DENOMINATIONS; TRANSFER; EXCHANGE

          The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations
of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000.  A Holder may transfer or exchange
Securities in accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a
Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer
documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
Indenture.  The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange any
Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be
redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any
Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be
redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.


10.  PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS

          The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of
it for all purposes.


11.  UNCLAIMED MONEY

          If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed
for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the
Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another
Person.  After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to
the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.


12.  DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE

          Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate
substantially all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if
the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for
the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or
maturity, as the case may be.


13.  AMENDMENT, WAIVER

          Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the
Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the
Holders of at least

<PAGE>

                                                                              10


a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities and (ii) any
default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the written
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the
Securities.  Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without
the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and the Trustee may amend the
Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or
inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for
uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities,
or to make certain changes in the Subordination provisions, or to add guarantees
with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities, or to add additional
covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company, or to comply
with any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under
the Act, or to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights
of any Securityholder, or to provide for the issuance and authorization of the
Exchange Securities.


14.  DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

          Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for 30 days
in payment of interest on the Securities; (ii) default in payment of principal
on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to paragraph 5 of the
Securities, upon declaration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem
or purchase Securities when required; (iii) failure by the Company to comply
with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases
subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) certain accelerations (including
failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other
Indebtedness of the Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds
$5,000,000; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the
Company and the Significant Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments or decrees for
the payment of money in excess of $5,000,000 and (vii) a Note Guarantee ceasing
to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms).  If an
Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare all the Securities
to be due and payable immediately.  Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency
are Events of Default which shall result in the Securities being due and payable
immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default.

<PAGE>

                                                                              11


          Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except
as provided in the Indenture.  The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture
or the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security.  Subject
to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.  The
Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default
(except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.


15.  TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH THE COMPANY

          Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act,  the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed
to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company
or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.


16.  NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS

          A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company
or the Trustee shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company
under the Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of
or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  By accepting a Security,
each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.


17.  AUTHENTICATION

          This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the
Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of
authentication on the other side of this Security.

<PAGE>

                                                                              12


18.  ABBREVIATIONS

          Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or
an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the
entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as
tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors
Act).

19.  CUSIP NUMBERS

          Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform
Security Identification Procedures the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be
printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in
notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders.  No representation is
made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or
as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.

          THE COMPANY SHALL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST
AND WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE SECURITYHOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT
THE TEXT OF THIS SECURITY IN LARGER TYPE.  REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO:

                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                      395 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD, SUITE 415
                             SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080
                      ATTENTION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

<PAGE>

                                                                              13

                                 ASSIGNMENT FORM



To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

I or we assign and transfer this Security to


     (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

     (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)


and irrevocably appoint                           agent to transfer this
Security on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute another to act
for him.


_______________________________________________________________________________

Date: ________________________ Your Signature: ________________________________


Signature Guarantee:___________________________________________________________
                    (Signature must be guaranteed by a
                  participant in a recognized signature
                    guarantee medallion program)
_______________________________________________________________________________

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

<PAGE>

                                                                              14


CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED
SECURITIES

This certificate relates to $_________ principal amount of Securities held in
(check applicable space) ____ book-entry or _____ definitive form by the
undersigned.

The undersigned (check one box below):

/ /  has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its
     beneficial interest in the Global Security held by the Depository a
     Security or Securities in definitive, registered form of authorized
     denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial
     interest in such Global Security (or the portion thereof indicated above);

/ /  has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the
     transfer of a Security or Securities.

In connection with any transfer or exchange of any of the Securities evidenced
by this certificate occurring prior to the date that is three years after the
later of the date of original issuance of such Securities and the last date, if
any, on which such Securities were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the
Company, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are being:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:

          (1)  / /  acquired for the undersigned's own account, without transfer
                    (in satisfaction of Section 2.06(a)(ii)(A) or Section
                    2.06(d)(i)(A) of the Indenture); or

          (2)  / /  transferred to the Company; or

          (3)  / /  transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A
                    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or

          (4)  / /  transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation S
                    under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; or


<PAGE>

                                                                              15


          (5)  / /  transferred to an institutional "accredited investor" (as
                    defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
                    Securities Act of 1933, as amended), that has furnished to
                    the Trustee a signed letter containing certain
                    representations and agreements (the form of which letter
                    appears as Exhibit C to the Indenture; or

          (6)  / /  transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the
                    registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
                    amended.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee shall refuse to register any of
the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other
than the registered holder thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if box (4), (5) or
(6) is checked, the Trustee or the Company may require, prior to registering any
such transfer of the Securities, in its sole discretion, such legal opinions,
certifications and other information as the Trustee or Company has reasonably
requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption
from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144
under such Act.


                              ______________________________
                                        Signature
Signature Guarantee:

_________________________     ______________________________
                                        Signature
(Signature must be guaranteed
by a participant in a signature
guarantee medallion program)
____________________________________________________________

<PAGE>

                                                                              16


                  OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

               If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, check the box:
                               ___
                              /  /
                              ---

               If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased
by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, state the
amount:
$


Date: __________________ Your Signature: ______________________________________
                         (Sign exactly as your name appears
                         on the other side of the Security)


Signature Guarantee:___________________________________________________________
                    (Signature must be guaranteed by a
                  participant in a recognized signature
                    guarantee medallion program)


<PAGE>

                                                            EXHIBIT 4.4

                           [FORM OF FACE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY]

                        UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN 
              PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY 
              NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TO A 
              NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY 
              TO THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR 
              DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. 
              UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED 
              REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") TO 
              THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, 
              EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS 
              REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS 
              REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY 
              PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS 
              REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY 
              TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE 
              OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED 
              OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.(1)


                              CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                    11-3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE SERIES A DUE 2003

              No.                                     Cusip No. [   ]
                                                      $[       ]

                        CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware 
              corporation, promises to pay to        , or registered 
              assigns, the principal sum of    on September 15, 2003.

                        Interest Payment Dates:  March 15 and 
              September 15.

                        Record Dates:  March 1 and September 1.


              ---------------
              (1)This paragraph should only be added if the Security 
              is issued in global form.

<PAGE>

                                                                             2

                        Additional provisions of this Security are set 
              forth on the other side of this Security.

              Dated:

                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

                                         by

                                            ______________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

                                            ______________________
                                            Name:
                                            Title:

              TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF
                  AUTHENTICATION

              BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,

              as Trustee, certifies         [Seal]
              that this is one of
              the Securities referred
              to in the Indenture,

              by
                _________________________
              Authorized Signatory


<PAGE>

                                                                             3

                       [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY]


                        11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2003


              1.  Interest
                  --------

                        Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware 
              corporation (such corporation, and its successors and 
              assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being 
              herein called the "Company"), promises to pay interest on 
              the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum 
              shown above.  The Company will pay interest semiannually on 
              March 15 and September 15 of each year.  Interest on the 
              Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which 
              interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, 
              from September 27, 1996.  Interest will be computed on the 
              basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  The 
              Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate 
              borne by the Securities plus 1% per annum, and it shall pay 
              interest on overdue installments of interest at the same 
              rate to the extent lawful.


              2.  Method of Payment
                  -----------------

                        The Company will pay interest on the Securities 
              (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are regis-
              tered holders of Securities at the close of business on the 
              March 1 or September 1 next preceding the interest payment 
              date even if Securities are canceled after the record date 
              and on or before the interest payment date.  Holders must 
              surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal 
              payments.  The Company will pay principal and interest in 
              money of the United States that at the time of payment is 
              legal tender for payment of public and private debts. 
              Payments in respect of Securities (including principal, 
              premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of 
              immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the 
              holders thereof or, if no U.S. dollar account maintained by 
              the payee with a bank in the United States is designated by 
              any holder to the Trustee or the Paying Agent at least 
              30 days prior to the relevant due date for payment (or such 
              other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion), by 
              mailing a check to the registered address of such holder.

<PAGE>

                                                                             4

              3.  Paying Agent and Registrar
                  --------------------------

                        Initially, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, a New York 
              banking corporation ("Trustee"), will act as Paying Agent 
              and Registrar.  The Company may appoint and change any 
              Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice.  The 
              Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned 
              Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-
              registrar.


              4.  Indenture
                  ---------

                        The Company issued the Securities under an Inden-
              ture dated as of September 27, 1996 ("Indenture"), between 
              the Company and the Trustee.  The terms of the Securities 
              include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of 
              the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 
              (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of
              the Indenture (the "Act").  Terms defined in the Indenture 
              and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in 
              the Indenture.  The Securities are subject to all such 
              terms, and Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and 
              the Act for a statement of those terms.

                        The Securities are general unsecured obligations 
              of the Company limited to $75,000,000 aggregate principal 
              amount at any one time outstanding (subject to Section 2.07 
              of the Indenture).  This Security is one of the Exchange 
              Securities referred to in the Indenture.  The Securities 
              include the Initial Securities and any Exchange Securities 
              issued in exchange for the Initial Securities pursuant to 
              the Indenture.  The Initial Securities and the Exchange 
              Securities are treated as a single class of securities under 
              the Indenture.  The Indenture imposes certain limitations on 
              the Incurrence of Indebtedness by the Company and its 
              Restricted Subsidiaries; the payment of dividends on, and 
              redemption of, Capital Stock of the Company and its 
              Restricted Subsidiaries and the redemption of certain 
              Subordinated Obligations of the Company and its Restricted 
              Subsidiaries; Investments; sales of assets and Restricted 
              Subsidiary Capital Stock; certain transactions with 
              Affiliates of the Company; the sale or issuance of Capital 
              Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries; the creation of Liens; the 
              lines of business in which the Company and its Restricted 
              Subsidiaries may operate; the disposition of assets of the 
              Company to Restricted Subsidiaries; and consolidations, 
              mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of the


<PAGE>

                                                                             5

              Company's assets.  In addition, the Indenture prohibits 
              certain restrictions on distributions and dividends from 
              Restricted Subsidiaries.


              5.  Optional Redemption
                  -------------------

                        Except as set forth in the next two paragraphs, 
              the Securities may not be redeemed prior to September 15, 
              2000.  On and after that date, the Company may redeem the 
              Securities in whole at any time or in part from time to time 
              at the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages 
              of principal amount), plus accrued interest to the 
              redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record 
              on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the 
              related interest payment date):

                        if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning 
              on or after September 15 of the years set forth below:

                                                            Redemption
              Period                                          Price  
              ------                                        ----------

              2000                                          105.688%
              2001                                          102.844%
              2002 and thereafter                           100.000%

                        Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior 
              to September 15, 1999, in the aggregate up to 30% of the 
              original aggregate principal amount of Securities with the 
              proceeds of one or more Public Equity Offerings by the 
              Company following which there is a Public Market, at a 
              redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal 
              amount) of 111.375% plus accrued interest to the redemption 
              date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the 
              relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant 
              interest payment date); provided, however, that at least 70% 
              of the original aggregate principal amount of the Securities 
              must remain outstanding after each such redemption.

                        At any time on or prior to September 15, 2000, the 
              Notes may also be redeemed as a whole at the option of the 
              Company within 90 days after a Change of Control, at a 
              redemption price equal to the sum of (i) 100% of the 
              principal amount thereof plus (ii) the Applicable Premium 
              plus (iii) accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, the 
              Redemption Date (subject to the right of Holders of record


<PAGE>

                                                                             6

              on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the 
              relevant interest payment date).

              6.  Notice of Redemption
                  --------------------

                        Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 
              30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date 
              to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at his 
              registered address.  Securities in denominations larger than 
              $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples 
              of $1,000.  If money sufficient to pay the redemption price 
              of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions 
              thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited 
              with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and 
              certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such 
              date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such 
              portions thereof) called for redemption.


              7.  Put Provisions
                  --------------

                        Upon a Change of Control, unless the Company has 
              elected to redeem the Securities pursuant to paragraph 5, 
              any Holder of Securities will have the right, subject to 
              certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the 
              Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of 
              such Holder at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the 
              principal amount of the Securities to be repurchased plus 
              accrued interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the 
              right of holders of record on the relevant record date to 
              receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) 
              as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.


              8.  Subordination
                  -------------

                        The Securities are subordinated to Senior 
              Indebtedness, as defined in the Indenture.  To the extent 
              provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness must be paid 
              before the Securities may be paid.  The Company agrees, and 
              each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the 
              subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and 
              authorizes the Trustee to give such provisions effect and 
              appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.


<PAGE>

                                                                             7

              9.  Denominations; Transfer; Exchange
                  ---------------------------------

                        The Securities are in registered form without 
              coupons in denominations of $1,000 and whole multiples of 
              $1,000.  A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in 
              accordance with the Indenture.  The Registrar may require a 
              Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorse-
              ments or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees 
              required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  The Regis-
              trar need not register the transfer of or exchange any 
              Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a 
              Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security 
              not to be redeemed) or any Securities for a period of 
              15 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or 
              15 days before an interest payment date.


              10.  Persons Deemed Owners
                   ---------------------

                        The registered Holder of this Security may be 
              treated as the owner of it for all purposes.


              11.  Unclaimed Money
                   ---------------

                        If money for the payment of principal or interest 
              remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent 
              shall pay the money back to the Company at its request 
              unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. 
              After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must 
              look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.


              12.  Discharge and Defeasance
                   ------------------------

                        Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any 
              time may terminate substantially all of its obligations 
              under the Securities and the Indenture if the Company 
              deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government 
              Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the 
              Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.


              13.  Amendment, Waiver
                   -----------------

                        Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the 
              Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Securities may be 
              amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least


<PAGE>

                                                                             8

              a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities 
              and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may 
              be waived with the written consent of the Holders of a 
              majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities. 
              Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, 
              without the consent of any Securityholder, the Company and 
              the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities to 
              cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or to 
              comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for 
              uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of 
              certificated Securities, or to make certain changes in the 
              Subordination provisions, or to add guarantees with respect 
              to the Securities or to secure the Securities, or to add 
              additional covenants or surrender rights and powers 
              conferred on the Company, or to comply with any request of 
              the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under 
              the Act, or to make certain changes in the subordination 
              provisions, or to make any change that does not adversely 
              affect the rights of any Securityholder.


              14.  Defaults and Remedies
                   ---------------------

                        Under the Indenture, Events of Default include 
              (i) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the 
              Securities; (ii) default in payment of principal on the 
              Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to para-
              graph 5 of the Securities, upon declaration or otherwise, or 
              failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when 
              required; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with other 
              agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain 
              cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (iv) certain 
              accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace 
              period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the 
              Company if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds 
              $5,000,000; (v) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency 
              with respect to the Company and the Significant 
              Subsidiaries; (vi) certain judgments or decrees for the 
              payment of money in excess of $5,000,000 and (vii) a Note 
              Guarantee ceasing to be in full force and effect (other than 
              in accordance with its terms).  If an Event of Default 
              occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at 
              least 25% in principal amount of the Securities may declare 
              all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. 
              Certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency are Events of 
              Default which will result in the Securities being due and 
              payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of 
              Default.


<PAGE>

                                                                             9

                        Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or 
              the Securities except as provided in the Indenture.  The 
              Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Securi-
              ties unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security. 
              Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in 
              principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in 
              its exercise of any trust or power.  The Trustee may with-
              hold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default 
              (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it 
              determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the 
              Holders.


              15.  Trustee Dealings with the Company
                   ---------------------------------

                        Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, 
              the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any 
              other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securi-
              ties and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations 
              owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may other-
              wise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same 
              rights it would have if it were not Trustee.


              16.  No Recourse Against Others
                   --------------------------

                        A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as 
              such, of the Company or the Trustee shall not have any 
              liability for any obligations of the Company under the 
              Securities or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in 
              respect of or by reason of such obligations or their crea-
              tion.  By accepting a Security, each Securityholder waives 
              and releases all such liability.  The waiver and release are 
              part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.


              17.  Authentication
                   --------------

                        This Security shall not be valid until an author-
              ized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) 
              manually signs the certificate of authentication on the 
              other side of this Security.


<PAGE>

                                                                            10

              18.  Abbreviations
                   -------------

                        Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of 
              a Securityholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants 
              in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN 
              (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as 
              tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform 
              Gift to Minors Act).

              19.  CUSIP Numbers
                   -------------

                        Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the 
              Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures the 
              Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the 
              Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers 
              in notices of redemption as a convenience to 
              Securityholders.  No representation is made as to the 
              accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities 
              or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may 
              be placed only on the other identification numbers placed 
              thereon.

                        THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH TO ANY SECURITYHOLDER 
              UPON WRITTEN REQUEST AND WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE SECURITY-
              HOLDER A COPY OF THE INDENTURE WHICH HAS IN IT THE TEXT OF 
              THIS SECURITY IN LARGER TYPE.  REQUESTS MAY BE MADE TO:

                              COREMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                          395 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD, SUITE 415
                                 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080
                          ATTENTION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


<PAGE>

                                                                            11

                                     ASSIGNMENT FORM 



              To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

              I or we assign and transfer this Security to


                   (Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

                   (Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)


              and irrevocably appoint                           agent to 
              transfer this Security on the books of the Company.  The 
              agent may substitute another to act for him.



              ____________________________________________________________

              Date: ________________ Your Signature: _____________________

              Signature Guarantee:_______________________________________
                                  (Signature must be guaranteed by a 
                                  participant in a recognized signature
                                  guarantee medallion program)
              ____________________________________________________________

              Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this 
              Security.


<PAGE>

                                                                            12

                               OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

                             If you want to elect to have this Security 
              purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of 
              the Indenture, check the box:

                                            /  /

                             If you want to elect to have only part of 
              this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to 
              Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, state the amount:
              $


              Date: __________________ Your Signature: __________________
                                       (Sign exactly as your name  appears 
                                       on the other side of the Security)


              Signature Guarantee:_______________________________________
                                  (Signature must be guaranteed by a 
                             participant in a recognized signature
                                  guarantee medallion program)



<PAGE>
                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                         CORE MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                             OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS
                   11 3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003
                               (THE "NEW NOTES")
          WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                       FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS OUTSTANDING
                   11 3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003
                             (THE "EXISTING NOTES")
              PURSUANT TO THE PROSPECTUS, DATED             , 1996
 
     THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON
 DECEMBER   ,
 OR SUCH LATER DATE AND TIME TO WHICH THE EXCHANGE OFFER MAY BE EXTENDED (THE
 "EXPIRATION DATE"). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
 
             TO: Bankers Trust Company of New York, EXCHANGE AGENT
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            BY MAIL:                           BY HAND:                 BY OVERNIGHT MAIL OR COURIER:
<S>                                <C>                                <C>
   BT Services Tennessee, Inc.           Bankers Trust Company           BT Services Tennessee, Inc.
       Reorganization Unit         Corporate Trust and Agency Group   Corporate Trust and Agency Group
         P.O. Box 292737               Receipt & Delivery Window             Reorganization Unit
    Nashville, TN 37229-2737                4 Albany Street                648 Grassmere Park Road
                                          New York, NY 10006                 Nashville, TN 37211
                                        For information, call:
                                            (800) 735-7777
                                        Confirm: (615) 835-3572
                                          Fax: (615) 835-3701
</TABLE>
 
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
 
                 PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                   CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING ANY BOX BELOW
 
                            ------------------------
 
    List below the Existing Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal relates.
If the space provided below is inadequate, the certificate numbers and principal
amount of Existing Notes should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed
hereto.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING NOTES                 (1)                (2)                (3)
<S>                                            <C>                <C>                <C>
                                                                                     PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                                                                                     OF EXISTING NOTES
  NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) OF REGISTERED                               PRINCIPAL          TENDERED
  HOLDER(S)                                       CERTIFICATE         AMOUNT OF        (IF LESS THAN
  (PLEASE FILL IN, IF BLANK)                     NUMBER(S)(*)      EXISTING NOTES        ALL)(**)
  * Need not be completed by book-entry holders.
 ** Unless otherwise indicated, the holder will be deemed to
    have tendered the full aggregate principal amount
    represented by such Existing Notes.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
    The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received and reviewed the
Prospectus, dated         , 1996 (the "Prospectus"), of Core-Mark International,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and this Letter of Transmittal
(the "Letter"), which together constitute the Company's offer (the "Exchange
Offer") to exchange up to $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 11 3/8%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "New Notes"), for a like principal
amount of the Company's issued and outstanding 11 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2003 (collectively, the "Existing Notes").
 
    The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes above and below and
signed this Letter to indicated the action the undersigned desires to take with
respect to the Exchange Offer.
 
    This Letter is to be used either if certificates of Existing Notes are to be
forwarded herewith or if delivery of Existing Notes is to be made by book-entry
transfer to an account maintained by the Exchange Agent at The Depository Trust
Company, pursuant to the procedures set forth in "The Exchange Offer--Procedures
for Tendering Existing Notes" in the Prospectus. Delivery of this Letter and any
other required documents should be made to the Exchange Agent. Delivery of
documents to a book-entry transfer facility does not constitute delivery to the
Exchange Agent.
 
    Holders whose Existing Notes are not immediately available or who cannot
deliver their Existing Notes and all other documents required hereby to the
Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date must tender their Existing
Notes according to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the Prospectus
under the caption "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes."
See Instruction 1.
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
/ /        CHECK HERE IF EXISTING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO AN ACCOUNT
           MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
</TABLE>
 
Name of Tendering Institution
- --------------------------------------          / / The Depository Trust Company
 
Account Number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Transaction Code Number
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
/ /        CHECK HERE IF EXISTING NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVER AND
           COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
</TABLE>
 
Name of Registered Holder(s)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Name of Eligible Institution that Guaranteed Delivery
- ---------------------------------------------------
 
If delivered by book-entry transfer:
 
Account Number
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Date of execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
- ------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
/ /        CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS
           AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
</TABLE>
 
Name:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Address:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that
it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New
Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its
own account in exchange for Existing Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes;
however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned
will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of
the Securities Act.
<PAGE>
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
 
    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the
undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the aggregate principal amount of
Existing Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance
for exchange of the Existing Notes tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby
sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right,
title and interest in and to such Existing Notes as are being tendered hereby.
 
    The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full
power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Existing Notes
tendered hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title
thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and
not subject to any adverse claim when the same are accepted by the Company. The
undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents
deemed by the Company or the Exchange Agent to be necessary or desirable to
complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Existing Notes tendered
hereby.
 
    The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made in
reliance on the Company's belief, based on interpretations by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") to third parties in unrelated
transactions, that the New Notes issued in exchange for the Existing Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by holders thereof (other than (i) any such holder that is an
"affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or (ii) any broker-dealer that
purchase Notes from the Company to resell pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act "Rule 144A") or any other available exemption) without compliance
with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act
provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such
holders' business and such holders have no arrangement with any person to
participate in the distribution of such New Notes. The undersigned acknowledges
that any holder of Existing Notes using the Exchange Offer to participate in a
distribution of the New Notes (i) cannot rely on the position of the staff of
the SEC enunciated in its interpretive letter with respect to Exxon Capital
Holdings Corporation (available April 13, 1989) or similar letters and (ii) must
comply with the registration and prospectus requirements of the Securities Act
in connection with a secondary resale transaction.
 
    The undersigned represents that (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of such holder's
business, (ii) such holder has no arrangements with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Notes, and (iii) such holder is not an "affiliate,"
as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, of the Company or, if such
holder is an affiliate, that such holder will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
 
    If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that
it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New
Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for its
own account in exchange for Existing Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes; however, by so
acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed
to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
 
    The undersigned, if a California resident, hereby further represents and
warrants that the undersigned (or the beneficial owner of the Existing Notes
tendered hereby, if not the undersigned) (i) is a bank, savings and loan
association, trust company, insurance company, investment company registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, pension or profit-sharing trust (other
than a pension or profit-sharing trust of the Company, a self-employed
individual retirement plan, or individual retirement account), or a corporation
which has a net worth on a consolidated basis according to its most recent
audited financial statement of not less than $14,000,000, and (ii) is
acquiring the New Notes for its own account for investment purposes (or for the
account of the beneficial owner of such New Notes for investment purposes).
 
    All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter and every
obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors,
assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal
representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall
survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be
withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in the instructions
contained in this Letter.
<PAGE>
    The undersigned understands that tenders of the Existing Notes pursuant to
any one of the procedures described under "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for
Tendering Existing Notes" in the Prospectus and in the instructions hereto will
constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company in
accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
 
    The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in
the Prospectus under "The Exchange Offer--Certain Conditions to the Exchange
Offer," the Company may not be required to accept for exchange any of the
Existing Notes tendered. Existing Notes not accepted for exchange or withdrawn
will be returned to the undersigned at the address set forth below unless
otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" below.
 
    Unless otherwise indicated herein in the box entitled "Special Issuance
Instructions" below, please issue the New Notes (and, if applicable, substitute
certificates representing Existing Notes for any Existing Notes not exchanged)
in the name of the undersigned. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under the
box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" below, please deliver the New Notes
(and, if applicable, substitute certificates representing Existing Notes for any
Existing Notes not exchanged) to the undersigned at the address shown above in
the box entitled "Description of Existing Notes."
 
    THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY, AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF CERTAIN
EXISTING NOTES, HAS GRANTED AUTHORITY TO BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY
PARTICIPANTS WHOSE NAMES APPEAR ON A SECURITY POSITION LISTING WITH RESPECT TO
SUCH EXISTING NOTES AS OF THE DATE OF TENDER OF SUCH EXISTING NOTES TO EXECUTE
AND DELIVER THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AS IF THEY WERE THE HOLDERS OF RECORD.
ACCORDINGLY, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE TERM "HOLDER" SHALL
BE DEEMED TO INCLUDE SUCH BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY PARTICIPANTS.
 
    THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED "DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING
NOTES" ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER AND DELIVERING SUCH NOTES AND THIS LETTER
TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE EXISTING NOTES AS SET
FORTH IN SUCH BOX ABOVE.
<PAGE>
                                PLEASE SIGN HERE
                   (TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS)
                  (Complete Accompanying Substitute Form W-9)
 
Dated:..........................................................................
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>
X ................................................  ..................................................
 
X ................................................  ..................................................
SIGNATURE(S) OF OWNER(S)/OR AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY    DATE
</TABLE>
 
              Area Code and Telephone Number . . . . . . . . . . .
 
  If a holder is tendering any Existing Notes, this Letter must be signed by the
registered holder(s) as the name(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) for the
Existing Notes or by any person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by
endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee,
executor, administrator, guardian, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary
or representative capacity, please set forth full title. See Instruction 3.
 
Name(s) ........................................................................
 
              ..................................................................
 
                             (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
Capacity: ......................................................................
 
Address  .......................................................................
 
                ................................................................
 
                               (INCLUDE ZIP CODE)
 
                              SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
 
                         (IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 3)
 
Signature(s) Guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution: .......................................................
 
                             (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)
 
 ...............................................................................
 
                                    (TITLE)
 
 ...............................................................................
 
                                 (NAME OF FIRM)
 
Dated:..........................................................................
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
        SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS          SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
         (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)                     (SEE INSTRUCTIONS 3 AND 4)
 
  To be completed ONLY if certificates for     To be completed ONLY if certificates for New
New Notes are to be issued in the name of and  Notes are to be sent to someone other than
sent to someone other than the person or       the person or persons whose signature(s)
persons whose signature(s) appear on this      appear(s) on this Letter above or to such
Letter above.                                  person or persons at an address other than
                                               shown in the box entitled "Description of
                                               Existing Notes" on this Letter above.
 
ISSUE:  NEW NOTES TO:                          MAIL:  NEW NOTES TO:
 
NAME(S):.....................................  NAME(S):.....................................
           (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)                         (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
       ......................................  .............................................
           (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)                         (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
 
ADDRESS:.....................................  ADDRESS:.....................................
 
       ......................................  .............................................
                                   (ZIP CODE)                                     (ZIP CODE)
 
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:......................
 
        (COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9)
</TABLE>
 
    IMPORTANT: UNLESS GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES ARE COMPLIED WITH, THIS
LETTER OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF (TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATE(S) FOR EXISTING
NOTES OR A CONFIRMATION OF BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER OF SUCH EXISTING NOTES AND ALL
OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS) MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE
EXPIRATION DATE.
<PAGE>
                                  INSTRUCTIONS
         FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
 
1. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER AND EXISTING NOTES; GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURE.
 
    This Letter is to be used to forward, and must accompany, all certificates
representing Existing Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Certificates representing the Existing Notes in proper form for transfer (or a
confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Existing Notes into the Exchange
Agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility) must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein on or before the Expiration Date.
 
    THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER, THE EXISTING NOTES AND ALL OTHER
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING HOLDERS, BUT THE
DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED OR CONFIRMED BY THE
EXCHANGE AGENT. IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT REGISTERED
MAIL PROPERLY INSURED, WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, BE USED. IN ALL CASES,
SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PERMIT TIMELY DELIVERY.
 
    If a holder desires to tender Existing Notes and such holder's Existing
Notes are not immediately available or time will not permit such holder's Letter
of Transmittal, Existing Notes (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of
Existing Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the book-entry transfer
facility) or other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent on or before
the Expiration Date, such holder's tender may be effected if:
 
        (a) such tender is made by or through an Eligible Institution (as
    defined below);
 
        (b) on or prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent has received
    a telegram, facsimile transmission (receipt confirmed by telephone and an
    original delivered by guaranteed overnight courier) or letter from such
    Eligible Institution setting forth the name and address of the holder of
    such Existing Notes tendered and stating that the tender is being made
    thereby and guaranteeing that, within three business days after the
    Expiration Date, a duly executed Letter of Transmittal, or facsimile
    thereof, together with the Existing Notes (or a confirmation of book-entry
    transfer of such Existing Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the
    book-entry transfer facility), and any other documents required by this
    Letter and the instructions hereto, will be deposited by such Eligible
    Institution with the Exchange Agent; and
 
        (c) this Letter, or a facsimile hereof, and Existing Notes in proper
    form for transfer (or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Existing
    Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility)
    and all other required documents are received by the Exchange Agent within
    three business days after the Expiration Date.
 
    See "The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" in the
Prospectus.
 
2. WITHDRAWALS.
 
    Any holder who has tendered Existing Notes may withdraw the tender by
delivering written notice of withdrawal (which may be sent by telegram,
facsimile (receipt confirmed by telephone and an original delivered by
guaranteed overnight courier)) to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration
Date. For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be
received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein. Any such notice
of withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person having tendered the
Existing Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify the Existing
Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers and principal
amount of such Existing Notes), (iii) be timely received and signed by the
holder in the same manner as the original signature on the Letter by which such
Existing Notes were tendered or as otherwise set forth in Instruction 3 below
(including any required signature guarantees), or be accompanied by documents of
transfer sufficient to have the Trustee (as defined in the Prospectus) register
the transfer of such Existing Notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture into
the name of the person withdrawing the tender and (iv) specify the name in which
any such Existing Notes are to be registered, if different from that of the
Depositor. If Existing Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number
of the account at the book-entry transfer facility to be credited with the
withdrawn Existing Notes or otherwise comply with the book-entry transfer
facility's procedures. See "The Exchange Offer--Withdrawal Rights" in the
Prospectus.
<PAGE>
3. SIGNATURES ON THIS LETTER; BOND POWERS AND ENDORSEMENTS; GUARANTEE OF
  SIGNATURES.
 
    If this Letter is signed by the registered holder of the Existing Notes
tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly with the name as written
on the face of the certificates without any change whatsoever.
 
    If any tendered Existing Notes are owned of record by two or more joint
owners, all such owners must sign this Letter.
 
    If any tendered Existing Notes are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate
copies of this Letter as there are different registrations of certificates.
 
    The signatures on this Letter or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be,
must be guaranteed unless the Existing Notes surrendered for exchange pursuant
thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder of the Existing Notes who has
not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special
Delivery Instructions" in this Letter or (ii) for the account of an Eligible
Institution. In the event that the signatures in this Letter or a notice of
withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantees
must be by a firm which is a member of a registered national securities exchange
or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a clearing
agency, an insured credit union, a savings association or by a commercial bank
or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States
(collectively, "Eligible Institutions"). If Existing Notes are registered in the
name of a person other than the signer of this Letter, the Existing Notes
surrendered for exchange must be endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written
instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, duly executed by the
registered holder with the signature thereon guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.
 
4. SPECIAL ISSUANCE AND DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS.
 
    Tendering holders of Existing Notes should indicate in the applicable box
the name and address to which New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer
are to be issued or sent, if different from the name or address of the person
signing this Letter. In the case of issuance in a different name, the employer
identification or social security number of the person named must also be
indicated. If no such instructions are given, any New Notes will be issued in
the name of, and delivered to, the name or address of the person signing this
Letter and any Existing Notes not accepted for exchange will be returned to the
name or address of the person signing this Letter.
<PAGE>
5. BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING AND SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.
 
    Under the federal income tax laws, payments that may be made by the Company
on account of New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be subject to
backup withholding at the rate of 31%. In order to avoid such backup
withholding, each tendering holder should complete and sign the Substitute Form
W-9 included in this Letter and either (a) provide the correct taxpayer
identification number ("TIN") and certify, under penalties of perjury, that the
TIN provided is correct and that (i) the holder has not been notified by the
Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that the holder is subject to backup
withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends or (ii)
the IRS has notified the holder that the holder is no longer subject to backup
withholding; or (b) provide an adequate basis for exemption. If the tendering
holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for one, or intends to apply
for one in the near future, such holder should write "Applied For" in the space
provided for the TIN in Part I of the Substitute Form W-9, sign and date the
Substitute Form W-9 and sign the Certificate of Payee Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number. If "Applied For" is written in Part I, the Company (or
the Paying Agent under the Indenture governing the New Notes) shall retain 31%
of payments made to the tendering holder during the sixty (60) day period
following the date of the Substitute Form W-9. If the holder furnishes the
Exchange Agent or the Company with his or her TIN within sixty (60) days after
the date of the Substitute Form W-9, the Company (or the Paying Agent) shall
remit such amounts retained during the sixty (60) day period to the holder and
no further amounts shall be retained or withheld from payments made to the
holder thereafter. If, however, the holder has not provided the Exchange Agent
or the Company with his or her TIN within such sixty (60) day period, the
Company (or the Paying Agent) shall remit such previously retained amounts to
the IRS as backup withholding. In general, if a holder is an individual, the
taxpayer identification number is the Social Security number of such individual.
If the Exchange Agent or the Company is not provided with the correct taxpayer
identification number, the holder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the
IRS. Certain holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain
foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting
requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt
recipient, such holder must submit a statement (generally, IRS Form W-8), signed
under penalties of perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. Such
statements can be obtained from the Exchange Agent. For further information
concerning backup withholding and instructions for completing the Substitute
Form W-9 (including how to obtain a taxpayer identification number if you do not
have one and how to complete the Substitute Form W-9 if Existing Notes are
registered in more than one name), consult the enclosed Guidelines for
Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9.
 
    Failure to complete the Substitute Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause
Existing Notes to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Company (or
the Paying Agent) to withhold 31% of the amount of any payments made on account
of the New Notes. Backup withholding is not an additional federal income tax.
Rather, the federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup
withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained.
 
6. TRANSFER TAXES.
 
    The Company will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the transfer
of Existing Notes to it or its order pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If,
however, New Notes and/or substitute Existing Notes not exchanged are to be
delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other
than the registered holder of the Existing Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered
Existing Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person
signing this Letter, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than
the transfer of Existing Notes to the Company or its order pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the
registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder.
If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not
submitted herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to
such tendering holder.
 
    Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for
transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Existing Notes specified in this
Letter.
 
7. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS.
 
    The Company reserves the absolute right to waive satisfaction of any or all
conditions enumerated in the Prospectus.
<PAGE>
8. NO CONDITIONAL TENDERS.
 
    No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. All tendering holders of Existing Notes, by execution of this Letter,
shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of their Existing
Notes for exchange.
 
    Neither the Company nor any other person is obligated to give notice of
defects or irregularities in any tender, nor shall any of them incur any
liability for failure to give any such notice.
 
9. INADEQUATE SPACE.
 
    If the space provided herein is inadequate, the aggregate principal amount
of Existing Notes being tendered and the certificate number or numbers (if
available) should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto and
separately signed by all parties required to sign this Letter.
 
10. MUTILATED, LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED EXISTING NOTES.
 
    If any certificate has been lost, mutilated, destroyed or stolen, the holder
should promptly notify Bankers Trust Company of New York, as Trustee, B.T.
Services Tennessee, Inc. Corporate Trust & Agency Group, Securities Replacement
Unit, 648 Grassmere Park Road, Nashville, TN 37211, Telephone (800) 735-7777.
The holder will then be instructed as to the steps that must be taken to replace
the certificate(s). This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be
processed until the Existing Notes have been replaced.
 
11. REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL COPIES.
 
    Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for
additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter, may be directed to the
Exchange Agent at the address and telephone number indicated above.
<PAGE>
                    TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS
                              (SEE INSTRUCTION 5)
 
                  PAYER'S NAME: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
                     PART I--TAXPAYER
                     IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 SUBSTITUTE
                                                  _____________________________
                     ENTER YOUR TAXPAYER
                     IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IN
                     THE
 FORM W-9
                                                     SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
                     APPROPRIATE BOX. FOR MOST
                     INDIVIDUALS, THIS IS YOUR
 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                     SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. IF
                                    YOU DO NOT HAVE A NUMBER, OR
 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
                     SEE HOW TO OBTAIN A "TIN" IN
                     THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES.
                                                  _____________________________
                     NOTE: IF THE ACCOUNT IS IN
                       MORE THAN ONE NAME, SEE EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
                     THE CHART ON PAGE 2 OF THE
                     ENCLOSED GUIDELINES TO
                     DETERMINE WHAT NUMBER TO
                     GIVE.
                     PART II--FOR PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING (SEE
                     ENCLOSED GUIDELINES)
 
 PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER
                     CERTIFICATION--UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, I CERTIFY
                     THAT:
 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)
                     (1) THE NUMBER SHOWN ON THIS FORM IS MY CORRECT TAXPAYER
                         IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (OR I AM WAITING AND
 CERTIFICATION
                        FOR A NUMBER TO BE ISSUED TO ME), AND
                     (2) I AM NOT SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING EITHER BECAUSE
                         I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE
                         SERVICE (THE "IRS") THAT I AM SUBJECT TO BACKUP
                         WITHHOLDING AS A RESULT OF A FAILURE TO REPORT ALL
                         INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS OR THE IRS HAS NOTIFIED ME THAT
                         I AM NO LONGER SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING.
                    SIGNATURE __________________________________________ DATE __
 CERTIFICATION GUIDELINES--YOU MUST CROSS OUT ITEM (2) OF THE ABOVE
 CERTIFICATION IF YOU HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY THE IRS THAT YOU ARE SUBJECT TO
 BACKUP WITHHOLDING BECAUSE OF UNDERREPORTING OF INTEREST OR DIVIDENDS ON YOUR
 TAX RETURN. HOWEVER, IF AFTER BEING NOTIFIED BY THE IRS THAT YOU WERE SUBJECT
 TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING YOU RECEIVED ANOTHER NOTIFICATION FROM THE IRS THAT YOU
 ARE NO LONGER SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING, DO NOT CROSS OUT ITEM (2).
         CERTIFICATION OF PAYEE AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
 
    I CERTIFY, UNDER PENALTIES OF PERJURY, THAT A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED TO ME, AND THAT I MAILED OR DELIVERED AN APPLICATION TO
RECEIVE A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO THE APPROPRIATE INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE CENTER OR SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE (OR I INTEND TO MAIL OR
DELIVER AN APPLICATION IN THE NEAR FUTURE). I UNDERSTAND THAT IF I DO NOT
PROVIDE A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO THE PAYER, 31 PERCENT OF ALL
PAYMENTS MADE TO ME ON ACCOUNT OF THE NEW NOTES SHALL BE RETAINED UNTIL I
PROVIDE A TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO THE PAYER AND THAT, IF I DO NOT
PROVIDE MY TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS, SUCH RETAINED
AMOUNTS SHALL BE REMITTED TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AS BACKUP WITHHOLDING
AND 31 PERCENT OF ALL REPORTABLE PAYMENTS MADE TO ME THEREAFTER WILL BE WITHHELD
AND REMITTED TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE UNTIL I PROVIDE A TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
SIGNATURE ________________________________                 DATE ________________
 
NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING
      OF 31% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU ON ACCOUNT OF THE NEW NOTES. PLEASE
      REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
      IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

<PAGE>
                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
 
                                      FOR
                           TENDER OF ALL OUTSTANDING
                   11 3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003
                              IN EXCHANGE FOR NEW
                   11 3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003
                  REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                       OF
 
                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
    Registered holders of outstanding 11 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003
(the "Existing Notes") who wish to tender their Existing Notes in exchange for a
like principal amount of new 11 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the
"New Notes") and whose Existing Notes are not immediately available or who
cannot deliver their Existing Notes and Letter of Transmittal (and any other
documents required by the Letter of Transmittal) to Bankers Trust Company of New
York (the "Exchange Agent") prior to the Expiration Date, may use this Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery or one substantially equivalent hereto. This Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by hand or sent by facsimile transmission
(receipt confirmed by telephone and an original delivered by guaranteed
overnight courier) or letter to the Exchange Agent. See "The Exchange
Offer--Procedures for Tendering Existing Notes" in this Prospectus.
 
                 The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
 
                       BANKERS TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
 
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                               <C>
        BY MAIL:                       BY HAND:               BY OVERNIGHT MAIL OR COURIER:
 
 BT Services Tennessee,         Bankers Trust Company          BT Serivces Tennessee, Inc.
          Inc.             Corporate Trust and Agency Group  Corporate Trust and Agency Group
   Reorganization Unit        Receipt & Delivery Window            Reorganization Unit
     P.O. Box 292737               4 Albany Street               648 Grassmere Park Road
Nashville, TN 37229-2737          New York, NY 10006               Nashville, TN 37211
 
                                For Information, call:
                                    (800) 735-7777
                               Confirm: (615) 835-3572
                                 Fax: (615) 835-3701
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
    Delivery of this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to an address other than as
set forth above or transmission of instructions via a facsimile transmission to
a number other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery.
 
    This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee
signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be
guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined in the Prospectus), such
signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided on the Letter
of Transmittal for Guarantee of Signatures.
 
Ladies and Gentleman:
 
    The undersigned hereby tenders the principal amount of Existing Notes
indicated below, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the
Prospectus dated          , 1996 of Core-Mark International, Inc. (the
"Prospectus"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged.
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TENDERED
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   NAME AND ADDRESS OF
 REGISTERED HOLDER AS IT
  APPEARS ON THE 11 3/8%
   SENIOR SUBORDINATED
    DISCOUNT NOTES DUE        CERTIFICATE NUMBER(S)        AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL           PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
 2003 ("EXISTING NOTES")           OF EXISTING            AMOUNT REPRESENTED BY         OF EXISTING NOTES
      (PLEASE PRINT)              NOTES TENDERED              EXISTING NOTES                 TENDERED
<S>                         <C>                         <C>                         <C>
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
                   THE FOLLOWING GUARANTEE MUST BE COMPLETED
 
                             GUARANTEE OF DELIVERY
 
                    (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEE)
 
    The undersigned, a firm that is a member of a registered national securities
exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or
a commercial bank or trust company having an office, branch, agency or
correspondent in the United States, hereby guarantees to deliver to the Exchange
Agent at one of its addresses set forth above, the certificates representing the
Existing Notes, together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), with any required signature guarantees, and
any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal within three New York
Stock Exchange, Inc. trading days after the date of execution of this Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>
NAME OF FIRM:                                           (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)
ADDRESS:                                                TITLE:
                                                                                NAME:
                                            (ZIP CODE)                  (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER:                         DATE:
</TABLE>
 
    NOTE: DO NOT SEND EXISTING NOTES WITH THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY.
EXISTING NOTES SHOULD BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

<PAGE>
            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
GUIDELINES FOR DETERMINING THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER TO GIVE THE
PAYER.--Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e.
000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only
one hyphen: i.e. 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to
give the payer.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>        <C>                       <C>
                                                GIVE THE
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT:                       SOCIAL SECURITY
                                                NUMBER OF--
 
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------
 
- -------------------------------------------------------
                                                GIVE THE EMPLOYER
FOR THIS TYPE OF ACCOUNT:                       IDENTIFICATION
                                                NUMBER OF--
- -------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>        <C>                       <C>
       1.  An individual's account              The individual
 
       2.  Two or more individuals              The actual owner of the
           (joint account)                      account or, if combined
                                                funds, the first
                                                individual on the
                                                account(1)
 
       3.  Husband and wife                     The actual owners of the
           (joint account)                      account or, if joint
                                                funds, either person(1)
 
       4.  Custodian account of a minor         The minor(2)
           (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)
 
       5.  Adult and minor                      The adult or, if the
           (joint account)                      minor is the only
                                                contributor, the
                                                minor(1)
 
       6.  Account in the name of guardian or   The ward, minor, or
           committee for a designated ward,     incompetent person(3)
           minor, or incompetent person
 
       7.  a.         The usual revocable       The grantor-trustee(1)
                      savings trust account
                      (grantor is also
                      trustee)
 
           b.         So-called trust account   The actual owner(1)
                      that is not a legal or
                      valid trust under state
                      law
 
       8.  Sole proprietorship account          The owner(4)
 
       9.  A valid trust, estate, or pension    The legal entity (Do not
           trust                                furnish the identifying
                                                number of the personal
                                                representative or
                                                trustee unless the legal
                                                entity itself is not
                                                designated in the
                                                account title.)(5)
 
      10.  Corporate account                    The corporation
 
      11.  Religious, charitable, or            The organization
           educational organization account
 
      12.  Partnership account held in the      The partnership
           name of the business
 
      13.  Association, club, or other          The organization
           tax-exempt organization
 
      14.  A broker or registered nominee       The broker or nominee
 
      15.  Account with the Department of       The public entity
           Agriculture in the name of a public
           entity (such as a State or local
           government, school district, or
           prison) that receives agricultural
           program payments
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>        <C>                       <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------
 
- -------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish.
 
(2) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number.
 
(3) Circle the ward's, minor's or incompetent person's name and furnish such
    person's social security number.
 
(4) Show your individual name. You may also enter your business name. You may
    use either your Social Security number or your Employer Identification
    number.
 
(5) List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate or pension trust.
 
NOTE: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be
      considered to be that of the first name listed.
<PAGE>
            GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
 
                         NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
 
                                     PAGE 2
 
OBTAINING A NUMBER
 
If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your
number, obtain Form SS-5. Application for a Social Security Number Card (for
individuals), or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (for
businesses and all other entitles), at the local office of the Social Security
Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") and apply for a
number.
 
PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include the
following:
 
 - A corporation.
 
 - A financial institution.
 
 - An organization exempt from tax under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue
    Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or an individual retirement plan or a
    custodial account under Section 403(b)(7) of the Code.
 
 - The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
 
 - A State, the Disctrict of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any
    subdivision or instrumentality thereof.
 
 - A foreign government, a political subdivision of a foreign government, or any
    agency or instrumentality thereof.
 
 - An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
 
 - A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S. or a
    possession of the U.S.
 
 - A real estate investment trust.
 
 - A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a) of the Code.
 
 - An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in
    Section 4947(a)(1) of the Code.
 
 - An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment
    Company Act of 1940.
 
 - A foreign central bank of issue.
 
    Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to
backup withholding include the following:
 
 - Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under Section 1441 of
    the Code.
 
 - Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and
    which have at least one nonresident partner.
 
 - Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in
    money.
 
 - Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
 
    Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the
following:
 
 - Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be
    subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is paid
    in the course of the payer's trade or business and you have not provided
    your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.
 
 - Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under
    Section 852 of the Code).
 
 - Payments described in Section 6049(b)(5) of the Code to non-resident aliens.
 
 - Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under Section 1451 of the Code.
 
 - Payments made by certain foreign organizations.
 
Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, SIGN AND DATE THE
FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER. IF YOU ARE A NON-RESIDENT ALIEN OR A FOREIGN
ENTITY NOT SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING, FILE WITH THE PAYER A COMPLETED
INTERNAL REVENUE FORM W-8 (CERTIFICATE OF FOREIGN STATUS).
 
    Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends,
that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup
withholding. For details, see Sections 6041, 6041A(a), 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049,
and 6050A and 6050N of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
PRIVACY ACT NOTICE--Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest,
or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must
report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification
purposes. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are
required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 31% of taxable
interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish
a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.
 
PENALTIES
 
(1) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO FURNISH TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.--If you fail
to furnish your correct taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are
subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to
reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
 
(2) CIVIL PENALTY FOR FALSE INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO WITHHOLDING.--If you
make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition
of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
 
(3) CRIMINAL PENALTY FOR FALSIFYING INFORMATION.--Willfully falsifying
certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including
fines and/or imprisonment.
 
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE
SERVICE

<PAGE>

                  PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND WHARTON & GARRISON
                         1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019
                                (212) 373-3000


                                     October 15, 1996







   Core-Mark International, Inc.
   395 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 415
   South San Francisco, CA  94080

             Registration Statement on Form S-4

   Ladies and Gentlemen:

     In connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the 
"Registration Statement") being filed today by Core-Mark International, Inc. 
(the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and the rules and regulations 
promulgated thereunder, we have been requested to render our opinion as to 
the legality of the securities being registered thereunder.  The Registration 
Statement relates to the registration under the Act of the Company's 11-3/8% 
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "New Notes").  The New Notes are to 
be offered in exchange for the
<PAGE>                                         
                                                                              2

11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Existing Notes") issued and 
sold by the Company on September 27, 1996 in an offering exempt from 
registration under the Act.  The New Notes will be issued by the Company 
pursuant to the terms of the Indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of 
September 27, 1996, between the Company and Bankers Trust Company of New 
York, as trustee (the "Trustee").

     In this connection we have examined (i) originals, photocopies or 
conformed copies of the Registration Statement (including the exhibits and 
amendments thereto), (ii) the Indenture filed as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement, (iii) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company 
and (iv) records of certain of the Company's corporate proceedings relating, 
among other things, to the proposed issuance and sale of the New Notes.  In 
addition, we have made such other examinations of law and fact as we 
considered necessary in order to form a basis for the opinions hereinafter 
expressed.  In connection with such investigation, we have assumed the 
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to 
us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us 
as photocopies or conformed copies and the legal capacity of natural persons 
executing such documents, none of which facts we have independently verified.

     In rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that the New 
Notes will be issued as described in the Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
                                                                             3


     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

     1.   The Indenture represents a valid and binding obligation of the 
Company under the laws of the State of New York, enforceable against the 
Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be 
subject to (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, 
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights 
generally and (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether such 
enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

     2.   When issued, authenticated and delivered, the New Notes will be 
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company under the laws of the 
State of New York enforceable against the Company in accordance with their 
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, 
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, reorganization, moratorium and 
other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and (b) general 
principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in 
a proceeding in equity or at law).

     Our opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of New 
York and the federal laws of the United States.  Our opinions are rendered 
only with respect to the laws, and the rules, regulations and orders 
thereunder, that are currently in effect.   
<PAGE>                           
                                                                               4

     We hereby consent to the use of our name in the Registration Statement 
and in the prospectus therein as the same appears in the caption "Legal 
Matters" and to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement.  In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we come 
within the category of persons whose consent is required by the Act or by the 
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                      Very truly yours,
                            /s/ PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON
                            PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON


<PAGE>

                                 $210,000,000

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT
         
         
                                     among
         
                        CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
         
         
                              The Several Lenders
                       from Time to Time Parties Hereto
         
         
                                      and
         
         
                           THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                            as Administrative Agent
         
         
         
                          Dated as of August 7, 1996
         
<PAGE>
                                      

         
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS                                             1
                   1.1  Defined Terms                                        1
                   1.2  Other Definitional Provisions                       24
         
         SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS                        25
                   2.1  Revolving Credit Commitments                        25
                   2.2  Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing            25
                   2.3  Fees                                                26
                   2.4  Termination or Reduction of Commitments             26
                   2.5  Term Loans                                          26
                   2.6  Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing                   26
                   2.7  Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt                26
                   2.8  Optional Prepayments                                28
                   2.9  Mandatory Prepayments                               28
                   2.10  Mandatory Prepayments and Other Reductions 
                         of Revolving Credit Loans                          29
                   2.11  Conversion and Continuation Options                30
                   2.12  Maximum Number of Tranches                         31
                   2.13  Interest Rates and Payment Dates                   31
                   2.14  Computation of Interest and Fees                   31
                   2.15  Inability to Determine Interest Rate               32
                   2.16  Pro Rata Treatment and Payments                    32
                   2.17  Illegality                                         33
                   2.18  Requirements of Law                                34
                   2.19  Taxes                                              34
                   2.20  Indemnity                                          36
                   2.21  Change of Lending Office                           37
         
                        SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT                        37
                   3.1  L/C Commitment.                                     37
                   3.2  Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit         37
                   3.3  Fees, Commissions and Other Charges                 38
                   3.4  L/C Participations                                  38
                   3.5  Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower            39
                   3.6  Obligations Absolute                                40
                   3.7  Letter of Credit Payments                           40
                   3.8  Application                                         40
         
         SECTION 4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES                         41
                   4.1  Financial Condition                                 41
                   4.2  No Change                                           42
                   4.3  Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law            42
                   4.4  Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable 
                        Obligations                                         42
                   4.5  No Legal Bar                                        42
                   4.6  No Material Litigation                              43
                   4.7  No Default                                          43
                   4.8  Ownership of Property; Liens                        43

                                      - i -
<PAGE>                
     
                                     
              4.9  Intellectual Property                                    43
                   4.10  No Burdensome Restrictions                         43
                    4.11  Taxes                                             43
                   4.12  Federal Regulations                                44
                   4.13  ERISA                                              44
                   4.14  Investment Company Act; Other Regulations          44
                   4.15  Subsidiaries                                       44
                   4.16  Purpose of Loans                                   44
                   4.17  Environmental Matters                              45
                   4.18  Accuracy of Information                            46
                   4.19  Security Documents                                 46
                   4.20  Solvency                                           47
         
         SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT                                   47
                   5.1  Conditions to Initial Extension of Credit           47
                   5.2  Conditions to Each Extension of Credit              50
         
         SECTION 6.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS                                  51
                   6.1  Financial Statements                                51
                   6.2  Certificates; Other Information                     52
                   6.3  Payment of Obligations                              54
                   6.4  Conduct of Business and Maintenance of 
                  Existence                                                 54
                   6.5  Maintenance of Property; Insurance                  54
                   6.6  Inspection of Property; Books and Records; 
                        Discussions                                         54
                   6.7  Semi-Annual Reviews                                 54
                   6.8  Notices                                             55
                   6.9  Environmental Laws                                  56
                   6.10  Further Assurances                                 56
                   6.11  Cash Management System                             56
                   6.12  Additional Collateral                              56
                   6.13  Tax Stamp Bonding.                                 57
                   6.14  Compliance with Terms of Leaseholds.               57
         
         SECTION 7.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS                                     58
                   7.1  Financial Condition Covenants                       58
                   7.2  Limitation on Indebtedness                          60
                   7.3  Limitation on Liens                                 61
                   7.4  Limitation on Guarantee Obligations                 62
                   7.5  Limitation on Fundamental Changes                   62
                   7.6  Limitation on Sale of Assets                        63
                   7.7  Limitation on Speculative Transactions              64
                   7.8  Limitation on Dividends                             64
                   7.9  Limitation on Capital Expenditures                  64
                   7.10  Limitation on Investments, Loans and 
                         Advances                                           64
                   7.11  Limitation on Optional Payments and 
                         Modifications of Debt Instruments                  65
                   7.12  Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates         65
                   7.13  Limitation on Sales and Leasebacks                 66
                   7.14  Limitation on Changes in Fiscal Year               66
                   7.15  Limitation on Negative Pledge Clauses              66

                                    - ii -
         
<PAGE>
                                      
        
                   7.16  LIMITATION ON LINES OF BUSINESS                    66
         
          SECTION 8.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT                                     66
         
         SECTION 9.  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT                               69
                   9.1  Appointment                                         69
                   9.2  Delegation of Duties                                70
                   9.3  Exculpatory Provisions                              70
                   9.4  Reliance by Administrative Agent                    70
                   9.5  Notice of Default                                   70
                   9.6  Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and 
                  Other Lenders                                             71
                   9.7  Indemnification                                     71
                   9.8  Administrative Agent in Its Individual 
                  Capacity                                                  72
                   9.9  Successor Administrative Agent                      72
         
         SECTION 10.  MISCELLANEOUS                                         72
                   10.1  Amendments and Waivers                             72
                   10.2  Notices                                            73
                   10.3  No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies                     74
                   10.4  Survival of Representations and Warranties         74
                   10.5  Payment of Expenses and Taxes                      74
                   10.6  Successors and Assigns; Participations and 
                  Assignments                                               75
                   10.7  Adjustments; Set-off                               77
                   10.8  Counterparts                                       78
                   10.9  Severability                                       78
                   10.10  Integration                                       78
                   10.11  GOVERNING LAW                                     78
                   10.12  Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers               78
                   10.13  Acknowledgements                                  79
                   10.14  WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL                             79
                   10.15  Judgment Currency                                 79
                   10.16  Confidentiality                                   80
         

                                    - iii -
<PAGE>
                                               
         SCHEDULES
         
         1.1(a)        Commitments
         4.2           Changes
         4.4           Consents
         4.6           Litigation
         4.8           Ownership of Property; Liens
         4.9           Intellectual Property
         4.11          Taxes
         4.13          ERISA
         4.15          Subsidiaries
         4.17          Environmental Matters
         4.19(b)       Security Documents; Offices
         7.2           Indebtedness
         7.3           Liens
         7.4           Guarantee Obligations
         
         
         EXHIBITS
         
         Exhibit A     Form of Revolving Credit Note
         Exhibit B     Form of Term Note
         Exhibit C     Form of Security Agreement
         Exhibit D     Form of Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement
         Exhibit E     Form of Subsidiaries Guarantee
         Exhibit F     Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
         Exhibit G     Form of Borrowing Certificate
         Exhibit H     Form of Responsible Officer's Certificate
         Exhibit I     Form of Supplemental Reporting
         Exhibit J-1   Form of Opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, 
                       Wharton & Garrison
         Exhibit J-2   Form of Opinion of Sheppard, Mullin,
                       Richter & Hampton, LLP
         Exhibit J-3   Form of Opinion of Stoel, Rives, Boley
                       Fraser & Wyse
         Exhibit J-4   Form of Opinions of Stikeman, Elliott; and 
                       Thompson Dorfman Sweatman
         Exhibit K     Form of Assignment and Acceptance
         
                                   - iv -
         
         
         
         


<PAGE>
                                         1


         CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of August 7, 1996, among CORE-MARK
INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "BORROWER"), the several
banks and other financial institutions from time to time parties to this
Agreement (the "LENDERS") and The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking
corporation, as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

     The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

                               SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

          1.1  DEFINED TERMS.  As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:

          "ABR":  for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
     necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal to the greatest of (a)
     the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Base CD Rate in effect
     on such day plus 1% and (c) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect
     on such day plus 1/2 of 1%. For purposes hereof:  "PRIME RATE" shall
     mean the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to 
     time by the Administrative Agent as its prime rate in effect at its
     principal office in New York City (the Prime Rate not being intended
     to be the lowest rate of interest charged by Chase Manhattan Bank in
     connection with extensions of credit to debtors); "BASE CD RATE" shall
     mean the sum of (a) the product of (i) the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate
     (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of
     which is one minus the C/D Reserve Percentage and (b) the C/D Assessment
     Rate; "THREE-MONTH SECONDARY CD RATE" shall mean, for any day, the
     secondary market rate for three-month certificates of deposit reported as
     being in effect on such day (or, if such day shall not be a Business Day,
     the next preceding Business Day) by the Board of Governors of the Federal
     Reserve System (the "BOARD") through the public information telephone line
     of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (which rate will, under the current
     practices of the Board, be published in Federal Reserve Statistical Release
     H.15(519) during the week following such day), or, if such rate shall not
     be so reported on such day or such next preceding Business Day, the average
     of the secondary market quotations for three-month certificates of deposit
     of major money center banks in New York City received at approximately
     10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such day (or, if such day shall not be
     a Business Day, on the next preceding Business Day) by the Administrative
     Agent from three New York City negotiable certificate of deposit dealers
     of recognized standing selected by it; and "FEDERAL FUNDS EFFECTIVE RATE"
     shall mean, for any day, the weighted average of the rates on overnight
     federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System
     arranged by federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding
     Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate
     is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of
     the quotations for the day of such transactions received by the 
     Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized
     standing selected by it.  Any change in the ABR due to a change in the
     Prime Rate, the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate or the Federal Funds
     Effective Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the
     effective day of such change in 


<PAGE>
                                       2


     the Prime Rate, the Three-Month Secondary CD Rate or the Federal 
     Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

          "ABR LOANS":  Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is based
     upon the ABR.

          "ACCOUNT":  as defined in Section 9-106 of the UCC.

          "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT":  Chase, together with its affiliates, as the 
     arranger of the Commitments and as the administrative agent for the 
     Lenders under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

          "AFFILIATE":  as to any Person, any other Person (other than a 
     Subsidiary) which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled
     by, or is under common control with, such Person.  For purposes of this
     definition, "control" of a Person means the power, directly or indirectly,
     either to (a) vote 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting
     power for the election of directors of such Person or (b) direct or cause
     the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by
     contract or otherwise.

          "AGGREGATE COVERED OUTSTANDING REVOLVING EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT":  at
     any date of determination, the excess of (a) the Aggregate Outstanding
     Revolving Extensions of Credit over (b) the lesser of the L/C Obligations
     then outstanding and the Uncovered L/C Amount.

          "AGGREGATE OUTSTANDING REVOLVING EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT":  at any time,
     an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all
     Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding and (b) the L/C Obligations then
     outstanding.

          "AGREEMENT":  this Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented or 
     otherwise modified from time to time.

          "APPLICATION":  an application, in such form as the Issuing Bank may
     specify from time to time, requesting the Issuing Bank to open a Letter of
     Credit.

          "ASSIGNEE":  as defined in subsection 10.6(c).

          "AVAILABLE REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS":  at any time, an amount
     equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the Revolving Credit Commitments over
     (b) the Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit.

          "BORROWER SECURITY DOCUMENTS":  the collective reference to the 
     Security Agreement and the Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement.

          "BORROWER STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT":  the Borrower Stock Pledge 
     Agreement to be executed and delivered by the Borrower, substantially in 
     the form of Exhibit D, as the same may be amended, supplemented or 
     otherwise modified from time to time.


<PAGE>

                                           3


          "BORROWING BASE":  on any date of determination thereof, the sum 
     (without duplication) of:

     a.   85% of the aggregate Eligible Accounts Receivable;
     b.   90% of the aggregate Uncleared US Checks;
     c.   85% of the excess of the aggregate Eligible Canadian Cash Equivalents 
          over the Canadian Cash Adjustment;
     d.   75% of the aggregate Eligible Vendor Receivables;
     e.   85% of the aggregate Eligible Cigarette Inventory purchased by the 
          Borrower on zero day EFT terms;
     f.   65% of the aggregate Eligible Cigarette Inventory purchased by the 
          Borrower on terms other than zero day EFT terms;
     g.   80% of the aggregate Eligible Tobacco and Cigar Inventory;
     h.   65% of the aggregate Eligible Other Inventory; and
     i.   100% of the aggregate cash held by the Administrative Agent in the US 
          Cash Collateral Account.

     All determinations in connection with the Borrowing Base shall be (i) made
     by the Borrower in conjunction with the Borrowing Base Certificates and 
     Supplemental Reportings to be provided by the Borrower to the 
     Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 6.2(f), (ii) made by the 
     Borrower in Dollars, and any amounts determined in Canadian dollars shall, 
     for purposes of calculating the Borrowing Base, be converted into Dollars
     at the Spot Rate and (iii) certified to the Administrative Agent by a 
     Responsible Officer of the Borrower, provided, however, that the 
     Administrative Agent shall have the final right to review and adjust, in 
     its reasonable judgment, any such determination to the extent such 
     determination is not in accordance with this Agreement.  The Administrative
     Agent may also decrease any of the foregoing percentages upon ten Business
     Days' written notice to the Borrower if, in the judgment of the
     Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion based on the findings of
     the on-site periodic field exams conducted pursuant to subsection 6.7, a
     material adverse change shall have occurred in any of the items included in
     the Borrowing Base.

          "BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE":  a certificate delivered by the Borrower
     to the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 6.2(f) and certified by
     a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit
     F.

          "BORROWING DATE":  any Business Day specified in a notice pursuant to
     subsection 2.2 or 2.6 as a date on which the Borrower requests the Lenders
     to make Loans hereunder.

          "BUSINESS":  as defined in subsection 4.17.

          "BUSINESS DAY":  a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on
     which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law
     to close.


<PAGE>


                                             4


          "CANADIAN CASH ADJUSTMENT":  as of any date of determination, the 
     aggregate total of all checks written and outstanding, payable to Canadian
     government cigarette tax jurisdictions, for amounts owing to them related
     to cigarette sales or purchases.

          "CANADIAN CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT":  has the meaning specified in the
     Security Agreement.

          "CANADIAN CASH EQUIVALENTS":  means (i) any term deposit receipts of
     the Bank of Montreal having a maturity of not greater than 90 days from the
     date of acquisition thereof, (ii) cash owned by the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries and denominated in Canadian dollars and (iii) subject to the
     receipt by the Administrative Agent of a written legal opinion in form and
     substance and from a firm satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its
     counsel to the effect that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders would
     have a perfected security interest in such items, the following items 
     having a maturity of not greater than 90 days from the date of acquisition
     thereof:

               (a)  readily marketable direct obligations of the Government of
          Canada or any province thereof or obligations unconditionally
          guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the Government of Canada;

               (b)  insured certificates of deposit, deposit notes or term
          deposit receipts of any commercial bank listed on Schedule 1 of the
          Bank Act (Canada); or
  
               (c)  commercial paper in an aggregate amount of no more than
          $1,000,000 per issuer outstanding at any time, issued by any 
          corporation organized under the laws of Canada or any province thereof
          and rated at least A-1 or better (or the then equivalent grade) by
          Canada Bond Rating Service or R-2 (middle) or better (or the then
          equivalent grade) by Dominion Bond Rating Service.

          "CAPITAL STOCK":  any and all shares, interests, participations or 
     other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation,
     any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a 
     corporation) and any and all warrants or options to purchase any of the 
     foregoing.

          "CASH INTEREST EXPENSE":  of any Person for any period, Interest 
     Expense of such Person for such period (a) minus, in each case to the 
     extent included in determining such Interest Expense for such period, the
     sum of the following: (i) non-cash expenses for interest payable in kind 
     and (ii) amortization of debt discount and fees and (iii) the fees 
     described in subsections 2.3 and 3.3 and (b) plus the sum of the following
     in each case to the extent previously subtracted pursuant to clause (a) of
     this definition: cash payments made by such Person or any Subsidiary of 
     such Person during such period in respect of the items referred to in such
     clause (a)(i).

          "C/D ASSESSMENT RATE":  for any day as applied to any ABR Loan, the
     annual assessment rate in effect on such day which is payable by a member
     of the Bank Insurance Fund maintained by the Federal Deposit Insurance 
     Corporation (the "FDIC") classified as well-capitalized and within 
     supervisory subgroup "B" (or a comparable 

<PAGE>

                                        5


     successor assessment risk classification) within the meaning of 12
     C.F.R. Section 327.4 (or any successor provision) to the FDIC (or any
     successor)for the FDIC's (or such successor's) insuring time deposits
     at offices of such institution in the United States.

          "C/D RESERVE PERCENTAGE":  for any day as applied to any ABR Loan,
     that percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect on such day, as
     prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any
     successor) (the "Board"), for determining the maximum reserve requirement
     for a Depositary Institution (as defined in Regulation D of the Board) in
     respect of new non-personal time deposits in Dollars having a maturity of
     30 days or more.

          "CHASE":  The Chase Manhattan Bank.

          "CIGARETTE INVENTORY":  the cigarette Inventory of the Borrower and 
     its Subsidiaries, including all tax stamps (whether affixed or unaffixed)
     in respect thereof.

          "CLOSING DATE":  the date on which the conditions precedent set forth
     in subsection 4.1 shall be satisfied.

          "CMIC":  Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc., a California 
     corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

          "CM MIDCONTINENT":  Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc., an Arkansas 
     corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

          "C/M PRODUCTS":  C/M Products, Inc., a California corporation and a 
     wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

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

          "COLLATERAL":  all assets of the Loan Parties, now owned or 
     hereinafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any
     Security Document.

          "COLLECTION ACCOUNTS":  has the meaning specified in the Security 
     Agreement.

          "COLLECTION ACCOUNTS LETTERS":  has the meaning specified in the 
     Security Agreement.

          "COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT":  as defined in subsection 3.1(b)(1)(B).

          "COMMITMENT PERIOD":  the period from and including the date hereof to
     but not including the Termination Date or such earlier date on which the 
     Commitments shall terminate as provided herein.

          "COMMITMENTS":  the collective reference to the Revolving Credit 
     Commitments and the Term Loan Commitments.


<PAGE>

                                        6


          "COMMONLY CONTROLLED ENTITY":  an entity, whether or not incorporated,
     which is under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of
     Section 4001 of ERISA or is part of a group which includes the Borrower and
     which is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

          "CONSOLIDATED": when used in connection with any defined term, and not
     otherwise defined, means such term as it applies to the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, after eliminating all intercompany
     items.

          "CONSOLIDATED WORKING CAPITAL": as of the date of determination, 
     Current Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, 
     determined on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP, minus Current
     Liabilities of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such date, determined
     on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP.

          "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION":  as to any Person, any provision of any
     security issued by such Person or any provision applicable to such Person
     of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a
     party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

          "CONTROL PERCENTAGE":  means 51%, provided that such percentage may be
     reduced but not below 35%, if prior to or concurrently with such reduction,
     the following conditions have been satisfied: (1) there has been an initial
     public offering of the common stock of the Borrower, (2) the Term Loans
     shall have been repaid in full, (3) the Uncovered L/C Amount shall have
     been permanently reduced to zero, (4) the Overadvance Limit shall have been
     permanently reduced to zero and (5) the lesser of (x) the available
     Borrowing Base and (y) the Available Revolving Credit Commitments shall be
     at least $15,000,000 determined on a pro forma basis giving effect to the
     transaction that causes such reduction on the basis of the average amount
     of the Borrowing Base and the Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Extensions of
     Credit, respectively, during the calendar month preceding the month in 
     which such transaction occurs.

          "CURRENT ASSETS": of any Person, at the date of determination, all 
     assets of such Person which would, in accordance with GAAP (using the 
     first-in, first-out inventory valuation method), be classified on a balance
     sheet of such Person as current assets, other than deferred taxes.

          "CURRENT LIABILITIES": of any Person, at the date of determination,
     all liabilities of such Person which would, in accordance with GAAP (using
     the first-in, first-out inventory valuation method), be classified on a
     balance sheet of such Person as current liabilities, other than deferred
     taxes and the current portion of any long-term Indebtedness of such 
Person.

          "CUSTOMER REBATE RESERVES":  $100,000 for rebates to customers subject
     to change by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion based on
     the findings of the on-site periodic field exams conducted pursuant to
     subsection 6.7.

<PAGE>

                                        7


          "DEFAULT":  any of the events specified in Section 8, whether or not
     any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time, or both, or
     any other condition, has been satisfied.

          "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT LETTERS":  has the meaning specified in the Security
     Agreement.

          "DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS":  has the meaning specified in the Security
     Agreement.

          "DEPOSITORY LETTERS":  has the meaning specified in the Security 
     Agreement.

          "DOLLARS" and "$":  dollars in lawful currency of the United States of
     America.

          "EBITDA":  means with respect to any Person, for any period, the Net
     Income of such Person for such period determined on a consolidated basis,
     plus, to the extent deducted in determining such Net Income, (i) Interest
     Expense, (ii) depreciation, (iii) depletion, (iv) amortization, (v) all
     Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes and (vi) any extraordinary
     and unusual losses, and, minus, to the extent added in determining such Net
     Income, any extraordinary and unusual gains, all as determined on a 
     consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP using the first-in, first-out
     inventory valuation method.

          "EFT":  electronic funds transfer.

          "ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE":  at a particular date, the total 
     outstanding balance of accounts receivable before bad debt reserves 
     historically recorded by the Borrower, determined in accordance with GAAP
     and stated on a basis consistent with the historical practices of the
     Borrower as of the date thereof (but excluding in any event any material
     delivery charges, freight charges, finance charges, late fees and other
     fees and less the value of any accrual which has been recorded by the 
     Borrower with respect to downward price adjustments) of the Borrower or any
     of its Subsidiaries (excluding Vendor Receivables):  (a) which are accounts
     within the meaning of Section 9-106 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code
     (or any successor provisions thereto), (b) which are bona fide, valid and
     legally enforceable obligations of the parties thereto or the account 
     debtor in respect thereof and arise from the actual sale of goods in the
     ordinary course of business to such account debtor or parties, (c) with
     respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or
     registrations or declarations with, any Governmental Authority required to
     be obtained, effected or given in connection with the execution, delivery
     and performance of such accounts receivable have been duly obtained, 
     effected or given, are in full force and effect and do not subject the
     scope of such Accounts to any materially adverse limitation, either 
     specific or general in nature, (d) which conform in all other respects to 
     the representations and warranties contained herein and in the Security 
     Agreement, (e) which have been invoiced by the Borrower or any of its 
     Subsidiaries and which are not more than 45 days past due, (f) which are
     not owed by an obligor which is (i) a Governmental Authority, or (ii) an
     Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Borrower, (g) which are not owed by an 
     obligor which has taken any of the actions or suffered any of the events of
     the kind described in subsection 8(f), (h) which are not owed by an obligor

<PAGE>
                                        8


     25% or more of the outstanding balance of accounts receivable of which do
     not constitute Eligible Accounts Receivable hereunder, (i) which are
     assignable and subject to a perfected, first-priority Lien in favor of the
     Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement and which are not
     subject to any other Liens except Liens permitted under subsection 7.3(a),
     (b) or (h), (j) which are not owed by an obligor with terms greater than 45
     days, (k) which the Borrower is not required to perform any additional
     services or perform or incur any additional obligations to the account
     debtor in order to collect such accounts receivable, (l) which are not
     subject to any defense, setoff, recoupment or counterclaim, (m) to which
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has good, valid and marketable 
     title as sole owner and as to which no other Person has asserted in writing
     any claim to right of possession or dominion, (n) the obligor in respect of
     which is located in the United States of America or in Canada, (o) which is
     denominated in Dollars or in Canadian dollars, and (p) which the 
     Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion based on the findings of
     the on-site periodic field exams conducted pursuant to subsection 6.7 has
     not otherwise determined to be unacceptable, EXCLUDING the aggregate amount
     of Receivable Offsets and Customer Rebate Reserves and the aggregate amount
     owing to any obligor who is a supplier or creditor of the Borrower or any
     of its Subsidiaries to the extent that there is a receivable balance due
     from  such obligor that would otherwise constitute an Eligible Accounts
     Receivable.

          "ELIGIBLE CANADIAN CASH EQUIVALENTS":  at a particular date, the total
     value of Canadian Cash Equivalents credited to the Canadian Cash Collateral
     Account and the Deposit Accounts in accordance with subsection 6.11.

          "ELIGIBLE CIGARETTE INVENTORY":  at a particular date, the total value
     of the Cigarette Inventory of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (calculated
     as the lower of (x) cost, determined on a first in first out basis in 
     accordance with GAAP and stated on a basis consistent with the historical
     practices of the Borrower on the date hereof before inventory reserves
     historically recorded by the Borrower and (y) fair market value) (a) which
     conforms in all respects to the representations and warranties contained
     herein and in the Security Agreement, (b) which is located in the United
     States of America, (c) which is subject to a perfected, first-priority Lien
     in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement and
     which is not subject to any other Liens except Liens permitted under
     subsection 7.3 (a), (b) or (h), (d) which is stored in the Borrower's or
     any of its Subsidiaries' warehouses, which has been placed in the
     Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' storage area or allocated to the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in a third-party warehouse and
     identified separately from the inventory of others, or which is in transit
     between such third-party warehouses and Borrower's or any of its 
     Subsidiaries' warehouses, (e) to which the Borrower or any of its 
     Subsidiaries has good, valid and marketable title as sole owner and as to
     which no other Person has asserted in writing any claim to right of 
     possession or dominion, (f) which is not raw materials, supplies, work-in-
     process or packaging, packing or shipping materials, and (g) which the
     Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion based on the findings of
     the on-site periodic field exams conducted pursuant to subsection 6.7 has
     not otherwise determined to be unacceptable, excluding the aggregate amount
     of the Inventory Reserves, Tax Reserves and Landlord Lien Reserves 
     allocable to such Inventory.

<PAGE>
                                        9


          "ELIGIBLE OTHER INVENTORY":  at a particular date, the total value of
     Inventory of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (calculated as the lower of
     (x) cost, determined on a first in a first out basis in accordance with
     GAAP and stated on a basis consistent with the historical practices of the
     Borrower on the date hereof before inventory reserves historically recorded
     by the Borrower, and (y) fair market value:  (a) which does not consist of
     Tobacco Products Inventory, (b) which does not consist of fresh produce, 
     fresh meat or dairy products in an aggregate amount in excess of $250,000,
     (c) which conforms in all respects to the representations and warranties
     contained herein and in the Security Agreement, (d) which is located in the
     United States of America, (e) which is subject to a perfected, first-
     priority Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security
     Agreement and which is not subject to any other Liens except Liens 
     permitted under subsection 7.3 (a), (b) or (h), (f) which is stored in the
     Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' warehouses, which has been placed in
     the Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' storage area or allocated to the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in a third-party warehouse and 
     identified separately from the inventory of others, or which is in transit
     between such third-party warehouses and Borrower's or any of its 
     Subsidiaries' warehouses, (g) to which the Borrower or any of its 
     Subsidiaries has good, valid and marketable title as sole owner and as to
     which no other Person has asserted in writing any claim to right of 
     possession or dominion, (h) which is not raw materials, supplies, work-in-
     process or packaging, packing or shipping materials, and (i) which the 
     Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion based on the findings of
     the on-site periodic field exams conducted pursuant to subsection 6.7 has
     not otherwise determined to be unacceptable, excluding the aggregate amount
     of the Inventory Reserves, Tax Reserves and Landlord Lien Reserves
     allocable to such Inventory.

          "ELIGIBLE TOBACCO AND CIGAR INVENTORY":  at a particular date, the 
     total value of the Tobacco and Cigar Inventory of the Borrower and its 
     Subsidiaries (calculated as the lower of (x) cost, determined on a first in
     first out basis in accordance with GAAP and stated on a basis consistent
     with the historical practices of the Borrower on the date hereof before 
     inventory reserves historically recorded by the Borrower, and (y) fair 
     market value):  (a) which is not Eligible Cigarette Inventory, (b) which
     conforms in all respects to the representations and warranties contained
     herein and in the Security Agreement, (c) which is located in the United
     States of America, (d) which is subject to a perfected, first-priority Lien
     in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement and
     which is not subject to any other Liens except Liens permitted under 
     subsection 7.3 (a), (b) or (h), (e) which is stored in the Borrower's or
     any of its Subsidiaries' warehouses, which has been placed in the 
     Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' storage area or allocated to the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in a third-party warehouse and 
     identified separately from the inventory of others, or which is in transit
     between such third-party warehouses and Borrower's or any of its 
     Subsidiaries' warehouses, (f) to which the Borrower or any of its 
     Subsidiaries has good, valid and marketable title as sole owner and as to
     which no other Person has asserted in writing any claim to right of 
     possession or dominion, (g) which is not raw materials, supplies, work-in-
     process or packaging, packing or shipping materials, and (h) which the
     Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion based on the findings of
     the on-site periodic field exams conducted pursuant to subsection 6.7 has
     not otherwise determined to be unacceptable, EXCLUDING the aggregate amount
     of the 

<PAGE>

                                        10

     Inventory Reserves, Tax Reserves and Landlord Lien Reserves 
     allocable to such Inventory.

          "ELIGIBLE VENDOR RECEIVABLES": at a particular date, the total 
     outstanding balance of Vendor Receivables of the Borrower and its 
     Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and stated on a basis 
     consistent with the historical practices of the Borrower as of the date
     thereof (a) which are accounts within the meaning of Section 9-106 of the
     New York Uniform Commercial Code (or any successor provisions thereto), (b)
     which are bona fide, valid and legally enforceable obligations of the
     parties thereto or the account debtor in respect thereof and arise in the
     ordinary course of business to such account debtor or parties, (c) with
     respect to which all consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or
     registrations or declarations with, any Governmental Authority required to
     be obtained, effected or given in connection with the execution, delivery
     and performance of such accounts receivable have been duly obtained,
     effected or given, are in full force and effect and do not subject the
     scope of such Accounts to any materially adverse limitation, either
     specific or general in nature, (d) which conform in all other respects to
     the representations and warranties contained herein and in the Security
     Agreement, (e) which are not owed by an obligor which is (i) a Governmental
     Authority, or (ii) an Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Borrower, (f) which 
     are not owed by an obligor which has taken any of the actions or suffered
     any of the events of the kind described in subsection 8(f), (g) which are
     assignable and subject to a perfected, first-priority Lien in favor of the
     Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreement and which are not
     subject to any other Liens except Liens permitted under subsection 7.3(a),
     (b) or (h), (h) which are not subject to any defense, setoff, recoupment or
     counterclaim, (i) to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has
     good, valid and marketable title as sole owner and as to which no other
     Person has asserted in writing any claim to right of possession or
     dominion, (j) the obligor in respect of which is located in the United
     States of America or in Canada, (k) which is denominated in Dollars or in
     Canadian dollars, and (l) which the Administrative Agent in its reasonable
     discretion based on the findings of the on-site periodic field exams
     conducted pursuant to subsection 6.7 has not otherwise determined to be
     unacceptable, excluding (1) the aggregate amount owing to any obligor who
     is a supplier or creditor of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to the
     extent that there is a receivable balance due from such obligor that would
     otherwise constitute an Eligible Vendor Receivable and (2) 50% of any
     Vendor Receivable due 180 days or more from the applicable date of 
     determination.

          "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS":  any and all foreign, Federal, state,
     provincial, local or municipal laws, rules, guidelines, orders,
     regulations, statutes, ordinances, codes, decrees, requirements of any
     Governmental Authority or other Requirements of Law (including common law)
     regulating, relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct
     concerning protection of employee health and safety or the environment, as
     now or may at any time hereafter be in effect.

          "ERISA":  the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
     amended from time to time.

<PAGE>

                                        11


          "EUROCURRENCY RESERVE REQUIREMENTS":  for any day as applied to a 
     Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the rates 
     (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such
     day (including, without limitation, basic, supplemental, marginal and
     emergency reserves under any regulations of the Board of Governors of the
     Federal Reserve System or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction
     with respect thereto) dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for
     eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities"
     in Regulation D of such Board) maintained by a member bank of such System.

          "EURODOLLAR BASE RATE":  with respect to each day during each Interest
     Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, the rate per annum equal to the
     rate at which Chase is offered Dollar deposits at or about 10:00 A.M., New
     York City time, two Business Days prior to the beginning of such Interest
     Period in the interbank eurodollar market where the eurodollar and foreign
     currency and exchange operations in respect of its Eurodollar Loans are
     then being conducted for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period
     for the number of days comprised therein and in an amount comparable to
     the amount of its Eurodollar Loan to be outstanding during such Interest
     Period.

          "EURODOLLAR LOANS":  Loans the rate of interest applicable to which is
     based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

          "EURODOLLAR RATE":  with respect to each day during each Interest
     Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum determined for
     such day in accordance with the following formula (rounded upward to the
     nearest 1/100th of 1%):

                         EURODOLLAR BASE RATE        
             1.00 - Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements

          "EVENT OF DEFAULT":  any of the events specified in Section 8,
     PROVIDED that any requirement for the giving of notice, the lapse of time,
     or both, or any other condition, has been satisfied.

          "EXCESS CASH FLOW":  for any fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing
     with the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, the excess of (a) the sum,
     without duplication, of (i) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for such
     fiscal year, (ii) the amount of any refund received by the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries during such fiscal year on income taxes paid by the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries to the extent not included in Consolidated EBITDA for
     such fiscal year, (iii) cash dividends, cash interest and other similar
     cash payments received by the Borrower during such fiscal year in respect
     of investments to the extent not included in Consolidated EBITDA for such
     fiscal year, (iv) extraordinary cash gains to the extent subtracted or
     otherwise not included in Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal year, (v)
     decreases in Consolidated Working Capital (other than decreases in cash or
     US or Canadian Cash Equivalents) over (b) the sum, without duplication, of
     (i) the aggregate amount of capital expenditures on a consolidated basis
     made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year and not
     financed, (ii) the aggregate amount of all reductions of the Revolving
     Credit Commitments (to the extent such reductions are required by the terms
     of this Agreement to be accompanied by prepayment of Revolving Credit

<PAGE>

                                        12


     Loans) or payments or prepayments of the Term Loans during such fiscal year
     other than pursuant to subsection 2.9(a), (b), (c) or (d), (iii) the
     aggregate amount of payments of principal of in respect of any Indebtedness
     (other than under this Agreement) permitted hereunder during such fiscal
     year (other than in respect of Existing Subordinated Debt), (iv)
     Consolidated Cash Interest Expense of the Borrower for such fiscal year,
     (v) the fees described in subsections 2.3 and 3.3 and the fees and expenses
     incurred in connection with the Recapitalization and the financing thereof
     and in connection with the offering of the High Yield Notes, (vi) taxes
     actually paid in such fiscal year or to be paid in the subsequent fiscal
     year on account of such fiscal year to the extent added to Consolidated Net
     Income to determine Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal year, (vii) 
     extraordinary cash payments or losses to the extent not subtracted in the
     determination of Consolidated EBITDA for such fiscal year, (viii) payments
     made by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in respect of pension and other
     retirement benefits (to the extent not included in Consolidated EBITDA) and
     cash payments made to customers at the commencement of multi-year supply
     contracts (to the extent not included in Consolidated EBITDA), (ix) the
     aggregate amount of cash used for Permitted Acquisitions made by the
     Borrower during such fiscal year, and (x) increases in Consolidated Working
     Capital (other than increases in cash or US or Canadian Cash 
     Equivalents).

          "EXISTING CREDIT FACILITY":  the Credit Agreement, dated as of March 
     2, 1995 among the Borrower, the lenders named therein, Citibank, N.A., as 
     U.S. and Canadian Issuing Bank, Citicorp USA, Inc., as Agent and Swing Line
     Bank and Citicorp Securities, Inc., as arranger, as heretofore amended,
     supplemented or otherwise modified.

          "EXISTING SUBORDINATED DEBT":  Indebtedness of the Borrower evidenced
     by promissory notes issued to the Shareholders on the date hereof in an
     aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25 million, which Indebtedness
     shall be subordinated in all respects to all amounts due and owing to the
     Administrative Agent and the Lenders under this Agreement and the other
     Loan Documents in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
     Agent and the Lenders in all respects as contemplated pursuant to the 
     Recapitalization Documents.

          "FINANCING LEASE":  any lease of property, real or personal, the 
     obligations of the lessee in respect of which are required in accordance
     with GAAP to be capitalized on a balance sheet of the lessee.

          "GAAP":  generally accepted accounting principles in the United States
     of America in effect from time to time.

          "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY":  any nation or government, any state, 
     province or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising
     executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of
     or pertaining to government.

          "GUARANTEE OBLIGATION":  as to any Person (the "GUARANTEEING PERSON"),
     any obligation of (a) the guaranteeing person or (b) another Person
     (including, without limitation, any bank under any letter of credit) to
     induce the creation of which the guaranteeing person has issued a
     reimbursement, counterindemnity or similar obligation, in either case
     guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any Indebtedness, leases, dividends
     or other obligations (the "PRIMARY OBLIGATIONS") of any other third Person
     (the "PRIMARY OBLIGOR") in any manner, whether directly or indirectly,
     including, without limitation, any obligation of the guaranteeing person,
     whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or
     any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to
     advance or supply funds (1) for the purchase or payment of any such primary
     obligation or (2) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the
     primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the
     primary obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services
     primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary
     obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such
     primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the owner
     of any such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; PROVIDED,
     HOWEVER, that the term Guarantee Obligation shall not include endorsements
     of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of
     business.  The amount of any Guarantee Obligation of any guaranteeing
     person shall be deemed to be the lower of (a) an amount equal to the stated
     or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such
     Guarantee Obligation is made and (b) the maximum amount for which such
     guaranteeing person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument
     embodying such Guarantee Obligation, unless such primary obligation and the
     maximum amount for which such guaranteeing person may be liable are not
     stated or determinable, in which case the amount of such Guarantee
     Obligation shall be such guaranteeing person's maximum reasonably
     anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the Borrower in
     good faith.

          "GUARANTOR":  any Person delivering the Subsidiaries Guarantee 
     pursuant to this Agreement.

          "HEDGE AGREEMENTS":  means interest rate swap, cap or collar
     agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap
     agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar
     agreements.

          "HIGH YIELD NOTES":  as defined in subsection 7.2(h).

          "INDEBTEDNESS":  of any Person at any date, (a) all indebtedness of
     such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of
     property or services (other than current trade liabilities incurred in the
     ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with customary
     practices), (b) any other indebtedness of such Person which is evidenced by
     a note, bond, debenture or similar instrument, (c) all obligations of such
     Person under Financing Leases, (d) all obligations of such Person in
     respect of outstanding letters of credit, acceptances and similar
     obligations created for the account of such Person, (e) all obligations of
     such Person under Hedge Agreements and (f) all liabilities secured by any
     Lien on any property owned by such Person even though such Person has not
     assumed or otherwise become liable for the payment thereof.

          "INSOLVENCY":  with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the condition
     that such Plan is insolvent within the meaning of Section 4245 of ERISA.

<PAGE>

                                        14


          "INSOLVENT":  pertaining to a condition of Insolvency.

          "INSTALLMENT PAYMENT DATE": as defined in subsection 2.7(a).

          "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY":  the collective reference to Copyrights, 
     Copyright Licenses, Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks and Trademark 
     Licenses, in each case, as defined in the Security Agreement.

          "INTEREST EXPENSE": of any Person for any period the amount of 
     interest expense, both expensed and capitalized, of such Person, determined
     on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, for such period on the
     aggregate principal amount of its Indebtedness.

          "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE":  (a) as to any ABR Loan, the last day of each
     March, June, September and December, (b) as to any Eurodollar Loan having
     an Interest Period of three months or less, the last day of such Interest
     Period, and (c) as to any Eurodollar Loan having an Interest Period longer
     than three months, each day which is three months or a whole multiple 
     thereof, after the first day of such Interest Period and the last day of 
     such Interest Period.

          "INTEREST PERIOD":  with respect to any Eurodollar Loan:

                  (i) initially, the period commencing on the borrowing or
          conversion date, as the case may be, with respect to such Eurodollar
          Loan and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected
          by the Borrower in its notice of borrowing or notice of conversion, as
          the case may be, given with respect thereto; and

                  (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on the last day of the
          next preceding Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan and
          ending one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the
          Borrower by irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent not less
          than three Business Days prior to the last day of the then current
          Interest Period with respect thereto;

     PROVIDED that, all of the foregoing provisions relating to Interest Periods
     are subject to the following:

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

               (2)  any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the
          Termination Date or, in the case of Interest Periods applicable to
          Term Loans, beyond the date final payment is due on the Term Loans
          shall end on the Termination Date or such date of final payment, as
          the case may be;

<PAGE>

                                        15


               (3)  any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of
          a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
          corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
          Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and

               (4)  the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so as not to
          require a payment or prepayment of any Eurodollar Loan during an
          Interest Period for such Loan.

          "INTERIM ADJUSTMENTS":  means, that for the first three fiscal
     quarters following the Closing Date, the ratio to be calculated pursuant to
     subsection 7.1(e) which ratio shall be calculated using the adjustments and
     assumptions regarding Cash Interest Expense set forth below:

                   (i) for the partial fiscal quarter ending September 30, 1996,
          Cash Interest Expense for the twelve month period for which the ration
          is being calculated shall be deemed to be the result obtained by
          adding (x) the actual Cash Interest Expense for the period from the
          Closing Date through the last day of such fiscal quarter and (y)
          $11,100,000, (ii)  for the full fiscal quarter ending December 31,
          1996, Cash Interest Expense for the twelve month period for which the
          ratio is being calculated shall be deemed to be the result obtained by
          adding (x) the actual Cash Interest Expense for the period from the
          Closing Date through the last day of such fiscal quarter and (y)
          $7,400,000 and (iii) for the full fiscal quarter ending March 31,
          1997, Cash Interest Expense for the twelve month period for which the
          ratio is being calculated shall be deemed to be the result obtained by
          adding (x) the actual Cash Interest Expense for the period from the
          Closing Date through the last day of such fiscal quarter and (y) 
          $3,700,000. 

          "INVENTORY":  as defined in Section 9-109(4) of the UCC.

          "INVENTORY RESERVE":  with respect to any Inventory of the Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries, determined on a first in first out basis in 
     accordance with GAAP and stated on a basis consistent with the historical
     practices of the Borrower on the date hereof, which intent is to record a
     deterioration in Inventory value for damaged, unsalable in the ordinary
     course or otherwise unmerchantable items or which have been held for more
     than six months in the case of Tobacco Products Inventory or more than
     twelve months in the case of other Inventory or is stale.

          "ISSUING BANK":  Chase or an Affiliate of Chase designated by it, in
     its capacity as issuer of any Letter of Credit; initially, Chase Manhattan
     Bank Delaware.

          "LANDLORD LIEN RESERVES":  at any time, the aggregate amount of any
     and all past due and current amounts then owing by the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries to landlords in respect of their warehouse facilities.

          "L/C COMMITMENT":  at any date of determination the lesser of 
     $40,000,000 and Revolving Credit Commitments at such date.

<PAGE>

                                        16


          "L/C FEE PAYMENT DATE":  the last day of each March, June, September,
     and December, and the Termination Date.

          "L/C OBLIGATIONS":  at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the
     aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters
     of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit
     which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to subsection 3.5(a).

          "L/C PARTICIPANTS":  the collective reference to all the Lenders with
     Revolving Credit Commitments other than the Issuing Bank.

          "LEASE EXPENSE": for any Person for any period, the aggregate amount
     of fixed and contingent rentals payable by such Person for such period with
     respect to leases of real and personal property.

          "LETTERS OF CREDIT":  as defined in subsection 3.1(a).

          "LIEN":  any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
     arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge or other
     security interest or any preference, priority or other security agreement
     or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, 
     without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement
     and any Financing Lease having substantially the same economic effect as 
     any of the foregoing).

          "LOAN":  any loan made by any Lender pursuant to this Agreement.

          "LOAN DOCUMENTS":  this Agreement, any Notes, the Applications, any
     Letters of Credit, the Subsidiaries Guarantee and the Security Documents

          "LOAN PARTIES":  the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower
     which is a party to a Loan Document.

          "MAJORITY LENDERS":  at any time, Lenders the Voting Percentages of 
     which aggregate more than 50%.

          "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT":  a material adverse effect on (a) the 
     business, assets, property, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects
     of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity
     or enforceability of this or any of the other Loan Documents or the rights
     or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder or 
     thereunder.

          "MATERIALS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN":  any gasoline or petroleum 
     (including crude oil or any fraction thereof) or petroleum products or any
     hazardous or toxic substances, materials or wastes, defined or regulated as
     such in or under any Environmental Law, including, without limitation,
     asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls and urea-formaldehyde insulation.

<PAGE>

                                        17


          "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN":  a Plan which is a multiemployer plan as defined
     in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
   
          "NET INCOME": of any Person for any period, net income of such Person,
     determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

          "NET PROCEEDS":  (a) with respect to any sale, lease or other 
     disposition of assets (other than Inventory sold, leased or otherwise 
     disposed of in the ordinary course of business) aggregating $500,000 or 
     more by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the net amount equal to 
     the aggregate amount received in cash (including any cash received by way 
     of deferred payment pursuant to a note receivable, other non-cash 
     consideration or otherwise, but only as and when such cash is so received)
     in connection with such sale or other disposition MINUS the sum of (i) the 
     reasonable and documented fees, commissions and other out-of-pocket 
     expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of attorneys, 
     accountants, appraisers, title examiners, service companies and 
     environmental consultants) incurred by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries 
     and payable to Persons other than Affiliates in connection with such sale 
     or other disposition (including, in connection with the repayment or 
     amendment of any Indebtedness which is secured in whole or in part by such
     assets) and (ii) federal, state, local and foreign taxes incurred by the 
     Borrower and its Affiliates in connection with such sale;

          (b)  with respect to any issuance of any Indebtedness by the Borrower,
     the net amount equal to the aggregate amount received in cash (including 
     any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to a note receivable,
     other non-cash consideration or otherwise, but only as and when such cash
     is so received) in connection with such issuance MINUS the reasonable and
     documented fees, commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by
     the Borrower in connection with such issuance; and

          (c)  with respect to proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries from any insurance policies as a result of a casualty, the
     amount of such proceeds MINUS the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket
     fees and expenses incurred by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in 
     connection with the collection of such proceeds.

          "NET WORTH":   means, with respect to any Person as of any date of
     determination, the stockholder's equity of such Person as of such date,
     without giving effect to any cumulative gains or losses from foreign 
     currency translations PLUS minority interests of such Person as of such 
     date, in each case determined on a Consolidated basis and in accordance 
     with GAAP using the first-in, first-out inventory valuation method 
     (excluding any additional minimum pension liability).

          "NON-EXCLUDED TAXES":  as defined in subsection 2.17.

          "NOTES":  the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Notes and
     the Term Notes.

<PAGE>
                                        18


          "OVERADVANCE AMOUNT":  at any date of determination the excess, if 
     any, of the Aggregate Covered Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit 
     over the Borrowing Base at such date.

          "OVERADVANCE LIMIT":  $10,000,000 as such amount may be reduced 
     pursuant to subsection 2.9(f).

          "PARTICIPANT":  as defined in subsection 10.6(b).

          "PBGC":  the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant
     to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA.

          "PERMITTED ACQUISITION":  shall mean any acquisition of all or 
     substantially all the assets of, or shares or other equity interests in, a
     Person or division or line of business of a Person or other significant
     assets of a Person (other than inventory, leases, materials and equipment
     in the ordinary course of business) if immediately after giving effect 
     thereto:  (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be 
     continuing or would result therefrom, (b) all transactions related thereto
     shall be consummated in all material respects in accordance with applicable
     laws, (c) 100% of the Capital Stock of any acquired or newly formed
     corporation, partnership, association or other business entity are owned
     directly by the Borrower or a Subsidiary and all actions required to be 
     taken, if any, with respect to such acquired or newly formed subsidiary 
     under subsections 6.10 and 6.12 shall have been taken, (d)(i) the Borrower
     shall be in compliance, on a PRO FORMA basis after giving effect to such
     acquisition or formation, with the covenants contained in subsection 7.1
     recomputed as at the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of
     the Borrower as if such acquisition had occurred on the first day of each
     relevant period for testing such compliance, and the Borrower shall have
     delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible 
     Officer to such effect, together with all relevant financial information
     for such subsidiary or assets (to the extent reasonably available), and
     (ii) after giving effect to such transaction, any acquired or newly formed
     subsidiary shall not be liable for any Indebtedness (except for 
     Indebtedness permitted by subsection 7.2) and (e) the Borrower shall have
     delivered to the Administrative Agent monthly projections on a PRO FORMA
     basis after giving effect to such acquisition or formation, for each of the
     twelve months following the proposed date of such acquisition or formation,
     which projections shall indicate that (i) the Borrower would be in
     compliance with the covenants contained in subsection 7.1 recomputed as of
     the last day of the most recently ended month as if such acquisition had
     occurred on the first day of each month for testing such compliance and
     (ii) the average amount of the lesser of (1) the available Borrowing Base
     and (2) the Available Revolving Credit Commitments shall be at least
     $15,000,000 during such 12 month period and the Borrower shall have
     delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Responsible 
     Officer to such effect, PROVIDED, that clauses (d)(i) and (e) above shall
     not apply to any acquisition the aggregate amount of which is less than
     $2,000,000 unless and until all such acquisitions which are less than
     $2,000,000 exceed $5 million in the aggregate during the term of this
     Agreement.

<PAGE>

                                        19


          "PERSON":  an individual, partnership, corporation, business trust,
     joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture,
     Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever nature.

          "PLAN":  at a particular time, any employee benefit plan which is
     covered by ERISA and in respect of which the Borrower or a Commonly 
     Controlled Entity is (or, if such plan were terminated at such time, would
     under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" as defined in 
     Section 3(5) of ERISA.

          "PROPERTIES":  as defined in subsection 4.17.

          "RECAPITALIZATION":  The resulting ownership of the Borrower after the
     consummation of the transactions contemplated by Recapitalization 
     Documents.

          "RECAPITALIZATION DOCUMENTS":  the Stock Subscription Agreement by and
     between CM/J Acquisition, LLC and Core-Mark International, Inc., dated 
     June 17, 1996, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated as of August 7,
     1996 (the "Stock Subscription Agreement") and the Company/LLC Purchase 
     Agreement as defined in the Stock Subscription Agreement. 

          "RECEIVABLE OFFSETS":  the aggregate credit balances of the Borrower
     (determined on an account debtor by account debtor basis) more than 45 days
     past due.

          "REGISTER":  as defined in subsection 10.6(d).

          "REGULATION U":  Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
     Reserve System as in effect from time to time.

          "REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION":  the obligation of the Borrower to 
     reimburse the Issuing Bank pursuant to subsection 3.5(a) for amounts drawn
     under Letters of Credit.

          "REORGANIZATION":  with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the
     condition that such plan is in reorganization within the meaning of Section
     4241 of ERISA.

          "REPORTABLE EVENT":  any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of
     ERISA, other than those events as to which the thirty day notice period is
     waived under subsections .13, .14, .16, .18, .19 or .20 of PBGC Reg. 2615
     or other PBGC regulations or guidance.

          "REQUIREMENT OF LAW":  as to any Person, the Certificate of
     Incorporation and By-Laws or other organizational or governing documents of
     such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or determination of an
     arbitrator or a court or other Governmental Authority, in each case
     applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to
     which such Person or any of its property is subject.

<PAGE>
                                        20


          "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER":  the chief executive officer, the president, or
     the executive vice president of the Borrower or, with respect to financial
     matters, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or the Controller of 
     the Borrower.

          "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE":  as defined in subsection 6.2(b).

          "REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT":  as to any Lender, the obligation of
     such Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans to and/or issue or participate
     in Letters of Credit issued on behalf of the Borrower hereunder in an 
     aggregate principal and/or face amount at any one time outstanding not to
     exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender's name on Schedule 1.1(a)
     under the heading "Revolving Credit Commitment", as such amount may be 
     reduced from time to time pursuant to this Agreement or as such amount may
     be adjusted from time to time pursuant to subsection 10.6; collectively, as
     to all such Lenders, the "Revolving Credit Commitments".

          "REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT PERCENTAGE":  as to any Lender (a) at any
     time prior to the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the
     percentage of the Revolving Credit Commitments then constituted by such
     Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment and (b) at any time after the 
     termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the percentage which (i)
     the sum of (x) such Lender's Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding plus
     (y) the product of such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage
     immediately prior to the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments
     (after giving effect to any permitted assignment pursuant to subsection
     10.6) times the L/C Obligations then outstanding then constitutes of (ii)
     the sum of (x) the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans of
     all the Lenders then outstanding plus (y) the aggregate L/C Obligations
     then outstanding.

          "REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS":  as defined in subsection 2.1.

          "REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE":  as defined in subsection 2.7(e).

          "SECURITY AGREEMENT":  the Security Agreement to be executed and 
     delivered by the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries, substantially in
     the form of Exhibit C, as the same may be amended, supplemented or 
     otherwise modified from time to time.

          "SECURITY DOCUMENTS":  the collective reference to the Security 
     Agreement, the Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement and all other security 
     documents hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent granting a Lien
     on any asset or assets of any Person to secure the obligations and 
     liabilities of the Borrower hereunder and under any of the other Loan 
     Documents or to secure any guarantee of any such obligations and 
     liabilities.

          "SENIOR DEBT":  at any date of determination, Total Debt of the 
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding at such date of determination
     minus all Subordinated Debt (including, without limitation, the Existing
     Subordinated Debt) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding at such
     date of determination, as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance
     with GAAP.

<PAGE>
                                        21


          "SHAREHOLDERS":  the Shareholders of the Borrower subsequent to the
     Recapitalization, including, Jupiter Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited
     partnership, Gary L. Walsh, Robert A. Allen, Leo F. Korman, J. Michael
     Walsh, Basil P. Prokop and Leo Granucci.

          "SINGLE EMPLOYER PLAN":  any Plan which is covered by Title IV of
     ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.

          "SOLVENT":  when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of
     any date of determination, (a) the amount of the "present fair saleable
     value" of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed the
     amount of all "liabilities of such Person, contingent or otherwise", as of
     such date, as such quoted terms are determined in accordance with
     applicable federal and state laws governing determinations of the
     insolvency of debtors, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of
     such Person will, as of such date, be greater than the amount that will be
     required to pay the liability of such Person on its debts as such debts
     become absolute and matured, (c) such Person will not have, as of such
     date, an unreasonably small amount of capital with which to conduct its
     business, and (d) such Person will be able to pay its debts as they mature.
     For purposes of this definition, (i) "debt" means liability on a "claim",
     and (ii) "claim" means any (x) 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 (y) right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if
     such breach gives rise to a right to payment, whether or not such right to
     an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured or
     unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.

          "SPOT RATE":  the rate of exchange quoted by the Administrative Agent
     on such date of determination (at the hour on such date of determination at
     which it customarily makes such determination) to prime banks in the
     interbank market where its foreign currency exchange operations in respect
     of Canadian Dollars are then being conducted for the spot purchase of
     Canadian Dollars with Dollars.

          "STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT":  as defined in subsection 3.1(b)(1)(A).

          "SUBORDINATED DEBT":  any unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower no
     part of the principal of which is required to be paid (whether by way of
     mandatory sinking fund, mandatory redemption, mandatory prepayment or
     otherwise) prior to July 1, 2001; the payment of the principal of and
     interest on which and other obligations of the Borrower in respect thereof
     are subordinated to the prior payment in full of the principal of and
     interest (including post-petition interest) on the Loans and all other
     obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and
     the Lenders hereunder on terms and conditions approved in writing by the
     Administrative Agent; and all other terms and conditions of which are
     satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent.

          "SUBSIDIARIES GUARANTEE":  the Guarantee to be executed and
     delivered by each Subsidiary, substantially in the form of Exhibit E, as
     the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
     to time.

<PAGE>

                                        22


          "SUBSIDIARY":  as to any Person, a corporation, partnership or other
     entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having
     ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests
     having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to
     elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such
     corporation, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the
     management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through
     one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.  Unless otherwise
     qualified, all references to a "Subsidiary" or to "Subsidiaries" in this
     Agreement shall refer to C/M Products, CMIC and/or CM Midcontinent, the
     only active Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

          "SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTING":  the reports, accounting records and
     analyses delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
     subsection 6.2(f) and certified by a Responsible Officer, as described in
     Exhibit I.

          "TAX RESERVES":  at any time, all unpaid and unbonded state and local
     municipality tax stamp liabilities.

          "TERMINATION DATE":  June 30, 2001.

          "TERM LOAN":  as defined in subsection 2.5.

          "TERM LOAN COMMITMENT":  as to any Lender, its obligation to make a 
     Term Loan to the Borrower in an amount equal to the amount set forth
     opposite such Lender's name in Schedule 1.1(a) under the heading "Term Loan
     Commitment", as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to
     this Agreement or as such amount may be adjusted from time to time pursuant
     to subsection 10.6; collectively, as to all such Lenders, the "Term Loan
     Commitments".

          "TERM LOAN COMMITMENT PERCENTAGE":  as to any Lender at any time, the
     percentage of the Term Loan Commitments then constituted by such Lender's
     Term Loan Commitment (or, after the Term Loans are made, the percentage of
     the aggregate Term Loans then constituted by such Lender's Term Loan).

          "TERM NOTE":  as defined in subsection 2.7(e).

          "TOBACCO AND CIGAR INVENTORY":  the cigar, chewing tobacco and other
     tobacco products Inventory of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in respect
     thereof (excluding items classified as Cigarette Inventory).

          "TOBACCO PRODUCTS INVENTORY":  collectively, Cigarette Inventory and
     Tobacco and Cigar Inventory.

          "TOTAL DEBT":  at any date of determination, all Indebtedness of the
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries outstanding at such date of determination
     (other than Indebtedness of the type set forth in clauses (d) (with respect
     to letters of credit only), (e) and (f) in the definition thereof in
     subsection 1.1) as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance 
     with GAAP.

<PAGE>

                                        23


          "TRANCHE":  the collective reference to Eurodollar Loans the then 
     current Interest Periods with respect to all of which begin on the same 
     date and end on the same later date (whether or not such Loans shall 
     originally have been made on the same day).

          "TRANSFEREE":  as defined in subsection 10.6(f).

          "TYPE":  as to any Loan, its nature as an ABR Loan or a Eurodollar
     Loan. 

          "UCC":  the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New
     York from time to time.

          "UNCLEARED US CHECKS":  at a particular date, uncollected funds held
     to the account of the Borrower in the Depository Accounts in respect of
     checks deposited therein but only to the extent that such checks have been
     deducted from accounts receivable on the books of the Borrower.

          "UNCOVERED L/C AMOUNT":  $20,000,000 as such amount may be reduced in
     accordance with subsection 2.9(f).

          "UNIFORM CUSTOMS":  the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary
     Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No.
     500, as the same may be amended from time to time.

          "US CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT":  has the meaning specified in the 
     Security Agreement.

          "US CASH EQUIVALENTS":  (a) securities with maturities of one year or
     less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed or insured by
     the United States Government or any agency thereof, (b) certificates of 
     deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less
     from the date of acquisition and overnight bank deposits of any Lender or
     of any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of 
     $500,000,000, (c) repurchase obligations of any Lender or of any commercial
     bank satisfying the requirements of clause (b) of this definition, having a
     term of not more than 30 days with respect to securities issued or fully
     guaranteed or insured by the United States Government, (d) commercial paper
     of a domestic issuer rated at least A-2 by Standard and Poor's Rating Group
     ("S&P") or P-2 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("MOODY'S"), (e) 
     securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition
     issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the
     United States, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such
     state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the 
     securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision,
     taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) are rated at
     least A by S&P or A by Moody's, (f) securities with maturities of one year
     or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit
     issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of
     clause (b) of this definition or (g) shares of money market mutual or
     similar funds which invest primarily in assets satisfying the requirements
     of clauses (a) through (f) of this definition.

<PAGE>

                                        24


          "VENDOR RECEIVABLES":  at a particular date, amounts not subject to
     offset or counter-claim, that are owing to the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries from vendors whose creditworthiness is reasonably satisfactory
     to the Administrative Agent, that relate to marketing and promotional
     incentive programs and manufacturing rights agreements historically offered
     to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from such vendors and are payable in
     cash.

          "VOTING PERCENTAGE":  as to any Lender (a) at any time prior to the
     termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the percentage which (i)
     the sum of (x) such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment plus (y) the
     outstanding principal amount of such Lender's Term Loan then constitutes of
     (ii) the sum of (x) the Revolving Credit Commitments of all the Lenders
     plus (y) the aggregate principal amount of Term Loans of all the Lenders
     then outstanding, and (b) at any time after the termination of the 
     Revolving Credit Commitments, the percentage which (i) the sum of (x) the
     principal amount of such Lender's Loans then outstanding plus (y) the
     product of such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage times the
     L/C Obligations then outstanding then constitutes of (ii) the sum of (x)
     the aggregate principal amount of Loans of all the Lenders then outstanding
     plus (y) the aggregate L/C Obligations of all the Lenders then outstanding.

          1.2  OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS.  (a)  Unless otherwise specified
therein, all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings
when used in any Notes or any certificate or other document made or delivered
pursuant hereto.

          (b)  As used herein and in any Notes, and any certificate or other
document made or delivered pursuant hereto, accounting terms relating to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries not defined in subsection 1.1 and accounting terms
partly defined in subsection 1.1, to the extent not defined, shall have the
respective meanings given to them under GAAP.

          (c)  The words "hereof", "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar
import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and
not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and Section, subsection,
Schedule and Exhibit references are to this Agreement unless otherwise 
specified.

          (d)  The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

          (e)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of
making all calculations in connection with the covenants contained in Section 7,
all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted and all accounting
determinations hereunder shall be made in accordance with GAAP as in effect on
the date of this Agreement consistently applied.  In the event of any material
difference at any time between GAAP in effect on the date of this Agreement and
GAAP from time to time in effect, the certificate of a Responsible Officer
required pursuant to subsection 6.2(b) shall include a reconciliation of the
calculations required thereby with the financial statements being delivered with
such certificate.

<PAGE>

                                        25

                   SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS

          2.1  REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS.  (a)  Subject to the terms and 
conditions hereof, each Lender severally agrees to make revolving credit 
loans ("REVOLVING CREDIT LOANS") to the Borrower from time to time during 
the Commitment Period in an aggregate principal amount at any one time 
outstanding which, when added to such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment 
Percentage of the then outstanding L/C Obligations, does not exceed the 
amount of such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment, provided that no 
Lender shall be required to make a Revolving Credit Loan to the extent 
that, after giving effect thereto, the Aggregate Covered Outstanding 
Revolving Extensions of Credit at such time would exceed the sum of the 
Borrowing Base and the Overadvance Limit at such time. During the 
Commitment Period the Borrower may use the Revolving Credit Commitments by 
borrowing, prepaying the Revolving Credit Loans in whole or in part, and 
reborrowing, all in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof.

          (b)  The Revolving Credit Loans may from time to time be (i) 
Eurodollar Loans, (ii) ABR Loans, or (iii) a combination thereof, as 
determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in 
accordance with subsections 2.2 and 2.11, PROVIDED that no Revolving Credit 
Loan shall be made as a Eurodollar Loan after the day that is one month 
prior to the Termination Date.

          2.2  PROCEDURE FOR REVOLVING CREDIT BORROWING.  The Borrower may 
borrow under the Revolving Credit Commitments during the Commitment Period 
on any Business Day, provided that the Borrower shall give the 
Administrative Agent irrevocable notice which notice must be received by 
the Administrative Agent prior to 1:00 P.M., New York City time, (a) three 
Business Days prior to the requested Borrowing Date, if all or any part of 
the requested Revolving Credit Loans are to be initially Eurodollar Loans 
(provided that any borrowing to be made on the Closing Date may only be ABR 
Loans), or (b) on the requested Borrowing Date, otherwise (or, in the case 
of a requested borrowing on the Closing Date, on the Closing Date), 
specifying (i) the amount to be borrowed, (ii) the requested Borrowing 
Date, (iii) whether the borrowing is to be of Eurodollar Loans, ABR Loans 
or a combination thereof, (iv) whether such Loans will result in an 
Overadvance Amount and (v) if the borrowing is to be entirely or partly of 
Eurodollar Loans, the amount of such Loan and the length of the initial 
Interest Period therefor.  Each borrowing under the Commitments shall be in 
an amount equal to (x) in the case of ABR Loans, $500,000 or a whole 
multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, if the then Available Revolving 
Credit Commitments are less than $500,000, such lesser amount) and (y) in 
the case of Eurodollar Loans, $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in 
excess thereof. Upon receipt of any such notice from the Borrower, the 
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof.  Each 
Lender will make the amount of its pro rata share of each borrowing 
available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Borrower at 
the office of the Administrative Agent specified in subsection 10.2 prior 
to 2:30 P.M., New York City time, on the Borrowing Date requested by the 
Borrower in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent.  Such 
borrowing will then be made available to the Borrower by the Administrative 
Agent crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of such office 
with the aggregate of the amounts made available to the Administrative 
Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as received by the Administrative 
Agent.

<PAGE>
                                        26


          2.3  FEES.  (a)  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative 
Agent for the account of each Lender a commitment fee for the period from 
and including the first day of the Commitment Period to the Termination 
Date, computed at the rate of 1/2 of 1% per annum on the average daily 
amount of the Available Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender during 
the period for which payment is made, payable quarterly in arrears on the 
last day of each March, June, September and December and on the Termination 
Date or such earlier date as the Commitments shall terminate as provided 
herein, commencing on the first of such dates to occur after the date 
hereof.

          (b)  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent on 
the Closing Date and on each anniversary thereof, the administration fee as 
specified in the Fee Letter dated July 3, 1996.

          2.4  TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS.  The Borrower shall 
have the right, upon not less than five Business Days' notice to the 
Administrative Agent, to terminate the Commitments or, from time to time, 
to reduce the amount of the Commitments provided that no such termination 
or reduction shall be permitted if, after giving effect thereto and to any 
prepayments of the Revolving Credit Loans made on the effective date 
thereof, the Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit would 
exceed the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.  Any such reduction 
shall be in an amount equal to $100,000 or a whole multiple thereof and 
shall reduce permanently the Revolving Credit Commitments then in effect.

          2.5  TERM LOANS.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, 
each Lender severally agrees to make a term loan (a "TERM LOAN") to the 
Borrower on the Closing Date in an amount equal to the Term Loan Commitment 
of such Lender. The Term Loans may from time to time be (a) Eurodollar 
Loans, (b) ABR Loans, or (c) a combination thereof, as determined by the 
Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with 
subsections 2.6 and 2.11.

          2.6  PROCEDURE FOR TERM LOAN BORROWING.  The Borrower hereby 
requests a Term Loan borrowing on the Closing Date in an amount equal to 
the aggregate amount of the Term Loan Commitments of the Lenders.  The Term 
Loans shall initially be ABR Loans.  Each Lender will make the amount of 
its pro rata share of the Term Loans available to the Administrative Agent 
for the account of the Borrower at the office of the Administrative Agent 
specified in subsection 10.2 prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on 
the Closing Date in Dollars and in funds immediately available to the 
Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall credit the account of 
the Borrower on the books of such office of the Administrative Agent by 
12:00  noon, New York City time, on the Closing Date, with the aggregate of 
the amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by the Lenders and 
in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent.

          2.7  REPAYMENT OF LOANS; EVIDENCE OF DEBT.  (a)  The Borrower 
hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the 
account of each Lender (i) the then unpaid principal amount of each 
Revolving Credit Loan of such Lender on the Termination Date (or such 
earlier date on which the Revolving Credit Loans become due and payable 
pursuant to Section 8), and (ii) the principal amount of the Term Loan of 
such Lender, in eighteen (18) consecutive quarterly installments (each, an 
"Installment Payment 

<PAGE>

                                        27


Date"), payable on the last day of each March, June, September and 
December, commencing on March 31, 1997 in an amount equal to such Lender's 
Term Loan Commitment Percentage of the following amounts:

           Installment Payment Date               Amount of Installment
           ------------------------               --------------------- 

              3/31/97 - 6/30/97                        $1,600,000
                            

              9/30/97 - 6/30/98                        $1,800,000
                            

             9/30/98 - 6/30/2000                       $1,950,000
                            

             9/30/00 - 6/30/2001                       $2,250,000


(or the then unpaid principal amount of such Term Loan, on the date that 
the Term Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section 8).  The Borrower 
hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of the 
Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof until payment in 
full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in 
subsection 2.13.

          (b)  Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual 
practice an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to 
such Lender resulting from each Loan of such Lender from time to time, 
including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such 
Lender from time to time under this Agreement.

          (c)  The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register 
pursuant to subsection 10.6(d), and a subaccount therein for each Lender, 
in which shall be recorded (i) the amount of each Revolving Credit Loan and 
Term Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and each Interest Period 
applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and 
payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender 
hereunder and (iii) both the amount of any sum received by the 
Administrative Agent hereunder from the Borrower and each Lender's share 
thereof.

          (d)  The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each 
Lender maintained pursuant to subsection 2.7(b), absent manifest error, 
shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be PRIMA FACIE evidence 
of the existence and amounts of the obligations of the Borrower therein 
recorded; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure of any Lender or the 
Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or any such account, or any 
error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the 
Borrower to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to such 
Borrower by such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
  
          (e)  The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the 
Administrative Agent by any Lender, the Borrower will execute and deliver 
to such Lender (i) a promissory note of the Borrower evidencing the 
Revolving Credit Loans of such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit 
A with appropriate insertions as to date and principal amount (a "REVOLVING 
CREDIT NOTE"), and/or (ii) a promissory note of the Borrower evidencing the 
Term Loan of such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B with 
appropriate insertions as to date and principal amount (a "TERM NOTE"). 

<PAGE>

                                        28


          2.8  OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS.  The Borrower may at any time and from 
time to time, prepay the Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or 
penalty, (i) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, upon at least three Business 
Days' irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, specifying the date 
and amount of prepayment and (ii) with respect to ABR Loans, upon same day 
irrevocable notice if such notice is received by the Administrative Agent 
by 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on such day, specifying the date and 
amount of prepayment; and whether the prepayment is of Eurodollar Loans, 
ABR Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the 
amount allocable to each.  Prepayments of Eurodollar Loans shall be subject 
to the provisions of subsection 2.20.  Upon receipt of any such notice the 
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof.  If any 
such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and 
payable on the date specified therein, together with any amounts payable 
pursuant to subsection 2.20 and, in the case of prepayments of the Term 
Loans only, accrued interest to such date on the amount prepaid. Partial 
prepayments of the Term Loans shall be applied to the installments of 
principal thereof pro rata.  Amounts prepaid on account of the Term Loans 
may not be reborrowed.  Partial prepayments of ABR Loans shall be in an 
aggregate principal amount of a minimum of $500,000 and partial prepayments 
of Eurodollar Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of a minimum 
of $1,000,000. 

          2.9  MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER REDUCTIONS OF TERM LOANS.

          (a)  On the day upon which any Loan Party receives Net Proceeds 
from the issuance of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness expressly 
permitted pursuant to subsection 7.2(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (i), 
(j), (k), (l), (m) and (n)), the Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans in an 
amount equal to the lesser of 100% of the Net Proceeds of such issuance and 
the outstanding amount of the Term Loans.

          (b)  In the event that any Loan Party sells, assigns, transfers, 
leases or otherwise disposes of any of its assets (other than dispositions 
expressly permitted by subsection 7.6), including, without limitation, as a 
result of a condemnation, no later than three Business Days after receipt 
of the Net Proceeds therefrom, the Borrower shall prepay the Term Loans in 
an amount equal to the lesser of 100% of such Net Proceeds and the 
outstanding amount of the Term Loans.

          (c)  So long as any portion of the Term Loans remains 
outstanding, in the event that any Loan Party receives any proceeds from 
any insurance policies as a result of a casualty, no later than five 
Business Days after receipt of the Net Proceeds therefrom, the Loan Party 
shall either (i) prepay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the lesser of 
100% of such Net Proceeds and the outstanding amount of the Term Loans or 
(ii) opt to apply such Net Proceeds towards the restoration of the damaged 
property with any surplus used to prepay the Term Loans; provided that in 
the event such Net Proceeds (1) equals or exceeds $500,000 but is less than 
$1 million, the Loan Party shall provide the Administrative Agent, within 
20 Business Days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, with a written 
estimate (as to both time and expense) from the contractor that the Loan 
Party has hired to perform the restoration, and shall subsequently provide 
the Administrative Agent within two Business Days of receipt thereof by 
such Loan Party, with a final invoice from such contractor which indicates 
that the Loan Party has paid for such restoration in full; or (2) equals or 
exceeds $1 million, the Loan Party shall deposit such Net Proceeds into a 
cash collateral account to be maintained by and 

<PAGE>

                                        29


in the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, which funds 
may be used by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for a period of 360 days 
from the date such Net Proceeds are deposited into such account, solely to 
restore such damaged property after which time such proceeds shall be used 
in the manner provided in clause (i) above; and so long as no Default or 
Event of Default has occurred or is continuing, all such cash collateral 
shall be invested by the Administrative Agent as instructed by the Borrower 
and agreed to by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion and 
the Borrower shall be entitled to receive all interest on such cash 
collateral. 

          (d)  On the earlier of (i) the receipt by the Lenders of the 
financial statements required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to 
subsection 6.1(a) and (ii) the 90th day of each fiscal year of the 
Borrower, the Borrower shall repay the Term Loans in an amount equal to the 
lesser of 75% of Excess Cash Flow for the preceding fiscal year of the 
Borrower (commencing with the fiscal year in which the Closing Date occurs) 
and the outstanding amount of the Term Loans.

          (e)  Each prepayment of the Term Loans pursuant to this 
subsection 2.9 shall be accompanied by payment in full of all accrued fees 
and interest thereon to and including the date of such prepayment, together 
with any additional amounts owing pursuant to subsection 2.20.  Each 
prepayment of the Term Loans required pursuant to this subsection 2.9 may 
not be reborrowed and shall be applied to the installments of principal 
thereof pro rata; provided, that prepayment of the Term Loans required 
pursuant to subsection 2.9(d) in connection with each fiscal year of the 
Borrower shall be applied first, to the installments of principal with 
scheduled maturities falling within the twelve months following the end of 
the fiscal year in respect of which such Excess Cash Flow has been derived 
in the direct order of maturity, and second, to any remaining amounts, pro 
rata.

          (f)  To the extent that the Net Proceeds of any of the 
transactions referred to in subsection 2.9(a) (with respect to Indebtedness 
constituting High Yield Notes only) exceeds the sum of the outstanding 
amount of the Term Loans required to be prepaid pursuant to such subsection 
and the aggregate amount of Existing Subordinated Debt to be repaid with 
the proceeds thereof, an amount equal to such excess shall be applied to 
permanently reduce the Overadvance Limit.

          To the extent that (i) the Net Proceeds of any of the 
transactions referred to in subsections 2.9(a) (excluding Indebtedness 
constituting High Yield Notes), (b) or (c) or (ii) with respect to 
subsection 2.9(d), 75% of Excess Cash Flow for the preceding year, exceeds 
the outstanding amount of the Term Loans required to be prepaid pursuant to 
such subsections, an amount equal to such excess shall be applied first to 
permanently reduce the Uncovered L/C Amount to zero and any remaining 
excess to permanently reduce the Overadvance Limit.

          2.10  Mandatory Prepayments and Other Reductions of Revolving 
Credit Loans.  (a) The Borrower will repay the Revolving Credit Loans in an 
amount necessary to cause the Overadvance Amount to equal zero (1) during 
each calendar year, so that the Overadvance Amount is not above zero for an 
aggregate period of more than 45 days during such calendar year, (2) during 
the period of December 1 through January 31 of each two consecutive 
calendar years, so that the Overadvance Amount is not above zero for a 
period of 

<PAGE>

                                        30


more than 20 consecutive days during such period and (3) during any time 
period in each calendar year except for the period described in (2) above, 
so that the Overadvance Amount is not above zero for a period of more than 
10 consecutive days.

           (b)  If, at any time, the Aggregate Covered Outstanding 
Revolving Extensions of Credit at such time exceed the sum of the Borrowing 
Base and the Overadvance Limit at such time, the Borrower shall, without 
notice or demand, immediately repay the Revolving Credit Loans in an 
aggregate principal amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of such 
excess and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans 
then outstanding, together with interest accrued to the date of such 
payment or prepayment on the principal so prepaid and any amounts payable 
under subsection 2.20 in connection therewith. To the extent that after 
giving effect to any prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans required by 
the preceding sentence, the Aggregate Covered Outstanding Revolving 
Extensions of Credit at such time exceed the sum of the Borrowing Base and 
the Overadvance Limit at such time, the Borrower shall, without notice or 
demand, immediately deposit in a Cash Collateral Account upon terms 
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the 
lesser of (i) the aggregate then outstanding L/C Obligations and (ii) the 
amount of such remaining excess.  The Administrative Agent shall apply any 
cash deposited in the Cash Collateral Account (to the extent thereof) to 
pay any Reimbursement Obligations which become due thereafter, PROVIDED 
that the Administrative Agent shall release to the Borrower from time to 
time such portion of the amount on deposit in the Cash Collateral Account 
which is equal to the amount by which the Borrowing Base at such time plus 
the amount on deposit in the Cash Collateral Account exceeds the Aggregate 
Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit at such time.  "Cash Collateral 
Account" means an account established by the Borrower with the 
Administrative Agent and over which the Administrative Agent shall have 
exclusive dominion and control, including the right of withdrawal for 
application in accordance with this subsection 2.10(b).

          2.11  CONVERSION AND CONTINUATION OPTIONS.  (a)  The Borrower may 
elect from time to time to convert Eurodollar Loans to ABR Loans by giving 
the Administrative Agent at least two Business Days' prior irrevocable 
notice of such election, PROVIDED that any such conversion of Eurodollar 
Loans may only be made on the last day of an Interest Period with respect 
thereto.  The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert ABR Loans to 
Eurodollar Loans by giving the Administrative Agent at least three Business 
Days' prior irrevocable notice of such election.  Any such notice of 
conversion to Eurodollar Loans shall specify the length of the initial 
Interest Period or Interest Periods therefor. Upon receipt of any such 
notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof.  
All or any part of outstanding Eurodollar Loans and ABR Loans may be 
converted as provided herein, PROVIDED that (i) no Loan may be converted 
into a Eurodollar Loan when any Event of Default has occurred and is 
continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Lenders have 
determined that such a conversion is not appropriate and (ii) no Loan may 
be converted into a Eurodollar Loan after the date that is one month prior 
to the Termination Date (in the case of conversions of Revolving Credit 
Loans) or the date of the final installment of principal of the Term Loans.

          (b)  Any Eurodollar Loans may be continued as such upon the 
expiration of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto by the 
Borrower giving notice to the Administrative Agent, in accordance with the 
applicable provisions of the term "Interest 

<PAGE>

                                        31


Period" set forth in subsection 1.1, of the length of the next Interest 
Period to be applicable to such Loans, PROVIDED that no Eurodollar Loan may 
be continued as such (i) when any Event of Default has occurred and is 
continuing and the Administrative Agent has or the Majority Lenders have 
determined that such a continuation is not appropriate or (ii) after the 
date that is one month prior to the Termination Date (in the case of 
continuations of Revolving Credit Loans) or the date of the final 
installment of principal of the Term Loans and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if 
the Borrower shall fail to give such notice or if such continuation is not 
permitted such Loans shall be automatically converted to ABR Loans on the 
last day of such then expiring Interest Period.

          2.12  MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRANCHES.  In no event shall there be 
more than ten (10) Eurodollar Tranches outstanding at any time.

          2.13  INTEREST RATES AND PAYMENT DATES.  (a)  Each Eurodollar 
Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with 
respect thereto at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate determined 
for such day plus 2.50%.

          (b)  Each ABR Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal 
to the ABR plus 1.50%.

          (c)  If all or a portion of (i) any principal of any Loan, (ii) 
any interest payable thereon, (iii) any commitment fee or (iv) any other 
amount payable hereunder shall not be paid when due (whether at the stated 
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), the principal of the Loans and any 
such overdue interest, commitment fee or other amount shall bear interest 
at a rate per annum which is (x) in the case of principal, the rate that 
would otherwise be applicable thereto pursuant to the foregoing provisions 
of this subsection plus 2% or (y) in the case of any such overdue interest, 
commitment fee or other amount, the rate described in paragraph (b) of this 
subsection plus 2%, in each case from the date of such non-payment until 
such overdue principal, interest, commitment fee or other amount is paid in 
full (as well after as before judgment).

          (d)  Interest shall be payable in arrears on each Interest 
Payment Date, PROVIDED that interest accruing pursuant to paragraph (c) of 
this subsection shall be payable from time to time on demand.

          2.14  COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES.  (a)  Amounts payable 
under this Agreement including interest, shall be calculated on the basis 
of a 360-day year for the actual days elapsed, except that with respect to 
(i) interest calculated on the basis of the Prime Rate and (ii) commitment 
fees, such amounts shall be calculated on the basis of a 365- (or 366-, as 
the case may be) day year for the actual days elapsed.  The Administrative 
Agent shall as soon as practicable, notify the Borrower and the affected 
Lenders of each determination of a Eurodollar Rate.  Any change in the 
interest rate on a Loan resulting from a change in the ABR or the 
Eurocurrency Reserve Requirement shall become effective as of the opening 
of business on the day on which such change becomes effective.  The 
Administrative Agent shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Borrower and 
the affected Lenders of the effective date and the amount of each such 
change in interest rate.

<PAGE>

                                        32


          (b)  Each determination of an interest rate by the Administrative 
Agent pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be conclusive and 
binding on the Borrower and the Lenders in the absence of manifest error.  
The Administrative Agent shall, at the request of the Borrower, deliver to 
the Borrower a statement showing the quotations used by the Administrative 
Agent in determining any interest rate pursuant to subsection 2.13(a), (b) 
or (c).

          (c)  For purposes of the Interest Act (Canada), whenever any 
interest under the Loan Documents is calculated using a rate based on a 
year of 360 days, such rate determined pursuant to such calculation, when 
expressed as an annual rate, is equivalent to (i) the applicable rate based 
on a year of 360 days, (ii) multiplied by the actual number of days in the 
calendar year in which the period for which such interest is payable (or 
compounded) ends, and (iii) divided by 360.

           2.15  INABILITY TO DETERMINE INTEREST RATE.  If prior to the 
first day of any Interest Period:

          (a)  the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which 
     determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrower) that,
     by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market, adequate and 
     reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate for
     such interest Period, or

          (b)  the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the
     Majority Lenders that the Eurodollar Rate determined or to be determined
     for such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to
     such Lenders (as conclusively certified by such Lenders) of making or 
     maintaining their affected Loans during such Interest Period; 

the Administrative Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice thereof 
to the Borrower and the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter.  If such 
notice is given (x) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first 
day of such Interest Period shall be made as ABR Loans, (y) any Loans that 
were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to 
Eurodollar Loans shall be converted to or continued as ABR Loans and (z) 
any outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be converted, on the first day of 
such Interest Period, to ABR Loans. Until such notice has been withdrawn by 
the Administrative Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or 
continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert ABR 
Loans to Eurodollar Loans.

          2.16  PRO RATA TREATMENT AND PAYMENTS.  (a)  All payments 
(including prepayments) to be made by the Borrower hereunder, whether on 
account of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be made without 
set off or counterclaim and shall be made prior to 12:00 Noon, New York 
City time, on the due date thereof to the Administrative Agent, for the 
account of the appropriate Lenders, at the Administrative Agent's office 
specified in subsection 10.2 (except as otherwise provided herein) in 
Dollars and in immediately available funds.  The Administrative Agent shall 
distribute such payments to the Lenders entitled to receive the same 
promptly upon receipt in like funds as received. If any payment hereunder 
(other than payments on Eurodollar Loans) becomes due and payable on a day 
other than a Business Day, such payment shall be extended to the next 
succeeding 

<PAGE>
                                        33


Business Day, and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon 
shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.  If any 
payment on a Eurodollar Loan becomes due and payable on a day other than a 
Business Day, the maturity thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding 
Business Day (and, with respect to payments of principal, interest thereon 
shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension) unless 
the result of such extension would be to extend such payment into another 
calendar month, in which event such payment shall be made on the 
immediately preceding Business Day.

          (b)  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified in 
writing by any Lender prior to a borrowing that such Lender will not make 
the amount that would constitute its portion of such borrowing available to 
the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that such 
Lender is making such amount available to the Administrative Agent, and the 
Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available 
to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  If such amount is not made 
available to the Administrative Agent by the required time on the Borrowing 
Date therefor, such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent, on 
demand, such amount with interest thereon at a rate equal to the daily 
average Federal Funds Effective Rate for the period until such Lender makes 
such amount immediately available to the Administrative Agent.  A 
certificate of the Administrative Agent submitted to any Lender with 
respect to any amounts owing under this subsection shall be conclusive in 
the absence of manifest error.  If such Lender's portion of such borrowing 
is not made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender within 
three Business Days of such Borrowing Date, the Administrative Agent shall 
also be entitled to recover such amount with interest thereon at the rate 
per annum applicable to ABR Loans hereunder, on demand, from the Borrower.

          (c)  Each borrowing by the Borrower of Term Loans and Revolving 
Credit Loans shall be made ratably from the Lenders in accordance with 
their respective Term Loan Commitment Percentages and Revolving Credit 
Commitment Percentages. Any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitments 
shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective 
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.  Each payment (including each 
prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of and interest on the 
Term Loans shall be made pro rata according to the respective outstanding 
principal amounts of the Term Loans then held by the Lenders.  Each payment 
(including each prepayment) by the Borrower on account of principal of and 
interest on the Revolving Credit Loans shall be made pro rata according to 
the respective outstanding principal amounts of the Revolving Credit Loans 
then held by the Lenders.

          2.17  ILLEGALITY.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if 
the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the 
interpretation or application thereof shall make it unlawful for any Lender 
to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Agreement, (a) 
the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar Loans, continue 
Eurodollar Loans as such and convert ABR Loans to Eurodollar Loans shall 
forthwith be cancelled and (b) such Lender's Loans then outstanding as 
Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to ABR Loans on 
the respective last days of the then current Interest Periods with respect 
to such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law.  If any 
such conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last 
day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower 
shall pay to such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant 
to subsection 2.20.

<PAGE>

                                        34


          2.18  REQUIREMENTS OF LAW.  (a)  If the adoption of or any change 
in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof 
or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not 
having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental 
Authority made subsequent to the date hereof:

            (i)  shall subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with
     respect to this Agreement, any Note or any Eurodollar Loan made by it, or
     change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof
     (except for Non-Excluded Taxes covered by subsection 2.19 and changes in
     the rate of tax on the overall net income of such Lender);

           (ii)  shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve, special
     deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets held by,
     deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, advances, loans or
     other extensions of credit by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any
     office of such Lender which is not otherwise included in the determination
     of the Eurodollar Rate hereunder; or

           (iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition; and the result
     of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender, by an
     amount which such Lender deems to be material, of making, converting into,
     continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or to reduce any amount 
     receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any such case, the
     Borrower shall promptly pay such Lender such additional amount or amounts
     as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced amount
     receivable.  

          (b)  If any Lender shall have determined that the adoption of or 
any change in any Requirement of Law regarding capital adequacy or in the 
interpretation or application thereof or compliance by such Lender or any 
corporation controlling such Lender with any request or directive regarding 
capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) from any 
Governmental Authority made subsequent to the date hereof shall have the 
effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's or such 
corporation's capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder or 
under any Letter of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such 
corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance 
(taking into consideration such Lender's or such corporation's policies 
with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount deemed by such Lender to be 
material, then from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly pay to such 
Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for 
such reduction.

          (c)  If any Lender becomes entitled to claim any additional 
amounts pursuant to this subsection, it shall promptly notify the Borrower 
(with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of the event by reason of which 
it has become so entitled.  A certificate as to any additional amounts 
payable pursuant to this subsection submitted by such Lender to the 
Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive in 
the absence of manifest error.  The agreements in this subsection shall 
survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and 
all other amounts payable hereunder.

          2.19  TAXES.  (a)  All payments made by the Borrower under this 
Agreement and any Notes shall be made free and clear of, and without 
deduction or withholding for or
<PAGE>
                                        35


on account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies, 
imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or hereafter 
imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by any Governmental 
Authority, excluding net income taxes and franchise taxes (imposed in lieu of 
net income taxes) imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender as a 
result of a present or former connection between the Administrative Agent or 
such Lender and the jurisdiction of the Governmental Authority imposing such 
tax or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein 
(other than any such connection arising solely from the Administrative Agent 
or such Lender having executed, delivered or performed its obligations or 
received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or any Note).  If any 
such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees deductions or 
withholdings ("NON-EXCLUDED TAXES") are required to be withheld from any 
amounts payable to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under 
any Note, the amounts so payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender 
shall be increased to the extent necessary to yield to the Administrative 
Agent or such Lender (after payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes) interest or 
any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts 
specified in this Agreement, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Borrower shall not 
be required to increase any such amounts payable to any Lender that is not 
incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America or a 
state thereof if such Lender fails to comply with the requirements of 
paragraph (b) of this subsection.  Whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes are 
payable by the Borrower, as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower 
shall send to the Administrative Agent for its own account or for the account 
of such Lender, as the case may be, a certified copy of an original official 
receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof.  If the Borrower 
fails to pay any Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing 
authority or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent the required receipts 
or other required documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or 
penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent or any Lender 
as a result of any such failure.  The agreements in this subsection shall 
survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and 
all other amounts payable hereunder.

          (b)  Each Lender that is not incorporated or organized under the laws
of the United States of America or a state thereof shall:

            (i)  deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, prior to
     the Closing Date in the case of the initial Lenders, (A) two duly completed
     copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224, or
     successor applicable form, as the case may be, and (B) an Internal Revenue
     Service Form W-8 or W-9, or successor applicable form, as the case may be;

           (ii)  deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent two
     further copies of any such form or certification on or before the date that
     any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the
     occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form 
     previously delivered by it to the Borrower; and

          (iii)  obtain such extensions of time for filing and complete such
     forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrower or
     the Administrative Agent;

<PAGE>

                                        36


unless in any such case an event (including, without limitation, any change 
in treaty, law or regulation) has occurred after the date of this Agreement 
and prior to the date on which any such delivery would otherwise be 
required which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent 
such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect 
to it and such Lender so advises the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. 
 Such Lender shall certify (i) in the case of a Form 1001 or 4224, that it 
is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement or the Notes without 
deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes and (ii) 
in the case of a Form W-8 or W-9, that it is entitled to an exemption from 
United States backup withholding tax.  Each Person that shall become a 
Lender or a Participant pursuant to subsection 10.6 shall, upon the 
effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all of the 
forms and statements required pursuant to this subsection, provided that in 
the case of a Participant such Participant shall furnish all such required 
forms and statements to the Lender from which the related participation 
shall have been purchased.

          (c)  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be 
entitled to claim any indemnity payment or additional amount payable 
pursuant to this subsection 2.19 with respect to any tax unless the 
Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, shall have 
notified the Borrower that it will demand compensation for such payment or 
amount not more than 120 days after the date on which the Administrative 
Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, becomes aware of the costs or 
reductions giving rise to such claim.  Failure on the part of the 
Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, to demand any 
indemnity payment of any such additional amount with respect to any period 
shall not constitute a waiver of the Administrative Agent's or such 
Lender's, right, as the case may be, to demand compensation with respect to 
any other period. 

          2.20  INDEMNITY.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify each Lender 
and to hold each Lender harmless from any loss or expense which such Lender 
may sustain or incur as a consequence of (a) default by the Borrower in 
making a borrowing of, conversion into or continuation of Eurodollar Loans 
after the Borrower has given a notice requesting the same in accordance 
with the provisions of this Agreement, (b) default by the Borrower in 
making any prepayment after the Borrower has given a notice thereof in 
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement or (c) the making of a 
prepayment of Eurodollar Loans on a day which is not the last day of an 
Interest Period with respect thereto.  Such indemnification may include an 
amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which 
would have accrued on the amount so prepaid, or not so borrowed, converted 
or continued, for the period from the date of such prepayment or of such 
failure to borrow, convert or continue to the last day of such Interest 
Period (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, the 
Interest Period that would have commenced on the date of such failure) in 
each case at the applicable rate of interest for such Loans provided for 
herein (excluding, however, the additional 2.50% for Eurodollar Loans and 
1.50% for ABR Loans referred to in subsection 2.13, included therein, if 
any) over (ii) the amount of interest (as reasonably determined by such 
Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount by placing 
such amount on deposit for a comparable period with leading banks in the 
interbank eurodollar market.  This covenant shall survive the termination 
of this Agreement and the payment of the Loans and all other amounts 
payable hereunder.


<PAGE>

                                        37


          2.21  CHANGE OF LENDING OFFICE.  Each Lender agrees that if it 
makes any demand for payment under subsection 2.18 or 2.19(a), or if any 
adoption or change of the type described in subsection 2.17 shall occur 
with respect to it, it will use reasonable efforts (consistent with its 
internal policy and legal and regulatory restrictions and so long as such 
efforts would not be disadvantageous to it, as determined in its sole 
discretion) to designate a different lending office if the making of such a 
designation would reduce or obviate the need for the Borrower to make 
payments under subsection 2.18 or 2.19(a), or would eliminate or reduce the 
effect of any adoption or change described in subsection 2.17.

                               SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT


          3.1  L/C COMMITMENT.

          (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing 
Bank, in reliance on the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in 
subsection 3.4(a) agrees to issue letters of credit ("Letters of Credit") 
for the account of the Borrower on any Business Day during the Commitment 
Period in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Issuing 
Bank; PROVIDED that the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any 
Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (1) the L/C 
Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment, (2) the Available Revolving 
Credit Commitments would be less than zero or (3) the Aggregate Covered 
Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit at such time would exceed the 
Borrowing Base at such time.

          (b)  Each Letter of Credit shall:

               (1) be denominated in Dollars and shall be either (A) a standby
     letter of credit issued to support obligations of the Borrower (a "STANDBY
     LETTER OF CREDIT"), or (B) a commercial letter of credit issued in respect
     of the purchase of goods or services by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
     in the ordinary course of business (a "COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT") and

               (2)  expire no later than the earlier of (i) one year after the
     date of issuance and (ii) five Business Days prior to the Termination Date;
     provided that any Letter of Credit with a one-year tenor may provide for
     the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no 
     event extend beyond the date referred to in clause (ii) above).

          (c)  Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to the Uniform Customs
     and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New
     York.

          (d)  The Issuing Bank shall not at any time be obligated to issue any
     Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or cause
     the Issuing Bank or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by,
     any applicable Requirement of Law.

          3.2  PROCEDURE FOR ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT.

<PAGE>

                                        38


          The Borrower may from time to time request that the Issuing Bank 
issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Bank at its address 
for notices specified herein an Application therefor, completed to the 
satisfaction of the Issuing Bank, and such other certificates, documents 
and other papers and information as the Issuing Bank may request. Upon 
receipt of any Application, the Issuing Bank will process such Application 
and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered 
to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures 
and shall promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no 
event shall the Issuing Bank be required to issue any Letter of Credit 
earlier than three Business Days after its receipt of the Application 
therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and 
information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of 
Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the 
Issuing Bank and the Borrower. The Issuing Bank shall furnish a copy of 
such Letter of Credit to the Borrower promptly following the issuance 
thereof.

          3.3  FEES, COMMISSIONS AND OTHER CHARGES.

          (a)  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the 
account of the Issuing Bank, a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of 
Credit in an amount equal to 1/4 of 1% per annum of the face amount of such 
Letter of Credit.  Such fronting fee shall be payable in arrears on each 
L/C Fee Payment Date and shall be nonrefundable.

          (b)  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the 
account of the Issuing Bank and the L/C Participants, a letter of credit 
commission with respect to each Letter of Credit, computed for the period 
from the date of issuance thereof at a per annum rate equal to 2.50% (less 
any fronting fee paid pursuant to subsection 3.3(a)), calculated on the 
basis of a 360 day year, of the aggregate average daily amount available to 
be drawn under such Letter of Credit during the period for which payment is 
being made.  Such fee shall be payable to the Issuing Bank and the L/C 
Participants to be shared ratably among them in accordance with their 
respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.  Such commissions shall 
be payable in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment Date.

          (c)  In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the 
Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Bank for such normal and 
customary fees as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Bank in issuing, 
effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of 
Credit.

          (d)  The Administrative Agent shall, promptly following its 
receipt thereof, distribute to the Issuing Bank and the L/C Participants 
all fees and commissions received by the Administrative Agent for their 
respective accounts pursuant to this subsection.

          3.4  L/C PARTICIPATIONS.

          (a)  The Issuing Bank irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby 
grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Bank to issue 
Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to 
accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing Bank, 
on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C Participant's 
own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant's 
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage in the Issuing Bank's obligations 
and rights under

<PAGE>

                                        39


each Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by 
the Issuing Bank thereunder. Each L/C Participant unconditionally and 
irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Bank that, if a draft is paid under any 
Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Bank is not reimbursed in full by 
the Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C 
Participant shall pay to the Issuing Bank upon demand at the Issuing Bank's 
address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C 
Participant's Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the amount of such 
draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.

          (b)  If any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to 
the Issuing Bank pursuant to subsection 3.4(a) in respect of any 
unreimbursed portion of any payment  made by the Issuing Bank under any 
Letter of Credit is paid to the Issuing Bank within three Business Days 
after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the 
Issuing Bank on demand an amount equal to the product of (i) such amount, 
times (ii) the daily average Federal funds rate, as quoted by the Issuing 
Bank, during the period from and including the date such payment is 
required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the 
Issuing Bank, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number 
of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. 
If any such amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant pursuant to 
subsection 3.4(a) is not in fact made available to the Issuing Bank by such 
L/C Participant within three Business Days after the date such payment is 
due, the Issuing Bank shall be entitled to recover from such L/C 
Participant, on demand, such amount with interest thereon calculated from 
such due date at the rate per annum applicable to ABR Loans hereunder.  A 
certificate of the Issuing Bank submitted to any L/C Participant with 
respect to any amounts owing under this subsection shall be conclusive in 
the absence of manifest error.

          (c)  Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Bank has made 
payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C 
Participant its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with 
subsection 3.4(a), the Issuing Bank receives any payment related to such 
Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, 
including proceeds of collateral applied thereto by the Issuing Bank), or 
any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Bank will 
distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, that in the event that any such payment received by the Issuing 
Bank pursuant to subsection 3.5 shall be required to be returned by the 
Issuing Bank, such L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Bank the 
portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Bank to it.

          3.5  REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION OF THE BORROWER.

          (a)  The Borrower agrees to reimburse the Issuing Bank on each 
date on which the Issuing Bank notifies the Borrower of the date and amount 
of a draft presented under any Letter of Credit and paid by the Issuing 
Bank for the amount of (i) such draft so paid and (ii) any taxes, fees, 
charges or other costs or expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in 
connection with such payment.  Each such payment shall be made to the 
Issuing Bank at its address for notices specified herein in lawful money of 
the United States of America and in immediately available funds.

          (b)  Interest shall be payable on any and all amounts remaining 
unpaid by the Borrower under this subsection from the date such amounts 
become payable (whether at 

<PAGE>

                                        40


stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full at the 
rate which would be payable on any outstanding ABR Loans which were then 
overdue.

          3.6  OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.

          (a)  The Borrower's obligations under this Section 3 shall be 
absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective 
of any set-off, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may 
have or have had against the Issuing Bank or any beneficiary of a Letter of 
Credit.

          (b)  The Borrower also agrees with the Issuing Bank that the 
Issuing Bank shall not be responsible for, and the Borrower's Reimbursement 
Obligations under subsection 3.5(a) shall not be affected by, among other 
things, (i) the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements 
thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, 
fraudulent or forged, provided that the Issuing Bank shall have exercised 
the standard of care specified in the Uniform Customs, or (ii) any dispute 
between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit 
or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or 
(iii) any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such 
Letter of Credit or any such transferee.

          (c)  The Issuing Bank shall not be liable for any error, 
omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of 
any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter 
of Credit, except for errors or omissions caused by the Issuing Bank's 
gross negligence or willful misconduct.

          (d)  The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the 
Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the 
related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence of 
willful misconduct and in accordance with the standards of care specified 
in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, shall be binding 
on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Bank 
to the Borrower.

          3.7  LETTER OF CREDIT PAYMENTS.

          If any draft shall be presented for payment under any Letter of 
Credit, the Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower of the date and 
amount thereof. The responsibility of the Issuing Bank to the Borrower in 
connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit 
shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such 
Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including 
each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such 
presentment are in conformity with such Letter of Credit.

          3.8  APPLICATION.

          To the extent that any provision of any Application related to any 
Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 3, the 
provisions of this Section 3 shall apply.

<PAGE>

                                        41

                     SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES


          To induce the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into 
this Agreement and to make the Loans and issue or participate in the 
Letters of Credit, the Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the 
Administrative Agent and each Lender that:

          4.1  FINANCIAL CONDITION.  (a) The consolidated balance sheet of 
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1995 and 
the related consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for the 
fiscal year ended on such date, reported on by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP copies 
of which have heretofore been furnished to the Administrative Agent with 
copies for each Lender, present fairly in all material respects the 
consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated 
Subsidiaries as at such date, and the consolidated results of their 
operations and their consolidated cash flows for the fiscal year then 
ended.  The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its 
consolidated Subsidiaries as at June 30, 1996 and the related unaudited 
consolidated statements of income and of cash flows for the three and 
six-month period ended on such date, certified by a Responsible Officer, 
copies of which have heretofore been furnished to the Administrative Agent 
with copies for each Lender, present fairly in all material respects the 
consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated 
Subsidiaries as at such date, and the consolidated results of their 
operations and their consolidated cash flows for the three and six-month 
period then ended (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments), except 
that they have been prepared on a first-in-first-out inventory valuation 
method and except for the absence of notes and related schedules.  All such 
financial statements, including the related schedules and notes thereto, 
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout 
the periods involved (except as approved by such accountants or Responsible 
Officer, as the case may be, and as disclosed therein).  Neither the 
Borrower nor any of its consolidated Subsidiaries had, at the date of the 
most recent balance sheet referred to above, any material Guarantee 
Obligation, contingent liability or liability for taxes, or any long-term 
lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment, including, without 
limitation, any interest rate or foreign currency swap or exchange 
transaction, which is not reflected in the foregoing statements or in the 
notes thereto. During the period from December 31, 1995 to and including 
the date hereof there has been no sale, transfer or other disposition by 
the Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries of any material part 
of its business or property and no purchase or other acquisition of any 
business or property (including any capital stock of any other Person) 
material in relation to the consolidated financial condition of the 
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries at December 31, 1995.

          (b)  The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the 
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at June 30, 1996 (including 
the notes thereto) prepared on a first-in first-out inventory valuation 
method (the "PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET"), copies of which have heretofore 
been furnished to the Administrative Agent with copies for each Lender, has 
been prepared giving effect (as if such events had occurred on such date) 
to (i) the Recapitalization contemplated to occur on the Closing Date and 
(ii) the borrowings under this Agreement contemplated to be made on the 
Closing Date.  The Pro Forma Balance Sheet is based on the best information 
available to the Borrower as of the date of delivery thereof, and presents 
fairly in all material respects on a pro forma basis the estimated 
financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at 
June 30, 1996, assuming that the events specified in the preceding sentence 
had actually occurred at June 30, 1996.

<PAGE>

                                        42


          4.2  NO CHANGE.  (a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, since 
December 31, 1995, there has been no development or event which has had or 
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) 
during the period from December 31, 1995, to and including the date hereof 
no dividends or other distributions have been declared, paid or made upon 
the Capital Stock of the Borrower nor has any of the Capital Stock of the 
Borrower been redeemed, retired, purchased or otherwise acquired for value 
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, other than as 
contemplated pursuant to the Recapitalization Documents.

          4.3  CORPORATE EXISTENCE; COMPLIANCE WITH LAW.  Each of the 
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and 
in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, 
(b) has the corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to own and 
operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to 
conduct the business in which it is currently engaged, (c) is duly 
qualified as a foreign corporation and in good standing under the laws of 
each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of property or 
the conduct of its business requires such qualification except where the 
failure to obtain such qualification would not have a Material Adverse 
Effect and (d) is in compliance with all Requirements of Law except to the 
extent that the failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, 
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          4.4  CORPORATE POWER; AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEABLE OBLIGATIONS.  
The Borrower has the corporate power and authority, and the legal right, to 
make, deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to 
borrow hereunder and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize 
the borrowings on the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents to which 
it is a party and to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of 
the Loan Documents to which it is a party.  Except as set forth on Schedule 
4.4, no consent or authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by 
or in respect of, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is 
required in connection with the borrowings hereunder or with the execution, 
delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents to 
which the Borrower is a party other than actions and filings relating to 
the release of existing Liens and the perfection of the Liens created by 
the Security Documents.  This Agreement has been, and each other Loan 
Document to which it is a party will be, duly executed and delivered on 
behalf of the Borrower.  This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan 
Document to which it is a party when executed and delivered will 
constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower 
enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, subject to 
the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, 
reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting 
creditors' rights generally, general equitable principles (whether 
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of 
good faith and fair dealing.

          4.5  NO LEGAL BAR.  The execution, delivery and performance of 
the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party, the borrowings 
hereunder and the use of the proceeds thereof will not violate any 
Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or of any of 
its Subsidiaries and will not result in, or require, the creation or 
imposition of any Lien on any of its or their respective properties or 
revenues pursuant to any such Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation.

<PAGE>

                                        43


          4.6  NO MATERIAL LITIGATION.  Except as set forth on Schedule 
4.6, no litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator 
or Governmental Authority is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, 
threatened by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against 
any of its or their respective properties or revenues (a) with respect to 
any of the Loan Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or 
thereby, or (b) which could reasonably be expected to have a Material 
Adverse Effect.

          4.7  NO DEFAULT.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its 
Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any of its Contractual 
Obligations in any respect which could reasonably be expected to have a 
Material Adverse Effect. No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is 
continuing.

          4.8  OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY; LIENS.  Except as set forth on 
Schedule 4.8, each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has a valid 
leasehold interest in, all its real property, or a valid leasehold interest 
in, all its other property, and none of such owned property and no such 
leasehold interest is subject to any Lien except as permitted by subsection 
7.3.

          4.9  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, 
the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries owns, is licensed to use, or 
otherwise has the right to use all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, 
technology, know-how and processes necessary for the conduct of its 
business as currently conducted except for those the failure to own or 
license which could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse 
Effect (the "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY").  No claim has been asserted and is 
pending by any Person challenging or questioning the use of any such 
Intellectual Property or the validity or effectiveness of any such 
Intellectual Property, nor does the Borrower know of any valid basis for 
any such claim, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material 
Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries the 
use of such Intellectual Property by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries does 
not infringe on the rights of any Person, except for such claims and 
infringements that, in the aggregate, do not have and could not reasonably 
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of the 
Borrower, all registrations and filings which, in the reasonable judgment 
of the Borrower, are necessary to preserve the rights of the Borrower and 
each of the Subsidiaries in their material Intellectual Property have been 
made and are in good standing.

           4.10  NO BURDENSOME RESTRICTIONS.  No Requirement of Law or 
Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has or 
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          4.11  TAXES.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11, each of the 
Borrower and its Subsidiaries has filed or caused to be filed all tax 
returns which, to the knowledge of the Borrower, are required to be filed 
and has paid all taxes shown to be due and payable on said returns or on 
any assessments made against it or any of its property and all other taxes, 
fees or other charges imposed on it or any of its property by any 
Governmental Authority that are now due and payable (other than any the 
amount or validity of which are currently being contested in good faith by 
appropriate proceedings and with respect to which reserves in conformity 
with GAAP have been provided on the books of the Borrower or its 
Subsidiaries, as the case may be); no tax Lien has been filed, and, to the 
knowledge of the Borrower, no claim is being asserted, with respect to any 
such tax, fee or other charge.

<PAGE>

                                        44


          4.12  FEDERAL REGULATIONS.  No part of the proceeds of any Loans 
will be used for "purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin stock" within the 
respective meanings of each of the quoted terms under Regulation G or 
Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as now 
and from time to time hereafter in effect.  If requested by the 
Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent 
with copies for each Lender a statement to the foregoing effect in 
conformity with the requirements of FR Form G-1 or FR Form U-1 referred to 
in said Regulation G or Regulation U, as the case may be.

          4.13  ERISA.  Neither a Reportable Event which could result in a 
material liability to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor an 
"accumulated funding deficiency" (within the meaning of Section 412 of the 
Code or Section 302 of ERISA) has occurred during the five-year period 
prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made with 
respect to any Plan, and each Plan has complied in all material respects 
with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code.  No termination of a 
Single Employer Plan has occurred that is reasonably likely to cause the 
Borrower to incur liability, and no Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan has 
arisen, during such five-year period. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, 
the present value of all accrued benefits under each Single Employer Plan 
(based on those assumptions used to fund such Plans) did not, as of the 
last annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation 
is made or deemed made, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan 
allocable to such accrued benefits.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, 
neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has had a complete 
or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan in the past five years, 
and neither the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity would become 
subject to any material liability under ERISA if the Borrower or any such 
Commonly Controlled Entity were to withdraw completely from all 
Multiemployer Plans as of the valuation date most closely preceding the 
date on which this representation is made or deemed made.  No such 
Multiemployer Plan is in Reorganization or Insolvent.

          4.14  INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT; OTHER REGULATIONS.  The Borrower is 
not an "investment company", or a company "controlled" by an "investment 
company", within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as 
amended.  The Borrower is not subject to regulation under any Federal or 
State statute or regulation (other than Regulation X of the Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System) which limits its ability to incur 
Indebtedness.

          4.15  SUBSIDIARIES.  Schedule 4.15 sets forth a list of all 
Subsidiaries of the Borrower at the date hereof.  Each subsidiary of the 
Borrower that is not a Subsidiary, is a corporation that conducts no 
business, owns no assets (other than certain intercompany receivables), has 
no liabilities having an aggregate value in excess of $75,000 other than 
certain intercompany payables, and other than corporate franchise taxes.
  
          4.16  PURPOSE OF LOANS.  (a) The proceeds of the Term Loans shall 
be used by the Borrower to finance a portion of the Recapitalization and to 
pay related fees and expenses.

          (b)  The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be used by 
the Borrower to pay fees and expenses related to the Recapitalization, for 
working capital purposes of the 

<PAGE>

                                        44


Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and for 
general corporate purposes.

          4.17  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17:

          (a)  The facilities and properties owned, leased or operated by the
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the "PROPERTIES") do not contain, and
     have not previously contained, any Materials of Environmental Concern in
     amounts or concentrations which (i) constitute or constituted a violation
     of, or (ii) could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under,
     any Environmental Law, which, in either case, could reasonably be expected
     to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (b)  The Properties and all operations at the Properties are in
     compliance, and to the knowledge of the Borrower have in the last five (5)
     years been in compliance, in all material respects with all applicable
     Environmental Laws, and to the knowledge of the Borrower there is no 
     contamination at, under or about the Properties or violation of any 
     Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or the business operated
     by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (the "BUSINESS") which could 
     materially interfere with the continued operation of the Properties or 
     materially impair the fair saleable value thereof.

          (c)  Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
     notice of violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability or 
     potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance with 
     Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Properties or the Business, 
     nor does the Borrower have knowledge or reason to believe that any such 
     notice is being threatened, except, in either case, for such notice as 
     could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (d)  Materials of Environmental Concern have not been transported or
     disposed of from the Properties in violation of, or in a manner or to a
     location which could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability 
     under, any Environmental Law, except for such transportation or disposal as
     could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor 
     have any Materials of Environmental Concern been generated, treated, stored
     or disposed of at, on or under any of the Properties in violation of, or in
     a manner that could reasonably be expected to give rise to liability under,
     any applicable Environmental Law, except for such transportation or 
     disposal as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
     Effect.

          (e)  No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative action
     is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, under any
     Environmental Law to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is or will be
     named as a party with respect to the Properties or the Business, nor are
     there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders, administrative
     orders or other orders, or other administrative or judicial requirements
     outstanding under any Environmental Law with respect to the Properties or
     the Business.

          (f)  There has been no release or threat of release of Materials of
     Environmental Concern at or from the Properties, or arising from or related
     to the 

<PAGE>
                                        46


     operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the 
     Properties or otherwise in connection with the Business, in violation of or
     in amounts or in a manner that could reasonably give rise to liability
     under Environmental Laws except such releases or threats of releases which
     could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          4.18  ACCURACY OF INFORMATION.  No factual statement or 
information contained in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any 
other document, certificate or written statement furnished to the 
Administrative Agent or the Lenders or any of them (including, without 
limitation, the Recapitalization Documents), by or on behalf of any Loan 
Party for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this 
Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, any 
financial information furnished pursuant to Section 4.1), taken as a whole 
contained as of the date such statement, information, document or 
certificate was so furnished any untrue statement of a material fact or 
omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements 
contained herein or therein in light of the circumstances in which it was 
made not misleading. The projections and pro forma financial information 
contained in the materials referenced above are based upon good faith 
estimates and assumptions believed by management of the Borrower to be 
reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Lenders that such 
financial information as it relates to future events is not to be viewed as 
fact and that actual results during the period or periods covered by such 
financial information may differ from the projected results set forth 
therein.  There is no fact known to any Loan Party that could reasonably be 
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect that has not been expressly 
disclosed herein, in the other Loan Documents, or in such other documents, 
certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent for the 
benefit of the Lenders (including, without limitation, the Recapitalization 
Documents) for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby 
and by the other Loan Documents.

          4.19  SECURITY DOCUMENTS.  (a)  The Borrower Stock Pledge 
Agreement is effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for 
the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid and enforceable security 
interest in the Pledged Stock (as defined therein), and proceeds thereof 
and, when the stock certificates representing the Pledged Stock are 
delivered to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement 
shall constitute a fully perfected first priority Lien on, and security 
interest in, all right, title and interest of the Borrower in such Pledged 
Stock and the proceeds thereof, in each case (except as may be limited by 
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar 
laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally) prior and 
superior in right to any other Person.
 
          (b)  The Security Agreement is effective to create in favor of 
the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a legal, valid 
and enforceable security interest in the Collateral described therein and 
proceeds thereof; when financing statements in appropriate form are filed 
in the offices specified on Schedule 4.19(b), except as set forth in the 
Security Agreement, the Security Agreement constitutes a fully perfected 
Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of the 
Loan Parties in such Collateral and, to the extent provided therein, the 
proceeds thereof, in each case (except as may be limited by applicable 
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws 
affecting the 

<PAGE>

                                        47


enforcement of creditors' rights generally) prior and superior in right to 
any other Person, other than with respect to Liens expressly permitted by 
subsection 7.3. 

          4.20  SOLVENCY.  Each Loan Party is, and after giving effect to 
the incurrence or assumption of all Indebtedness and obligations being 
incurred or assumed in connection herewith and the Recapitalization will be 
and will continue to be, Solvent.

                          SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT


          5.1  CONDITIONS TO INITIAL EXTENSION OF CREDIT.  The agreement of 
each Lender to make the initial extension of credit requested to be made by 
it is subject to the satisfaction, immediately prior to or concurrently 
with the making of such extension of credit on the Closing Date, of the 
following conditions precedent:

          (a)  LOAN DOCUMENTS; GUARANTEES.  The Administrative Agent shall have
     received (i) this Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized
     officer of the Borrower, with a counterpart for each Lender, (ii) the 
     Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly 
     authorized officer of the Borrower, with a conformed copy for each Lender,
     (iii) the Security Agreement, executed and delivered by a duly authorized
     officer of each of the parties thereto, with a conformed copy for each
     Lender, (iv) the Subsidiaries Guarantee, executed and delivered by a duly
     authorized officer of each of the parties thereto, with a conformed copy
     for each Lender, (v) the Depository Letters, each executed and delivered by
     duly authorized officers of the parties thereto with a counterpart or 
     conformed copy for each Lender and (vi) the Collection Account Letters,
     executed and delivered by duly authorized officers of the parties thereto
     with a conformed copy for each Lender.

          (b)  RELATED AGREEMENTS.  The Administrative Agent shall have 
     received, with a copy for each Lender, true and correct copies, certified
     as to authenticity by the Borrower, of the Recapitalization Documents and
     such other documents or instruments as may be reasonably requested by the
     Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, a copy of any debt 
     instrument, security agreement or other material contract to which the 
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may be a party.

          (c)  BORROWING CERTIFICATE.  The Administrative Agent shall have 
     received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of the 
     Borrower, dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit G,
     with appropriate insertions and attachments, satisfactory in form and 
     substance to the Administrative Agent, executed by a Responsible Officer.

          (d)  CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS OF THE BORROWER.  The Administrative Agent
     shall have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a copy of the 
     resolutions, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative 
     Agent, of the Board of Directors of the Borrower authorizing (i) the 
     execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan
     Documents to which it is a party, (ii) the borrowings contemplated 
     hereunder and (iii) the granting by it of the Liens created pursuant to the
     Borrower Security Documents, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
     Secretary of 

<PAGE>

                                        48


     the Borrower as of the Closing Date, which certificate shall 
     be in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall
     state that the resolutions thereby certified have not been amended,
     modified, revoked or rescinded.

          (e)  BORROWER INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE.  The Administrative Agent shall
     have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a Certificate of the
     Borrower, dated the Closing Date, as to the incumbency and signature of the
     officers of the Borrower executing any Loan Document satisfactory in form
     and substance to the Administrative Agent, executed by the President or any
     Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the 
     Borrower.

          (f)  CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES.  The Administrative Agent
     shall have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a copy of the 
     resolutions, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative 
     Agent, of the Board of Directors of each Subsidiary of the Borrower which
     is a party to a Loan Document authorizing (i) the execution, delivery and
     performance of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and (ii) the 
     granting by it of the Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents to
     which it is a party, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
     of each such Subsidiary as of the Closing Date, which certificate shall be
     in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall 
     state that the resolutions thereby certified have not been amended, 
     modified, revoked or rescinded.

          (g)  SUBSIDIARY INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATES.  The Administrative Agent
     shall have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of
     each Subsidiary of the Borrower which is a Loan Party, dated the Closing
     Date, as to the incumbency and signature of the officers of such 
     Subsidiaries executing any Loan Document, satisfactory in form and 
     substance to the Administrative Agent, executed by the President or any
     Vice President and the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of each such 
     Subsidiary.

          (h)  CORPORATE DOCUMENTS.  The Administrative Agent shall 
     have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, true and complete copies
     of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of each Loan Party,
     certified as of the Closing Date as complete and correct copies thereof by
     the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Loan Party.

          (i)  CONSENTS, LICENSES AND APPROVALS.  The Administrative Agent shall
     have received, with a counterpart for each Lender, a certificate of a 
     Responsible Officer of the Borrower (i) attaching copies of all consents,
     authorizations and filings referred to in subsection 4.4, and (ii) stating
     that such consents, licenses and filings are in full force and effect, and
     each such consent, authorization and filing shall be in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

          (j)  FEES AND EXPENSES.  The Lenders, the Administrative Agent and its
     Affiliates shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all
     expenses required to be paid for which invoices have been presented, on or
     before the Closing Date.

<PAGE>

                                        49


          (k)  LEGAL OPINIONS.  The Administrative Agent shall have received,
          with a counterpart for each Lender, the following executed legal
          opinions:
 
                    (1) the executed legal opinion of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, 
          Wharton & Garrison, special counsel to the Borrower and the other
          Loan Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit J-1;

                     (2) the executed legal opinion of Sheppard, Mullin, 
          Richter & Hampton, LLP, special counsel to the Administrative Agent
          and the Lenders in the State of California, substantially in the 
          form of Exhibit J-2;

                     (3) the executed legal opinion of Stoel, Rives, Boley, 
          Fraser & Wyse, special counsel to the Administrative Agent and the
          Lenders in the State of Oregon, substantially in the form of 
          Exhibit J-3;

                     (4) the executed legal opinions of (i) Stikeman, Elliott;
          and (ii) Thompson Dorfman, Sweatman, counsel to the Administrative
          Agent and the Lenders in Canada, substantially in the form of 
          Exhibit J-4.

     Each such legal opinion shall cover such other matters incident to the 
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement as the Administrative Agent may
     reasonably require;

          (l)  PLEDGED STOCK; STOCK POWERS.  The Administrative Agent shall have
     received the certificates representing the shares pledged pursuant to the
     Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement, together with an undated stock power for
     each such certificate executed in blank by a duly authorized officer of the
     Borrower.

          (m)  ACTIONS TO PERFECT LIENS.  The Administrative Agent shall have
     received evidence in form and substance satisfactory to it that all 
     filings, recordings, registrations and other actions, including, without
     limitation, the filing of duly executed financing statements on form UCC-3
     and form UCC-1, or their foreign equivalents, necessary or, in the opinion
     of the Administrative Agent, desirable to perfect the Liens created by the
     Security Documents shall have been completed or will be completed 
     immediately after the Closing Date.

          (n)  RECAPITALIZATION; CAPITAL STRUCTURE.  (i) The Borrower shall have
     issued at least $55,000,000 of its common stock and at least $25,000,000 of
     its Existing Subordinated Debt, in each case, pursuant to the terms of the
     Recapitalization Documents and of which at least $60,000,000, in aggregate,
     shall have been received by the Borrower in cash on the Closing Date, all
     on terms and conditions satisfactory in all material respects to the 
     Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and (ii) the capital structure of 
     each Loan Party after giving effect to the Recapitalization shall be 
     reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to the Administrative 
     Agent and the Lenders.

          (o)  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Lenders shall have received unaudited
     interim consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its 
     consolidated Subsidiaries for each fiscal month and quarterly period ended
     subsequent to the date of the latest 

<PAGE>

                                        50


     financial statements previously delivered as to which such 
     financial statements are available, in form and substance reasonably 
     satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.

          (p)  PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  The Lenders shall have received
     a pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated
     Subsidiaries as at the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet
     delivered pursuant to paragraph (o) above, adjusted to give effect to the
     consummation of the Recapitalization and the borrowings contemplated 
     hereunder as if such transactions had occurred on such date, in form and 
     substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the 
     Lenders.

          (q)  LIEN SEARCHES.  The Lenders shall have received the results of a
     recent lien search in each relevant jurisdiction with respect to the 
     Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and such search shall reveal no Liens on any
     of the assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries except for Liens 
     permitted by subsection 7.3 or Liens to be discharged on or prior to the
     Closing Date pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably
     satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. 

          (r)  TRANSACTION FEES.  The fees and expenses to be incurred by the
     Borrower in connection with the Recapitalization and the financing thereof
     (other than the High Yield Notes contemplated thereby) shall not exceed 
     $10,700,000 in the aggregate.

          (s)  ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT.  The Lenders shall have received written
     confirmation of the environmental report prepared by the Borrower and
     previously reported to the Administrative Agent with respect to the real
     property leased by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.  

          (t)  EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT.  The Administrative Agent shall have
     received evidence satisfactory to it that the Existing Credit Agreement
     shall have been terminated and all amounts owing thereunder shall have been
     paid in full.

          (u)  BORROWING BASE.  (i) The Lenders shall be satisfied as to form
     and substance with the calculation of the Borrowing Base and the forms of
     the Borrowing Base Certificate and Supplemental Reporting on or before the
     Closing Date and (ii) on the Closing Date and after giving effect to the
     extensions of credit hereunder on the Closing Date, the Borrowing Base
     shall exceed the Aggregate Covered Outstanding Revolving Extensions of
     Credit by at least $8,000,000.

          (v)  INSURANCE.  The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence
     in form and substance satisfactory to it that all of the requirements of
     subsection 6.5 and Section 4.2 of the Security Agreement shall have been
     satisfied.

          5.2  CONDITIONS TO EACH EXTENSION OF CREDIT.  The agreement of each
Lender to make any extension of credit requested to be made by it on any date
(including, without limitation, its initial extension of credit) is subject to
the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

<PAGE>

                                        51


          (a)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Each of the representations and
     warranties made by the Borrower in or pursuant to the Loan Documents shall
     be true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if
     made on and as of such date. 

          (b)  NO DEFAULT.  No Default or Event of Default  shall have occurred
     and be continuing on such date or after giving effect to the extensions of
     credit requested to be made on such date.

          (c)  ADDITIONAL MATTERS.  All corporate and other proceedings, and all
     documents, instruments and other legal matters in connection with the
     transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
     shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the 
     Administrative Agent in all material respects, and the Administrative Agent
     shall have received such other documents and legal opinions in respect of
     any aspect or consequence of the transactions contemplated hereby or
     thereby as it shall reasonably request.

Each borrowing by and Letter of Credit issued on behalf of the Borrower 
hereunder shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower as of
the date thereof that the conditions contained in this subsection have been
satisfied.

                       SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

          The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments remain in
effect or any amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall and (except in
the case of delivery of financial information, reports and notices) shall cause
each of its Subsidiaries to:

          6.1  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  Furnish to each Lender:

          (a)  as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the
     end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the consolidated balance
     sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of
     such year and the related consolidated statements of income and retained
     earnings and of cash flows for such year, in each case, using the last-in,
     first-out inventory valuation method, and setting forth in comparative form
     the figures for the previous year, reported on without a "going concern"
     or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the 
     scope of the audit, by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP or other independent certified
     public accountants of nationally recognized standing; and

          (b)  as soon as available, but in any event not later than 45 days
     after the end of each of the first three quarterly periods of each fiscal
     year of the Borrower, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the 
     Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter 
     and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income and retained 
     earnings and of cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated 
     Subsidiaries for such quarter and the portion of the fiscal year through 
     the end of such quarter, in each case, using the first-in, first-out 
     inventory valuation method, and 

<PAGE>

                                        52


     setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous year, 
     certified by a Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all material
     respects (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments); and

          (c)  as soon as available, but in any event not later than 30 days
     after the end of each month of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the 
     unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated
     Subsidiaries as at the end of such month and the related unaudited 
     consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and of cash flows
     of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such month and the
     portion of the fiscal year through the end of such month, in each case,
     using the first-in, first-out inventory valuation method, and setting forth
     in comparative form the figures for the previous year, certified by a 
     Responsible Officer as being fairly stated in all material respects 
     (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments);

all such financial statements shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in
accordance with GAAP applied consistently throughout the periods reflected 
therein and with prior periods (except as approved by such accountants or 
officer, as the case may be, and disclosed therein).

          6.2  CERTIFICATES; OTHER INFORMATION.  Furnish to the Administrative
Agent with copies for each Lender except as otherwise provided in clause (g)
below:

          (a)  concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements 
     referred to in subsection 6.1(a), a certificate of the independent 
     certified public accountants reporting on such financial statements stating
     that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained
     of any Default or Event of Default, except as specified in such 
     certificate;

          (b)  subject to the proviso below, concurrently with the delivery of
     the financial statements referred to in subsections 6.1(a), (b) and (c), a
     certificate of a Responsible Officer (1) stating that, to the best of such
     Officer's knowledge, during such period (i) no Subsidiary has been formed
     or acquired (or, if any such Subsidiary has been formed or acquired, the
     Borrower has complied with the requirements of subsection 6.12 with respect
     thereto), (ii) neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has changed
     its name, its principal place of business, its chief executive office or
     the location of any material item of tangible Collateral without complying
     with the requirements of this Agreement and the Security Documents with
     respect thereto and (iii) the Borrower has observed or performed in all
     material respects all of its covenants and other agreements, and satisfied
     every condition, contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
     to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that such Officer has 
     obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default except as 
     specified in such certificate; provided that with respect to the financial
     statements delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1(c), such certificate need
     only cover the items set forth in clause (i) above, and (2) in the case of
     the financial statements delivered pursuant to subsections 6.1(a) and (b)
     setting forth, in reasonable detail, a calculation of the financial 
     covenants set forth in subsection 7.1 for the period corresponding to such
     financial statements; and, with respect to the annual financial statements
     required to be furnished pursuant to subsection 6.1(a), a reconciliation of

<PAGE>

                                        53


     such financial statements from the last-in first-out inventory valuation
     method to the first-in, first-out inventory valuation method in order to
     calculate the financial covenants set forth in subsection 7.1, all in 
     substantially the form set forth on Exhibit H (THE "RESPONSIBLE OFFICER'S
     CERTIFICATE").

          (c)  not later than 10 days prior to the end of each fiscal year of
     the Borrower, a copy of the projections by the Borrower of the operating
     budget and cash flow budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the
     succeeding fiscal year using the first-in, first-out inventory valuation
     method, such projections to be accompanied by a certificate of a 
     Responsible Officer to the effect that such projections have been prepared
     on the basis of sound financial planning practice and that such Responsible
     Officer has no reason to believe they are incorrect or misleading in any
     material respect;

          (d)  promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all reports submitted to
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by KPMG Peat Marwick or any other
     independent accountants of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary in 
     connection with each annual, interim or special audit of its financial
     statements made by such accountants (including, without limitation, any
     comment letter submitted by such accountants to management of the Borrower
     or any such Subsidiary in connection with their annual audit and any
     reports addressing internal accounting controls of the Borrower or such
     Subsidiary submitted by such accountants), and, promptly upon completion
     thereof, copies of any response report from the Borrower or such Subsidiary
     to such accountants;

          (e)  within five days after the same are filed, copies of all 
     financial statements and reports which the Borrower may make to, or file
     with, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor or analogous
     Governmental Authority, and at such time, if any, that the Borrower becomes
     subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 
     1934, as amended, within five days after the same are sent, copies of all
     financial statements and reports which the Borrower sends to its 
     stockholders;

          (f)  promptly, but in no event later than 1:00 P.M., New York City
     time, on the third Business Day following the end of each calendar week,
     UNLESS such third Business Day falls in the last week of a calendar month,
     in which case, in no event later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
     third Business Day of the next calendar month, a Borrowing Base 
     Certificate, certifying in reasonable detail the Borrowing Base as of the
     close of business on the last calendar day of the immediately preceding
     calendar week or calendar month, as the case may be, and in each case, a
     copy to the Administrative Agent of a Supplemental Reporting presenting the
     Borrower's computation thereof.  Each Borrowing Base Certificate shall
     remain in effect from and including the date on which such Borrowing Base
     Certificate is delivered, to, but excluding, the date on which the next
     Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered; and

          (g)  promptly, furnish to the Administrative Agent or any Lender such
     additional financial and other information with respect to the business or
     operations of

<PAGE>

                                           54


     the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent or such 
     Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

           6.3  PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS.  Pay, discharge or otherwise satisfy at
or before maturity or before they become delinquent, as the case may be, all its
obligations of whatever nature, except where the amount or validity thereof is
currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and reserves
in conformity with GAAP with respect thereto have been provided on the books of
the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be.

          6.4  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE.  Continue to
engage in business of the same general type as now conducted by it or businesses
reasonably related thereto; preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect
its corporate existence and take all reasonable action to maintain all rights,
privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its
business except as otherwise permitted pursuant to subsection 7.5 and except to
the extent that failure to comply with the foregoing would not, in the 
aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; comply with
all Contractual Obligations and Requirements of Law except to the extent that
failure to comply therewith could not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          6.5  MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY; INSURANCE.  Keep all tangible property
useful and necessary in its business in good working order and condition;
maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance on
all its tangible property in at least such amounts and against at least such
risks (but including in any event public liability, product liability and
business interruption) as are usually insured against in the same general area
by companies engaged in the same or a similar business; and furnish to the
Administrative Agent with copies for each Lender, upon written request, full
information as to the insurance carried.

          6.6  INSPECTION OF PROPERTY; BOOKS AND RECORDS; DISCUSSIONS.  
Keep proper books of records and account in which full, true and correct 
entries in conformity with GAAP and all Requirements of Law shall be made 
of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and 
activities; and permit representatives of any Lender to visit and inspect 
any of its properties and examine and make abstracts from any of its books 
and records at any reasonable time during normal business hours and as 
often as may reasonably be desired and to discuss the business, operations, 
properties and financial and other condition of the Borrower and its 
Subsidiaries with officers and employees of the Borrower and its 
Subsidiaries and with its independent certified public accountants; 
provided that such inspection shall be conducted in a manner that does not 
unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Borrower or 
its Subsidiaries.

          6.7  SEMI-ANNUAL REVIEWS.  At any time upon the request of the 
Administrative Agent, permit the Administrative Agent or professionals 
(including investment bankers, consultants, accountants, lawyers and 
appraisers) retained by the Administrative Agent to conduct evaluations and 
appraisals (at a reasonable time during normal business hours provided that 
the following is conducted in a manner that does not unreasonably interfere 
with the business or operations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries) of (i) 
the Borrower's practices in the computation of the Borrowing Base, (ii) the 
assets included in the Borrowing Base, (iii) systems and procedures related 
to Borrowing Base items, (iv) other related procedures deemed necessary by 
the Administrative Agent, and pay the reasonable 

<PAGE>
                                      55

fees and expenses in connection therewith (including, without 
limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses associated with services performed 
by the Administrative Agent's Collateral Monitoring Department); provided, 
however, that such persons shall not be entitled to conduct such evaluations and
appraisals of assets more frequently than twice per year unless (x) a Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (y) the Administrative Agent 
or the Majority Lenders determine that any material event or material change has
occurred with respect to the Loan Parties, their inventory or receivables 
practices or the performance of the Collateral and that as a result of such 
event or change more frequent evaluations or appraisals are required to 
effectively monitor the Borrowing Base, in which case the Borrower will permit 
such Persons to conduct such evaluations and appraisals at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably requested; 
provided that such inspection shall be conducted in a manner that does not 
unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Borrower or its 
Subsidiaries.

          6.8  NOTICES.  Promptly give notice to the Administrative Agent with 
copies for each Lender of (to the extent it has knowledge of same):

          (a)  the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default;

          (b)  any (i) default or event of default under any Contractual 
     Obligation of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) litigation, 
     investigation or proceeding which may exist at any time between the 
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Governmental Authority, which 
     in either case, if not cured or if adversely determined, as the case may 
     be, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

          (c)  any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its
     Subsidiaries in which the amount involved is $2,000,000 or more and not 
     covered by insurance or with respect to which the Borrower or its 
     Subsidiaries is not fully indemnified by a third party or in which 
     injunctive or similar relief is sought;

          (d)  the following events, as soon as possible and in any event within
     30 days after the Borrower knows or has reason to know thereof:  (i) the 
     occurrence or expected occurrence of any Reportable Event with respect to 
     any Plan, a failure to make any required contribution to a Plan, the 
     creation of any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan or any withdrawal from,
     or the termination, Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Multiemployer Plan
     or (ii) the institution of proceedings or the taking of any other action by
     the PBGC or the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity or any 
     Multiemployer Plan with respect to the withdrawal from, or the terminating,
     Reorganization or Insolvency of, any Plan; and

          (e)  any development or event which has had or which the Borrower 
     believes could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Each notice pursuant to this subsection shall be accompanied by a statement of a
Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein 
and stating what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto.

<PAGE>
                                      56

          6.9  ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.  (a)  Comply with, and use diligent efforts 
to ensure compliance by all tenants and subtenants, if any, with, all applicable
Environmental Laws and obtain and comply in all material respects with and 
maintain, and use diligent efforts to ensure that all tenants and subtenants 
obtain and comply in all material respects with and maintain, any and all 
licenses, approvals, notifications, registrations or permits required by 
applicable Environmental Laws, except, in either case to the extent that failure
to do so could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (b)  Conduct and complete all investigations, studies, sampling and 
testing, and all remedial, removal and other actions required under 
Environmental Laws and promptly comply in all material respects with all lawful 
orders and directives of all Governmental Authorities regarding Environmental 
Laws except to the extent that the same are being contested in good faith by 
appropriate proceedings and the pendency of such proceedings could not be 
reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

          6.10  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Upon the request of the Administrative
Agent, promptly perform or cause to be performed any and all acts and execute or
cause to be executed any and all documents (including, without limitation, 
financing statements and continuation statements) for filing under the 
provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code or any other Requirement of Law which 
are necessary or advisable to maintain in favor of the Administrative Agent, for
the benefit of the Lenders, Liens on the Collateral that are duly perfected in 
accordance with all applicable Requirements of Law.

          6.11  CASH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.  Maintain (i) the US Cash Collateral 
Account into which all proceeds of Collateral payable in the United States are 
deposited (including any amounts paid to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
and required pursuant to the Security Agreement, to be deposited by the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries into the Collection Accounts or the Depository Accounts) 
with the Administrative Agent and (ii) the Canadian Cash Collateral Account and 
the Deposit Accounts into which all proceeds of Collateral payable in Canada are
paid (including any amounts paid to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and 
required pursuant to the Security Agreement to be deposited by the Borrower and 
its Subsidiaries into the Canadian Cash Collateral Account or the Deposit 
Accounts) with Bank of Montreal, or, in each case, one or more banks reasonably 
acceptable to the Administrative Agent that have acknowledged the assignment of 
such accounts to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Depository Letters, 
the Collection Accounts Letters or the Deposit Account Letters and the Security 
Agreement, as the case may be, and maintain cash management systems reasonably 
acceptable to the Majority Lenders.

          At the beginning of each Business Day, transfer to the US Cash 
Collateral Account such amounts of Canadian dollars as shall be necessary to 
cause the aggregate amount of available funds on deposit in the Canadian Cash 
Collateral Account and the Deposit Accounts not to exceed $30,000,000 Canadian 
dollars.

          6.12  ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL.  (a)  With respect to any assets acquired
after the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are 
intended to be subject to the Lien created by any of the Security Documents but 
which are not so subject (other than any assets described in paragraph (b) or 
(c) of this subsection and assets that, in the judgment of the Administrative 
Agent are immaterial or a Lien on which cannot be perfected by filing  

<PAGE>
                                      57
         
UCC-1 financing statements or their foreign equivalents), promptly (and in 
any event within 30 days after the acquisition thereof):  (i) execute and 
deliver to the Administrative Agent such amendments to the relevant Security 
Documents or such other documents as the Administrative Agent shall 
reasonably deem necessary or advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, 
for the benefit of the Lenders, a Lien on such assets, (ii) take all actions 
necessary or advisable to cause such Lien to be duly perfected in accordance 
with all applicable Requirements of Law, including, without limitation, the 
filing of financing statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably 
requested by the Administrative Agent, and (iii) if requested by the 
Administrative Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent legal opinions 
relating to the matters described in clauses (i) and (ii) immediately 
preceding, which opinions shall be in form and substance, and from counsel, 
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

          (b)  With respect to any Person that, subsequent to the Closing Date, 
becomes an active Subsidiary, promptly upon the request of the Administrative 
Agent: (i) execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of 
the Lenders, a new pledge agreement or such amendments to the relevant Pledge 
Agreement as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably deem necessary or 
advisable to grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, 
a Lien on the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary (unless such Subsidiary is a 
foreign Subsidiary in which case, 66% of the Capital Stock of such foreign 
subsidiary) which is owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) 
deliver to the Administrative Agent the certificates representing such Capital 
Stock, together with undated stock powers executed and delivered in blank by a 
duly authorized officer of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, 
(iii) cause such new Subsidiary (A) to become a party to the Subsidiary 
Guarantee and the Security Agreement, in each case pursuant to documentation 
which is in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (B)
to take all actions necessary or advisable to cause the Lien created by the 
Security Agreement to be duly perfected in accordance with all applicable 
Requirements of Law, including, without limitation, the filing of financing 
statements in such jurisdictions as may be reasonably requested by the 
Administrative Agent and (iv) if requested by the Administrative Agent, deliver 
to the Administrative Agent legal opinions relating to the matters described in 
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) immediately preceding, which opinions shall be in 
form and substance, and from counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the 
Administrative Agent.

          6.13  TAX STAMP BONDING.  Maintain surety bonds if and to the extent 
required by law (including, with respect to amounts) with respect to all tobacco
tax stamps not paid for on a cash basis.

          6.14  COMPLIANCE WITH TERMS OF LEASEHOLDS.  Make all payments and 
otherwise perform all material obligations in respect of all leases of real 
property to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, keep such 
leases in full force and effect and not allow such leases to lapse or be 
terminated or any rights to renew such leases to be forfeited or cancelled if 
the failure to make such payments or perform such obligations, to keep such 
lease in full force and effect, or the lapse, termination or failure to renew 
would reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, notify the 
Administrative Agent of any default by any party of which the Borrower has 
actual knowledge with respect to such leases and cooperate with the 
Administrative Agent in all respects to cure any such default, and cause each of
its Subsidiaries to do so.  

<PAGE>
                                      58
                      
                           SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS


          The Borrower hereby agrees that, so long as the Commitments remain in
effect or any amount is owing to any Lender or the Administrative Agent 
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall not, and shall 
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

          7.1  FINANCIAL CONDITION COVENANTS.

          (a)  MAINTENANCE OF CURRENT RATIO.  Permit the ratio of Consolidated 
     Current Assets of the Borrower to Consolidated Current Liabilities of the 
     Borrower at any time during any period set forth below to be less than the 
     ratio set forth opposite such period below:

              PERIOD                            RATIO
     
          9/30/96 - 6/30/01                  1.40 to 1.00

          (b)  MAINTENANCE OF NET WORTH.  (i) Permit Consolidated Net Worth of 
     the Borrower at any time during the period from August 7, 1996 to March 30,
     1997 to be less than ($3,000,000) or, with respect to any time during the 
     period from December 31, 1996 to March 30, 1997 to be less than 
     ($5,000,000) if such lower Consolidated Net Worth amount is due solely to 
     accounting adjustments and/or costs and expenses related to the 
     Recapitalization or the issuance of the High Yield Notes and (ii) permit 
     Consolidated Net Worth of the Borrower at any time during the period from 
     March 31, 1997 to June 30, 2001 to be less than an amount equal to 
     Consolidated Net Worth of the Borrower as at December 31, 1996 PLUS the 
     aggregate of 50% of Consolidated Net Income of the Borrower, if positive, 
     for each quarter during the period commencing on January 1, 1997 and ending
     at the close of the fiscal quarter then last ended.

          (c)  MAINTENANCE OF SENIOR DEBT LEVERAGE RATIO.  Permit the ratio of 
     (i) Consolidated Senior Debt of the Borrower at the last day of any fiscal 
     quarter ending during any "Test Period" set forth below to (ii) 
     Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters 
     ending on such date to be greater than the amount set forth opposite such 
     period below:

             TEST PERIOD                        RATIO
     
          9/30/96 - 9/30/97                  5.25 to 1.00
          12/31/97 - 9/30/98                 4.75 to 1.00
          12/31/98 - 9/30/99                 4.25 to 1.00
          12/31/99 - 9/30/00                 3.75 to 1.00
          12/31/00 - 6/30/01                 3.25 to 1.00


<PAGE>
                                      59

          ; provided, however, that from and after the date of the issuance by 
     the Borrower of the High Yield Notes in an aggregate principal amount of at
     least $75 million, notwithstanding the ratios set forth above, the 
     following ratios shall apply:

             TEST PERIOD                        RATIO

          9/30/96 - 9/30/97                  4.25 to 1.00
          12/31/97 - 9/30/98                 4.00 to 1.00
          12/31/98 - 6/30/01                 3.75 to 1.00

          For purposes of computing Consolidated Senior Debt of the Borrower, 
     the amount of Revolving Credit Loans included therein as of the last day of
     a fiscal quarter shall be the average daily outstanding principal amount 
     thereof for the period of two consecutive fiscal quarters ending on such 
     date (or, if shorter, the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending 
     on such date).


          (d)  MAINTENANCE OF MINIMUM EBITDA.  Permit Consolidated  EBITDA of 
     the Borrower for the four quarters ending at the last day of any period set
     forth below to be less than the amount set forth opposite such period 
     below:

             Test Period                       Amount

          9/30/96 - 12/31/96                 $30,000,000
          3/31/97 - 6/30/97                  $31,000,000
          9/30/97 - 12/31/97                 $32,000,000
          3/31/98 - 6/30/98                  $33,500,000
          9/30/98 - 12/31/98                 $35,000,000
          3/31/99 - 6/30/99                  $36,500,000
          9/30/99 - 12/31/99                 $38,000,000
          3/31/00 - 6/30/00                  $40,000,000
          9/30/00 - 12/31/00                 $42,000,000
          3/31/01 - 6/30/01                  $43,500,000

           (e)  Maintenance of Interest Coverage.  Permit for any period of four
     consecutive fiscal quarters ending during any "Test Period" set forth below
     the ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower to (ii) Consolidated 
     Cash Interest Expense of the Borrower for such period to be less than the 
     ratio set forth opposite such period below after giving effect to the 
     Interim Adjustments for the calculations occurring on September 30, 1996, 
     December 31, 1996 and March 31, 1997:

             Test Period                         Ratio

          9/30/96 - 9/30/98                  2.00 to 1.00
          12/31/98 - 9/30/99                 2.25 to 1.00
          12/31/99 - 9/30/00                 2.50 to 1.00
          12/31/00 - 6/30/01                 3.00 to 1.00


<PAGE>
                                       60

          ; provided, however, that from and after the date of the issuance by 
     the Borrower of the High Yield Notes in an aggregate principal amount of at
     least $75 million, notwithstanding the ratios set forth above, the 
     following ratios shall apply:

             Test Period                        Ratio

          9/30/96 - 9/30/98                  1.65 to 1.00
          12/31/98 - 9/30/99                 1.75 to 1.00
          12/31/99 - 9/30/00                 2.00 to 1.00
          12/31/00 - 6/30/01                 2.25 to 1.00

          7.2  LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to 
exist any Indebtedness, except:

          (a)  Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement;

          (b)  Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any 
     Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary;

          (c)  Existing Subordinated Debt;

          (d)  Indebtedness of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries incurred
     to finance the acquisition of fixed or capital assets (whether pursuant to 
     a loan, a Financing Lease or otherwise) in an aggregate principal amount 
     not exceeding as to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries $5 million at any 
     time outstanding;

          (e)  Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on 
     Schedule 7.2 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions 
     thereof; provided that the aggregate principal amount set forth on Schedule
     7.2 does not increase in connection with any such refinancing, refunding, 
     renewal or extension;

          (f)  Indebtedness in respect of Hedge Agreements designed to hedge 
     against fluctuations in interest rates or foreign exchange rates incurred 
     in the ordinary course of business and consistent with prudent business 
     practice in an aggregate notional amount not to exceed $75,000,000, in the 
     case of the interest rate Hedge Agreements, and $30,000,000, in the case of
     foreign exchange rate Hedge Agreements, at any time outstanding;

          (g)  additional Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (not
     otherwise described in this Section 7.2) not exceeding $3 million in 
     aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding;

          (h)  Indebtedness constituting Subordinated Debt in an aggregate 
     principal amount not to exceed $100 million (the "High Yield Notes")
     provided that the proceeds (or part thereof) of any such Indebtedness are 
     used to repay the Term Loans in accordance with subsection 2.9;

<PAGE>
                                        61

          (i)  Subordinated Debt of the Borrower (other than the Existing 
     Shareholders Debt and the High Yield Notes) in an aggregate principal 
     amount not to exceed $2,000,000 at any one time outstanding;

          (j)  Indebtedness in respect of the conditional sale of coffee 
     machines and similar fast food equipment where the Borrower or its 
     Subsidiaries guarantee the purchase price of such equipment in the event 
     the purchaser of such equipment does not purchase such equipment through 
     coffee and food purchases;

          (k)  Indebtedness in respect of state cigarette stamp tax and other 
     bonds incurred in the ordinary course of business on a basis consistent 
     with past practice; 

          (l)  Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit which are 
     denominated in Canadian dollars and issued for the account of the Borrower,
     in an aggregate face amount not to exceed $5 million Canadian dollars; 
     provided, that any such letter of credit is supported by a Letter of 
     Credit;

          (m)  Indebtedness of the type described in clause (f) of the 
     definition of "Indebtedness" which is secured by Liens permitted under 
     subsection 7.3; and

          (n)  Indebtedness assumed in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, 
     provided that such Indebtedness was not incurred in anticipation of the 
     Permitted Acquisition and, in any case, not to exceed $500,000 in the 
     aggregate.

          7.3  LIMITATION ON LIENS.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist 
any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or 
hereafter acquired, except for:

          (a)  Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good 
     faith by appropriate proceedings, PROVIDED that adequate reserves with 
     respect thereto are maintained on the books of the Borrower or its 
     Subsidiaries, as the case may be, in conformity with GAAP;

          (b)  carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's, 
     repairmen's, landlord's or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course 
     of business for amounts which are not overdue for a period of more than 60 
     days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

          (c)  pledges or deposits in connection with workers' compensation, 
     unemployment insurance and other social security legislation;

          (d)  deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts 
     (other than for borrowed money), leases, statutory obligations, surety and 
     appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature 
     incurred in the ordinary course of business;

          (e)  easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, restrictive covenants, 
     encroachments and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary 

<PAGE>
                                      62

     course of business which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount 
     and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the 
     property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct 
     of the business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

          (f)  Liens in existence on the date hereof listed on Schedule 7.3, 
     securing Indebtedness permitted by subsection 7.2(e) and new Liens created 
     after the Closing Date in connection with refinancings, refundings, 
     renewals, and extensions described in subsection 7.2(e), PROVIDED that no 
     such Lien is spread to cover any additional property after the Closing Date
     and that the principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not 
     increased;

          (g)  Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries 
     permitted by subsection 7.2(d) incurred to finance the acquisition of fixed
     or capital assets, PROVIDED that (i) such Liens shall be created 
     substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of such fixed or capital 
     assets, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than
     the property financed by such Indebtedness, (iii) the principal amount of 
     Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased and (iv) the principal amount
     of Indebtedness secured by any such Lien shall at no time exceed the 
     original purchase price of such property at the time it was acquired;

          (h)  Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

          (i)  Liens arising under licensing agreements entered into by the 
     Borrower or any Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for the use
     of Intellectual Property or other intangible assets of the Borrower or any 
     Subsidiary, and any consents to use, and other similar agreements 
     concerning Intellectual Property or other intangible assets or judgments 
     adjudicating rights in any intangible rights in Intellectual Property or 
     other intangible assets; and

          (j)  Liens securing Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries 
     permitted by subsection 7.2(b).

          7.4  Limitation on Guarantee Obligations.  Create, incur, assume or 
suffer to exist any Guarantee Obligation except:

          (a)  Guarantee Obligations in existence on the date hereof and listed 
     on Schedule 7.4 and refinancings, renewals or extensions thereof, provided 
     that the aggregate principal amount set forth on Schedule 7.4 does not 
     increase in connection with any such refinancing, renewal or extension;

          (b)  guarantees made in the ordinary course of its business by the 
     Borrower of obligations of any Subsidiary of Indebtedness permitted by 
     subsections 7.2(d), (e) and (f) or any leases for real property by any 
     Subsidiary; and

          (c)  the Subsidiaries Guarantee.

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                                       63

          7.5  LIMITATION ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES.  Enter into any merger, 
consolidation or amalgamation, or liquidate, wind up or dissolve itself (or 
suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer
or otherwise dispose of, all or substantially all of its property, business or 
assets, or make any material change in its present method of conducting 
business, except:

          (a)  any Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged or consolidated with
     or into, or be liquidated, wound up or dissolved into, the Borrower 
     (PROVIDED that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving 
     corporation) or with or into any one or more wholly owned Subsidiaries of 
     the Borrower (PROVIDED that the wholly owned Subsidiary or Subsidiaries 
     shall be the continuing or surviving corporation);

          (b)  subject to subsections 7.10(c) and (d), the Borrower or any 
     Subsidiary may be merged or consolidated with any other Person organized 
     under a jurisdiction of the United States with assets held primarily in the
     United States; PROVIDED, that the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall be the 
     continuing or surviving corporation; the Administrative Agent is provided 
     with written notice, and after giving effect thereto no Default or Event of
     Default would exist or reasonably be expected to be caused thereby; and

          (c)  any wholly owned Subsidiary may sell, lease, transfer or 
     otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation 
     or otherwise) to the Borrower or any other wholly owned Subsidiary of the 
     Borrower.

          7.6  LIMITATION ON SALE OF ASSETS.  Convey, sell, lease, assign, 
transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its property, business or assets 
(including, without limitation, receivables and leasehold interests), whether 
now owned or hereafter acquired, or, in the case of any Subsidiary, issue or 
sell any shares of such Subsidiary's Capital Stock to any Person other than the 
Borrower or any wholly owned Subsidiary, except:

          (a)  the sale or other disposition of obsolete or worn out property in
     the ordinary course of business;

          (b)  the sale or other disposition of any property in the ordinary 
     course of business, provided that (other than inventory) the aggregate book
     value of all assets so sold or disposed of in any period of twelve 
     consecutive months shall not exceed $500,000; 

          (c)  the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

          (d)  the sale or discount without recourse of accounts receivable 
     arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the 
     compromise or collection thereof; and

          (e)  the sale, abandonment or other disposition in the ordinary course
     of business of Intellectual Property that is no longer necessary for the 
     conduct of the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and

          (f)  as permitted by subsection 7.5.

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                                      64

          7.7  LIMITATION ON SPECULATIVE TRANSACTIONS.  Engage, or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to engage, in any transaction involving commodity options or 
futures contracts or any similar speculative transactions (including, without 
limitation, take-or-pay contracts) except for Hedge Agreements permitted under 
subsection 7.2(f).

          7.8  LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS.  Declare or pay any dividend (other than
dividends payable solely in common stock of the Borrower) on, or make any 
payment on account of, or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund
for, the purchase, redemption, defeasance, retirement or other acquisition of, 
any shares of any class of Capital Stock of the Borrower or any warrants or 
options to purchase any such Stock, whether now or hereafter outstanding, or 
make any other distribution in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, 
whether in cash or property or in obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary 
(such declarations, payments, setting apart, purchases, redemptions, 
defeasances, retirements, acquisitions and distributions being herein called 
"RESTRICTED PAYMENTS"), except that if no Default or Event of Default exists or 
would reasonably be expected to be caused thereby, the Borrower may repurchase 
shares of its common stock from its employees and former employees so long as 
the aggregate amount of all such repurchases since the date of this Agreement 
does not exceed $1 million.

          7.9  LIMITATION ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.  Make or commit to make (by 
way of the acquisition of securities of a Person or otherwise) any expenditure 
in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of fixed or capital assets
except for expenditures in the ordinary course of business not exceeding, in the
aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, $8,500,000, for each fiscal 
year, PROVIDED, that up to $1,500,000 of any such amount if not so expended in 
the fiscal year for which it is permitted above, may be carried over for 
expenditure in the next following fiscal year.

          7.10  LIMITATION ON INVESTMENTS, Loans and Advances.  Make any 
advance, loan, extension of credit or capital contribution to, or purchase any 
stock, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities of or any assets 
constituting a business unit of, or make any other investment in, any Person, 
except :

          (a)  extensions of trade credit in the ordinary course of business;

          (b)  investments in US Cash Equivalents and Canadian Cash Equivalents;

          (c)  investments constituting Permitted Acquisitions; provided, that 
     at the date of signing of definitive documentation with respect to such 
     proposed Permitted Acquisition, (i) the Term Loans shall have been repaid 
     in full, (ii) the Uncovered L/C Amount shall have been permanently reduced 
     to zero, (iii) the Overadvance Limit shall have been permanently reduced to
     zero and (iv) the lesser of (1) the available Borrowing Base and (2) the 
     Available Revolving Credit Commitments shall be at least $15,000,000 
     determined on the basis of the average amount of the Borrowing Base and the
     Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit, respectively, during 
     the calendar month preceding the date such definitive documentation is 
     signed;

          (d)  investments constituting Permitted Acquisitions in an aggregate 
     amount not to exceed $25,000,000; provided, that at the date of signing of 

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                                      65
     definitive documentation with respect to such proposed Permitted 
     Acquisition, (i) the Term Loans shall have been repaid in full, (ii) the 
     Overadvance Limit shall have been permanently reduced to zero and (iii) the
     lesser of (1) the available Borrowing Base and (2) the Available Revolving 
     Credit Commitments shall be at least $15,000,000 determined on the basis of
     the average amount of the Borrowing Base and the Aggregate Outstanding 
     Revolving Extensions of Credit, respectively, during the calendar month 
     preceding the date such definitive documentation is signed;

          (e)  loans and advances to employees of the Borrower or its 
     Subsidiaries for travel, entertainment and relocation expenses in the 
     ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount for the Borrower and its
     Subsidiaries not to exceed $500,000 at any one time outstanding;

          (f)  investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in securities 
     and notes to the extent received in settlement of delinquent obligations of
     any supplier or customer that is in bankruptcy or reorganization 
     proceedings or received in settlement of accounts receivables that are more
     than 60 days past due; 

          (g)  the acquisition by the Borrower described in a letter dated 
     August 1, 1996, from Robert Allen to Richard Thayer, and previously 
     distributed to the Lenders; provided that the aggregate purchase price of 
     such acquisition does not exceed $2 million;

          (h)  investments by the Borrower in its Subsidiaries and investments 
     by such Subsidiaries in the Borrower and in other Subsidiaries; and

          (i)  subject to the limitations set forth in subsection 7.2(f), 
     investments constituting Hedge Agreements.

          7.11  LIMITATION ON OPTIONAL PAYMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS OF DEBT 
          INSTRUMENTS.  (a)  Make any optional payment or prepayment on or 
redemption or purchase of any Indebtedness (other than (1) the Loans and (2) 
a refinancing of Indebtedness permitted by subsection 7.2(e)), or (b) amend, 
modify or change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification or change 
to any of the terms of any such Indebtedness (other than any such amendment, 
modification or change which would extend the maturity or reduce the amount of 
any payment of principal thereof or which would reduce the rate or extend the 
date for payment of interest thereon); provided that the proceeds of the High 
Yield Notes in excess of the amount required to prepay the Term Loans in 
accordance with subsection 2.9(a) may be used to redeem the Existing 
Subordinated Debt.

          7.12  LIMITATION ON TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES.  Enter into any 
transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or 
exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate unless 
such transaction is (a) otherwise not prohibited under this Agreement, and 
(b) upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such 
Subsidiary, as the case may be, than it would obtain in a comparable arm's 
length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate.


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                                      66

          7.13  LIMITATION ON SALES AND LEASEBACKS.  Enter into any arrangement 
with any Person providing for the leasing by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of 
real or personal property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the 
Borrower or such Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds 
have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property 
or rental obligations of the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

          7.14  LIMITATION ON CHANGES IN FISCAL YEAR.  Permit the fiscal year of
the Borrower to end on a day other than December 31.

          7.15  LIMITATION ON NEGATIVE PLEDGE CLAUSES.  Enter into with any 
Person any agreement, other than (a) this Agreement, (b) any Indebtedness 
permitted by subsection 7.2(d) (in which case, any prohibition or limitation 
shall only be effective against the assets financed thereby), and (c) any 
refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension permitted by subsection 7.2(e) (in 
which case any prohibition or limitation shall not be more restrictive than the 
prohibition or limitation contained in the Indebtedness that was so refinanced, 
refunded, renewed or extended), which prohibits or limits the ability of the 
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist 
any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or 
hereafter acquired.

          7.16  LIMITATION ON LINES OF BUSINESS.  Enter into any business, 
either directly or through any Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which 
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or 
businesses reasonably related thereto.


                       SECTION 8.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          If any of the following events shall occur and be continuing:

          (a)  The Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any 
     Reimbursement Obligation when due in accordance with the terms thereof or 
     hereof; or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan, or any 
     other amount payable hereunder, within five days after any such interest or
     other amount becomes due in accordance with the terms thereof or hereof; or

          (b)  Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the 
     Borrower herein or in any other Loan Document or which is contained in any 
     certificate, document or financial or other statement furnished by it at 
     any time under or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan 
     Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect on or 
     as of the date made or deemed made; or

          (c)  The Borrower or any other Loan Party shall default in the 
     observance or performance of any agreement contained in subsections 6.4, 
     6.8, 6.11 (other than as a result of wire transfer difficulties or system 
     malfunctions beyond the control of any Loan Party), and 6.12, Section 7, 
     Section 5 of the Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement or Section 4 of the 
     Security Agreement; or

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                                      67

          (d)  The Borrower or any other Loan Party shall default in the 
     observance or performance of any other agreement contained in this 
     Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than as provided in paragraphs 
     (a) through (c) of this Section), and such default shall continue 
     unremedied for a period of 30 days; or

          (e)  The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) default in any 
     payment of principal of or interest of any Indebtedness (other than the 
     Loans) or in the payment of any Guarantee Obligation, in each case, that is
     outstanding in a principal amount of at least $1 million either 
     individually or in the aggregate, beyond the period of grace (not to exceed
     30 days), if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such 
     Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligation was created; or (ii) default in the 
     observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to 
     any such Indebtedness or Guarantee Obligation 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 beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee 
     Obligation (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or 
     beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if 
     required, such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity or 
     such Guarantee Obligation to become payable; or

          (f)  (i) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall commence any 
     case, proceeding or other action (A) under any existing or future law of 
     any jurisdiction, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, 
     reorganization or relief of debtors, seeking to have an order for relief 
     entered with respect to it, or seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or 
     insolvent, or seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, winding-up, 
     liquidation, dissolution, composition or other relief with respect to it or
     its debts, or (B) seeking appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, 
     conservator or other similar official for it or for all or any substantial 
     part of its assets, or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall make a
     general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or (ii) there shall be
     commenced against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, 
     proceeding or other action of a nature referred to in clause (i) above 
     which (A) results in the entry of an order for relief or any such 
     adjudication or appointment or (B) remains undismissed, undischarged or 
     unbonded for a period of 60 days; or (iii) there shall be commenced against
     the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries any case, proceeding or other 
     action seeking issuance of a warrant of attachment, execution, distraint or
     similar process against all or any substantial part of its assets which 
     results in the entry of an order for any such relief which shall not have 
     been vacated, discharged, or stayed or bonded pending appeal within 60 days
     from the entry thereof; or (iv) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries 
     shall take any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, 
     approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the acts set forth in clause (i), 
     (ii), or (iii) above; or (v) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall 
     generally not, or shall be unable to, or shall admit in writing its 
     inability to, pay its debts as they become due; or

          (g)  (i) Any Person shall engage in any non-exempt "prohibited
     transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the 
     Code) involving any Plan, (ii) any "accumulated funding deficiency" (as 

<PAGE>
                                      68

     defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, shall exist with 
     respect to any Plan or any Lien in favor of the PBGC or a Plan shall arise 
     on the assets of the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity, (iii) a 
     Reportable Event shall occur with respect to, or proceedings shall commence
     to have a trustee appointed, or a trustee shall be appointed, to administer
     or to terminate, any Single Employer Plan, which Reportable Event or 
     commencement of proceedings or appointment of a trustee is, in the 
     reasonable opinion of the Majority Lenders, likely to result in the 
     termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any Single
     Employer Plan shall terminate for purposes of Title IV of ERISA, (v) the 
     Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity shall, or in the reasonable 
     opinion of the Majority Lenders is likely to, incur any liability in 
     connection with a withdrawal from, or the Insolvency or Reorganization of, 
     a Multiemployer Plan or (vi) any other event or condition shall occur or 
     exist with respect to a Plan; and in each case in clauses (i) through (vi) 
     above, such event or condition, together with all other such events or 
     conditions in clauses (i) through (vi), if any, could reasonably be 
     expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and is reasonably expected to 
     result in liability exceeding $1 million; or

          (h)  One or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the 
     Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate a liability 
     (not paid or fully covered by insurance) of $1,000,000 or more, and all 
     such judgments or decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, stayed 
     or bonded pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof or, in the 
     event of such a stay, such judgment shall not be discharged within 60 days 
     after such stay expires; or

          (i)  (i) Any of the Security Documents shall cease, for any reason, to
     be in full force and effect, or the Borrower or any other Loan Party which 
     is a party to any of the Security Documents shall so assert or (ii) the 
     Lien created by any of the Security Documents shall cease to be enforceable
     and of the same effect and priority purported to be created thereby; or

          (j)  The Subsidiaries Guarantee shall cease, for any reason, to be in 
     full force and effect or any Guarantor shall so assert; or

          (k)  (i) Jupiter Partners, LP ("Jupiter") shall at any time for any 
     reason cease to control, directly or indirectly, at least the Control 
     Percentage of the voting rights of the Borrower having ordinary voting 
     power in the election of directors of the Borrower or (ii), any other 
     Person or "group" (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the 
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (other than Jupiter and its 
     Affiliates) shall have acquired control of 35% or more of the voting rights
     of the Borrower having ordinary voting power in the election of directors 
     of the Borrower unless the acquisition by any such Person or "group" shall
     have been recommended by the board of directors of the Borrower;

then, and in any such event, (A) if such event is an Event of Default specified 
in clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (f) of this Section with respect to the 
Borrower, automatically the Commitments shall immediately terminate and the 
Loans hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing 
under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all amounts of L/C 
Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of

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                                      69

Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder) shall immediately
become due and payable, and (B) if such event is any other Event of Default, 
either or both of the following actions may be taken:  (i) with the consent of 
the Majority Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the 
Majority Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower 
declare the Commitments to be terminated forthwith, whereupon the Commitments 
shall immediately terminate; and (ii) with the consent of the Majority Lenders, 
the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Majority Lenders, the 
Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans 
hereunder (with accrued interest thereon) and all other amounts owing under this
Agreement to be due and payable forthwith, whereupon the same shall immediately 
become due and payable.  

          With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which 
presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration 
pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in 
a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to 
the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. The 
Borrower hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the 
Issuing Bank and the L/C Participants, a security interest in such cash 
collateral to secure all obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement and 
the other Loan Documents. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be 
applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts drawn under such 
Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of 
Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to 
repay other obligations of the Borrower hereunder and under the Notes. After all
such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, all 
Reimbursement Obligations shall have been satisfied and all other obligations of
the Borrower hereunder and under the Notes shall have been paid in full, the 
Administrative Agent shall return the balance, if any, in such cash collateral 
account to the Borrower and shall execute documents to terminate its security 
interest in such cash collateral.  The Borrower shall execute and deliver to the
Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank and the L/C 
Participants, such further documents and instruments as the Administrative Agent
may request to evidence the creation and perfection of the security interest in
such cash collateral account.

          Except as expressly provided above in this Section, presentment, 
demand, protest and all other notices of any kind are hereby expressly waived.


                    SECTION 9.  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

          9.1  APPOINTMENT.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably designates and 
appoints the Administrative Agent as the agent of such Lender under this 
Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and each such Lender irrevocably 
authorizes the Administrative Agent, in such capacity, to take such action on 
its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents 
and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated 
to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan 
Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in this Agreement, the 
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those
expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and 

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                                      70

no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or 
liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or 
otherwise exist against the Administrative Agent.

          9.2  DELEGATION OF DUTIES.  The Administrative Agent may execute any 
of its duties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents by or through 
agents or attorneys-in-fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel 
concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.  The Administrative Agent 
shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any administrative 
agents or attorneys in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

          9.3  EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any
of its officers, directors, employees, administrative 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 or any 
other Loan Document (except for its or such Person's own gross negligence or 
willful misconduct) or (ii) responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders for 
any recitals, statements, representations or warranties made by the Borrower or 
any officer thereof contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document or in
any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for
in, or received by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with, this 
Agreement or any other Loan Document or for the value, validity, effectiveness, 
genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan 
Document or for any failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations hereunder
or thereunder.  The Administrative Agent shall not be under any obligation to 
any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any
of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other 
Loan Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the Borrower.

          9.4  RELIANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  The Administrative Agent shall
be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any Note, 
writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telecopy,
telex or teletype message, statement, order or other document or conversation 
believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made 
by the proper Person or Persons and upon advice and statements of legal counsel 
(including, without limitation, counsel to the Borrower), independent 
accountants and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent.  The 
Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the owner 
thereof for all purposes unless a written notice of assignment, negotiation or 
transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent.  The 
Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any
action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless it shall first 
receive such advice or concurrence of the Majority Lenders as it deems 
appropriate or it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders 
against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason 
of taking or continuing to take any such action.  The Administrative Agent shall
in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under 
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in accordance with a request of the 
Majority Lenders, and such request and any action taken or failure to act 
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and all future holders of
the Loans.

          9.5  NOTICE OF DEFAULT.  The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed 
to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default
hereunder unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or 

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                                      71

the Borrower 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 Administrative Agent receives such a notice, the Administrative Agent 
shall give notice thereof to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall take 
such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be 
reasonably directed by the Majority Lenders; PROVIDED that unless and until the 
Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative 
Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from 
taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall
deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders.

          9.6  NON-RELIANCE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND OTHER LENDERS.  Each 
Lender expressly acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent nor any of 
its officers, directors, employees, administrative agents, attorneys-in-fact or 
Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it and that no act by 
the Administrative Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs 
of the Borrower, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by
the Administrative Agent to any Lender.  Each Lender represents to the 
Administrative Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon the 
Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and 
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and
investigation into the business, operations, property, financial and other 
condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower and made its own decision to make
its Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also represents 
that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent 
or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall 
deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, 
appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigation as it deems necessary 
to inform itself as to the business, operations, property, financial and other 
condition and creditworthiness of the Borrower.  Except for notices, reports and
other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the 
Administrative Agent hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty
or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information 
concerning the business, operations, property, condition (financial or 
otherwise), prospects or creditworthiness of the Borrower which may come into 
the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its officers, directors, 
employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

          9.7  INDEMNIFICATION.  The Lenders agree to indemnify the 
Administrative Agent in its capacity as such (to the extent not reimbursed by 
the Borrower and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), 
ratably according to their respective Voting Percentages in effect on the date 
on which indemnification is sought, from and against any and all liabilities, 
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, 
expenses or disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time 
(including, without limitation, at any time following the payment of the Loans) 
be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent in any 
way relating to or arising out of, the Commitments, this Agreement, any of the 
other Loan Documents or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or 
therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken 
or omitted by the Administrative Agent under or in connection with any of the 
foregoing; PROVIDED that no Lender shall be liable for the payment of any 
portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, 
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting solely from the 

<PAGE>
                                      72

Administrative Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The agreements 
in this subsection shall survive the payment of the Loans and all other amounts
payable hereunder.

          9.8  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY.  The 
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept deposits from 
and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower as though the 
Administrative Agent were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the 
other Loan Documents.  With respect to the Loans made by it and with respect to 
any Letter of Credit issued or participated in by it, the Administrative Agent 
shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan 
Documents as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the 
Administrative Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders" shall include the 
Administrative Agent in its individual capacity.

          9.9  SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  The Administrative Agent may 
resign as Administrative Agent upon 10 days' notice to the Lenders.  If the 
Administrative Agent shall resign as Administrative Agent under this Agreement 
and the other Loan Documents, then the Majority Lenders shall appoint from among
the Lenders a successor agent for the Lenders, which successor agent (provided 
that it shall have been approved by the Borrower), shall succeed to the rights, 
powers and duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder.  Effective upon such 
appointment and approval, the term "Administrative Agent" shall mean such 
successor agent, and the former Administrative Agent's rights, powers and duties
as Administrative Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act or
deed on the part of such former Administrative Agent or any of the parties to 
this Agreement or any holders of the Loans.  After any retiring Administrative 
Agent's resignation as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Section 8 
shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken  or omitted to be taken by it
while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan 
Documents.

                          SECTION 10.  MISCELLANEOUS

          10.1  AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.  Neither this Agreement nor any other 
Loan Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof may be amended, supplemented, 
waived or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. 
The Majority Lenders may, or, with the written consent of the Majority Lenders, 
the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, (a) enter into with the 
Borrower written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the 
other Loan Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this Agreement 
or the other Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders 
or of the Borrower hereunder or thereunder or (b) waive, on such terms and 
conditions as the Majority Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may 
be, may specify in such instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents or any Default or Event of Default and its 
consequences; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such waiver and no such amendment, 
supplement or modification shall (i) reduce the amount or extend the scheduled 
date of maturity of any Loan or of any installment thereof, or reduce the stated
rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder or extend the scheduled date of 
any payment thereof or increase the amount or extend the expiration date of any 
Lender's Commitment, in each case without the consent of each Lender affected 
thereby, or (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this subsection or 
subsection 2.16, or reduce the percentage specified in the definition of 

<PAGE>
                                      73

Majority Lenders, or consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of 
any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan 
Documents or, subject to the proviso below, release the Subsidiaries Guarantee 
or all or any substantial part of the Collateral, in each case without the 
written consent of all the Lenders; provided, that with respect to a release of 
the Subsidiaries Guarantee or all or any substantial part of the Collateral 
relating solely to the obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in
connection with a Hedge Agreement entered into with any Lender, the written 
consent of the Lender affected thereby, or (iii) increase any of the percentages
specified in the Borrowing Base, or increase the Overadvance Limit, or increase 
the Uncovered L/C Amount, in each case, without the written consent of all the 
Lenders, or (iv) amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 9 without the 
written consent of the then Administrative Agent.  Any such waiver and any such 
amendment, supplement or modification shall apply equally to each of the Lenders
and shall be binding upon the Borrower, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent 
and all future holders of the Loans.  In the case of any waiver, the Borrower, 
the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former 
positions and rights hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and any 
Default or Event of Default waived shall be deemed to be cured and not 
continuing; no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or 
Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

          10.2  NOTICES.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the 
respective parties hereto to be effective shall be in writing (including by 
facsimile transmission) and, unless otherwise expressly provided herein, shall 
be deemed to have been duly given or made (a) in the case of delivery by hand, 
when delivered, (b) in the case of delivery by mail, three days after being 
deposited in the mails, postage prepaid, or (c) in the case of delivery by 
facsimile transmission, when sent and receipt has been confirmed, addressed as 
follows in the case of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing 
Banks, and as set forth on its signature page hereto in the case of the other 
parties hereto, or to such other address as may be hereafter notified by the 
respective parties hereto:

     The Borrower:           Core-Mark International, Inc.
                             395 Oyster Point Boulevard, Suite 415
                             South San Francisco, CA 94080
                             Attention: Leo F. Korman
                             Fax: 415-952-4284

    The Administrative
     Agent:                  The Chase Manhattan Bank
                             1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, 4th Floor
                             New York, New York 10081
                             Attention: Mary Cameron
                             Fax: 212-552-4266

<PAGE>
                                      74

    with a copy to:          Chase Agent Bank Services
                             140 East 45th Street, 29th Floor
                             New York, New York  10017
                             Attention: Janet Belden
                             Fax: 212-622-0002

    The Issuing Bank:        Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware
                             1201 Market Street
                             Wilmington, Delaware 19801
                             Attention: Michael Handago
                             Fax: 302-428-3390


PROVIDED that any notice, request or demand to or upon the Administrative Agent 
or the Lenders pursuant to subsection 2.2, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 2.10 or 2.15 shall not
be effective until received.

          10.3  NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.  No failure to exercise and no 
delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any 
right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under the other Loan Documents 
shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of 
any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further 
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.
The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and 
not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

          10.4  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  All representations
and warranties made hereunder, in the other Loan Documents and in any document, 
certificate or statement delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith 
shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the
Loans hereunder.

          10.5  PAYMENT OF EXPENSES AND TAXES.  The Borrower agrees (a) to pay 
or reimburse the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates for all its reasonable 
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, 
execution, delivery and administration of, and any amendment, supplement or 
modification to, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any other 
documents prepared in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation and
administration of the transactions contemplated hereby including, without 
limitation, the fees specified in subsection 6.7 and monthly collateral 
monitoring fees, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and 
disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, (b) to pay or reimburse 
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for all their out-of-pocket costs and 
expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement or preservation of any 
rights under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any such other 
documents, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements 
of counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, (c) to pay, indemnify, 
and hold the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders (and their 
respective officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents) harmless from,
any and all recording and filing fees and any and all liabilities with respect 
to, or resulting from any delay in paying, stamp, excise and other like taxes, 
if any, which may be payable or determined to be payable in connection with the 
execution and delivery of, or consummation or administration of any of the 

<PAGE>
                                      75

transactions contemplated by, or any amendment, supplement or modification of, 
or any waiver or consent under or in respect of, this Agreement, the other Loan 
Documents and any such other documents, and (d) to pay, indemnify, and hold the 
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates and the Lenders (and their respective 
officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents) harmless from and against 
any and all other liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature 
whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery, enforcement, performance and
administration of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or of the financing
contemplated thereby or the use or the proposed use of the proceeds thereof 
(other than matters the subject matter of which is covered by clauses (a), (b) 
or (c) above), including, without limitation, any of the foregoing relating to 
the violation of, noncompliance with or liability under, any Environmental Law 
applicable to the operations of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of 
the Properties (all the foregoing in this clause (d), collectively, the 
"indemnified liabilities"), PROVIDED that the Borrower shall have no obligation 
hereunder to the Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to indemnified 
liabilities arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the 
Administrative Agent or any such Lender or arising from events or actions 
occurring after any Lender has taken possession of the property at issue by 
foreclosure or otherwise.  The agreements in this subsection shall survive 
repayment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.

          10.6  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS.  (a) 
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, 
the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and their respective successors and 
permitted assigns.  The Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of each 
Lender.

          (b)  Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its commercial banking 
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more 
banks or other entities ("PARTICIPANTS") participating interests in any Loan 
owing to such Lender, any Commitment of such Lender or any other interest of 
such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, provided that each 
such sale shall be of Loans and Commitments in an aggregate amount of at least 
$5,000,000 and provided further, that no Lender may so sell its Commitments so 
that less than $5,000,000 of such Commitments are held by such Lender without 
participating interests therein, unless such Lender so sells 100% of its 
Commitments, in each case, unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the 
Administrative Agent.  In the event of any such sale by a Lender of a 
participating interest to a Participant, such Lender's obligations under this 
Agreement to the other parties to this Agreement shall remain unchanged, such 
Lender shall remain solely responsible for the performance thereof, such Lender 
shall remain the holder of any such Loan for all purposes under this Agreement 
and the other Loan Documents, and the Borrower and the Administrative Agent 
shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with 
such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan 
Documents.  No Lender shall be entitled to create in favor of any Participant, 
in the participation agreement pursuant to which such Participant's 
participating interest shall be created or otherwise, any right to vote on, 
consent to or approve any matter relating to this Agreement or any other Loan 
Document except for those specified in clauses (i) and (ii) of the proviso to 
subsection 10.1.  The Borrower agrees that if amounts outstanding under this 
Agreement are due or unpaid, or shall have been declared or shall have become 
due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, each Participant 

<PAGE>
                                      76

shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, be deemed to have the 
right of setoff in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under 
this Agreement to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest
were owing directly to it as a Lender under this Agreement, PROVIDED that, in 
purchasing such participating interest, such Participant shall be deemed to have
agreed to share with the Lenders the proceeds thereof as provided in subsection 
10.7(a) as fully as if it were a Lender hereunder.  The Borrower also agrees 
that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of subsections 2.18, 
2.19 and 2.20 (Requirements of Law, Taxes and Indemnity) with respect to its 
participation in the Commitments and the Loans outstanding from time to time as 
if it was a Lender; PROVIDED that, in the case of subsection 2.19 (Taxes), such 
Participant shall have complied with the requirements of said subsection and 
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that no Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater 
amount pursuant to any such subsection than the transferor Lender would have 
been entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation 
transferred by such transferor Lender to such Participant had no such transfer 
occurred.

          (c)  Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its commercial banking 
business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time and from time to 
time assign to any Lender or any Affiliate thereof or, with the consent of the 
Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank (which in each case 
shall not be unreasonably withheld), to an additional bank or financial 
institution (an "ASSIGNEE") all or any part of its rights and obligations under 
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents pursuant to an Assignment and 
Acceptance, substantially in the form of Exhibit K, executed by such Assignee, 
such assigning Lender (and, in the case of an Assignee that is not then a Lender
or an affiliate thereof, by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the 
Issuing Bank) and delivered to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance and 
recording in the Register, PROVIDED that, each such sale be of Loans and 
Commitments of an aggregate amount of at least $5,000,000 and provided further, 
that no Lender party to this Agreement on the date hereof may so sell any of its
initial Commitments hereunder such that such Lender holds directly less than 
$5,000,000 of such Commitments unless such Lender so sells 100% of its 
Commitments.  Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and 
after the effective date determined pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, 
(x) the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent PROVIDED 
in such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender 
hereunder with a Commitment as set forth therein PROVIDED that, no Assignee 
shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to subsection 2.19 than
the assignor Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect of the amount
assigned by such assignor Lender to such Assignee had no such assignment 
occurred, and (y) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent provided 
in such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this 
Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the 
remaining portion of an assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this 
Agreement, such assigning Lender shall cease to be a party hereto). 
Notwithstanding any provision of this paragraph (c) and paragraph (e) of this 
subsection, the consent of the Borrower shall not be required, and, unless 
requested by the Assignee and/or the assigning Lender, new Notes shall not be 
required to be executed and delivered by the Borrower, for any assignment which 
occurs at any time when any of the events described in Section 8(f) shall have 
occurred and be continuing.

<PAGE>
                                      77

          (d)  The Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Borrower, shall 
maintain at the address of the Administrative Agent referred to in subsection 
10.2 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register 
(the "REGISTER") for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders 
and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender
from time to time.  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the 
absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the 
Lenders may (and, in the case of any Loan or other obligation hereunder not 
evidenced by a Note, shall) treat each Person whose name is recorded in the 
Register as the owner of a Loan or other obligation hereunder as the owner 
thereof for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, 
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  Any assignment of any Loan or other
obligation hereunder not evidenced by a Note shall be effective only upon 
appropriate entries with respect thereto being made in the Register.  The 
Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any 
reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

          (e)  Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by an 
assigning Lender and an Assignee (and, in the case of an Assignee that is not 
then a Lender or an affiliate thereof, by the Borrower and the Administrative 
Agent) together with payment to the Administrative Agent of a registration and 
processing fee of $3,500, the Administrative Agent shall (i) promptly accept 
such Assignment and Acceptance and (ii) on the effective date determined 
pursuant thereto record the information contained therein in the Register and 
give notice of such acceptance and recordation to the Lenders and the Borrower. 


          (f)  Subject to subsection 10.16, the Borrower authorizes each Lender 
to disclose to any Participant or Assignee (each, a "TRANSFEREE") and any 
prospective Transferee any and all financial information in such Lender's 
possession concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates which has been delivered 
to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or 
which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower in 
connection with such Lender's credit evaluation of the Borrower and its 
Affiliates prior to becoming a party to this Agreement.

          (g)  For avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement acknowledge
that the provisions of this subsection concerning assignments of Loans and Notes
relate only to absolute assignments and that such provisions do not prohibit 
assignments creating security interests, including, without limitation, any 
pledge or assignment by a Lender of any Loan or Note to any Federal Reserve Bank
in accordance with applicable law. 

          10.7  ADJUSTMENTS; SET-OFF.  (a)  If any Lender (a "BENEFITTED 
LENDER") shall at any time receive any payment of all or part of its Loans or 
the Reimbursement Obligations owing to it, or interest thereon, or receive any 
collateral in respect thereof (whether voluntarily or involuntarily, by set-off,
pursuant to events or proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 8(f), or 
otherwise), in a greater proportion than any such payment to or collateral 
received by any other Lender, if any, in respect of such other Lender's Loans or
the Reimbursements Obligations owing to it, or interest thereon, such benefitted
Lender shall purchase for cash from the other Lenders a participating interest 
in such portion of each such other Lender's Loans, or the Reimbursement 
Obligations owing to it, or shall provide such other Lenders with the benefits 
of any such collateral, or the proceeds thereof, as shall be necessary to cause 
such benefitted Lender to share the excess payment or benefits of such 

<PAGE>
                                      78

collateral or proceeds ratably with each of the Lenders; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
if all or any portion of such excess payment or benefits is thereafter recovered
from such benefitted Lender, such purchase shall be rescinded, and the purchase 
price and benefits returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without 
interest.

          (b)  In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by
law, each Lender shall have the right, without prior notice to the Borrower, any
such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by 
applicable law, upon any amount becoming due and payable by the Borrower 
hereunder (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) to 
set-off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits 
(general or special, time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and
any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time 
held or owing by such Lender or any branch or agency thereof to or for the
credit or the account of the Borrower.  Each Lender agrees promptly to notify 
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application
made by such Lender, PROVIDED that the failure to give such notice shall not 
affect the validity of such set-off and application.

          10.8  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed by one or more of 
the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including 
by facsimile transmission), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be
deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.  A set of the copies of this 
Agreement signed by all the parties shall be lodged with the Borrower and the 
Administrative Agent.

          10.9  SEVERABILITY.  Any provision of this Agreement which is 
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, 
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without 
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or 
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render 
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

          10.10  INTEGRATION.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents 
represent the agreement of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the 
Lenders with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no promises, 
undertakings, representations or warranties by the Administrative Agent or any 
Lender relative to subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to 
herein or in the other Loan Documents.

          10.11  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS 
OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          10.12  SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVERS.  The Borrower hereby 
irrevocably and unconditionally:

          (a)  submits for itself and its property in any legal action or 
     proceeding relating to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which
     it is a party, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgement in 
     respect thereof, to the non-exclusive general jurisdiction of the Courts of

<PAGE>
                                      79

     the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, the courts of 
     the United States of America for the Southern District of New York, and 
     appellate courts from any thereof;

          (b)  consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in 
     such courts and waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to 
     the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such 
     action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to
     plead or claim the same;

          (c)  agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding 
     may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail 
     (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to the 
     Borrower at its address set forth in subsection 10.2 or at such other 
     address of which the Administrative Agent shall have been notified pursuant
     thereto;

          (d)  agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right to effect 
     service of process in any other manner permitted by law or shall limit the 
     right to sue in any other jurisdiction; and

          (e)  waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it
     may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to 
     in this subsection any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential 
     damages.
  
          10.13  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that:

          (a)  it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation, execution and 
     delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

          (b)  neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender has any fiduciary
     relationship with or duty to the Borrower arising out of or in connection 
     with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, and the 
     relationship between Administrative Agent and Lenders, on one hand, and the
     Borrower, on the other hand, in connection herewith or therewith is solely 
     that of debtor and creditor; and

          (c)  no joint venture is created hereby or by the other Loan Documents
     or otherwise exists by virtue of the transactions contemplated hereby among
     the Lenders or among the Borrower and the Lenders.

          10.14  WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL.  THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT 
AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN 
ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN 
DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

          10.15  JUDGMENT CURRENCY.  (a)  If, for the purposes of obtaining 
judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due under any of the 
Loan Documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in any currency (the 
"Original Currency") into another currency (the "Other Currency"), the parties 
hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the 
rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking 

<PAGE>
                                      80

procedures the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, could 
purchase the Original Currency with the Other Currency on the Business Day 
preceding that on which final judgment is paid or satisfied.

          (b)  The obligations of the Borrower in respect of any sum due in the 
Original Currency from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any of
the Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in any Other Currency, be
discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the 
Administrative Agent or such Lender of any sum adjudged to be so due in such 
Other Currency, the Administrative Lender or such Lender, as the case may be, 
may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Original Currency 
with such Other Currency.  If the amount of the Original Currency so purchased 
is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or the Lender, 
as the case may be, in the Original Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate
obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the 
Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss, and 
if the amount of the Original Currency so purchased exceeds the sum originally 
due to the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, in the 
Original Currency, the Administrative Agent and such Lender, as the case may be,
agree to remit such excess to the Borrower.

          10.16  CONFIDENTIALITY.  The Administrative Agent and each Lender 
agrees to keep confidential all non-public information provided to it by or on 
behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is designated by the Borrower or 
any Subsidiary as confidential; PROVIDED that nothing herein shall prevent the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender from disclosing any such information (a) to 
the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (b) to any Transferee or 
prospective Transferee which agrees to comply with the provisions of this 
subsection 10.16, (c) to the employees, directors, agents, attorneys, 
accountants and other professional advisors of such Lender for purposes related 
to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, (d) upon the request or 
demand of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Administrative
Agent or such Lender, (e) in response to any order of any court or other 
Governmental Authority or as may otherwise be required pursuant to applicable 
law or regulation, (f) which has been publicly disclosed other than in breach of
this subsection 10.16, or (g) in connection with the exercise of any remedy 
hereunder or under any other Loan Document.



<PAGE>
                                      81

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

                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                       
                                       
                                       By: /s/ Leo F. Korman
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Leo F. Korman
                                          Title:  Senior Vice President, 
                                                  Chief Financial Officer and
                                                  Secretary
                                       
                                       
                                       THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                                        as Administrative Agent and as a Lender
                                       
                                       
                                       By: /s/ Marian N. Schulman
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Marian N. Schulman
                                          Title: Attorney-In-Fact
                                       
<PAGE>
                                      82
                                       

                                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF 
                                       BOSTON, as a Lender
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       By: /s/ Abraham Weekes  
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name: Abraham Weekes
                                          Title:  Vice President
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       Address for Notices:
                                       BANK OF BOSTON
                                       100 Federal Street
                                       Boston, MA  02110
                                       Attention: Abraham Weekes
                                       Telecopy: 617-434-6241

<PAGE>
                                      83


                                       UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, 
                                       N.A., as a Lender
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       By: /s/ Alison Amonette
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Alison Amonette
                                          Title: Vice President
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       Address for Notices:
                                       UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
                                       400 California Street
                                       17th Floor
                                       San Francisco, CA 94104
                                       Attention: Alison Amonette
                                       Telecopy: (415) 765-2634


<PAGE>
                                      84


                                       BANK OF MONTREAL, as a Lender
                                       
                                                                             
                                       By: /s/ M.P. Joyce
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  M.P. Joyce
                                          Title: Managing Director
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       Address for Notices:
                                       BANK OF MONTREAL
                                       601 South Figueroa Street
                                       Los Angeles, CA  90017
                                       Attention: Brenda Buttner
                                       Telecopy: 213-239-0680


<PAGE>
                                      85


                                       FIRST SOURCE FINANCIAL LLP, as 
                                       a Lender by First Source 
                                       Financial, Inc., its 
                                       Agent/Manager
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       By: /s/ Gary L. Francis
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Gary L. Francis
                                          Title: Senior Vice President
                                       
                                       
                                          
                                       Address for Notices:
                                       FIRST SOURCE FINANCIAL, INC.
                                       2850 West Golf Road, 5th Floor
                                       Rolling Meadows, IL  60008
                                       Attention: Kelli Campbell
                                       Telecopy: 847-734-7910
                                       

<PAGE>
                                      86


                                       LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., 
                                       as a Lender 
                                       
                                       
                                       By: /s/ John W. Mundstock
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  John W. Mundstock
                                          Title: Vice President
                                       
                                       
                                          
                                       Address for Notices:
                                       LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. 
                                       One Centerpointe Drive, Suite 
                                       100
                                       Lake Oswego, OR 97035
                                       Attention: John Mundstock
                                       Telecopy: 503-684-4665
                                       
<PAGE>
                                      87


                                       SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT 
                                       CORPORATION, as a Lender 
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       By: /s/ Robert J. Price
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Name:  Robert J. Price
                                          Title:  First Vice President
                                       
                                       
                                          
                                       Address for Notices:
                                       SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT 
                                       Corporation 
                                       550 North Brand Blvd.
                                       Glendale, CA 91203
                                       Attention: Sandra Sha
                                       Telecopy: 818-545-0095
                                       

<PAGE>
                                      88


                                       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL 
                                       PRIME RATE INCOME TRUST, as a 
                                       Lender 
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       By: /s/ Brian W. Good
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  BRIAN W. GOOD
                                          Title:  VICE PRESIDENT
                                       
                                       
                                          
                                       Address for Notices:
                                       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL 
                                       PRIME RATE INCOME TRUST
                                       One Parkview Plaza
                                       Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
                                       Attention: Jeffrey W. Maillet
                                       Telecopy: 708-684-6740
                                       


                                SCHEDULE 1.1(a)

                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                             COMMITMENT ALLOCATIONS
                                  $210,000,000

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
        BANKS                         REVOLVING CREDIT                    TERM LOAN                TOTAL ALLOCATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                            <C>                          <C>            
The Chase Manhattan Bank               $86,666,666.67                 $17,333,333.33               $104,000,000.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Van Kampen                              17,500,000.00                   3,500,000.00                 21,000,000.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Union Bank of California                12,500,000.00                   2,500,000.00                 15,000,000.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank of Montreal                        12,500,000.00                   2,500,000.00                 15,000,000.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Source                            12,500,000.00                   2,500,000.00                 15,000,000.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LaSalle Bus. Credit                     12,500,000.00                   2,500,000.00                 15,000,000.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sanwa Bus. Credit                       12,500,000.00                   2,500,000.00                 15,000,000.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank of Boston                           8,333,333.33                   1,666,666.67                 10,000,000.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 TOTALS                175,000,000.00                  35,000,000.00               $210,000,000.00
====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 4.2
                                     CHANGES




                                     -none-

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 4.4
                                    CONSENTS




                                     -none-

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 4.6
                                   LITIGATION


Carol A. Connor v. The American Tobacco Company, et al., CV-96-05497, Second
Judicial District Court, County of Bernalillo, New Mexico. The complaint,
brought against the major tobacco companies and certain distributors, lists a
subsidiary of the Company as a defendant. The Company was never served. The
plaintiff has voluntarily dismissed the case without prejudice "to allow the
Plaintiffs additional time in which to realign the parties, amend the Complaint,
and possibly add additional representative plaintiffs." Both Philip Morris and
R.J. Reynolds have fully indemnified the Company and its subsidiary against all
liability and fees in connection with this litigation. Philip Morris and R.J.
Reynolds will, if the case is brought, defend the Company's subsidiary.

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 4.8
                          OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY; LIENS




                                     -none-

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 4.9
                             INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY




                                     -none-

<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 4.11
                                     TAXES
                                    (page 1)

Tax Filings

All Federal and State income tax extensions for fiscal year ended 12/31/95 have
been filed as customary and in the ordinar course of business.


Tax Liens

See attached schedule

<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 4.11
                                     TAXES
                                    (page 2)

                                 TAX LIENS ONLY
   UCC-1 AND UCC-2/UCC-3 FINANCING STATEMENTS AGAINST THE DEBTORS NAMED BELOW


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE    [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]           CAPTION]     CAPTION]     CAPTION]     CAPTION]      CAPTION]      CAPTION]     [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>             <C>       <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>         <C>                   
Core-Mark Distributors Inc.                   CA        Alameda       7/2/90                     Secured     State Tax Lien for 
3130 Leanis Bl.                                         County      90-180344                    Property    fiscal year 1986/87 
Los Angeles, CA 90058                                                                             Taxes      for $411.30
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                  Page 1 of 1

<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 4.13
                                     ERISA

Present Value of Accrued Benefits

The Core-mark International, Inc. Non-Bargaining Employees Pension Plan as per
the 1/1/95 actuarial valuation had a market value of assets of $10,892,840 and a
total current liability of $14,150,842.

Withdrawals

Core-Mark International, Inc. withdrew from the following plans:

Plan Name:   Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan #204130
Effective:   June 30, 1986
Division:    Hayward
Reason:      Bargaining unit of sales representatives represented by Teamsters 
             Union Local 588 voted to decertify the union on May 17, 1996. Those
             election results were subsequently certified by the National Labor 
             Relations Board on May 29, 1996.

Plan Name:   Western Conference of Teamsters Pention Plan #310641
Effective:   July 1, 1996
Division:    Las Vegas
Reason:      Contract Negotiations; employees now covered by a new collective 
             bargaining agreement effective March 31, 1996 through March 31, 
             1999.

Plan Name:   Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan #204128
Effective:   December 31, 1992
Division:    Carpenteria
Reason:      Cessation of operations effective December 31, 1992

Withdrawal Liability

Per a letter dated July 1, 1996 from the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension
Trust: the employer has no withdrawal liability for a complete or partial
withdrawal from the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan ("the Plan")
occurring in plan year 1995; the Plan has no unfunded, vested benefit liability
for plan years December 31, 1988 - 1994; and this trend is expected to continue,
but the Trustees for the Plan reserve the right to determine future withdrawal
liability based upon actual plan experience.

Two of the above plans (#204130 and #310641) are subject to audits which could
result in assessments on past contributions. Per a letter dated February 29,
1996, the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust concluded their audit of
the third plan, #204128, and the assessment has been paid.

<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 4.15
                                  SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name of                             State of               Date of                  Shares          Shares             Percentage
Subsidiary                          Incorporation          Incorporation            Authorized      Outstanding        Outstanding
- ----------                          -------------          -------------            ----------      -----------        -----------

<S>                                 <C>                    <C>                      <C>             <C>                <C>
C/M Products, Inc.                  California             7/19/89                  1,000           100                10%
Sole Shareholder:
  Core-Mark International, Inc.

Core-Mark Interrelated
  Companies, Inc.                   California             4/14/75                  1,000,000       1,000,000          100%

Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.        Arkansas               7/2/81                   2,000           2,000              100%
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                 SCHEDULE 4.17
                             ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The company has five underground storage tanks (UST) located at the following
properties

      Location                          Number of USTs
      --------                          --------------

1. 353 Meyer Street                          2
    Corona, CA 91720

2. 3970 Pell Circle                          1
    Sacramento, CA 95838

3. 2311 E. 48th Street                       1
    Vernon, CA 90058

4. 13951 Bridgeport Road                     1
    Richmond, BC, V6V 1J6, Canada

<PAGE>

                                SCHEDULE 4.19(b)
                          SECURITY DOCUMENTS; OFFICES

Financing Statements

Debtor                                     Filing Jurisdiction

Core-Mark International, Inc.              Arizona - Secretary of State
Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.               California - Secretary of State
Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc.     Colorado - Secretary of State
Core-Mark Distributors, Inc.               Nevada - Secretary of State
C/M Products, Inc.                         New Mexico - Secretary of State
                                           Oregon - Secretary of State
                                           Utah - Secretary of State
                                           Washington - Secretary of State
                                           Canada - Alberta Provincial Registrar
                                                               General
                                           Canada - British Columbia Provincial
                                                               Registrar General
                                           Canada - Manitoba Personal Property
                                                               Registry

                                  SCHEDULE 7.2
                                  INDEBTEDNESS

                               Letters of Credit

      ISSUER                     BENEFICIARY                        AMOUNT
      ------                     -----------                        ------
      
      BANK OF                       ITWAL                           C$400,000
      MONTREAL               2725321 CANADA, INC.                   C$100,000
                                                                    ---------
                                                                    C$500,000

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                                  <C>      <C>          <C>         <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Xerox Corporation                    CA       Secretary     7/18/91    Xerox Duplicating System
31300 Medallion Drive                                                              of       91155677
Hayward, CA 94544                                                                State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International          Xerox Corporation                    CA       Secretary     3/10/92    Xerox Duplicating System
31300 Medallion Drive                                                              of       92044057
Hayward, CA 94544                                                                State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Yale Industrial Trucks, Inc.         CA       Secretary     8/06/92    Yale Motorized Hand Truck
3130 South 1030 West             Assigned to:                                      of       92172268
Salt Lake City, UT 84119         Yale Financial Services, Inc.                   State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Crown Credit Company                 CA       Secretary     11/3/92    Crown Lift Truck & Batteries
2311 E. 48th Street                                                                of       92237404
Los Angeles, CA 90058                                                            State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Bell Atlantic TriCon Leasing         CA       Secretary     4/15/93    Sharp Equipment
353 Meyers Circle                                                                  of       93075712
Corona, CA 91720                                                                 State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Security Leasing Services, Inc.      CA       Secretary     8/2/93     Alarm System
2311 E. 48th Street              Assigned to:                                      of       93155811
Los Angeles, CA 90058            AVCO Leasing Services, Inc.                     State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Tennant Company                      CA       Secretary     9/20/93    Power Scrubber
353 Meyers Circle                                                                  of       93191058
Corona, CA 91720                                                                 State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 1 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                                 <C>       <C>          <C>           <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Xerox Corporation                   CA        Secretary      10/8/93      Xerox Copier
2311 E. 48th Street                                                                of        93205557
Los Angeles, CA 90058                                                            State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core Mark International          Pitney Bowes Credit Corp.           CA        Secretary      4/25/96      All Equipment from Pitney
31300 Medallion Drive                                                              of       9611760204     Bowes subject to 
Hayward, CA 94544                                                                State                     lease dated 3/29/96.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International          Norwest Financial Leasing.          CA        Secretary      5/9/96       Radionic Control 
2311 E. 48th Street              Inc.                                              of       9613160876     Equipment
Los Angeles, CA 90058                                                            State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Yale Industrial Trucks, Inc.        UT        Secretary      8/5/92       Yale Motorized Hand Truck
3130 South 1030 West                                                               of         331764
Salt Lake City, UT 84119                                                         State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Orix Credit Alliance, Inc.          UT        Secretary      3/2/93       Voice Mail Unit
3130 S. 1030 W                                                                     of         352276
Salt Lake City, UT 84119                                                         State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Tennant Company                     UT        Secretary         ?         Power Scrubber
3130 S. 130 W                                                                      of        96-519049
Salt Lake City, UT 84119                                                         State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark Interrelated           General Electric Company            CA        Secretary      5/17/91      Inventory-Lamps and 
Companies, Inc.                                                                    of        91109021      Light Bulbs
2840 South Reservoir Street                                                      State
Pomona, CA 91766
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 2 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                               <C>                                <C>       <C>          <C>          <C>
Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.       NCR Credit Corp                   CA        Secretary      8/3/95     AT&T Equipment & All 
395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415                                                  of       9521960399   Attachments
South San Francisco, CA 94080                                                    State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.       First Security Leasing Company    NM        Secretary      4/24/95    Stationary Compactor
395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415                                                  of        950424067
South San Francisco, CA 94080                                                    State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark Distributors, Inc.       Yale Financial Services Trust     CA        Secretary      2/18/87    Fork Lift Trucks & 
1800 N. Vine St.                   Assigned to:                                    of        87041979    All Accessories
Los Angeles, CA 90028              Heller Financial, Inc.                        State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark Distributors, Inc.       PacifiCorp Capital, Inc.          CA        Secretary      11/5/91    AT&T Equipment
395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415                                                  of        91237851
South San Francisco, CA 94080                                                    State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark Distributors, Inc.       Norlift of Oregon, Inc.           OR        Secretary      1/6/93     Forklift
PO Box 99                                                                          of      R38518 (old)
Clackamas, OR 97015                                                              State     162206 (new)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark Distributors, Inc.       Wheeler Machinery Company         UT        Secretary     12/17/91    Equipment
643 West 3560 South                Assigned to:                                    of         307812
Salt Lake City, UT 84119           Raymond Leasing Corp.                         State
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 3 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                             <C>                                <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.   Xerox Canada, Ltd.                 Alberta     Personal      4/1/93     Xerox Copier
                                                                               Property    93040108453
                                                                               Registry
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.   Telecom Leasing Canada             Alberta     Personal     09/29/93    Telephone Equipment
                                 (TLC) Limited                                 Property    93092907018
                                                                               Registry
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.   Xerox Canada, Ltd.                 Alberta     Personal     12/20/94    Xerox Equipment
                                                                               Property    94122006342
                                                                               Registry
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.   Transport International Pool       Alberta     Personal     08/22/95     3 Trailers
                                                                               Property    95082213869
                                                                               Registry
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.   AT&T Capital Canada                Alberta     Personal     06/24/96    Riso Model 6300 & 
                                                                               Property    96062420730  accessories
                                                                               Registry
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.   G.N. Johnston Equipment Co.           BC     Ministry of    02/28/92    Battery & Charger
2924 Jacklin Rd.                 LTD                                          Finance &      3874008
Victoria, BC                                                                  Corporate
                                                                              Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.   Telecom Leasing Canada                BC     Ministry of    06/25/92    Telephone Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601        (TLC) Limited                                Finance &      4071096
Richmond BC                                                                   Corporate     05/17/95
                                                                              Relations      5788967
                                                                                            05/17/95
                                                                                             5789636
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 4 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                                  <C>      <C>            <C>         <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Telecom Leasing Canada               BC       Ministry of     06/25/92    Telephone Equipment
2924 Jacklin Rd.                  (TLC) Limited                                 Finance &       4071146
Victoria, BC                                                                    Corporate      05/17/95
                                                                                Relations       5788968
                                                                                               05/17/95
                                                                                                5789655
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    IBM Canada Ltd.                      BC       Ministry of     12/23/92    Office Equipment / 
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                     Finance &       4374735    Computers supplied by
Richmond BC                                                                     Corporate      01/14/93    Secured Party
                                                                                Relations       4403182
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Comdisco Canada Ltd.                 BC       Ministry of     02/15/93    IBM equipment under 
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                       Finance &       4457490    master lease 
Richmond BC                                                                     Corporate      03/03/95    dated 1/13/93
                                                                                Relations       5669001
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    MFP Technology Services Ltd.         BC       Ministry of     03/09/93    Equipment per terms 
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                       Finance &       4492529    517 dated 3/3/93
Richmond BC                                                                     Corporate      08/20/93
                                                                                Relations     name change
                                                                                               03/04/96
                                                                                            address change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    MFP Technology Services Ltd.         BC       Ministry of     08/12/93    Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                       Finance &       4761308
Richmond BC                                                                     Corporate      08/20/93
                                                                                Relations     name change
                                                                                               03/04/96
                                                                                            address change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 5 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                                  <C>      <C>            <C>         <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Rentway Inc.                         BC      Ministry of      09/27/93    1994 Ford
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &        4839192
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Barclays Bank of Canada              BC      Ministry of      12/03/93    Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &        4956110
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate       03/09/95
                                                                               Relations        5678507
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    MFP Technology Services, Ltd.        BC      Ministry of      01/05/94    Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &        5001568
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate       03/04/96
                                                                               Relations    address change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    MFP Technology Services Ltd.         BC      Ministry of      03/07/94    Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &        5096864
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate       03/04/96
                                                                               Relations    address change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Rentway Inc.                         BC      Ministry of      04/13/94    1994 Freightliner
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &        5158292
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Canadian Western Bank                BC      Ministry of      04/14/94    Coldstream Coolers & 
2924 Jacklin Rd.                   Leasing Inc.                                Finance &        5160635    Accessories
Victoria, BC                                                                   Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 6 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                                 <C>      <C>          <C>             <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Barclays Bank of Canada             BC       Ministry of     08/16/94      Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &       5364783
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate      03/04/96
                                                                               Relations   address change
                                                                                              03/09/95
                                                                                               5678508
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Barclays Bank of Canada             BC       Ministry of     10/26/94      Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &       5479148
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate      03/04/96
                                                                               Relations   address change
                                                                                              03/09/95
                                                                                               5678509
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    MFP Technology Services, Ltd.       BC       Ministry of     12/21/94      Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &       5568305
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate      03/04/96
                                                                               Relations   address change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    MFP Technology Services Ltd.        BC       Ministry of     12/21/94      Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &       5568304
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate      03/04/96
                                                                               Relations   address change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    MFP Technology Services Ltd.        BC       Ministry of     02/06/95      Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &       5629923
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate      03/04/96
                                                                               Relations   address change
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 7 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                                 <C>      <C>           <C>          <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Inland Kenworth                     BC       Ministry of   04/28/95      Kenworth T300
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     5753001
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Paccar of Canada, Ltd.              BC       Ministry of   07/05/95      2 - 1994 Kenworth T400
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     5866771
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Ensign Pacific Lease Ltd.           BC       Ministry of   07/07/95      1995 Ford Taurus
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     5871444
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Inland Kenworth                     BC       Ministry of   07/13/95      2 Kenworth T400
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     5881647
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Inland Kenworth                     BC       Ministry of   08/04/95      Kenworth T800B
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     5916963
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Inland Kenworth                     BC       Ministry of   08/16/95      Kenworth T300
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     5932783
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 8 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                                 <C>      <C>          <C>           <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Paccar of Canada, Ltd.              BC       Ministry of   10/23/95      1996 Kenworth 7800
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     6046467
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Paccar of Canada, Ltd.              BC       Ministry of   10/23/95      1995 Kenworth T300
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     6046469
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Paccar of Canada, Ltd.              BC       Ministry of   07/11/95      1995 Kenworth
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140                                                    Finance &     5876306
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate    11/21/95
                                                                               Relations     6100865
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    MFP Technology Services Ltd.        BC       Ministry of   12/20/95      Computer Equipment
13211 Delf Place, Ste 601                                                      Finance &     614778
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Per. M. Enterprises Ltd DBA         BC       Ministry of   04/02/96      1989 Trailmobile
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140      Annacis Truck & Trailer Service               Finance &     6307632
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Per. M. Enterprises Ltd DBA         BC       Ministry of   04/02/96      1989 Van
13160 Vanier Place, Ste 140      Annacis Truck & Trailer Service               Finance &     6307650
Richmond BC                                                                    Corporate
                                                                               Relations
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 9 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.3
                                     LIENS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
[ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]              [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE  [ILLEGIBLE   [ILLEGIBLE CAPTION]
                                                                   CAPTION]     CAPTION]    CAPTION]
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                              <C>                               <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Paccar of Canada, Ltd.            Winnipeg                   950106-      Motor Vehicles
                                                                   Manitoba                   104393
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-Mark International, Inc.    Paccar of Canada, Ltd.            Winnipeg                   951100-      1996 Kenworth
                                                                   Manitoba                   101972
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core-mark Distributors, Inc.     CCL Leasing - Calgary             Alberta      Personal     07/27/93      Canon Copier
                                   Copier Ltd.                                  Property    93072722346
                                                                                Manager
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                  Page 10 of 10

<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 7.4
                              GUARANTEE OBLIGATIONS




                                     -none-

<PAGE>

 
                                                                   EXHIBIT A TO
                                                               CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                                               ----------------

                                    [FORM OF]


                              REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

$ _______                                                     New York, New York
                                                                  August 7, 1996



     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a 
Delaware corporation (the "BORROWER"), hereby unconditionally promises to pay 
to the order of _______ (the "LENDER") at the office of The Chase Manhattan 
Bank, located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, in lawful money 
of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, on the 
Termination Date the principal amount of (a)_______ DOLLARS ($_______), or, 
if less, (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Credit 
Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to subsection 2.1 of the 
Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined.  The Borrower further agrees to pay 
interest in like money at such office on the unpaid principal amount hereof 
from time to time outstanding at the rates and on the dates specified in 
subsections 2.11 and 2.13 of such Credit Agreement.

     The holder of this Note is authorized to endorse on the schedules 
annexed hereto and made a part hereof or on a continuation thereof which 
shall be attached hereto and made a part hereof the date, Type and amount of 
each Revolving Credit Loan made pursuant to the Credit Agreement and the date 
and amount of each payment or prepayment of principal thereof, each 
continuation thereof, each conversion of all or a portion thereof to another 
Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the length of each Interest Period 
with respect thereto.  Each such endorsement, absent manifest error, shall 
constitute PRIMA FACIE evidence of the accuracy of the information endorsed. 
The failure to make any such endorsement or any error in such endorsement 
shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower in respect of such Revolving 
Credit Loan.

     This Note (a) is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the 
Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended, supplemented or 
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among the 
Borrower, the Lender, the other banks and financial institutions from time to 
time parties thereto and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, 
(b) is subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement and (c) is subject 
to optional and mandatory prepayment in whole or in part as provided in the 
Credit Agreement.  This Note is secured and guaranteed as provided in the 
Loan Documents.  Reference is hereby made to the Loan Documents for a 
description of the properties and assets in which a security interest has 
been granted, the nature and extent of the security and the guarantees, the 
terms and conditions upon which the security interests and each guarantee 
were granted and the rights of the holder of this Note in respect thereof.


<PAGE>

                                                                             2

     Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default, all 
amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared 
to be, immediately due and payable, all as provided in the Credit Agreement.

     All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this Note, whether 
as maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, hereby waive 
presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind in connection 
with this Note.

     Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and 
used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

     THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN 
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       By: 
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                
                                                                                                                          Schedule A
                                                                                                            to Revolving Credit Note
                                                                                                            ------------------------
       
                                      LOANS, CONVERSIONS AND REPAYMENTS OF ABR LOANS


- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Amount                                 Amount of ABR Loans   
           Amount of    Converted to   Amount of Principal of        Converted to       Unpaid Principal Balance
 Date      ABR Loans      ABR Loans       ABR Loans Repaid         Eurodollar Loans          of ABR Loans         Notation Made By 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>          <C>            <C>                        <C>                   <C>                       <C>              
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     
                                                                                                                         Schedule B
                                                                                                           to Revolving Credit Note
                                                                                                          -------------------------
                           

                              LOANS, CONTINUATIONS, CONVERSIONS AND REPAYMENTS OF EURODOLLAR LOANS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Amount of      Amount           Interest Period       Amount of Principal  Amount of Eurodollar  Unpaid Principal          
        Eurodollar   Converted to      and Eurodollar Rate      of Eurodollar       Loans Converted to     Balance of      Notation
Date      Loans     Eurodollar Loans   with Respect Thereto     Loans Repaid            ABR Loans        Eurodollar Loans   Made By
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>         <C>                <C>                    <C>                  <C>                   <C>               <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT B TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                                                ----------------

                                   [FORM OF]


                                   TERM NOTE



$________                                                     New York, New York
                                                                  August 7, 1996


     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a 
Delaware  corporation (the "BORROWER"), hereby unconditionally promises to pay 
to the order of ___________________ (the "LENDER") at the office of The Chase 
Manhattan Bank, located at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017, in lawful 
money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, the 
principal amount of ________________________ DOLLARS ($_________), or, if less, 
the unpaid principal amount of the Term Loan made by the Lender pursuant to 
subsection 2.5 of the Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined.  The principal 
amount shall be paid in the amounts and on the dates specified in subsection 
2.7.  The Borrower further agrees to pay interest in like money at such office 
on the unpaid principal amount hereof from time to time outstanding at the rates
and on the dates specified in subsections 2.11 and 2.13 of such Credit 
Agreement.

     The holder of this Note is authorized to endorse on the schedules annexed 
hereto and made a part hereof or on a continuation thereof which shall be 
attached hereto and made a part hereof the date, Type and amount of the Term 
Loan and the date and amount of each payment or prepayment of principal with 
respect thereto, each conversion of all or a portion thereof to another Type, 
each continuation of all or a portion thereof as the same Type and, in the case
of Eurodollar Loans, the length of each Interest Period with respect thereto. 
Each such endorsement, absent manifest error, shall constitute PRIMA FACIE 
evidence of the accuracy of the information endorsed.  The failure to make any
such endorsement or any error in such endorsement shall not affect the 
obligations of the Borrower in respect of such Term Loan.

     This Note (a) is one of the Term Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement 
dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from 
time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among the Borrower, the Lender, the other
banks and financial institutions from time to time parties thereto and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, (b) is subject to the provisions of the
Credit Agreement and (c) is subject to optional and mandatory prepayment in 
whole or in part as provided in the Credit Agreement.  This Note is secured and 
guaranteed as provided in the Loan Documents.  Reference is hereby made to the 
Loan Documents for a description of the properties and assets in which a 
security interest has been granted, the nature and extent of the security and 
the guarantees, the terms and conditions upon which the security interests and 
each guarantee were granted and the rights of the holder of this Note in respect
thereof.

<PAGE>
                                                                              2

     Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default, all 
amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to
be, immediately due and payable, all as provided in the Credit Agreement.

      All parties now and hereafter liable with respect to this Note, whether as
maker, principal, surety, guarantor, endorser or otherwise, hereby waive 
presentment, demand, protest and all other notices of any kind in connection 
with this Note.

     Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and
used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

     THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                       
                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                       By:__________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
                                       


<PAGE>

                                                                    Schedule A
                                                              to Term Loan Note
                                                              -----------------


                               LOANS, CONVERSIONS AND REPAYMENTS OF ABR LOANS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   AMOUNT                            AMOUNT OF ABR LOANS
                                CONVERTED TO  AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL OF    CONVERTED TO     UNPAID PRINCIPAL BALANCE
   DATE    AMOUNT OF ABR LOANS   ABR LOANS       ABR LOANS REPAID     EURODOLLAR LOANS         OF ABR LOANS       NOTATIONS MADE BY
- ---------- ------------------- -------------- ---------------------- ------------------- ------------------------ -----------------
<S>        <C>                 <C>            <C>                    <C>                 <C>                      <C>            















</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                     Schedule B
                                                               to Term Loan Note
                                                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              LOANS, CONTINUATIONS, CONVERSIONS AND REPAYMENTS OF EURODOLLAR LOANS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              AMOUNT        INTEREST PERIOD AND AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF EURODOLLAR UNPAID PRINCIPAL
            AMOUNT OF      CONVERTED TO    EURODOLLAR RATE WITH  OF EURODOLLAR      LOANS CONVERTED      BALANCE OF      NOTATION
  DATE   EURODOLLAR LOANS EURODOLLAR LOANS    RESPECT THERETO     LOANS REPAID        TO ABR LOANS      EURODOLLAR LOANS  MADE BY
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>               <C>                <C>                  <C>                <C>              <C>                <C>














</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT C
                                                         TO CREDIT AGREEMENT




                              SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                    among

                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

                            C/M PRODUCTS, INC.,

                   CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC.

                                     and

                       CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC.

                                in favor of


                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK,
                         as Administrative Agent


                              August 7, 1996


<PAGE>



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


1.  Defined Terms.............................................................1
    1.1  Definitions..........................................................1
    1.2  Other Definitional Provisions........................................5
         
2.  Grant of Security Interest................................................6
         
3.  Representations and Warranties............................................7
    3.1  Title; No Other Liens................................................7
    3.2  Perfected First Priority Liens.......................................7
    3.3  Inventory and Equipment..............................................7
    3.4  Chief Executive Office...............................................7
    3.5  Farm Products........................................................7

4.  Covenants.................................................................7
    4.1  Delivery of Instruments and Chattel Paper............................7
    4.2  Maintenance of Insurance.............................................8
    4.3  Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation....8
    4.5  Further Identification of Collateral.................................9
    4.6  Notices..............................................................9
         
5.  Provisions Relating to Accounts...........................................9
    5.1  Grantors Remain Liable under Accounts................................9
    5.2  Analysis of Accounts................................................10
    5.3  Collections on Accounts.............................................10
    5.4  Maintaining the US Cash Collateral Account and the L/C Cash
         Collateral Account..................................................10
    5.5  Maintaining the Depository Accounts, the Deposit Accounts,
         the Canadian Cash Collateral Account and the Collection Accounts....11
    5.6  Investing of Amounts in the US Cash Collateral Account and 
         the L/C Cash Collateral Account.....................................12
    5.7  Application and Release of Funds....................................12
    5.8  Representations and Warranties......................................13
    5.9  Covenants...........................................................13
         
6.  Provisions Relating to Contracts.........................................14
    6.1  Borrower Remains Liable under Contracts.............................14
    6.2  Communication With Contracting Parties..............................14
    6.3  Representations and Warranties......................................14
    6.4  Covenants...........................................................15
         
7.  Provisions Relating to Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks................15
    7.1  Representations and Warranties......................................15
    7.2  Covenants...........................................................16

8.  Remedies.................................................................17

                                      i

<PAGE>

     8.1  Notice to Obligors and Contract Parties............................17
     8.2  Proceeds to be Turned Over To Administrative Agent.................18
     8.3  Code Remedies......................................................18
         
9.  Administrative Agent's Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact; 
     Administrative Agent's Performance of Borrower's Obligations............19
     9.1  Powers.............................................................19
     9.2  Performance by Administrative Agent of Borrower's Obligations......20
     9.3  Borrower's Reimbursement Obligation................................20
     9.4  Ratification; Power Coupled With An Interest.......................20
         
10.  Duty of Administrative Agent............................................21
         
11.  Execution of Financing Statements.......................................21
         
12.  Authority of Administrative Agent.......................................21
         
13.  Notices.................................................................21
         
14.  Severability............................................................22
         
15.  Amendments in Writing; No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies...................22
     15.1  Amendments in Writing.............................................22
     15.2  No Waiver by Course of Conduct....................................22
     15.3  Remedies Cumulative...............................................22
         
16.  Section Headings........................................................22
         
17.  Successors and Assigns..................................................22
         
18.  Attachment..............................................................22
         
19.  Governing Law...........................................................23
         
20  Termination and Release of Collateral....................................23
         
21.  WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL...................................................23


                                      ii

<PAGE>

                                 [FORM OF]


                             SECURITY AGREEMENT


         SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of August 7, 1996, made by each of the 
signatories hereto (the "Grantors"), in favor of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a 
New York banking corporation, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the 
"Administrative Agent") for the Lenders parties to the Credit Agreement, 
dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified 
from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Core-Mark International, 
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the Administrative Agent and 
such Lenders. 

                       W I T N E S S E T H:


         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have 
severally agreed to make Loans to and issue or participate in Letters of 
Credit for the account of, the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the 
conditions set forth therein; and

         WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the 
Lenders to make their respective Loans and other extensions of credit to the 
Borrower under the Credit Agreement that the Grantors shall have executed and 
delivered this Security Agreement to the Administrative Agent for the ratable 
benefit of the Lenders.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and 
to induce the Lenders to make their respective Loans and other extensions of 
credit to the Borrower, each Grantor hereby agrees with the Administrative 
Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as follows:

         1. DEFINED TERMS.

         1.1 Definitions. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined 
in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them 
in the Credit Agreement, and the following terms which are defined in the 
Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof 
are used herein as so defined:  Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, 
Equipment, Farm Products, General Intangibles, Instruments, Inventory and 
Proceeds.

         (b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:

    "ACCOUNT COLLATERAL":  (a) all funds held in and all certificates and 
instruments, if any, from time to time representing or evidencing (1) the 
Cash Collateral Accounts, (2) the L/C Cash Collateral Account, (3) the 
Collection Accounts, (4) the Depository Accounts, (5) the Deposit Accounts, 
(6) all other deposit accounts of each Grantor and 

<PAGE>

                                                                              2

(7) all Collateral Investments and (b)(1) all notes, certificates of deposit, 
deposit accounts, checks and other instruments from time to time hereinafter 
delivered to or otherwise possessed by the Administrative Agent for or on 
behalf of each Grantor in substitution for or in addition to any or all of 
the then existing Account Collateral and (2) all interest, dividends, cash, 
instruments and other property from time to time received, receivable or 
otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of the then 
existing Account Collateral.

    "AGREEMENT":  this Security Agreement, as the same may be amended, 
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

    "ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE":  (a) with respect to the Term Loans, a fraction 
the numerator of which is the outstanding Term Loans, and the denominator of 
which is the sum of the outstanding Term Loans, the outstanding Revolving 
Credit Loans and the outstanding L/C Obligations and (b) with respect to the 
Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit, 1 minus the allocation 
percentage applicable to the Term Loans as set forth above.  

    "BORROWING CERTIFICATE":  a certificate substantially in the form of 
Exhibit G to the Credit Agreement.

    "CODE":  the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in 
the State of New York.

    "CANADIAN CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT":  a cash collateral account with Bank 
of Montreal or such other bank as may be reasonably acceptable to the 
Administrative Agent, in the name of the Borrower that has entered into a 
letter agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2-A. 

    "CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNTS":  the Canadian Cash Collateral Account and the 
US Cash Collateral Account.

    "COLLATERAL":  as defined in Section 2.

    "COLLATERAL INVESTMENTS":  as defined in subsection 5.6.

    "COLLECTION ACCOUNT BANK":  as defined in subsection 5.5(b).

    "COLLECTION ACCOUNTS":  each non-interest bearing cash collection account 
with a bank that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and 
that has entered into a Collection Account Letter, initially, account number 
149-643-709, with Wells Fargo Bank (formerly First Interstate Bank) at its 
office at 707 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90019, account number 
4518-099999, with Wells Fargo Bank at its office at 420 Montgomery Street, 
San Francisco, CA 94194 and account number 

<PAGE>

                                                                              3

0109656314, with Sunwest Bank at its office at 303 Roma N.W., Albuquerque, 
New Mexico 87103.

    "COLLECTION ACCOUNT LETTER":  as defined in subsection 5.5(b).

    "CONTRACTS": with respect to any Accounts, Instruments, Chattel Paper or 
General Intangibles, any contract or agreement in respect thereof or pursuant 
to which any of the foregoing was created, as the same may be amended, 
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including, without 
limitation, (a) all rights of each Grantor to receive moneys due and to 
become due to it thereunder or in connection therewith, (b) all rights of 
each Grantor to damages arising out of or for breach or default in respect 
thereof and (c) all rights of each Grantor to exercise all remedies 
thereunder.

    "COPYRIGHTS": all copyrights, whether registered or unregistered, and 
whether or not the underlying works of authorship have been published, and 
all works of authorship and other rights therein or derived therefrom, all 
copyrights of works based on, incorporated in, derived from or relating to 
works covered by such copyrights, all right, title and interest to make and 
exploit all derivative works based upon or adopted from works covered by such 
copyright and all copyright registrations and copyright applications, and any 
renewals or extensions thereof, including without limitation, each copyright 
registration and copyright application, if any, identified in SCHEDULE 1 
hereto, and including, without limitation, (a) the right to print, publish 
and distribute any of the foregoing, (b) the right to sue or otherwise 
recover for any and all past, present and future infringements and 
misappropriations thereof, (c) all income, royalties, damages and other 
payments now and hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto 
(including, without limitation, payments under all licenses entered into in 
connection therewith, and damages and payments for past or future 
infringements thereof) and (d) all rights of each Grantor corresponding 
thereto throughout the United States and all other rights of any kind 
whatsoever of each Grantor accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto; 
provided that, for purposes hereof, the term "Copyrights" shall not include 
those rights which are not created by, or do not arise or exist under, the 
laws of the United States or any State or political subdivision thereof.

    "COPYRIGHT LICENSES": all license agreements with any other Person in 
connection with any of the Copyrights of each Grantor, or such other Person's 
copyrights, whether each Grantor is a licensor or licensee under any such 
license agreement, including, without limitation, the license agreements 
listed on SCHEDULE 1 hereto, subject in each case to the terms of such 
license agreements, including, without limitation, terms requiring consent to 
a grant of a security interest; PROVIDED that, for purposes hereof, the term 
"Copyright Licenses" shall not include those rights which are not created by, 
or do not arise or exist under, the laws of the United States or any State or 
political subdivision thereof.

<PAGE>

                                                                             4

    "DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS":  as defined in subsection 5.5(a).

    "DEPOSIT BANKS":  as defined in subsection 5.5(a).

    "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT LETTERS":  as defined in subsection 5.5(a).

    "DEPOSITORY ACCOUNTS":  as defined in subsection 5.5(a).

    "DEPOSITORY BANKS":  as defined in subsection 5.5(a).

    "DEPOSITORY LETTERS":  as defined in subsection 5.5(a). 

    "L/C CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT": a non-interest bearing cash collateral 
account with The Chase Manhattan Bank at its office at 270 Park Avenue, New 
York, New York, 10017, account number 910-2-775732, in the name of the 
Administrative Agent and under its sole dominion and control and subject to 
the terms of this Agreement.

    "OBLIGATIONS":  the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and 
interest on the Loans and all other obligations and liabilities of each 
Grantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including, without 
limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the 
Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and interest accruing at the 
then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any 
petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization 
or like proceeding, relating to each Grantor, whether or not a claim for 
post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), whether 
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now 
existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in 
connection with, the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, the other Loan 
Documents, any Hedge Agreement entered into by any Grantor with any Lender, 
any Overdraft or any other document made, delivered or given in connection 
therewith, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, 
reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise 
(including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the 
Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by each 
Grantor pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, this Agreement, any 
other Loan Document, any Hedge Agreement entered into by any Grantor with any 
Lender or any Overdraft), PROVIDED that in no event shall the obligations of 
any Grantor other than the Borrower exceed the maximum amount specified in 
the Subsidiaries Guarantee.

    "OVERDRAFT":  means, at any time, the amount by which the aggregate 
amount debited from any deposit, concentration, operating or disbursement 
account maintained by any Grantor with the Administrative Agent or any 
Affiliate of the Administrative Agent, as the result of processing of payment 
orders issued by such Grantor or otherwise, exceeds the aggregate funds on 
deposit in such account.

<PAGE>

                                                                             5

    "PATENTS":  (a) all letters patent of the United States or any other 
country and all reissues and extensions thereof, including, without 
limitation, any thereof referred to in SCHEDULE 2, and (b) all applications 
for letters patent of the United States or any other country and all 
divisions, continuations and continuations-in-part thereof, including, 
without limitation, any thereof referred to in SCHEDULE 2.  

    "PATENT LICENSE":  all agreements, whether written or oral, providing for 
the grant by or to any Grantor of any right to manufacture, use or sell any 
invention covered by a Patent, including, without limitation, any thereof 
referred to in SCHEDULE 2.

    "TRADEMARKS":  (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company 
names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles, service 
marks, logos and other source or business identifiers, and the goodwill 
associated therewith, now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired, all 
registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection 
therewith, whether in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or in any 
similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any other 
country or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise, including, 
without limitation, any thereof referred to in SCHEDULE 3, and (b) all 
renewals thereof.

    "TRADEMARK LICENSE" means any written agreement, providing for the grant 
by or to any Grantor of any right to use any Trademark, including, without 
limitation, any thereof referred to in SCHEDULE 3.

    "US CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT": a non-interest bearing cash deposit account 
with The Chase Manhattan Bank at its office at 270 Park Avenue, New York, New 
York, 10017, account number 910-2-775740, in the name of the Administrative 
Agent and under its sole dominion and control and subject to the terms of 
this Agreement.

    "UNAFFIXED TAX STAMPS":  tax stamps in respect of local and state 
cigarette taxes that are not physically attached to the Cigarette Inventory 
as defined in the Credit Agreement;

    "VEHICLES" means all cars, trucks, trailers, construction and earth 
moving equipment and other vehicles covered by a certificate of title law of 
any state.

    1.2  OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS. (a) The words "hereof," "herein", 
"hereto" and "hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this 
Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular 
provision of this Agreement, and Section, subsection and Schedule references 
are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

    (b)  The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally 
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

<PAGE>

                                                                             6

    2. GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST. As collateral security for the prompt and 
complete payment and performance when due (whether at the stated maturity, by 
acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations, each Grantor hereby grants to 
the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders a security 
interest in all of the following property now owned or at any time hereafter 
acquired by such Grantor or in which such Grantor now has or at any time in 
the future may acquire any right, title or interest (collectively, the 
"COLLATERAL"):

    (a) all Account Collateral;

    (b) all Accounts;

    (c) all Chattel Paper;

    (d) all Contracts;

    (e) all Copyrights;

    (f) all Copyright Licenses;

    (g) all Documents; 

    (h) all Equipment;

    (i) all General Intangibles;

    (j) all Instruments;

    (k) all Inventory;

    (l) all Patents;

    (m) all Patent Licenses;

    (n) all Trademarks;

    (o) all Trademark Licenses;

    (p) all Unaffixed Tax Stamps;

    (q) all Vehicles; 

    (r) all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; and

<PAGE>

                                                                             7

    (s) to the extent not otherwise included, all Proceeds and products of 
any and all of the foregoing and all collateral security and guarantees given 
by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

    3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each Grantor hereby represents and 
warrants, as to itself that:

    3.1 TITLE; NO OTHER LIENS.  Except for the security interest granted to 
the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders pursuant to 
this Agreement and the other Liens permitted to exist on the Collateral 
pursuant to the Credit Agreement, such Grantor owns each item of the 
Collateral free and clear of any and all Liens or claims of others.  No 
financing statement or other public notice with respect to all or any part of 
the Collateral is on file or of record in any public office, except such as 
have been filed in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit 
of the Lenders, pursuant to this Agreement or as are permitted pursuant to 
the Credit Agreement and except for financing statements relating to property 
in which such Grantor has no interest other than an interest arising under an 
operating lease.

    3.2 PERFECTED FIRST PRIORITY LIENS.  Effective upon the filing of 
appropriate financing statements, the filing with and recording by the United 
States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office of 
this Security Agreement, and all other appropriate action having been duly 
taken, the security interests granted pursuant to this Agreement  constitute 
perfected security interests in the Collateral (other than the Vehicles, 
except to the extent that the appropriate steps for perfection have been 
taken pursuant to subsection ) in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the 
ratable benefit of the Lenders, as collateral security for the Obligations 
and  are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral in existence on the date 
hereof except for Liens permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

    3.3 INVENTORY AND EQUIPMENT.  The Inventory and the Equipment are kept at 
the locations listed on SCHEDULE 5.

    3.4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE.  The location of such Grantor's chief 
executive office or sole place of business is specified on SCHEDULE 6. 

    3.5 FARM PRODUCTS.  No material portion of the Collateral constitutes, or 
is the Proceeds of, Farm Products.

    4. COVENANTS. Each Grantor covenants and agrees with the Administrative 
Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this Agreement until 
the Obligations shall have been paid in full, the Commitments shall have 
expired or otherwise been terminated and no Letters of Credit are 
outstanding, as follows:

    4.1 DELIVERY OF INSTRUMENTS AND CHATTEL PAPER.  If any amount payable 
under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become 
evidenced by any Instrument 

<PAGE>

                                                                             8

or Chattel Paper and such amount exceeds $100,000, such Instrument or Chattel 
Paper shall be added to SCHEDULE 8.  If requested by the Administrative Agent 
each such Instrument or Chattel Paper shall be promptly delivered to the 
Administrative Agent, duly indorsed in a manner satisfactory to the 
Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

    4.2 MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE. (a) Such Grantor (or the Borrower, on 
behalf of such Grantor) will maintain, with financially sound and reputable 
companies, insurance policies (1) insuring the Inventory, Equipment and 
Vehicles against loss by fire, explosion, theft and such other casualties as 
may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (2) insuring 
such Grantor, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders against liability for 
personal injury and property damage relating to such Inventory, Equipment and 
Vehicles, such policies to be in such form and amounts and having such 
coverage as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and 
the Lenders, with losses payable to such Grantor (or the Borrower, on behalf 
of such Grantor), the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as their 
respective interests may appear.

    (b) All such insurance shall (1) provide that no cancellation, material 
reduction in amount or material change in coverage thereof shall be effective 
until at least 30 days after receipt by the Administrative Agent of written 
notice thereof, (2) name the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as insured 
parties, (3) include a breach of warranty clause and (4) be reasonably 
satisfactory in all other respects to the Administrative Agent.

    (c) Such Grantor shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the 
Lenders a certificate of a reputable insurance broker with respect to such 
insurance during the month of August in each calendar year and such 
supplemental reports with respect thereto as the Administrative Agent may 
from time to time reasonably request.

    4.3 MAINTENANCE OF PERFECTED SECURITY INTEREST; FURTHER DOCUMENTATION. 
(a) Such Grantor shall maintain the security interest created by this 
Agreement as a perfected security interest having at least the priority 
described in subsection  and shall defend such security interest against the 
claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.

    (b) At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the 
Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of such Grantor, such Grantor 
will promptly and duly execute and deliver such further instruments and 
documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may 
reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full 
benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, 
including, without limitation, (i) the filing of any financing or 
continuation statements under the Uniform Commercial Code or their foreign 
equivalent in effect in any jurisdiction with respect to the security 
interests created hereby and (ii) after an Event of Default and at the 
request of the Administrative Agent, the delivery of certificates of title 
with respect to Vehicles to the Administrative Agent, properly endorsed in 
accordance with applicable law, and the filing of any appropriate lien 
documents with the relevant state authorities.

<PAGE>

                                                                             9

    4.4 CHANGES IN LOCATIONS, NAME, ETC. Such Grantor will not:

    (a) permit any of the Inventory or Equipment to be kept at a location 
other than those listed on SCHEDULE 5 unless it gives the Administrative 
Agent notice and takes all steps reasonably necessary or advisable, in the 
judgment of the Administrative Agent, to maintain the perfection and priority 
in such Inventory and Equipment as set forth in subsection ; 

    (b) change the location of its chief executive office from that specified 
in subsection , unless it shall have given the Administrative Agent and the 
Lenders at least 30 days' prior written notice of such change and takes all 
steps reasonably necessary or advisable, in the judgment of the 
Administrative Agent, to maintain the perfection and priority of the security 
interests granted pursuant to this Agreement; or
 
    (c) change its name, identity or corporate structure to such an extent 
that any financing statement filed by the Administrative Agent in connection 
with this Agreement would become seriously misleading, unless it shall have 
given the Administrative Agent and the Lenders at least 30 days' prior 
written notice of such change and takes all steps reasonably necessary or 
advisable, in the judgment of the Administrative Agent, to maintain the 
perfection and priority of the security interests granted pursuant to this 
Agreement.

    4.5 FURTHER IDENTIFICATION OF COLLATERAL.  Such Grantor will furnish 
to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders from time to time statements and 
schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other 
reports in connection with the Collateral as the Administrative Agent may 
reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

    4.6 NOTICES.  Such Grantor will advise the Administrative Agent and 
the Lenders promptly after becoming aware thereof, in reasonable detail, at 
their respective addresses for notices provided for in the Credit Agreement 
of:

    (a) any Lien (other than security interests created hereby or Liens 
permitted under the Credit Agreement) on any of the Collateral; and

    (b) the occurrence of any other event which could reasonably be expected 
to have a material adverse effect on the aggregate value of the Collateral or 
on the security interests created hereby.

    5. PROVISIONS RELATING TO ACCOUNTS.

    5. Grantors Remain Liable under Accounts.  Anything herein to the 
contrary notwithstanding, as between any Grantor and the Administrative 
Agent, each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Accounts to observe 
and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed 
by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of 

<PAGE>

                                                                            10

any agreement giving rise to each such Account.  Neither the Administrative 
Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation or liability under any Account 
(or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this 
Agreement or the receipt by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any 
payment relating to such Account pursuant hereto, nor shall the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender be obligated in any manner to perform any 
of the obligations of any Grantor under or pursuant to any Account (or any 
agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as 
to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the 
sufficiency of any performance by any party under any Account (or any 
agreement giving rise thereto), to present or file any claim, to take any 
action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts 
which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time 
or times. 

    5.2 ANALYSIS OF ACCOUNTS.  The Administrative Agent shall have the 
right to make test verifications of the Accounts in any manner and through 
any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and each Grantor shall 
furnish all such assistance and information as the Administrative Agent 
reasonably may require in connection with such test verifications.  The 
Administrative Agent in its own name or in the name of others may communicate 
with the obligors on the Accounts to verify with them to the Administrative 
Agent's satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Accounts.

    5.3 COLLECTIONS ON ACCOUNTS. (a) To the extent that any obligor makes 
payments in respect of Accounts, the Administrative Agent hereby authorizes 
each Grantor to collect such Accounts, subject to the Administrative Agent's 
direction and control as set forth in this Section, and the Administrative 
Agent may curtail or terminate said authority at any time after the 
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.  Each Grantor 
shall, upon receipt of any payments made directly to such Grantor in respect 
of Accounts (1) forthwith (and, in any event, within two Business Days) deposit 
such amounts duly indorsed by such Grantor if required, in a Deposit Account 
or Depository Account, as the case may be, and (2) until so turned over, shall 
be held by such Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent for the benefit 
of the Lenders.

    (b) No less frequently than once a month, the Borrower shall deliver to 
the Administrative Agent a revised SCHEDULE 8, reflecting all collections in 
respect of the preceding month in respect of Instruments or Chattel Paper 
listed on such schedule.

    (c) At the Administrative Agent's request, each Grantor shall deliver to 
the Administrative Agent all original and other documents evidencing, and 
relating to, the agreements and transactions which gave rise to any Accounts 
exceeding $100,000, including, without limitation, all original orders, 
invoices and shipping receipts.

    5.4 MAINTAINING THE US CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AND THE L/C CASH 
COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.  Until the Obligations shall have been paid in full, the 
Commitments shall have expired or otherwise been terminated and no Letters of 
Credit are outstanding:

<PAGE>

                                                                            11

    (a) The Borrower shall maintain the US Cash Collateral Account and the 
L/C Cash Collateral Account with The Chase Manhattan Bank.

    (b) It shall be a term and condition of each of the US Cash Collateral 
Account and the L/C Cash Collateral Account, notwithstanding any term or 
condition to the contrary in any other agreement relating to the US Cash 
Collateral Account or the L/C Cash Collateral Account, as the case may be, 
and except as otherwise provided by the provisions of Section 5.7 and Section 
8, that no amount (including interest on Collateral Investments) shall be 
paid or released to or for the account of, or withdrawn by or for the account 
of, any Grantor or any other Person from the US Cash Collateral Account or 
the L/C Cash Collateral Account, as the case may be.

The US Cash Collateral Account and the L/C Cash Collateral Account shall be 
subject to such applicable laws, and such applicable regulations of the Board 
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of any other appropriate 
banking or governmental authority, as may now or hereafter be in effect.

    5.5 MAINTAINING THE DEPOSITORY ACCOUNTS, THE DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS, THE 
CANADIAN CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AND THE COLLECTION ACCOUNTS.  Until the 
Obligations shall have been paid in full, the Commitments shall have expired 
or otherwise been terminated and no Letters of Credit are outstanding:

    (a) The Grantors shall maintain (1) lockboxes and blocked deposit 
accounts in the United States ("DEPOSITORY ACCOUNTS") only with banks 
("DEPOSITORY BANKS") that have entered into letter agreements in 
substantially the form of Exhibit A-1 with the Grantors and the 
Administrative Agent ("DEPOSITORY LETTERS") or in form and substance 
reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, (2) 
deposit accounts in Canada ("DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS") only with banks ("DEPOSIT 
BANKS") that (i) are listed on SCHEDULE 7 (as such schedule may be amended or 
supplemented from time to time) and (ii) within 60 days of the Closing Date 
shall have entered into letter agreements in substantially the form of 
Exhibit A-2-B with the Grantors and the Administrative Agent ("Deposit 
Account Letters") or in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the 
Borrower and the Administrative Agent and (3) the Canadian Cash Collateral 
Account. 

    (b) The Grantors shall maintain the Collection Accounts in the United 
States only with the banks listed as Collection Account banks on SCHEDULE 7 
hereto, reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (the "COLLECTION 
ACCOUNT BANKS") and have entered into a letter agreement in substantially the 
form of Exhibit A-3 with such Grantor and the Administrative Agent (the 
"COLLECTION ACCOUNT LETTER") or in form and substance reasonably acceptable 
to such Grantor and the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>

                                                                            12

    (c) The Grantors shall instruct each Depository Bank to forward an amount 
equal to the available balance of the Depository Account at such Depository 
Bank to a Collection Account, at the beginning of each Business Day, in same 
day funds and shall cause each Deposit Bank to forward an amount equal to the 
available balance of the Deposit Account at such Deposit Bank to the Canadian 
Cash Collateral Account, at least once a week, in same day funds. 

    (d) The Grantors shall instruct each Collection Account Bank to transfer 
to the US Cash Collateral Account, at the beginning of each Business Day, in 
same day funds, an amount equal to the available balance of such Collection 
Accounts.

    (e) Upon any termination of any Depository Letter or other agreement with 
respect to the maintenance of a Depository Account, the Borrower shall 
immediately notify all Obligors that were making payments to such Depository 
Account to make all future payments to another Depository Account or to the 
Collection Accounts.

    (f) Upon any termination of any Deposit Account Letter or other agreement 
with respect to the maintenance of a Deposit Account the Borrower shall 
immediately notify all Obligors that were making payments to such Deposit 
Account to make all future payments to another Deposit Account or to the 
Canadian Cash Collateral Account.

    (g) The Grantors agree to terminate any or all Depository Accounts,  
Depository Letters, Deposit Accounts, Deposit Account Letters, the Collection 
Accounts and the Collection Account Letter upon request by the Administrative 
Agent made after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of 
Default.

    5.6 INVESTING OF AMOUNTS IN THE US CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AND THE L/C 
CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.  If requested by the Borrower, the Administrative 
Agent will, subject to the provisions of Section 5.7 and Section 8, from time
to time (a) invest amounts on deposit in the US Cash Collateral Account and 
the L/C Cash Collateral Account in such US Cash Equivalents in the name of 
the Administrative Agent and (b) invest interest paid on the US Cash 
Equivalents referred to in clause (a) above, and reinvest other proceeds of 
any such US Cash Equivalents that may mature or be sold, in each case in such 
US Cash Equivalents in the name of the Administrative Agent (the US Cash 
Equivalents referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above being collectively 
"COLLATERAL INVESTMENTS").  Interest and proceeds that are not invested or 
reinvested in Collateral Investments as provided above shall be deposited and 
held in the US Cash Collateral Account or the L/C Cash Collateral Account, as 
the case may be.

    5.7 APPLICATION AND RELEASE OF FUNDS. (a) So long as the notice 
contemplated by the next succeeding paragraph has not been given or, if 
given, is not still in effect, on each Business Day the Administrative Agent  
shall apply the available funds then on deposit in the US Cash Collateral 
Account in the following order of priority: FIRST, to pay interest, fees, 

<PAGE>

                                                                            13

expenses and other amounts (other than principal) then due and payable under 
the Loan Documents, SECOND, to pay the principal amount of any Revolving 
Credit Loan that is an ABR Loan, if any such principal amount is then 
outstanding, THIRD, if such Business Day is the last day of an Interest 
Period for any Eurodollar Loan that is a Revolving Credit Loan, to pay all 
such Eurodollar Loans to the extent thereof.  Any amounts remaining in the US 
Cash Collateral Account after application as set forth in the preceding 
sentence shall be held in the US Cash Collateral Account as Collateral for 
the Obligations.  

         If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the 
Administrative Agent has given notice to the Borrower of its intent to do so, 
the Administrative Agent shall remit any funds on deposit in the US Cash 
Collateral Account as follows: FIRST, to pay interest, fees, expenses and 
other amounts (other than principal) then due and payable under the Loan 
Documents, SECOND, to pay the Term Loans, the Aggregate Outstanding Revolving 
Extensions of Credit and any amounts then due and payable under any Hedge 
Agreement between the Borrower and any Lender and any Overdraft pro rata 
based upon the respective amounts owing in respect thereof.  Amounts 
allocable to the Aggregate Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit shall 
be further allocated as follows: FIRST to any amounts outstanding under the 
Reimbursement Obligations, SECOND upon the payment in full of the 
Reimbursement Obligations, to the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and 
THIRD to cash collateralize the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount 
of all Letters of Credit by releasing any funds from the US Cash Collateral 
Account to make the deposit to the L/C Cash Collateral Account in accordance 
with Section 8 of the Credit Agreement). 

    (b) So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the 
Borrower may from time to time request that available funds on deposit in the 
US Cash Collateral Account be released to the Borrower PROVIDED that on the 
date of such requested release, the conditions set forth in subsection 5.2 of 
the Credit Agreement shall have been satisfied.

    5.8 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. (a) The amounts represented by the 
Borrower to the Lenders from time to time as owing to the Grantors in respect 
of the Accounts will at such times be accurate in material respects.

    (b) No Grantor has any Depository Accounts or other deposit accounts 
other than the Depository Accounts listed on SCHEDULE 7, the permitted 
unblocked accounts listed on SCHEDULE 9, the Deposit Accounts listed on 
SCHEDULE 7 and the Canadian Cash Collateral Account.  The Grantors have 
instructed (i) all Depository Banks to forward all amounts on deposit in the 
Depository Accounts to the Collection Accounts, (ii) the Collection Account 
Bank to forward all amounts on deposit in the Collection Account to the US 
Cash Collateral Account and (iii) all Deposit Banks to forward all amounts on 
deposit in the Deposit Accounts to the Canadian Cash Collateral Account.

    5.9 COVENANTS. (a) The Grantors will not (i) grant any extension of the 
time of payment of any Account, (ii) compromise or settle any Account for 
less than the full 

<PAGE>

                                                                            14

amount thereof, (iii) release, wholly or partially, any Person liable for the
payment of any Account, (iv) allow any credit or discount whatsoever on any 
Account, (v) amend, supplement or modify any Account in any manner that could
adversely affect the value thereof or (vi) fail to exercise promptly and 
diligently each and every material right which it may have under each 
agreement giving rise to a Account (other than any right of termination), 
except that so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and
the notice contemplated by the second paragraph of subsection 5.7(a) has not
been given, the Grantors may do any of the foregoing in the ordinary course 
of business consistent with their past practice. 

    (b) The Borrower will deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of each 
material demand, notice or document received by it that questions the 
validity or enforceability of more than 5% of the aggregate amount of the 
then outstanding Accounts.

    6. PROVISIONS RELATING TO CONTRACTS.

    6.1 BORROWER REMAINS LIABLE UNDER CONTRACTS.  Anything herein to the 
contrary notwithstanding, as between each Grantor and the Administrative 
Agent, each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the Contracts to 
observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and 
performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with and pursuant to the terms 
and provisions of such Contract.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any 
Lender shall have any obligation or liability under any Contract by reason of 
or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Administrative Agent 
or any such Lender of any payment relating to such Contract pursuant hereto, 
nor shall the Administrative Agent or any Lender be obligated in any manner 
to perform any of the obligations of each Grantor under or pursuant to any 
Contract, to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the 
sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any 
performance by any party under any Contract, to present or file any claim, to 
take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any 
amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at 
any time or times. 

    6.2 COMMUNICATION WITH CONTRACTING PARTIES.  After prior notice to the 
Borrower of its intention to do so, the Administrative Agent in its own name 
or in the name of others may communicate with parties to the Contracts to 
verify with them to the Administrative Agent's reasonable satisfaction the 
existence, amount and terms of any Contracts. 

    6.3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. (a) No consent of any party (other 
than each Grantor) to any Contract is required, or purports to be required, 
in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.

    (b) Each Contract is in full force and effect and constitutes a valid and 
legally enforceable obligation of each Grantor and to each Grantor's 
knowledge, the other parties thereto, subject to the effects of bankruptcy, 
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other 
similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights 

<PAGE>

generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding 
in equity or at law) and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

    (c) No consent or authorization of, filing with or other act by or in 
respect of any Governmental Authority is required in connection with the 
execution, delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of any of the 
Contracts by any party thereto other than those which have been duly 
obtained, made or performed, are in full force and effect and do not subject 
the scope of any such Contract to any material adverse limitation, either 
specific or general in nature.

    (d) Neither each Grantor nor (to the best of each Grantor's knowledge) 
any of the other parties to the Contracts is in default in the performance or 
observance of any of the terms thereof in any manner that, in the aggregate, 
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

    (e) The right, title and interest of each Grantor in, to and under the 
Contracts are not subject to any defenses, offsets, counterclaims or claims 
that, in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material 
Adverse Effect.

    6.4 COVENANTS. (a) Each Grantor will perform and comply in all material 
respects with all its obligations under the Contracts which the failure to so 
do could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect the value of 
such Contract as Collateral.

    (b) Each Grantor will not amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision 
of any Contract in any manner which could reasonably be expected to 
materially adversely affect the value of such Contract as Collateral.

    (c) Each Grantor will exercise promptly and diligently each and every 
material right which it may have under each Contract (other than any right of 
termination) which the failure to so do could reasonably be expected to 
materially adversely affect the value of such Contract as Collateral.

    (d) Each Grantor will deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of each 
material demand, notice or document received by it relating in any way to any 
Contract that questions the validity or enforceability of such Contract.

    7. PROVISIONS RELATING TO COPYRIGHTS, PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS.

    7.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. (a) SCHEDULE 1 includes all 
material Copyright and Copyright Licenses owned by each Grantor in its own 
name on the date hereof.

    (b) SCHEDULE 2 includes all Patents and Patent Licenses owned by each 
Grantor in its own name on the date hereof.

<PAGE>

                                                                            16

    (c) SCHEDULE 3 includes all registered Trademarks, applications therefor 
and Trademark Licenses owned by each Grantor in its own name on the date 
hereof.

    (d) To the best of each Grantor's knowledge, each material Copyright, 
Patent and Trademark is on the date hereof valid, subsisting, unexpired, 
enforceable and has not been abandoned.

    (e) Except as set forth in either SCHEDULE 1, SCHEDULE 2 or SCHEDULE 3, 
none of such Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks is on the date hereof the 
subject of any licensing or franchise agreement.

    (f) No holding, decision or judgment has been rendered by any 
Governmental Authority which would limit, cancel or question the validity of 
any Copyright, Patent or Trademark in any respect that could reasonably be 
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

    (g) No action or proceeding is pending on the date hereof  seeking to 
limit, cancel or question the validity of any material Copyright, Patent or 
Trademark, or  which, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse 
effect on the value of any material Copyright, Patent or Trademark.

    7.2 COVENANTS.

    (a) Each Grantor (either itself or through licensees) will (1) continue 
to use each material Trademark on each and every trademark class of goods 
applicable to its current line as reflected in its current catalogs, 
brochures and price lists in order to maintain such Trademark in full force 
free from any claim of abandonment for non-use, (2) maintain as in the past 
the quality of products and services offered under such Trademark, (3) employ 
such Trademark with the appropriate notice of registration, (4) not adopt or 
use any mark which is confusingly similar or a colorable imitation of such 
Trademark unless the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the 
Lenders, shall obtain a perfected security interest in such mark pursuant to 
this Agreement, and (5) not (and not permit any licensee or sublicensee 
thereof to) do any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby such Trademark 
may become invalidated.

    (b) Each Grantor will not do any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any 
material Patent may become abandoned or dedicated.

    (c) Each Grantor will notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders 
immediately if it knows, or has reason to know, that any application or 
registration relating to any material Patent or Trademark may become 
abandoned or dedicated, or of any adverse determination or development 
(including, without limitation, the institution of, or any such determination 
or development in, any proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark 
Office or any similar office or agency in any other county or political 
subdivision thereof or 

<PAGE>

                                                                            17

any court or tribunal in any country) regarding each Grantor's ownership of 
any material Patent or Trademark or its right to register the same or to keep 
and maintain the same.

    (d) Whenever each Grantor, either by itself or through any agent, 
employee, licensee or designee, shall file an application for the 
registration of any Patent or Trademark with the United States Patent and 
Trademark Office or any similar office or agency in any other country or any 
political subdivision thereof, each Grantor shall report such filing to the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders within five Business Days after the last 
day of the fiscal quarter in which such filing occurs.  Upon request of the 
Administrative Agent, each Grantor shall execute and deliver any and all 
agreements, instruments, documents, and papers as the Administrative Agent 
may request to evidence the Administrative Agent's and the Lenders' security 
interest in any Patent or Trademark and the goodwill and general intangibles 
of each Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby.

    (e) Each Grantor will take all reasonable and necessary steps, including, 
without limitation, in any proceeding before the United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, or any similar office or agency in any other country or any 
political subdivision thereof, to maintain and pursue each application (and 
to obtain the relevant registration) for and to maintain each registration of 
the material Patents and Trademarks, including, without limitation, filing of 
applications for renewal, affidavits of use and affidavits of 
incontestability.

    (f) In the event that any Patent or Trademark is infringed, 
misappropriated or diluted by a third party, each Grantor shall (i) take such 
actions as each Grantor shall reasonably deem appropriate under the 
circumstances to protect such Patent or Trademark and (ii) if such Patent or 
Trademark is of material economic value, promptly notify the Administrative 
Agent and the Lenders after it learns thereof and sue for infringement, 
misappropriation or dilution, to seek injunctive relief where appropriate and 
to recover any and all damages for such infringement, misappropriation or 
dilution.

    8. REMEDIES.

    8.1 NOTICE TO OBLIGORS AND CONTRACT PARTIES.  Upon the request of the 
Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the 
continuance of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall notify obligors on the 
Accounts and parties to the Contracts that the Accounts and the Contracts 
have been assigned to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the 
Lenders and that payments in respect thereof shall be made directly to the 
Administrative Agent.  At any time and from time to time after the occurrence 
and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent 
may in its own name or in the name of others communicate with the parties to 
the Contracts (or the parties to any other contract (as defined in the Code) 
to which each Grantor is a party) to verify with them to its satisfaction the 
existence, amount and terms of any such Contracts (or such other contracts).

<PAGE>

                                                                            18

    8.2 PROCEEDS TO BE TURNED OVER TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  In addition to 
the rights of the Administrative Agent specified in subsection 5 and with 
respect to payments of Accounts, if an Event of Default shall occur and be 
continuing and the notice contemplated by the second paragraph of subsection 
5.7(a) has been given, all Proceeds of any Collateral received by each 
Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other near-cash items shall be held by 
each Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the 
Lenders, segregated from other funds of each Grantor, and shall, forthwith 
upon receipt by each Grantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent 
(duly indorsed by each Grantor to the Administrative Agent, if required) and 
held by the Administrative Agent in the US Cash Collateral Account.  All 
Proceeds while held by the Administrative Agent in the US Cash Collateral 
Account (or by each Grantor in trust for the Administrative Agent for the 
benefit of the Lenders) shall continue to be held as collateral security for 
all the Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as 
provided in subsection 5.7.

    8.3 CODE REMEDIES.  If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, 
the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition 
to all other rights and remedies granted to them in this Agreement and in any 
other instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the 
Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Code or any 
applicable law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the 
Administrative Agent, without demand of performance or other demand, 
presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice 
required by law referred to below) to or upon each Grantor or any other 
Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, advertisements and notices 
are hereby waived), may in such circumstances forthwith collect, receive, 
appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any part thereof, and/or may 
forthwith sell, lease, assign, give an option or options to purchase, or 
otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or 
contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or 
private sale or sales, at any exchange, broker's board or office of the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender or elsewhere upon such terms and 
conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem best, 
for cash or on credit or for future delivery without assumption of any credit 
risk.  The Administrative Agent or any Lender shall have the right upon any 
such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by law, upon any such 
private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so 
sold, free of any right or equity of redemption in each Grantor, which right 
or equity is hereby waived or released.  Each Grantor further agrees, at the 
Administrative Agent's request, to assemble the Collateral and make it 
available to the Administrative Agent at places which the Administrative 
Agent shall reasonably select, whether at each Grantor's premises or 
elsewhere.  The Administrative Agent shall apply the net proceeds of any 
action taken by it pursuant to this subsection, after deducting all 
reasonable costs and expenses of every kind incurred in connection therewith 
or incidental to the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any 
way relating to the Collateral or the rights of the Administrative Agent 
hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and 
disbursements, to the payment in whole or in part of the Obligations, in such 
order as provided in subsection 5.7 and only after such application and after 
the payment by the Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any 
provision of law, including, without limitation, Section 9-

<PAGE>

                                                                            19

504(1)(c) of the Code, need the Administrative Agent account for the surplus, 
if any, to each Grantor.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, each 
Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the 
Administrative Agent arising out of the exercise by it of any rights 
hereunder.  If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of 
Collateral shall be required by law, such notice shall be deemed reasonable 
and proper if given at least 10 days before such sale or other disposition.

    9. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S APPOINTMENT AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT; ADMINISTRATIVE 
AGENT'S PERFORMANCE OF BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS.

    9.1 POWERS.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event 
of Default, each Grantor hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the 
Administrative Agent and any officer or agent thereof, with full power of 
substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable 
power and authority in the place and stead of each Grantor and in the name of 
each Grantor or in its own name, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of 
this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and 
all documents and instruments which may be necessary or desirable to 
accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, and, without limiting the 
generality of the foregoing, each Grantor hereby gives the Administrative 
Agent the power and right, on behalf of each Grantor, without notice to or 
assent by each Grantor, to do any or all of the following:

    (a) in the name of each Grantor or its own name, or otherwise, take 
possession of and indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances 
or other instruments for the payment of moneys due under any Account or 
Contract or with respect to any other Collateral and file any claim or take 
any other action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise 
deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of collecting 
any and all such moneys due under any Account or Contract or with respect to 
any other Collateral whenever payable;

    (b) in the case of any Copyright, Patent or Trademark, execute and 
deliver any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the 
Administrative Agent may request to evidence the Administrative Agent's 
security interest in such Copyright, Patent or Trademark and the goodwill and 
general intangibles of each Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby;

    (c) pay or discharge taxes and Liens levied or placed on or threatened 
against the Collateral, effect any repairs or any insurance called for by the 
terms of this Agreement and pay all or any part of the premiums therefor and 
the costs thereof; 

    (d) execute, in connection with any sale provided for in subsection 8.3 ,
any endorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or transfer
with respect to the Collateral; and

<PAGE>

                                                                            20

    (e)(1) direct any party liable for any payment under any of the 
Collateral to make payment of any and all moneys due or to become due 
thereunder directly to the Administrative Agent or as the Administrative 
Agent shall direct; (2) ask or demand for, collect, receive payment of and 
receipt for, any and all moneys, claims and other amounts due or to become 
due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral; (3) sign and 
indorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of lading, storage or 
warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications, 
notices and other documents in connection with any of the Collateral; (4) 
commence and prosecute any suits, actions or proceedings at law or in equity 
in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect the Collateral or any 
thereof and to enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (5) 
defend any suit, action or proceeding brought against each Grantor with 
respect to any Collateral; (6) settle, compromise or adjust any such suit, 
action or proceeding and, in connection therewith, to give such discharges or 
releases as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; (7) assign any 
Copyright, Patent or Trademark (along with the goodwill of the business to 
which any such Copyright, Patent or Trademark pertains), throughout the world 
for such term or terms, on such conditions, and in such manner, as the 
Administrative Agent shall in its sole discretion determine; and (8) 
generally, sell, transfer, pledge and make any agreement with respect to or 
otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though 
the Administrative Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, 
and do, at the Administrative Agent's option and each Grantor's expense, at 
any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which the Administrative 
Agent deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and 
the Administrative Agent's security interests therein and to effect the 
intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as each Grantor might 
do.

         Anything in this subsection to the contrary notwithstanding, the 
Administrative Agent agrees that it will not exercise any rights under the 
power of attorney provided for in this subsection unless an Event of Default 
shall have occurred and be continuing.

    9.2 PERFORMANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OF BORROWER'S OBLIGATIONS.  If 
each Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements contained 
herein, the Administrative Agent, at its option, but without any obligation 
so to do, may perform or comply, or otherwise cause performance or 
compliance, with such agreement.

    9.3 BORROWER'S REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION.  The expenses of the 
Administrative Agent incurred in connection with actions undertaken as 
provided in this Section, together with interest thereon at a rate per annum 
equal to the rate per annum at which interest would then be payable on past 
due ABR Loans under the Credit Agreement, from the date of payment by the 
Administrative Agent to the date reimbursed by each Grantor, shall be payable 
by each Grantor to the Administrative Agent on demand.

    9.4 RATIFICATION; POWER COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST.  Each Grantor hereby 
ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause to be done by 
virtue hereof and in 

<PAGE>

                                                                            21

accordance with the terms hereof.  All powers, authorizations and agencies 
contained in this Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable 
until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby 
are released.

    10. DUTY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The Administrative Agent's sole duty 
with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the 
Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the Code or otherwise, 
shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals 
with similar property for its own account.  Neither the Administrative Agent, 
any Lender nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees or 
agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of 
the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation 
to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of each 
Grantor or any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with 
regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.  The powers conferred on the 
Administrative Agent hereunder are solely to protect the Administrative 
Agent's interests in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise any such powers.  The 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be accountable only for amounts 
that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and 
neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall 
be responsible to each Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, 
except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

    11. EXECUTIION OF FINANCING STATEMENTS. Pursuant to Section 9-402 of the 
Code or any applicable law, each Grantor authorizes the Administrative Agent 
to file financing statements with respect to the Collateral without the 
signature of each Grantor in such form and in such filing offices as the 
Administrative Agent reasonably determines appropriate to perfect the 
security interests of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement.  A 
carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be 
sufficient as a financing statement for filing in any jurisdiction (except in 
Canada).

    12. AUTHORITY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Each Grantor acknowledges that the 
rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement 
with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the exercise 
or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting right, 
request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting 
or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the Administrative Agent 
and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other 
agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, 
but, as between the Administrative Agent and each Grantor, the Administrative 
Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for the Lenders 
with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, and each 
Grantor shall be under no obligation, or entitlement, to make any inquiry 
respecting such authority.

    13. NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands to or upon the 
Administrative Agent or each Grantor hereunder shall be effected in the 
manner provided for in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement.  

<PAGE>

                                                                            22

    14. SEVERABILITY. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or 
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be 
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without 
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or 
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render 
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

    15. AMENDMENTS IN WRITING; NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.

    15.1 AMENDMENTS IN WRITING.  None of the terms or provisions of this 
Agreement may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except 
by a written instrument executed by each Grantor and the Administrative 
Agent, PROVIDED that any provision of this Agreement imposing obligations on 
any Grantor may be waived by the Administrative Agent in a written instrument 
executed by the Administrative Agent.

    15.2 NO WAIVER BY COURSE OF CONDUCT.  Neither the Administrative Agent 
nor any Lender shall by any act (except by a written instrument pursuant to 
subsection 15.1), delay, indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have 
waived any right or remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or 
Event of Default.  No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on 
the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any right, power or 
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.  No single or partial 
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall preclude any other 
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or 
privilege.  A waiver by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right 
or remedy hereunder on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to 
any right or remedy which the Administrative Agent or such Lender would 
otherwise have on any future occasion.

    15.3 REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.  The rights and remedies herein provided are 
cumulative, may be exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of 
any other rights or remedies provided by law.

    16. SECTION HEADINGS. The Section and subsection headings used in this 
Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the 
construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation 
hereof.

    17. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding upon the 
successors and assigns of each Grantor and shall inure to the benefit of the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and permitted 
assigns under the Credit Agreement.

    18. ATTACHMENT. The parties hereby acknowledge that (i) value has been 
given; (ii) each Grantor has rights in the Collateral; (iii) they have not 
agreed to postpone the time of attachment of the security interest; and (iv) 
each Grantor has received a duplicate original copy of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

                                                                            23

    19. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and 
interpreted in accordance with, the law of the State of New York except with 
respect to the security interests granted hereby in deposit accounts which 
shall be governed by the law of the State of California.

    20. TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL. At such time as the 
Obligations then due and payable have been fully satisfied and the 
Commitments terminated, the Collateral shall be released from the lien 
created by this Agreement, and the security interest created by this 
Agreement and all obligations of the Grantors with respect thereto shall 
terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act 
by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to the Grantors.  
Upon request of any Grantor following any such termination, the 
Administrative Agent will deliver (at the sole cost and expense of such 
Grantor) to such Grantor any Collateral held by the Administrative Agent 
hereunder, and execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of such 
Grantor) to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall reasonably 
request to evidence such termination.

    21. WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL. EACH GRANTOR, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE 
LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY 
LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN 
DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

<PAGE>

                                                                            24

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Security 
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above 
written.

                              CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.




                              By: ___________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title: 


                              C/M PRODUCTS, INC.



                              By: ___________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title: 


                              CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, 
                              INC.



                              By: ___________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title: 


                              CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC.



                              By: ___________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title: 

<PAGE>

STATE OF NEW YORK     )
                              : ss:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK     )


         On August __, 1996, before me personally came ___________________, 
to me known, who, by me duly sworn, did depose and say that deponent resides 
at __________________________________, deponent is _____________________ of 
_________________________________________________, the corporation described 
in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that the seal affixed to said 
instrument is the corporate seal of such corporation and that it was so 
affixed by order of the Board of Directors of such corporation; and that 
deponent signed deponent's name thereto by like order.

            
                                  ________________________________________
                                  Notary Public


<PAGE>





                                      SCHEDULE 1
                          COPYRIGHTS AND COPYRIGHT LICENSES



The Company is a party to general software license agreements for programs 
used in day to day operations (e.g., Lotus, Excel, Microsoft Word, etc.)



<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 2
                              PATENTS AND PATENT LICENSES




                                        -none-

<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 3
                          TRADEMARKS AND TRADEMARK LICENSES

                            CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                       Registration     Registration  Renewal
Jurisdiction     Mark                  Number           Date          Date
- ------------     ----                  -----            ----          ----

United States    Cable Car                929,258        2/15/72       2/15/02
United States    Cable Car &            1,810,976       12/14/93      12/14/03
                 Design
United States    Capt'n Slush           1,240,974         6/7/83        6/7/03
United States    Convenience 2000       1,826,573        3/15/94       3/15/04
United States    Convenience 2000       1,827,690        3/22/94       3/22/04
                 & Design
United States    Core-Mark              1,283,707        6/26/84       6/26/04
United States    Core-Mark &            1,834,121         5/3/94        5/3/04
                 Design
United States    Core-Mark &            1,834,123         5/3/94        5/3/04
                 Design
United States    Spacevues              1,742,013       12/22/92      12/22/02
United States    Starmark               1,605,239        7/10/90       7/10/00
Canada           Core-Mark            TMA 272,823       10/15/82      10/15/97
Canada           Core-Mark &          TMA 279,410        5/13/83       5/13/98
                 Design
Canada           Core-Mark &          TMA 433,460        9/16/94       9/16/10
                 Design
Canada           Core-Mark &          TMA 432,801        9/02/94       9/02/10
                 Design
Canada           Fast 'N Fresh        TMA 349,558       12/23/88      12/23/03
Canada           Fast 'N Tasty &      TMA 456,145        3/22/96       3/22/11
                 Design

                       Trademark and Service Mark Applications
                       ---------------------------------------

                                      Application       Application
Jurisdiction     Mark                 Number            Date
- ------------     ----                 ------            ----

United States    Starmark &            75/106,574        5/20/96
                 Design
United States    Tully's To Go         75/023,295       11/22/95
United States    Tully's To Go         75/072,803        3/14/96
                 & Design

<PAGE>
                                      SCHEDULE 3
                          TRADEMARKS AND TRADEMARK LICENSES
                                       (PAGE 2)

                        CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC

                                     Registration   Registration       Renewal
Jurisdiction     Mark                Number         Date Date   
- ------------     ---                 ------         ---- -----  

United States    Best Buy               1,225,254        1/25/83       1/25/03
United States    Best Buy               1,801,011       10/26/93      10/26/03
United States    Best Buy               1,801,668       10/26/93      10/26/03
United States    Best Buy               1,225,253        1/25/83       1/25/03
                 & Design
United States    Best Buy               1,809,484        12/7/93       12/7/03
                 & Design
United States    Best Buy               1,833,456        4/26/94       4/26/04
                 & Design
United States    Best Buy               1,813,973        12/8/93      12/28/03
                 & Design
United States    Major Brand            1,404,520         8/5/86        8/5/06
Canada           Best Buy              TMA335,175      12/11/877      12/11/02
                 & Design

                       Trademark and Service Mark Applications
                       ---------------------------------------

                                     Registration   Registration       Renewal
Jurisdiction     Mark                Number         Date Date   
- ------------     ---                 ------         ---- -----  
None

<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 3
                          TRADEMARKS AND TRADEMARK LICENSES
                                       (PAGE 3)

                                  TRADEMARK LICENSES

1.  Trademark License Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1993, by and between
    Famous Value Brands, a division of Philip Morris Incorporated (the
    "Licensee") and CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC. (the "Licensor").

2.  Agreement, dated as of September 17, 1992, by and between Helme Tobacco
    Company (the "Licensee") and C/M Products, Inc. (the "Licensor"), with
    respect to trademarks owned by CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC.

3.  Non-Exclusive Dealer Agreements, dated a of November 1, 1993, by and
    between Applied Business Corporation (the "Licensor") and CORE-MARK
    INTERNATIONAL, INC. (the "Licensee").

<PAGE>

                                                                      SCHEDULE 4


                               INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

<PAGE>
                                      SCHEDULE 5
                         LOCATIONS OF EQUIPMENT AND INVENTORY

LOCATIONS OF EQUIPMENT:

U.S.

8333 Washington Place, N.E.
ALBUQUERQUE, Bernalillo County, NM 87113

200 Core-Mark Court
BAKERSFIELD, Kern County, CA 93307

311 Reed Circle (note:  AMI)
CORONA, Riverside County, CA 91720

353 Meyer Circle
CORONA, Riverside County, CA 91720

31300 Medallion Dr.
HAYWARD, Alameda County, CA 94544

2311 East 48th St.
VERNON, Los Angeles County, CA 90058

3970 Pell Circle
SACRAMENTO, Sacramento County, CA 95838

3650 Fraser St.
AURORA, Adams County, CO 60011

3950 West Harmon
LAS VEGAS, Clark County, NV 89103

245 Telegraph St.
RENO, Washoe County, NV 89502

13551 S.E. Johnson (note: Portland Division)
MILWAUKEE, Clackamas County, OR 97223

303 N.E. F St.
GRANTS PASS, Josephine County, OR 97526

3130 South 1030 West
SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY, Salt Lake County, UT
84119

North 1015 Dyer Rd.
SPOKANE, Spokane County, WA 99212

152 Lombard Street #608
SAN FRANCISCO, San Francisco, CA 94123

8225 Washington Place, N.E.
ALBUQUERQUE, Bernalillo County, NM 87113

8350 Fruitridge Road, #247
SACRAMENTO, Sacramento County, CA 95826

5545 West Latham St., Suite 3
PHOENIX, Maricopa County, AZ 85043

3164 East La Palma Ave. Unit #1
ANAHEIM, Orange County, CA 92806

184 West Club Center Dr., Unit F
SAN BERNARDINO, San Bernardino County, CA
92408

9235 Trade Place, Suite G
SAN DIEGO, San Diego County, CA 92126

1419 N. San Fernando Blvd., Suite 210
BURBANK, Los Angeles County, CA 91504

10 West 7th St.
EUREKA, Humboldt County, CA 95501

395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, San Mateo County, CA
94080

2409 East Butler Market Rd.
BEND, Deschutes County, OR 97701

1022 South 30th St.
TACOMA, Pierce County, WA 98424

431 W. Lambert Road, #300
BREA, Orange County, Ca 92621

4630 Pacific Hwy. East #B10
TACOMA, Pierce County, WA 98424

2468 Whipple Road
HAYWARD, Alameda County, CA 94544


                                                                               1

<PAGE>

SCHEDULE 5
PAGE 2

LOCATIONS OF EQUIPMENT: (CONT'D)

CANADA

8225 30th Street, Suite 140
CALGARY, AB, T2C 1H7, Canada

13951 Bridgeport Road
RICHMOND, BC, V6V 1J6, Canada

2924 Jacklin Road
VICTORIA, BC, V9B 3Y5, Canada

99 Banister Road
WINNIPEG, MB, R2R 0S2, Canada

4611 Viking Way
RICHMOND, BC V6V 2K9, Canada

4619 Marine Avenue
POWELL RIVER, BC, V8A 2K8, Canada

13160 Vanier Place, Suite 140
RICHMOND, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada

13211 Delf Place
RICHMOND, BC, V6V 2A2, Canada

9603 45th Avenue
EDMONTON, AB, T6E 5V8, Canada

550 McDonald Street
REGINA, SK, S4P, Canada


                                                                               2

<PAGE>

SCHEDULE 5
PAGE 3

LOCATIONS OF INVENTORY:

U.S.

8333 Washington Place, N.E.
ALBUQUERQUE, Bernalillo County, NM 87113

200 Core-Mark Court
BAKERSFIELD, Kern County, CA 93307

311 Reed Circle (note:  AMI)
CORONA, Riverside County, CA 91720

353 Meyer Circle
CORONA, Riverside County, CA 91720

31300 Medallion Dr.
HAYWARD, Alameda County, CA 94544

2311 East 48th St.
VERNON, Los Angeles County, CA 990058

3970 Pell Circle
SACRAMENTO, Sacramento County, CA 95838

3650 Fraser St.
AURORA, Adams County, CO 60011

3950 West Harmon
LAS VEGAS, Clark County, NV 89103

245 Telegraph St.
RENO, Washoe County, NV 89502

13551 S.E. Johnson (note: Portland Division)
MILWAUKEE, Clackamas County, OR 97223

303 N.E. F St.
GRANTS PASS, Josephine County, OR 97526

3130 South 1030 West
SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY, Salt Lake County, UT
84119

North 1015 Dyer Rd.
SPOKANE, Spokane County, WA 99212

8225 Washington Place, NE
ALBUQUERQUE, Benalillo County, NM 87113

8350 Fruitridge Rd.  # 247
SACRAMENTO, Sacramento County, CA 95826

CANADA

8225 30th Street, Suite 140
CALGARY, AB, T2C 1H7, Canada

13160 Vanier Place, Suite 140
RICHMOND, BC, V6V 2J2, Canada

2924 Jacklin Road
VICTORIA, BC, V9B 3Y5, Canada

99 Banister Road
WINNIPEG, MB, R2R 0S2, Canada

PUBLIC WAREHOUSES OCCASIONALLY
USED:

U.S.:

Desert Empire Transfer & Storage
258 E. Commercial Rd.
San Bernardino, CA 92408

California Distribution Centers, Inc.
2080 Enterprise Blvd.
West Sacramento, CA 95691

United States Cold Storage of California
3100 52nd Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95823


                                                                               3

<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 6
                          LOCATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE


    GRANTOR                       LOCATION
    -------                       --------

Core-Mark International, Inc.     395 Oyster Point Boulevard #415
                                  South San Francisco, CA 94080

C/M Products, Inc.                395 Oyster Point Boulevard #415
                                  South San Francisco, CA 94080

Core-Mark Interrelated            395 Oyster Point Boulevard #415
    Companies, Inc.               South San Francisco, CA 94080

Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.      395 Oyster Point Boulevard #415
                                  South San Francisco, CA 94080


<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 7

                                 DEPOSIT BANKS/CANADA

NAME AND ADDRESS OF BANK                    ACCOUNT NUMBER
- ----------------------------                ----------------------------------

BANK OF MONTREAL                               CANADIAN CASH
FIRST BANK TOWER, 6TH FL                     COLLATERAL ACCOUNT
595 BURRARD STREET                          07600-0000-313
VANCOUVER, B.C. V7X 1L5                     C$ Concentration Acct
ATTN: ERIC LINDSTROM

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA                        DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
650 WEST GEORGIA ST. 34TH FL                11239-002-0010-15
VANCOUVER, B.C., V6B 4N7                       Visa Deposit/Calgary
ATTN: MARK CLAYARDS                         Transfer to Bk Montreal weekly

                                               DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
                                            71480-002-00009-14
                                               Visa Deposit Richmond
                                            Transfer to Bk Montreal weekly

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK                         DEPOSIT ACCOUNT
 OF COMMERCE                                00307-2604310
1727 ELLICE AVE.                               Visa & Master Card Deposit
WINNIPEG, M.B. R3H 0B4                      Calgary
                                            Transfer to Bk Montreal weekly


<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 7

                       COLLECTION ACCOUNT AND DEPOSITORY BANKS
                                     (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS OF BANK                    ACCOUNT NUMBER
- -------------------------                   --------------------------------

CHASE MANHATTAN BANK-NEW YORK                 US CASH COLLATERAL
1 CHASE PLAZA                               910-2-775740
NEW YORK, NY 10081                              Chase Controls
ATTN:  LEONARD PENN (SAN FRANCISCO)
                                            L/C COLLATERAL
                                            910-2-775732
                                                Chase Controls

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                  DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
BANK OF ARIZONA                             1620-12120
114 WEST ADAMS STREET                       Depository/Corona
MAIL SORT 967                               
PHOENIX, ARIZONA 85003                        DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)      1829-12192
                                            Depository/Las Vegas

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                COLLECTION ACCOUNT
BANK OF CALIFORNIA                          149-643-709
707 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD                      Sweep account for non-Calif
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90017               ACH activity
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                  DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
BANK OF DENVER                              4785940
633 SEVENTEENTH STREET                      Depository/Denver (CMI)
3N-056                                      Lockbox
DENVER, COLORADO 80270                      
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                  DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
BANK OF NEVADA                              147-316-3763
3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY                  Depository/Las Vegas
NUMBER 811LV
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89109                       DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)      002-2572-642
                                            Depository/Reno

<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 7

                       COLLECTION ACCOUNT AND DEPOSITORY BANKS
                                     (CONTINUED)

NAME AND ADDRESS OF BANK                      ACCOUNT NUMBER
- -------------------------------             --------------------------------
WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                  DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
BANK OF OREGON                              189-002378-7
1300 S.W. FIFTH AVENE                       Depository/Portland
T-19                                        Lockbox
PORTLAND, OREGON 97201
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)        DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT 
                                            427-011809-5
                                            Depository/Grants Pass

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                  DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
BANK OF UTAH                                02-07137-1
180 SOUTH MAIN                              Depository/Salt Lake City
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84101
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                  DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
BANK OF WASHINGTON                          300-080-065
999 THIRD AVENUE, MAIL STATION 886          Depository/Spokane
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)        DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT
                                            303-651-950
                                            Depository/Spokane

SUNWEST BANK                                COLLECTION ACCOUNT
P.O. BOX 25500                              0109656314
ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO 87125               Depository/Albuquerque
HAZEL HILL

WELLS FARGO BANK                            COLLECTION ACCOUNT
420 MONTGOMERY STREET                       4518-099999
SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94194                     California Depository/Lockbox
  ATTN: ED BAROSKY                               Lockbox address
                                                   Sacramento        dept 44110
                                                     Hayward         dept 44238
                                                   Los Angeles       dept 66514
                                                     Corona          dept 66579
                                                   Bakersfield       dept 66543

<PAGE>


                                      SCHEDULE 8
                            INSTRUMENTS AND CHATTEL PAPER

1.  Series B Bonds issued by Apex Oil Company, Inc. due November 2000 with an
    aggregate principal balance of $183,305.  No fair market value is
    available.

2.  Promissory Note of Antranik A. Hindoyan, an individual and Elizabeth
    Hindoyan, an individual, doing business as Sunset Shell and Sunset Shell
    Food Mart and with an additional debtor of Hindoyan Enterprises, Inc., with
    an outstanding balance of $1,118,150 and maturity date of February 1, 1997. 
    A balloon payment of $1,065,642 is due on February 1, 1997.  Substantially
    all of the principal is expected to be renegotiated and the maturity date
    extended under a new promissory note agreement to be entered into at
    maturity.

3.  Promissory Note of Dennis Sheldon, an individual doing business as Dennis
    Discount Depot with an outstanding balance of $151,703 and maturity date of
    June 20, 1996.


<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 9
                             PERMITTED UNBLOCKED ACCOUNTS
                                       (PAGE 1)

NAME AND ADDRESS OF BANK                    ACCOUNT NUMBER
- ---------------------------                 ---------------

BANK OF MONTREAL                            07600-0000-426
FIRST BANK TOWER, 6TH FL.                   CS Disbursement/ZBA
595 BURRARD STREET
VANCOUVER, B.C. V7X 1L5                     07800-1168-054
                                            C$ Cigarette EFT/ZBA

                                            07600-1102-397
                                            C$ Payroll/ZBA

                                            07600-1154-963
                                            C$ Manual Payroll/ZBA

                                            0782-1056-724
                                            Returned Items/Richmond

                                            2788-1019-392
                                            Returned Items/Calgary

                                            07600-4601-086
                                            US $ Account

                                            0004-7034-355
                                            CAN $ Loan Balance Acct.

CHASE MANHATTAN BANK-NEW YORK               910-2-775419
1 CHASE PLAZA                               Concentration (disbursement)
NEW YORK, NY 10081
ATTN: LEONARD PENN (SAN FRANCISCO)          910-2-775427
                                            Cigarette EFT/ZBA

                                            910-2-775435
                                            Non Cigarette EFT/ZBA

                                            910-2-775443
                                            CMI Originated EFT/ZBA

CHASE MANHATTAN BANK-SYRACUSE               601-8-09668
6040 TARBELL RD.                            Accounts payable/checking
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 13206                    ZBA
ATTN: LEONARD PENN (SAN FRANCISCO)

CITIBANK-NEW YORK                           4064-2251
399 PARK AVE                                Master Disbursement
NEW YORK, NY 10043


<PAGE>

                                      SCHEDULE 9
                             PERMITTED UNBLOCKED ACCOUNTS
                                       (PAGE 2)


NAME AND ADDRESS OF BANK                         ACCOUNT NUMBER
- -------------------------                        --------------

CITIBANK-DELAWARE                           4002-3661
ONE PENN'S WAY                              Disbursement Funding
NEW CASTLE, DE 19720
                                            4002-2768
                                            Accounts payable

                                            4002-3733
                                            EDI/EFT

                                            4002-3741
                                            non cig EFT/EDI

                                            3911-1795
                                            CMI initiated EFT/EDI

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                149-543-203
BANK OF CALIFORNIA                          Payroll
707 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD
MAIL SORT W12-17
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90017
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                7633249
BANK OF DENVER                              Tradeshow Petty Cash
633 SEVENTEENTH STREET
3N-056                                      5035851
DENVER, COLORADO 80270                      Petty Cash/Denver
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)

WELLS FARGO/FIRST INTERSTATE                147-018-6965
BANK OF NEVADA                              Petty Cash/Las Vegas
3800 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY                  
NUMBER 881LV                                002-0176-982
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89100                     Petty Cash/Reno
ATTN: ED BAROSKY (WELLS SAN FRANCISCO)

  WELLS FARGO BANK                          4518-110584
420 MONTGOMERY STREET                       Payroll/to replace FIB
SAN FRANCISCO, CA. 94194                   
  ATTN: ED BAROSKY                          4518-100110
                                            Petty Cash/Corona

                                            4518-100292
                                            Petty Cash/Sacramento

                                            4518-100235
                                            Petty Cash/Los Angeles

                                            4518-100177
                                            Petty Cash/Bakersfield


<PAGE>


                                                                EXHIBIT A-1 TO
                                                            SECURITY AGREEMENT

                            [FORM OF]

                        DEPOSITORY LETTER


[Addressee]


    Re:  Account Nos. PER THE ATTACHED SCHEDULE


        Core-Mark International, Inc. (the "ASSIGNOR") currently maintains 
with you (the "DEPOSITORY"), the bank accounts identified in the attached 
schedules (the "DEPOSITORY ACCOUNT").  The Assignor hereby irrevocably 
notifies and instructs the Depository with respect to the Depository Account 
as set forth below, and hereby requests the Depository to indicate its 
acceptance of and agreement to be bound by the terms hereof by signing in the 
space provided for below.

        (1) In order to provide security for certain obligations of the 
Assignor under the Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended 
and in effect from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among the Assignor, 
each of the banks and financial institutions parties thereto (the "Lenders") 
and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the 
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), the Assignor has granted to the Administrative Agent 
for the benefit of the Lenders a security interest (the "SECURITY INTEREST") 
in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement dated as of August 7, 
1996 between the Assignor and the Administrative Agent (as amended and in 
effect from time to time, the "SECURITY AGREEMENT")), which includes, without 
limitation, all of the Assignor's accounts (as such term is defined in the 
Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC")), now owned or hereafter acquired, all 
amounts due and to become due under any of the foregoing and all products and 
proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.

        (2) In connection with the granting of the Security Interest in the 
Collateral by the Assignor to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the 
Lenders, the Assignor has granted and transferred to the Administrative Agent 
for the benefit of the Lenders a Security Interest in (a) the Depository 
Account, (b) all of the items from time to time in the Depository Account (it 
being acknowledged that such items constitute proceeds, within the meaning of 
the UCC, of the Collateral) and (c) all of the proceeds of such items.

        (3) Subject to the further instructions of the Administrative Agent, 
the Depository is hereby directed to transfer, at the start of each business 
day, in same day funds, all available funds on deposit in the Depository 
Account (less any minimum required balances) to Account No.______________ 
(the "COLLECTION ACCOUNT") maintained at First Interstate Bank (California), 
which account has been assigned by Assignor to the Administrative Agent.

        (4) The Depository is hereby notified that (i) the Administrative 
Agent is authorized and empowered to direct the Depository administering the 
Depository Account and any related lockboxes to remit all future payments 
directly to other designated accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent 
and (ii) the Assignor has agreed that it will not withdraw any funds in the 
Depository Account without the prior written consent of the Administrative 
Agent.  Such direction may be given by the Administrative Agent either in its 
own name or as a secured party, or in the name of the Assignor pursuant to an 
irrevocable power of attorney (which power is coupled with an interest) 
heretofore granted by the Assignor in favor of the Administrative Agent.  The 
Depository is 

<PAGE>

                                                                             2

hereby irrevocably authorized and directed to abide by any such written 
direct payment instructions it may receive from the Administrative Agent in 
its own name or in the name of the Assignor.  Such payment instructions shall 
only apply to good, collected funds held in the Depository Account.

        (5) By its acceptance hereof and agreement hereto, the Depository 
hereby (a) waives, with respect to all its existing and future claims against 
the Assignor, or any affiliate thereof, all existing and future rights for 
set-off and banker's liens against the Depository Account and all items and 
proceeds thereof that come into the possession of the Depository in 
connection with the Depository Account; PROVIDED, however, that the 
Depository retains the right to charge the Depository Account for all items 
deposited in the Depository Account and subsequently returned unpaid to the 
Depository and for any unpaid fees and expenses pertaining to the Depository 
Account or any related lockboxes; (b) represents and warrants to the best of 
its knowledge that except for the Depository Account and any other accounts 
disclosed to the Administrative Agent, there are no bank accounts that are 
maintained by the Depository with respect to the receivables of the Assignor; 
(c) agrees to provide to the Administrative Agent written notice of any fees 
and expenses pertaining to the Depository Account or any related lockboxes 
that have not been paid by the Assignor and agrees not to discontinue any 
services pertaining to the Depository Account or such lockboxes until 30 days 
have elapsed from such notice being given by the Depository to the 
Administrative Agent and such fees and expenses shall not have been paid; (d) 
agrees to provide the Administrative Agent written notice (at The Chase 
Manhattan Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Attention:  
______________) simultaneously with the notice being given to the Assignor as 
required by an agreement, if any, governing the Depository Account, should it 
alter, change or discontinue any services pertaining to the Depository 
Account or such lockboxes, such alteration, change or discontinuance to be 
effective 30 days from such notice being given by the Depository to the 
Administrative Agent, or sooner should the Administrative Agent have 
consented in writing; (e) agrees that in the event any services pertaining to 
the Depository Account or such lockboxes are discontinued after notice by the 
Depository as aforesaid, the Depository will (subject to being furnished with 
reasonable assurances regarding payment of its related fees and expenses) 
comply with the Administrative Agent's reasonable instructions regarding the 
forwarding of any payments of items then contained or subsequently deposited 
in the Depository Account or delivered to any related lockboxes; (f) agrees 
that it shall not, without the prior written consent of the Administrative 
Agent, transfer any funds in the Depository Account; and (g) agrees to 
provide the Administrative Agent with access to daily balance reporting in 
respect of the Depository Account, including any necessary code or password.

        (6) The Depository confirms to the best of its knowledge and the 
Assignor confirms that true and correct copies of all existing agreements 
between the Assignor and the Depository with respect to the Depository 
Account or any related lockboxes or otherwise relating to the collection of 
receivables of the Assignor are attached.

        (7) This Letter Agreement (a) shall be effective as of the date first 
above written; (b) shall supersede any other agreement relating to the 
assignment of the Depository Account, including any bank account agreement 
between the Assignor and the Depository relating to collection of receivables 
of the Assignor but only to the extent that such other agreement is 
inconsistent with this Letter Agreement; (c) is binding upon the parties and 
their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to their benefit; (d) 
shall not in any way or to any extent be changed, amended, modified or waived 
without the Administrative Agent's and the Depository's prior written 
consent; (e) shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the 
laws of the State of New York; and (f) may be executed in any number of 
counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  
Any provision hereof that may prove unenforceable under any law or regulation 
shall not affect the validity of any other provision hereof.  The execution, 
delivery and performance of this Letter 

<PAGE>

                                                                             3

Agreement is within the corporate power of each of the Assignor, the 
Administrative Agent and the Depository, and has been duly authorized by all 
necessary corporate action.

        (8) All notices or instructions herein provided for shall be in 
writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered at or mailed, 
postage prepaid, or telecopied, to the intended recipient at the address 
specified below its name on the signature pages hereof, except that notices 
and communication to the Depository shall not be effective until received by 
the Depository.

        (9) The undersigned, First Interstate Bank Ltd. ("FIB"), has 
represented and warranted to the Administrative Agent that it is authorized 
to sign on behalf of the Depository.  By signing in the space provided for 
below, FIB shall effectively bind the Depository to the instructions provided 
for herein.

                              Very truly yours,


                              CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                              By: ________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title: 
                                 Address:


ACCEPTED AND AGREED 
AS AFORESAID:

[Name of Depository]


By:___________________________
   Name:
   Title: 
   Address:


THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
   As Administrative Agent


By:
   Name:
   Title: 
   Address: 

<PAGE>

                                                               EXHIBIT A-2-A TO
                                                             SECURITY AGREEMENT

                            [FORM OF]

                      DEPOSIT ACCOUNT LETTER
                        FOR CANADIAN CASH
                        COLLATERAL ACCOUNT


[Addressee]


    Re:  Account No.______________


         Core-Mark International, Inc. (the "ASSIGNOR") currently maintains 
with you (the "DEPOSITORY"), the bank account identified by the 
above-referenced account number (the "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT").  The Assignor hereby 
irrevocably notifies and instructs the Depository with respect to the Deposit 
Account as set forth below, and hereby requests the Depository to indicate 
its acceptance of and agreement to be bound by the terms hereof by signing in 
the space provided for below.

        (1) In order to provide security for certain obligations of the 
Assignor under the Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended 
and in effect from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among the Assignor, 
each of the banks and financial institutions parties thereto (the "Lenders") 
and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the 
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), the Assignor has granted to the Administrative Agent 
for the benefit of the Lenders a security interest (the "SECURITY INTEREST") 
in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement dated as of August 7, 
1996 between the Assignor and the Administrative Agent (as amended and in 
effect from time to time, the "SECURITY AGREEMENT")), which includes, without 
limitation, all of the Assignor's accounts (as such term is defined in the 
Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC")), now owned or hereafter acquired, all 
amounts due and to become due under any of the foregoing and all products and 
proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.

        (2) In connection with the granting of the Security Interest in the 
Collateral by the Assignor to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the 
Lenders, the Assignor has granted and transferred to the Administrative Agent 
for the benefit of the Lenders a Security Interest in (a) the Deposit 
Account, (b) all of the items from time to time in the Deposit Account, (c) 
all investments made from amounts on deposit in the Deposit Account in term 
deposits and interest paid on such investments in term deposits and (d) all 
of the proceeds of such items.

        (3) The Depository is hereby notified that (i) the Administrative 
Agent is authorized and empowered to direct the Depository administering the 
Deposit Account to remit all future payments directly to the Administrative 
Agent.  Such direction may be given by the Administrative Agent either in its 
own name or as a secured party, or in the name of the Assignor pursuant to an 
irrevocable power of attorney (which power is coupled with an interest) 
heretofore granted by the Assignor in favor of the Administrative Agent.  The 
Depository is hereby irrevocably authorized and directed to abide by any such 
written direct payment instructions it may receive from the Administrative 
Agent in its own name or in the name of the Assignor.  Such payment 
instructions shall only apply to good, collected funds held in the Deposit 
Account.

        (4) By its acceptance hereof and agreement hereto, the Depository 
hereby (a) waives, with respect to all its existing and future claims against 
the Assignor, or any affiliate thereof, 

<PAGE>

                                                                            2

all existing and future rights for set-off and banker's liens against the 
Deposit Account and all items and proceeds thereof that come into the 
possession of the Depository in connection with the Deposit Account; 
PROVIDED, however, that the Depository retains the right to charge the 
Deposit Account for all items deposited in the Deposit Account and 
subsequently returned unpaid to the Depository and for any unpaid fees and 
expenses pertaining to the Deposit Account; (b) represents and warrants to 
the best of its knowledge that except for the Deposit Account and any other 
accounts disclosed to the Administrative Agent, there are no bank accounts 
that are maintained by the Depository with respect to the receivables of the 
Assignor; (c) agrees to provide to the Administrative Agent written notice of 
any fees and expenses pertaining to the Deposit Account that have not been 
paid by the Assignor and agrees not to discontinue any services pertaining to 
the Deposit Account until 30 days have elapsed from such notice being given 
by the Depository to the Administrative Agent and such fees and expenses 
shall not have been paid; (d) agrees to provide the Administrative Agent 
written notice (at The Chase Manhattan Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 
10017, Attention:  ______________) simultaneously with the notice being given 
to the Assignor as required by an agreement, if any, governing the Deposit 
Account, should it alter, change or discontinue any services pertaining to 
the Deposit Account, such alteration, change or discontinuance to be 
effective 30 days from such notice being given by the Depository to the 
Administrative Agent, or sooner should the Administrative Agent have 
consented in writing; (e) agrees that in the event any services pertaining to 
the Deposit Account are discontinued after notice by the Depository as 
aforesaid, the Depository will (subject to being furnished with reasonable 
assurances regarding payment of its related fees and expenses) comply with 
the Administrative Agent's reasonable instructions regarding the forwarding 
of any payments of items then contained or subsequently deposited in the 
Deposit Account; and (f) agrees to provide the Administrative Agent with 
access to daily balance reporting in respect of the Deposit Account, 
including any necessary code or password.

        (5) The Depository confirms to the best of its knowledge and the 
Assignor confirms that true and correct copies of all existing agreements 
between the Assignor and the Depository with respect to the Deposit Account 
or otherwise relating to the collection of receivables of the Assignor are 
attached.

        (6) This Letter Agreement (a) shall be effective as of the date first 
above written; (b) shall supersede any other agreement relating to the 
assignment of the Deposit Account, including any bank account agreement 
between the Assignor and the Depository relating to collection of receivables 
of the Assignor but only to the extent that such other agreement is 
inconsistent with this Letter Agreement; (c) is binding upon the parties and 
their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to their benefit; (d) 
shall not in any way or to any extent be changed, amended, modified or waived 
without the Administrative Agent's and the Depository's prior written 
consent; (e) shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the 
laws of the State of New York; and (f) may be executed in any number of 
counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  
Any provision hereof that may prove unenforceable under any law or regulation 
shall not affect the validity of any other provision hereof.  The execution, 
delivery and performance of this Letter Agreement is within the corporate 
power of each of the Assignor, the Administrative Agent and the Depository, 
and has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.

<PAGE>

                                                                             3

        (7) All notices or instructions herein provided for shall be in 
writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered at or mailed, 
postage prepaid, or telecopied, to the intended recipient at the address 
specified below its name on the signature pages hereof, except that notices 
and communication to the Depository shall not be effective until received by 
the Depository.

                              Very truly yours,
                              
                              
                              CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                              
                              
                              By: ____________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title: 
                                 Address:


ACCEPTED AND AGREED 
AS AFORESAID:

[Name of Depository]


By: ___________________________
   Name:
   Title: 
   Address:


THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
  As Administrative Agent


By: ___________________________
   Name:
   Title: 
   Address:

<PAGE>

                                                               EXHIBIT A-2-B TO
                                                             SECURITY AGREEMENT

                            [FORM OF]

                      DEPOSIT ACCOUNT LETTER


[Addressee]


     Re:  Account No.______________


          Core-Mark International, Inc. (the "ASSIGNOR") currently maintains 
with you (the "DEPOSITORY"), the bank account identified by the 
above-referenced account number (the "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT").  The Assignor hereby 
irrevocably notifies and instructs the Depository with respect to the Deposit 
Account as set forth below, and hereby requests the Depository to indicate 
its acceptance of and agreement to be bound by the terms hereof by signing in 
the space provided for below.

        (1) In order to provide security for certain obligations of the 
Assignor under the Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended 
and in effect from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among the Assignor, 
each of the banks and financial institutions parties thereto (the "Lenders") 
and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the 
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), the Assignor has granted to the Administrative Agent 
for the benefit of the Lenders a security interest (the "SECURITY INTEREST") 
in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement dated as of August 7, 
1996 between the Assignor and the Administrative Agent (as amended and in 
effect from time to time, the "SECURITY AGREEMENT")), which includes, without 
limitation, all of the Assignor's accounts (as such term is defined in the 
Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC")), now owned or hereafter acquired, all 
amounts due and to become due under any of the foregoing and all products and 
proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.

        (2) In connection with the granting of the Security Interest in the 
Collateral by the Assignor to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the 
Lenders, the Assignor has granted and transferred to the Administrative Agent 
for the benefit of the Lenders a Security Interest in (a) the Deposit 
Account, (b) all of the items from time to time in the Deposit Account and 
(c) all of the proceeds of such items.

        (3) Subject to the further instructions of the Administrative Agent, 
the Depository is hereby authorized, upon the request of Bank of Montreal to 
transfer, at least once a week, in same day funds, all available funds on 
deposit in the Deposit Account (less any minimum required balances) to 
Account No.______________ (the "CANADIAN CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT") maintained 
at Bank of Montreal.

        (4) The Depository is hereby notified that the Administrative Agent 
is authorized and empowered to direct the Depository administering the 
Deposit Account and any related lockboxes to remit all future payments 
directly to other designated accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent. 
 Such direction may be given by the Administrative Agent either in its own 
name or as a secured party, or in the name of the Assignor pursuant to an 
irrevocable power of attorney (which power is coupled with an interest) 
heretofore granted by the Assignor in favor of the Administrative Agent.  The 
Depository is hereby irrevocably authorized and directed to abide by any such 
written direct payment instructions it may receive from the Administrative 
Agent in its own name or in the 

<PAGE>

                                                                             2

name of the Assignor.  Such payment instructions shall only apply to good, 
collected funds held in the Deposit Account.

        (5) By its acceptance hereof and agreement hereto, the Depository 
hereby (a) waives, with respect to all its existing and future claims against 
the Assignor, or any affiliate thereof, all existing and future rights for 
set-off and banker's liens against the Deposit Account and all items and 
proceeds thereof that come into the possession of the Depository in 
connection with the Deposit Account; PROVIDED, however, that the Depository 
retains the right to charge the Deposit Account for all items deposited in 
the Deposit Account and subsequently returned unpaid to the Depository and 
for any unpaid fees and expenses pertaining to the Deposit Account; (b) 
represents and warrants to the best of its knowledge that except for the 
Deposit Account and any other accounts disclosed to the Administrative Agent, 
there are no bank accounts that are maintained by the Depository with respect 
to the receivables of the Assignor; (c) agrees to provide to the 
Administrative Agent written notice of any fees and expenses pertaining to 
the Deposit Account that have not been paid by the Assignor and agrees not to 
discontinue any services pertaining to the Deposit Account until 30 days have 
elapsed from such notice being given by the Depository to the Administrative 
Agent and such fees and expenses shall not have been paid; (d) agrees to 
provide the Administrative Agent written notice (at The Chase Manhattan Bank, 
270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Attention:  ______________) 
simultaneously with the notice being given to the Assignor as required by an 
agreement, if any, governing the Deposit Account, should it alter, change or 
discontinue any services pertaining to the Deposit Account such alteration, 
change or discontinuance to be effective 30 days from such notice being given 
by the Depository to the Administrative Agent, or sooner should the 
Administrative Agent have consented in writing; (e) agrees that in the event 
any services pertaining to the Deposit Account are discontinued after notice 
by the Depository as aforesaid, the Depository will (subject to being 
furnished with reasonable assurances regarding payment of its related fees 
and expenses) comply with the Administrative Agent's reasonable instructions 
regarding the forwarding of any payments of items then contained or 
subsequently deposited in the Deposit Account; (f) agrees that it shall not, 
without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, transfer any 
funds in the Deposit Account, except as provided in paragraph (3) above; and 
(g) agrees to provide the Administrative Agent with access to daily balance 
reporting in respect of the Deposit Account, including any necessary code or 
password.

        (6) The Depository confirms to the best of its knowledge and the 
Assignor confirms that true and correct copies of all existing agreements 
between the Assignor and the Depository with respect to the Deposit Account 
or otherwise relating to the collection of receivables of the Assignor are 
attached.

        (7) This Letter Agreement (a) shall be effective as of the date first 
above written; (b) shall supersede any other agreement relating to the 
assignment of the Deposit Account, including any bank account agreement 
between the Assignor and the Depository relating to collection of receivables 
of the Assignor but only to the extent that such other agreement is 
inconsistent with this Letter Agreement; (c) is binding upon the parties and 
their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to their benefit; (d) 
shall not in any way or to any extent be changed, amended, modified or waived 
without the Administrative Agent's and the Depository's prior written 
consent; (e) shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the 
laws of the State of New York; and (f) may be executed in any number of 
counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  
Any provision hereof that may prove unenforceable under any law or regulation 
shall not affect the validity of any other provision hereof.  The execution, 
delivery and performance of this Letter Agreement is within the corporate 
power of each of the Assignor, the Administrative Agent and the Depository, 
and has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.

<PAGE>

                                                                             3

        (8) All notices or instructions herein provided for shall be in 
writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered at or mailed, 
postage prepaid, or telecopied, to the intended recipient at the address 
specified below its name on the signature pages hereof, except that notices 
and communication to the Depository shall not be effective until received by 
the Depository.

                              Very truly yours,



                              CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                              By: ___________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title: 
                                 Address:


ACCEPTED AND AGREED 
AS AFORESAID:

[Name of Depository]


By: __________________________
   Name:
   Title: 
   Address:


THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
   As Administrative Agent


By: __________________________
   Name:
   Title: 
   Address:

<PAGE>


                                                                 EXHIBIT A-3 TO
                                                             SECURITY AGREEMENT

 
                            [FORM OF]

                     COLLECTION ACCOUNT LETTER

[Addressee]

     Re:  Account No.______________

          Core-Mark International, Inc. (the "ASSIGNOR") currently maintains 
with you (the "DEPOSITORY"), the bank account identified by the 
above-referenced account number (the "COLLECTION ACCOUNT").  The Assignor 
hereby irrevocably notifies and instructs the Depository with respect to the 
Collection Account as set forth below, and hereby requests the Depository to 
indicate its acceptance of and agreement to be bound by the terms hereof by 
signing in the space provided for below.

        (1) In order to provide security for certain obligations of the 
Assignor under the Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended 
and in effect from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") among the Assignor, 
each of the banks and financial institutions parties thereto (the "Lenders") 
and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the 
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), the Assignor has granted to the Administrative Agent 
for the benefit of the Lenders a security interest (the "SECURITY INTEREST") 
in the Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement dated as of August 7, 
1996 between the Assignor and the Administrative Agent (as amended and in 
effect from time to time, the "SECURITY AGREEMENT")), which includes, without 
limitation, all of the Assignor's accounts (as such term is defined in the 
Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC")), now owned or hereafter acquired, all 
amounts due and to become due under any of the foregoing and all products and 
proceeds of any and all of the foregoing.

        (2) In connection with the granting of the Security Interest in the 
Collateral by the Assignor to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the 
Lenders, the Assignor has granted and transferred to the Administrative Agent 
for the benefit of the Lenders a Security Interest in (a) the Collection 
Account, (b) all of the items from time to time in the Collection Account (it 
being acknowledged that such items constitute proceeds, within the meaning of 
the UCC, of the Collateral) and (c) all of the proceeds of such items.

        (3) Subject to the further instructions of the Administrative Agent, 
the Assignor is hereby directed to transfer, at the start of each business 
day, in same day funds, all available funds on deposit in the Collection 
Account (less any minimum required balances) to Account No.______________ 
(the "US COLLATERAL ACCOUNT") maintained by the Administrative Agent, but in 
no event shall such funds be transferred to an account other than an account 
maintained by the Administrative Agent.

        (4) The Depository is hereby notified that (i) the Administrative 
Agent is authorized and empowered to direct the Depository administering the 
Collection Account and any related lockboxes to remit all future payments 
directly to other designated accounts maintained by the Administrative Agent 
and (ii) the Assignor has agreed that it will not withdraw any funds in the 
Collection Account without the prior written consent of the Administrative 
Agent.  Such direction may be given by the Administrative Agent either in its 
own name or as a secured party, or in the name of the Assignor pursuant to an 
irrevocable power of attorney (which power is coupled with an interest) 
heretofore granted by the Assignor in favor of the Administrative Agent.  The 
Depository is hereby irrevocably authorized and directed to abide by any such 
written direct payment instructions it may 

<PAGE>

                                                                              2

receive from the Administrative Agent in its own name or in the name of the 
Assignor.  Such payment instructions shall only apply to good, collected 
funds held in the Collection Account.

        (5) By its acceptance hereof and agreement hereto, the Depository 
hereby (a) waives, with respect to all its existing and future claims against 
the Assignor, or any affiliate thereof, all existing and future rights for 
set-off and banker's liens against the Collection Account and all items and 
proceeds thereof that come into the possession of the Depository in 
connection with the Collection Account; PROVIDED, however, that the 
Depository retains the right to charge the Collection Account for all items 
deposited in the Collection Account and subsequently returned unpaid to the 
Depository and for any unpaid fees and expenses pertaining to the Collection 
Account or any related lockboxes; (b) represents and warrants to the best of 
its knowledge that except for the Collection Account and any other accounts 
disclosed to the Administrative Agent, there are no bank accounts that are 
maintained by the Depository with respect to the receivables of the Assignor; 
(c) agrees to provide to the Administrative Agent written notice of any fees 
and expenses pertaining to the Collection Account or any related lockboxes 
that have not been paid by the Assignor and agrees not to discontinue any 
services pertaining to the Collection Account or such lockboxes until 30 days 
have elapsed from such notice being given by the Depository to the 
Administrative Agent and such fees and expenses shall not have been paid; (d) 
agrees to provide the Administrative Agent written notice (at The Chase 
Manhattan Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, Attention:  
______________) simultaneously with the notice being given to Assignor as 
required by an agreement, if any, governing the Collection Account, should it 
alter, change or discontinue any services pertaining to the Collection 
Account or such lockboxes, such alteration, change or discontinuance to be 
effective 30 days from such notice being given by the Depository to the 
Administrative Agent, or sooner should the Administrative Agent have 
consented in writing; (e) agrees that in the event any services pertaining to 
the Collection Account or such lockboxes are discontinued after notice by the 
Depository as aforesaid, the Depository will (subject to being furnished with 
reasonable assurances regarding payment of its related fees and expenses) 
comply with the Administrative Agent's reasonable instructions regarding the 
forwarding of any payments of items then contained or subsequently deposited 
in the Collection Account or delivered to any related lockboxes; (f) agrees 
that it shall not, without the prior written consent of the Administrative 
Agent, transfer any funds in the Collection Account; and (g) agrees to 
provide the Administrative Agent with access to daily balance reporting in 
respect of the Collection Account, including any necessary code or password.

        (6) The Depository confirms to the best of its knowledge and the 
Assignor confirms that true and correct copies of all existing agreements 
between the Assignor and the Depository with respect to the Collection 
Account or any related lockboxes or otherwise relating to the collection of 
receivables of the Assignor are attached.

        (7) This Letter Agreement (a) shall be effective as of the date first 
above written; (b) shall supersede any other agreement relating to the 
assignment of the Collection Account, including any bank account agreement 
between the Assignor and the Depository relating to collection of receivables 
of the Assignor but only to the extent that such other agreement is 
inconsistent with this Letter Agreement; (c) is binding upon the parties and 
their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to their benefit; (d) 
shall not in any way or to any extent be changed, amended, modified or waived 
without the Administrative Agent's and the Depository's prior written 
consent; (e) shall be governed by, and interpreted in accordance with, the 
laws of the State of New York; and (f) may be executed in any number of 
counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  
Any provision hereof that may prove unenforceable under any law or regulation 
shall not affect the validity of any other provision hereof.  The execution, 
delivery and performance of this Letter 

<PAGE>

                                                                             3

Agreement is within the corporate power of each of the Assignor, the 
Administrative Agent and the Depository, and has been duly authorized by all 
necessary corporate action.

        (8) All notices or instructions herein provided for shall be in 
writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered at or mailed, 
postage prepaid, or telecopied, to the intended recipient at the address 
specified below its name on the signature pages hereof, except that notices 
and communication to the Depository shall not be effective until received by 
the Depository.

                              Very truly yours,
                              
                              
                              CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                              
                              
                              By: _________________________________
                                 Name:
                                 Title: 
                                 Address:


ACCEPTED AND AGREED 
AS AFORESAID:

[Name of Depository]


By: _________________________
   Name:
   Title: 
   Address:


THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
   As Administrative Agent


By: _________________________
   Name:
   Title: 
   Address:

<PAGE>

                                                                 EXHIBIT D
                                                            TO CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                    [FORM OF]
                                        
                         BORROWER STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT


          BORROWER STOCK PLEDGE AGREEMENT, dated as of August 7, 1996, made 
by CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "BORROWER"), in 
favor of THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, 
the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") for the Lenders parties to the Credit Agreement, 
dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified 
from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among the Borrower, the 
Administrative Agent and such Lenders.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:


     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have severally 
agreed to make Loans to and issue or participate in Letters of Credit for the 
account of, the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth 
therein;

     WHEREAS, the Borrower is the legal and beneficial owner of the shares of 
Pledged Stock (as hereinafter defined) issued by the Issuers (as hereinafter 
defined); and

     WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to 
make their respective Loans and other extensions of credit to the Borrower 
under the Credit Agreement that the Borrower shall have executed and 
delivered this Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement to the Administrative Agent 
for the ratable benefit of the Lenders.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and 
to induce the Lenders to make their respective Loans and other extensions of 
credit under the Credit Agreement, the Borrower hereby agrees with the 
Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, as follows: 

     1.  DEFINED TERMS.  (a)  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in 
the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in 
the Credit Agreement.

     (b)  The following terms shall have the following meanings:

     "AGREEMENT": this Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement, as the same may be 
amended, modified or otherwise supplemented from time to time.

<PAGE>

                                                                             2

     "CODE":  the Uniform Commercial Code from time to time in effect in the 
State of New York.

     "COLLATERAL":  the Pledged Stock and all Proceeds.

     "COLLATERAL ACCOUNT":  any account established to hold money Proceeds, 
maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, 
subject to withdrawal by the Administrative Agent for the account of the 
Lenders only as provided in subsection .

     "ISSUERS":  the collective reference to the companies identified on 
SCHEDULE 1 attached hereto as the issuers of the Pledged Stock; individually, 
each an "ISSUER."

     "OBLIGATIONS":  the collective reference to the unpaid principal of and 
interest on the Notes and all other obligations and liabilities of the 
Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including, without 
limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the 
Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and interest accruing at the 
then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing of any 
petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization 
or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not a claim for 
post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), whether 
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, or now 
existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out of, or in 
connection with, the Credit Agreement, the Notes, this Agreement, the other 
Loan Documents or any other document made, delivered or given in connection 
therewith, in each case whether on account of principal, interest, 
reimbursement obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise 
(including, without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the 
Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the 
Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement or this Agreement or 
any other Loan Document).

     "PLEDGED STOCK":  the shares of capital stock listed on SCHEDULE 1 
hereto, together with all stock certificates, options or rights of any nature 
whatsoever that may be issued or granted by any Issuer to the Borrower in 
respect of the Pledged Stock while this Agreement is in effect.

     "PROCEEDS":  all "proceeds" as such term is defined in Section 9-306(1) 
of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York on the date 
hereof and, in any event, shall include, without limitation, all dividends or 
other income from the Pledged Stock, collections thereon or distributions 
with respect thereto.

     "SECURITIES ACT":  the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     (c)  The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar 
import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and 
not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and section and subsection 
references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

<PAGE>

                                                                             3

     (d)  The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally 
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

     2.  PLEDGE; GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST.  The Borrower hereby delivers to 
the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, all the 
Pledged Stock and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable 
benefit of the Lenders, a first priority security interest in the Collateral, 
as collateral security for the prompt and complete payment and performance 
when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of 
the Obligations.

     3.  STOCK POWERS.  Concurrently with the delivery to the Administrative 
Agent of each certificate representing one or more shares of Pledged Stock to 
the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver an undated stock power 
covering such certificate, duly executed in blank by the Borrower. 

     4.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The Borrower represents and 
warrants that:

     (a)  The shares of Pledged Stock constitute all the issued and 
outstanding shares of all classes of the capital stock of each Issuer.
  
     (b)  All the shares of the Pledged Stock have been duly and validly 
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

     (c)  The Borrower is the record and beneficial owner of, and has good 
and marketable title to, the Pledged Stock, free of any and all Liens or 
options in favor of, or claims of, any other Person, except the security 
interest created by this Agreement.

     (d)  Upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of the stock certificates 
evidencing the Pledged Stock (and assuming the Administrative Agent maintains 
possession of the same), the security interest created by this Agreement will 
constitute a valid, perfected first priority security interest in the 
Collateral, enforceable in accordance with its terms as such against all 
creditors of the Borrower and any Persons purporting to purchase any 
Collateral from the Borrower, except as affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, 
fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws 
relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general equitable 
principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and an 
implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

     5.  COVENANTS.  The Borrower covenants and agrees with the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders that, from and after the date of this 
Agreement until this Agreement is terminated and the security interests 
created hereby are released:

     (a)  If the Borrower shall, as a result of its ownership of the Pledged 
Stock, become entitled to receive or shall receive any stock certificate 
(including, without limitation, any certificate representing a stock dividend 
or a distribution in connection with any 

<PAGE>

                                                                             4

reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued 
in connection with any reorganization), option or rights, whether in addition 
to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for any shares of 
the Pledged Stock, or otherwise in respect thereof, the Borrower shall accept 
the same as the agent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, hold the 
same in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and 
deliver the same forthwith to the Administrative Agent in the exact form 
received, duly endorsed by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, if 
required, together with an undated stock power covering such certificate duly 
executed in blank by the Borrower and with, if the Administrative Agent so 
requests, signature guaranteed, to be held by the Administrative Agent, 
subject to the terms hereof, as additional collateral security for the 
Obligations.  In case any distribution of capital shall be made on or in 
respect of the Pledged Stock or any property shall be distributed upon or 
with respect to the Pledged Stock pursuant to the recapitalization or 
reclassification of the capital of any Issuer or pursuant to the 
reorganization thereof, the property so distributed shall be delivered to the 
Administrative Agent to be held by it hereunder as additional collateral 
security for the Obligations.  If any sums of money or property so paid or 
distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock shall be received by the Borrower 
and required to be paid to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall, 
until such money or property is paid or delivered to the Administrative 
Agent, hold such money or property in trust for the benefit of the Lenders, 
segregated from other funds of the Borrower, as additional collateral 
security for the Obligations.  

     (b)  Unless otherwise permitted under the Credit Agreement, without the 
prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will not (1) 
vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any Issuer to issue any 
stock or other equity securities of any nature or to issue any other 
securities convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for 
any stock or other equity securities of any nature of any Issuer, (2) sell, 
assign, transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with 
respect to, the Collateral, (3) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or 
option in favor of, or any claim of any Person with respect to, any of the 
Collateral, or any interest therein, except for the security interests 
created by this Agreement or (4) enter into any agreement or undertaking 
restricting the right or ability of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent 
to sell, assign or transfer any of the Collateral.

     (c)  The Borrower shall maintain the security interest created by this 
Agreement as a first priority, perfected security interest and shall defend 
such security interest against claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.  
At any time and from time to time, upon the written request of the 
Administrative Agent, and at the sole expense of the Borrower, the Borrower 
will promptly and duly execute and deliver such further instruments and 
documents and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may 
reasonably request for the purposes of obtaining or preserving the full 
benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted.  If 
any amount payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be 
or become evidenced by any promissory note, other instrument or chattel 
paper, such note, instrument or chattel paper shall be immediately delivered 
to the

<PAGE>

                                                                             5

Administrative Agent, duly endorsed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to 
the Administrative Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

     (d)  The Borrower shall pay, and save the Administrative Agent and the 
Lenders harmless from, any and all liabilities with respect to, or resulting 
from any delay in paying, any and all stamp, excise, sales or other like 
taxes which may be payable or determined to be payable with respect to any of 
the Collateral or in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by 
this Agreement.

     6.  CASH DIVIDENDS; VOTING RIGHTS.  Unless an Event of Default shall 
have occurred and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have given 
notice to the Borrower of the Administrative Agent's intent to exercise its 
corresponding rights pursuant to Section  below, the Borrower shall be 
permitted to receive all cash dividends paid in the normal course of business 
of the Issuers and consistent with past practice, to the extent permitted in 
the Credit Agreement, in respect of the Pledged Stock and to exercise all 
voting and corporate rights with respect to the Pledged Stock; PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, that no vote shall be cast or corporate right exercised or other 
action taken which, in the Administrative Agent's reasonable judgment, would 
impair the Collateral in a manner inconsistent with the Credit Agreement or 
which would be inconsistent with or result in any violation of any provision 
of the Credit Agreement, the Notes, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

     7.  RIGHTS OF THE LENDERS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  (a)  All money 
Proceeds received by the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be held by the 
Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in a Collateral Account. 
All Proceeds while held by the Administrative Agent in a Collateral Account 
(or by the Borrower in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and 
the Lenders) shall continue to be held as collateral security for all the 
Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as 
provided in subsection 8(a). 

     (b)  If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the 
Administrative Agent shall give notice of its intent to exercise its rights, 
as specified below, to the Borrower, (1) the Administrative Agent shall have 
the right to receive any and all cash dividends paid in respect of the 
Pledged Stock and make application thereof to the Obligations in such order 
as the Administrative Agent may determine, and (2) all shares of the Pledged 
Stock shall be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its 
nominee, and the Administrative Agent or its nominee may thereafter exercise 
(A) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such shares of the 
Pledged Stock at any meeting of shareholders of any Issuer or otherwise and 
(B) any and all rights of conversion, exchange, subscription and any other 
rights, privileges or options pertaining to such shares of the Pledged Stock 
as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the 
right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Pledged Stock upon the 
merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental 
change in the corporate structure of any Issuer, or upon the exercise by the 
Borrower or the Administrative Agent of any right, privilege or option 
pertaining to such shares of the Pledged Stock, and in connection therewith, 
the right to 

<PAGE>

                                                                             6

deposit and deliver any and all of the Pledged Stock with any committee, 
depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such 
terms and conditions as the Administrative Agent may determine), all without 
liability except to account for property actually received by it, but the 
Administrative Agent shall have no duty to the Borrower to exercise any such 
right, privilege or option and shall not be responsible for any failure to do 
so or delay in so doing.

     8.  REMEDIES.  (a)  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be 
continuing, at any time at the Administrative Agent's election, the 
Administrative Agent may apply all or any part of Proceeds held in any 
Collateral Account in payment of the Obligations in such order as the 
Administrative Agent may elect.

     (b)  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the 
Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise, in addition to 
all other rights and remedies granted in this Agreement and in any other 
instrument or agreement securing, evidencing or relating to the Obligations, 
all rights and remedies of a secured party under the Code.  Without limiting 
the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, without demand of 
performance or other demand, presentment, protest, advertisement or notice of 
any kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon the 
Borrower or any other Person (all and each of which demands, defenses, 
advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances 
forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or 
any part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, assign, give an option or 
options to purchase or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any 
part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels 
at public or private sale or sales, in the over-the-counter market, at any 
exchange, broker's board or office of the Administrative Agent or any Lender 
or elsewhere upon such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at 
such prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery 
without assumption of any credit risk.  The Administrative Agent or any 
Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the 
extent permitted by law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the 
whole or any part of the Collateral so sold, free of any right or equity of 
redemption in the Borrower, which right or equity is hereby waived or 
released.  The Administrative Agent shall apply any Proceeds from time to 
time held by it and the net proceeds of any such collection, recovery, 
receipt, appropriation, realization or sale, after deducting all reasonable 
costs and expenses of every kind incurred in respect thereof or incidental to 
the care or safekeeping of any of the Collateral or in any way relating to 
the Collateral or the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders 
hereunder, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and 
disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent, to the payment in whole 
or in part of the Obligations, in such order as the Administrative Agent may 
elect, and only after such application and after the payment by the 
Administrative Agent of any other amount required by any provision of law, 
including, without limitation, Section 9-504(1)(c) of the Code, need the 
Administrative Agent account for the surplus, if any, to the Borrower.  To 
the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower waives all claims, 
damages and demands it may acquire against the Administrative Agent or any 
Lender arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder, except, in 

<PAGE>

                                                                             7

the case of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, to the extent of any 
gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Administrative 
Agent or such Lender, as the case may be.  If any notice of a proposed sale 
or other disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such notice 
shall be deemed reasonable and proper if given at least 10 days before such 
sale or other disposition.  The Borrower shall remain liable for any 
deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of Collateral are 
insufficient to pay the Obligations and the reasonable fees and disbursements 
of any attorneys employed by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to 
collect such deficiency.

     9.  REGISTRATION RIGHTS; PRIVATE SALES.  (a)  If the Administrative 
Agent shall determine to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Pledged 
Stock pursuant to Section  hereof, and if in the opinion of the 
Administrative Agent it is necessary or advisable to have the Pledged Stock, 
or that portion thereof to be sold, registered under the provisions of the 
Securities Act, the Borrower will cause the Issuer thereof to (1) execute and 
deliver, and cause the directors and officers of such Issuer to execute and 
deliver, all such instruments and documents, and do or cause to be done all 
such other acts as may be, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, 
necessary or advisable to register the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof 
to be sold, under the provisions of the Securities Act, (2) to use its best 
efforts to cause the registration statement relating thereto to become 
effective and to remain effective for a period of one year from the date of 
the first public offering of the Pledged Stock, or that portion thereof to be 
sold, and (3) to make all amendments thereto and/or to the related prospectus 
which, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, are necessary or 
advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and 
the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission 
applicable thereto.  The Borrower agrees to cause such Issuer to comply with 
the provisions of the securities or "Blue Sky" laws of any and all 
jurisdictions which the Administrative Agent shall designate and to make 
available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings 
statement (which need not be audited) which will satisfy the provisions of 
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

     (b)  The Borrower recognizes that the Administrative Agent may be unable 
to effect a public sale of any or all the Pledged Stock, by reason of certain 
prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities 
laws or otherwise, and may be compelled to resort to one or more private 
sales thereof to a restricted group of purchasers which will be obliged to 
agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account 
for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof.  
The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that any such private sale may result in 
prices and other terms less favorable than if such sale were a public sale 
and, notwithstanding such circumstances, agrees that any such private sale 
shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner.  The 
Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to delay a sale of any of 
the Pledged Stock for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer 
thereof to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act, 
or under applicable state securities laws, even if such Issuer would agree to 
do so.

<PAGE>

                                                                             8

     (c)  The Borrower further agrees to use its best efforts to do or cause 
to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales 
of all or any portion of the Pledged Stock pursuant to this Section valid and 
binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Requirements of 
Law. The Borrower further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants 
contained in this Section will cause irreparable injury to the Administrative 
Agent and the Lenders, that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have no 
adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that 
each and every covenant contained in this Section shall be specifically 
enforceable against the Borrower, and the Borrower hereby waives and agrees 
not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such 
covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has occurred under 
the Credit Agreement.

     10.  IRREVOCABLE AUTHORIZATION AND INSTRUCTION TO ISSUER.  The Borrower 
hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer to comply with any instruction 
received by it from the Administrative Agent in writing that (a) states that 
an Event of Default has occurred and (b) is otherwise in accordance with the 
terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from the 
Borrower, and the Borrower agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected 
in so complying.

     11.  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S APPOINTMENT AS ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  (a)  The 
Borrower hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent 
and any officer or agent of the Administrative Agent, with full power of 
substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable 
power and authority in the place and stead of the Borrower and in the name of 
the Borrower or in the Administrative Agent's own name, from time to time in 
the Administrative Agent's discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the 
terms of this Agreement, to take any and all appropriate action and to 
execute any and all documents and instruments which may be necessary or 
desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including, without 
limitation, any financing statements, endorsements, assignments or other 
instruments of transfer.

     (b)  The Borrower hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully 
do or cause to be done pursuant to the power of attorney granted in 
subsection 11(a).  All powers, authorizations and agencies contained in this 
Agreement are coupled with an interest and are irrevocable until this 
Agreement is terminated and the security interests created hereby are 
released.

     12.  DUTY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  The Administrative Agent's sole duty 
with respect to the custody, safekeeping and physical preservation of the 
Collateral in its possession, under Section 9-207 of the Code or otherwise, 
shall be to deal with it in the same manner as the Administrative Agent deals 
with similar securities and property for its own account, except that the 
Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to invest funds held in any 
Collateral Account and may hold the same as demand deposits.  Neither the 
Administrative Agent, any Lender nor any of their respective directors, 
officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect 
or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or 

<PAGE>

                                                                             9

shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral 
upon the request of the Borrower or any other Person or to take any other 
action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof.

     13.  EXECUTION OF FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Pursuant to Section 9-402 of 
the Code, the Borrower authorizes the Administrative Agent to file financing 
statements with respect to the Collateral without the signature of the 
Borrower in such form and in such filing offices as the Administrative Agent 
reasonably determines appropriate to perfect the security interests of the 
Administrative Agent under this Agreement.  A carbon, photographic or other 
reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient as a financing statement 
for filing in any jurisdiction.

     14.  AUTHORITY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  The Borrower acknowledges that 
the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this 
Agreement with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the 
exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, voting 
right, request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or 
resulting or arising out of this Agreement shall, as between the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and 
by such other agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time 
among them, but, as between the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the 
Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for 
the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, 
and neither the Borrower nor any Issuer shall be under any obligation, or 
entitlement, to make any inquiry respecting such authority.

     15.  NOTICES.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the 
Administrative Agent or the Borrower to be effective shall be in writing (or 
by telex, fax or similar electronic transfer confirmed in writing) and shall 
be deemed to have been duly given or made (1) when delivered by hand or (2) 
if given by mail, when deposited in the mails by certified mail, return 
receipt requested, or (3) if by telex, fax or similar electronic transfer, 
when sent and receipt has been confirmed, addressed to the Administrative 
Agent or the Borrower at its address or transmission number for notices 
provided in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement.  The Administrative 
Agent and the Borrower may change their addresses and transmission numbers 
for notices by notice in the manner provided in this Section.

     16.  SEVERABILITY.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited 
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be 
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without 
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or 
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render 
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

     17.   AMENDMENTS IN WRITING; NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.  (a)  None 
of the terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived, amended, 
supplemented or otherwise modified except by a written instrument executed by 
the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, PROVIDED that any provision of 
this Agreement may be waived by the Administrative 

<PAGE>

                                                                             10

Agent and the Lenders in a letter or agreement executed by the Administrative 
Agent or by telex or facsimile transmission from the Administrative Agent.

     (b)  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act 
(except by a written instrument pursuant to subsection 17(a) hereof), delay, 
indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or 
remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default or 
in any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof.  No failure to 
exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative 
Agent or any Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as 
a waiver thereof.  No single or partial exercise of any right, power or 
privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or 
the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  A waiver by the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any 
one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the 
Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future 
occasion.

     (c)  The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be 
exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or 
remedies provided by law.

     18.  SECTION HEADINGS.  The section headings used in this Agreement are 
for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction 
hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

     19.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the 
successors and assigns of the Borrower and shall inure to the benefit of the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and permitted 
assigns.

     20.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed 
and interpreted in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

     21.  TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF COLLATERAL. At such time as the 
Obligations then due and payable have been fully satisfied and the 
Commitments terminated, the Collateral shall be released from the lien 
created by this Agreement, and the security interest created by this 
Agreement and all obligations of the Issuers and the Borrower with respect 
thereto shall terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or 
performance of any act by any party, and all rights to the Collateral shall 
revert to the Borrower.  Upon request of the Borrower following any such 
termination, the Administrative Agent will deliver (at the sole cost and 
expense of the Borrower) to the Borrower any Collateral held by the 
Administrative Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver (at the sole cost and 
expense of the Borrower) to the Borrower such documents as the Borrower shall 
reasonably request to evidence such termination.

<PAGE>

                                                                             11

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Agreement to be duly 
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                        
                                       
                                       
                                       By:--------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:


<PAGE>

                          ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CONSENT
         
     Each of the Issuers referred to in the foregoing Borrower Stock Pledge
Agreement hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Borrower Stock Pledge
Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996, made by Core-Mark International, Inc. for
the benefit of The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent (the "PLEDGE
AGREEMENT").  The undersigned agrees for the benefit of the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders as follows:
         
     1.  The undersigned will be bound by the terms of the Pledge Agreement and
will comply with such terms insofar as such terms are applicable to the
undersigned.
         
     2.  The undersigned will notify the Administrative Agent promptly in 
writing of the occurrence of any of the events described in subsection 5(a) 
of the Pledge Agreement.
         
     3.  The terms of subsection 9(c) of the Pledge Agreement shall apply to it,
MUTATIS MUTANDIS, with respect to all actions that may be required of it under
or pursuant to or arising out of Section 9 of the Pledge Agreement.
                                       
                                       
                                    C/M PRODUCTS, INC.
                                       
                                                                   
                                    By: __________________________ 
                                       Name:
                                       Title:
                                       
                                    Address for
                                    Notices:  395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415,
                                              South San Francisco, CA 94080
                                       
                                    Fax:      (415) 952-4284
                                       
                                       
                                    CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC.

                                      By:___________________________ 

                                         Name:
                                         Title: 
                                       
                                    Address for
                                    Notices:  395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415,
                                                 South San Francisco, CA 94080
                                       
                                      Fax:      (415) 952-4284

<PAGE>

                                    CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC.


                                      By:___________________________ 
                                        Name:
                                        Title: 

                                    Address for
                                    Notices: 395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415,
                                               South San Francisco, CA 94080

                                      Fax:     (415) 952-4284

<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE 1
                              TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT


                          DESCRIPTION OF PLEDGED STOCK

                               Class of   Stock Certificate
         Issuer                 Stock           Number        No. of  Shares
- -----------------------------  --------   -----------------   --------------
C/M Products, Inc.             Common             2                    100

Core-Mark Interrelated         Common             3              1,000,000
  Companies, Inc.

Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.   Common             3                  2,000

<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT E TO
                                                              CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                    [FORM OF]

                             SUBSIDIARIES GUARANTEE


     SUBSIDIARIES GUARANTEE, dated as of August 7, 1996, made by each of the 
corporations that are signatories hereto (the "GUARANTORS"), in favor of THE 
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as administrative agent (in such capacity, the 
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") for the lenders (the "LENDERS") parties to the Credit 
Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1996 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise 
modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among Core-Mark 
International, Inc. (the "BORROWER"), the Lenders and the Administrative 
Agent.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:


     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have severally 
agreed to make Loans to and issue or participate in Letters of Credit for the 
account of, the Borrower upon the terms and subject to the conditions set 
forth therein;

     WHEREAS, the Borrower owns directly or indirectly all of the issued and 
outstanding stock of each Guarantor;

     WHEREAS, the proceeds of the Loans and other extensions of credit will 
be used in part to enable the Borrower to make valuable transfers to each 
Guarantor in connection with the operation of their respective businesses;

     WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Guarantors are engaged in related 
businesses, and each Guarantor will derive substantial direct and indirect 
benefit from the making of the Loans and other extensions of credit; and

     WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the obligation of the Lenders to 
make their respective Loans and other extensions of credit to the Borrower 
under the Credit Agreement that the Guarantors shall have executed and 
delivered this Guarantee to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit 
of the Lenders.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and to induce the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into the Credit Agreement and 
to induce the Lenders to make their respective Loans and other extensions of 
credit to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, the Guarantors hereby 
agree with the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Lenders, 
as follows:

<PAGE>

                                                                             2


     1. DEFINED TERMS.  (a)  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined 
in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them 
in the Credit Agreement and the following terms shall have the following 
meanings:

          "OBLIGATIONS": the collective reference to the unpaid principal of
     and interest on the Notes and all other obligations and liabilities of the
     Borrower to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders (including, without 
     limitation, interest accruing at the then applicable rate provided in the 
     Credit Agreement after the maturity of the Loans and interest accruing at 
     the then applicable rate provided in the Credit Agreement after the filing 
     of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, 
     reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower, whether or not
     a claim for post-filing or post-petition interest is allowed in such 
     proceeding), whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to
     become due, now existing or hereafter incurred, which may arise under, out
     of, or in connection with, the Credit Agreement, the Notes, the other Loan 
     Documents or any other document made, delivered or given in connection 
     therewith, whether on account of principal, interest, reimbursement 
     obligations, fees, indemnities, costs, expenses or otherwise (including, 
     without limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to the 
     Administrative Agent or to the Lenders that are required to be paid by the 
     Borrower or the Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement or 
     this Agreement or any other Loan Document).

     (b)  The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar 
import when used in this Guarantee shall refer to this Guarantee as a whole 
and not to any particular provision of this Guarantee, and section and 
subsection references are to this Guarantee unless otherwise specified.

     (c)  The meanings given to terms defined herein shall be equally 
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

     2.  GUARANTEE  (a)  Subject to the provisions of subsection , each of 
the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally and 
irrevocably, guarantees to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit 
of the Lenders and their respective successors, indorsees, transferees and 
assigns, the prompt and complete payment and performance by the Borrower when 
due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the 
Obligations.

     (b)  Anything herein or in any other Loan Document to the contrary 
notwithstanding, the maximum liability of each Guarantor hereunder and under 
the other Loan Documents shall in no event exceed the amount which can be 
guaranteed by such Guarantor under applicable federal and state laws relating 
to the insolvency of debtors.

     (c)  Each Guarantor further agrees to pay any and all expenses 
(including, without limitation, all reasonable fees and disbursements of 
counsel) which may be paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or any 
Lender in enforcing, or obtaining advice of counsel in respect of, any rights 
with respect to, or collecting, any or all of the Obligations and/or

<PAGE>

                                                                             3

enforcing any rights with respect to, or collecting against, such Guarantor 
under this Guarantee.  This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect 
until the Obligations are paid in full, the Commitments are terminated and no 
Letters of Credit are outstanding, notwithstanding that from time to time 
prior thereto the Borrower may be free from any Obligations.

     (d)  Each Guarantor agrees that the Obligations may at any time and from 
time to time exceed the amount of the liability of such Guarantor hereunder 
without impairing this Guarantee or affecting the rights and remedies of the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder.  

     (e)  No payment or payments made by the Borrower, any of the Guarantors, 
any other guarantor or any other Person or received or collected by the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower, any of the Guarantors, 
any other guarantor or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding 
or any set-off or appropriation or application at any time or from time to 
time in reduction of or in payment of the Obligations shall be deemed to 
modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of any Guarantor 
hereunder which shall, notwithstanding any such payment or payments other 
than payments made by such Guarantor in respect of the Obligations or 
payments received or collected from such Guarantor in respect of the 
Obligations, remain liable for the Obligations up to the maximum liability of 
such Guarantor hereunder until the Obligations are paid in full, the 
Commitments are terminated and no Letters of Credit are outstanding.

      (f)  Each Guarantor agrees that whenever, at any time, or from time to 
time, it shall make any payment to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on 
account of its liability hereunder, it will notify the Administrative Agent 
in writing that such payment is made under this Guarantee for such purpose.

     3.  RIGHT OF CONTRIBUTION.  Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the 
extent that a Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of 
any payment made hereunder, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and 
receive contribution from and against any other Guarantor hereunder who has 
not paid its proportionate share of such payment.  Each Guarantor's right of 
contribution shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section  hereof. 
 The provisions of this Section shall in no respect limit the obligations and 
liabilities of any Guarantor to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and 
each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Administrative Agent and the 
Lenders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

     4.  RIGHT OF SET-OFF.  Upon the occurrence and continuance of any Event 
of Default, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes each Lender at any 
time and from time to time without notice to such Guarantor or any other 
Guarantor, any such notice being expressly waived by each Guarantor, to 
set-off and appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special, 
time or demand, provisional or final), in any currency, and any other 
credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct 
or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held 
or owing by such Lender to or for the

<PAGE>

                                                                             4


credit or the account of such Guarantor, or any part thereof in such amounts 
as such Lender may elect, against and on account of the obligations and 
liabilities of such Guarantor to such Lender hereunder and claims of every 
nature and description of such Lender against such Guarantor, in any 
currency, whether arising hereunder, under the Credit Agreement, any Note, 
any other Loan Document or otherwise, as such Lender may elect, whether or 
not the Administrative Agent or any Lender has made any demand for payment 
and although such obligations, liabilities and claims may be contingent or 
unmatured.  The Administrative Agent and each Lender shall notify such 
Guarantor promptly of any such set-off and the application made by the 
Administrative Agent or such Lender, PROVIDED that the failure to give such 
notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.  The 
rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under this Section are in 
addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other 
rights of set-off) which the Administrative Agent or such Lender may have.

     5.  NO SUBROGATION.  Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by any 
of the Guarantors hereunder or any set-off or application of funds of any of 
the Guarantors by any Lender, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated 
to any of the rights of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against the 
Borrower or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or 
right of offset held by any Lender for the payment of the Obligations, nor 
shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or 
reimbursement from the Borrower or any other Guarantor in respect of payments 
made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders by the Borrower on account of the 
Obligations are paid in full and the Commitments are terminated.  If any 
amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights 
at any time when all of the Obligations shall not have been paid in full, 
such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Administrative 
Agent and the Lenders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and 
shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the 
Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly 
indorsed by such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required), to be 
applied against the Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order 
as the Administrative Agent may determine.

     6.  AMENDMENTS, ETC. WITH RESPECT TO THE OBLIGATIONS; WAIVER OF RIGHTS. 
Each Guarantor shall remain obligated hereunder notwithstanding that, without 
any reservation of rights against any Guarantor and without notice to or 
further assent by any Guarantor, any demand for payment of any of the 
Obligations made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender may be rescinded 
by such party and any of the Obligations continued, and the Obligations, or 
the liability of any other party upon or for any part thereof, or any 
collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect 
thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, 
amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released 
by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, and the Credit Agreement, the 
Notes and the other Loan Documents and any other documents executed and 
delivered in connection therewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or 
terminated, in whole or in part, as the Administrative Agent (or the Majority 
Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time, and any 
collateral security, guarantee or right of

<PAGE>

                                                                             5



offset at any time held by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for the 
payment of the Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or 
released.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any 
obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any Lien at any time held by 
it as security for the Obligations or for this Guarantee or any property 
subject thereto.  When making any demand hereunder against any of the 
Guarantors, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may, but shall be under no 
obligation to, make a similar demand on the Borrower or any other Guarantor 
or guarantor, and any failure by the Administrative Agent or any Lender to 
make any such demand or to collect any payments from the Borrower or any such 
other Guarantor or guarantor or any release of the Borrower or such other 
Guarantor or guarantor shall not relieve any of the Guarantors in respect of 
which a demand or collection is not made or any of the Guarantors not so 
released of their several obligations or liabilities hereunder, and shall not 
impair or affect the rights and remedies, express or implied, or as a matter 
of law, of the Administrative Agent or any Lender against any of the 
Guarantors.  For the purposes hereof "demand" shall include the commencement 
and continuance of any legal proceedings.

     7.  GUARANTEE ABSOLUTE AND UNCONDITIONAL.  Each Guarantor waives any and 
all notice of the creation, renewal, extension or accrual of any of the 
Obligations and notice of or proof of reliance by the Administrative Agent or 
any Lender upon this Guarantee or acceptance of this Guarantee, the 
Obligations, and any of them, shall conclusively be deemed to have been 
created, contracted or incurred, or renewed, extended, amended or waived, in 
reliance upon this Guarantee; and all dealings between the Borrower and any 
of the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the 
Lenders, on the other hand, likewise shall be conclusively presumed to have 
been had or consummated in reliance upon this Guarantee.  Each Guarantor 
waives diligence, presentment, protest, demand for payment and notice of 
default or nonpayment to or upon the Borrower or any of the Guarantors with 
respect to the Obligations.  Each Guarantor understands and agrees that this 
Guarantee shall be construed as a continuing, absolute and unconditional 
guarantee of payment without regard to (a) the validity, regularity or 
enforceability of the Credit Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document, 
any of the Obligations or any other collateral security therefor or guarantee 
or right of offset with respect thereto at any time or from time to time held 
by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (b) any defense, set-off or 
counterclaim (other than a defense of payment or performance) which may at 
any time be available to or be asserted by the Borrower against the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (c) any other circumstance whatsoever 
(with or without notice to or knowledge of the Borrower or such Guarantor) 
which constitutes, or might be construed to constitute, an equitable or legal 
discharge of the Borrower for the Obligations, or of such Guarantor under 
this Guarantee, in bankruptcy or in any other instance.  When pursuing its 
rights and remedies hereunder against any Guarantor, the Administrative Agent 
and any Lender may, but shall be under no obligation to, pursue such rights 
and remedies as it may have against the Borrower or any other Person or 
against any collateral security or guarantee for the Obligations or any right 
of offset with respect thereto, and any failure by the Administrative Agent 
or any Lender to pursue such other rights or remedies or to collect any 
payments from the Borrower or any such other Person or to realize upon any 
such collateral security or guarantee or to exercise any such right of 
offset, or any release of the Borrower or any such other Person or any such 
collateral security,

<PAGE>

                                                                             6



guarantee or right of offset, shall not relieve such Guarantor of any 
liability hereunder, and shall not impair or affect the rights and remedies, 
whether express, implied or available as a matter of law, of the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders against such Guarantor.  This Guarantee 
shall remain in full force and effect and be binding in accordance with and 
to the extent of its terms upon each Guarantor and the successors and assigns 
thereof, and shall inure to the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the 
Lenders, and their respective permitted successors, indorsees, transferees 
and assigns, until all the Obligations and the obligations of each Guarantor 
under this Guarantee shall have been satisfied by payment in full, the 
Commitments shall be terminated and no Letters of Credit are outstanding, 
notwithstanding that from time to time during the term of the Credit 
Agreement the Borrower may be free from any Obligations.

     8.  REINSTATEMENT.  This Guarantee shall continue to be effective, or be 
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, 
of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or 
returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender upon the insolvency, 
bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization of the Borrower or any 
Guarantor, or upon or as a result of the appointment of a receiver, 
intervenor or conservator of, or trustee or similar officer for, the Borrower 
or any Guarantor or any substantial part of its property, or otherwise, all 
as though such payments had not been made.

     9.  PAYMENTS.  Each Guarantor hereby guarantees that payments hereunder 
will be paid to the Administrative Agent without set-off or counterclaim in 
U.S. Dollars at the office of the Administrative Agent located at 270 Park 
Avenue, New York, New York 10017.

     10.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Each Guarantor hereby represents 
and warrants that:

     (a)  it is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good 
standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has the 
corporate power and authority and the legal right to own and operate its 
property, to lease the property it operates and to conduct the business in 
which it is currently engaged; 

     (b)  it has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to 
execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, this Guarantee, 
and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize its execution, 
delivery and performance of this Guarantee;

     (c)  this Guarantee constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of 
such Guarantor enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as affected 
by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium 
and other similar laws relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors' 
rights generally, general equitable principles and an implied covenant of 
good faith and fair dealing;

     (d)  the execution, delivery and performance of this Guarantee will not 
violate any provision of any Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation of 
such Guarantor and will not result in or require the creation or imposition 
of any Lien on any of the properties or

<PAGE>

                                                                             7



revenues of such Guarantor pursuant to any Requirement of Law or Contractual 
Obligation of the Guarantor;

     (e)  no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or in 
respect of, any arbitrator or Governmental Authority and no consent of any 
other Person (including, without limitation, any stockholder or creditor of 
such Guarantor) is required in connection with the execution, delivery, 
performance, validity or enforceability of this Guarantee; 

          Each Guarantor agrees that the foregoing representations and 
warranties shall be deemed to have been made by such Guarantor on the date of 
each borrowing by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement on and as of such 
date of borrowing as though made hereunder on and as of such date.

     11.  AUTHORITY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.  Each Guarantor acknowledges 
that the rights and responsibilities of the Administrative Agent under this 
Guarantee with respect to any action taken by the Administrative Agent or the 
exercise or non-exercise by the Administrative Agent of any option, right, 
request, judgment or other right or remedy provided for herein or resulting 
or arising out of this Guarantee shall, as between the Administrative Agent 
and the Lenders, be governed by the Credit Agreement and by such other 
agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among them, 
but, as between the Administrative Agent and such Guarantor, the 
Administrative Agent shall be conclusively presumed to be acting as agent for 
the Lenders with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting, 
and no Guarantor shall be under any obligation, or entitlement, to make any 
inquiry respecting such authority.

     12.  NOTICES.  All notices, requests and demands to or upon the 
Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Guarantor to be effective shall be in 
writing (or by telex, fax or similar electronic transfer confirmed in 
writing) and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made (1) when 
delivered by hand or (2) if given by mail, when deposited in the mails by 
certified mail, return receipt requested, or (3) if by telex, fax or similar 
electronic transfer, when sent and receipt has been confirmed, addressed as 
follows:

     (a)  if to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, at its address or 
transmission number for notices provided in subsection 10.2 of the Credit 
Agreement; and

     (b)  if to any Guarantor, at its address or transmission number for 
notices set forth under its signature below.

     The Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Guarantor may change its 
address and transmission numbers for notices by notice in the manner provided 
in this Section.

     13.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Guarantee may be executed by one or more of the 
Guarantors on any number of separate counterparts, and all of said 
counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same 
instrument.  A set of the counterparts of this Guarantee signed by all the 
Guarantors shall be lodged with the Administrative Agent.

<PAGE>

                                                                             8



     14.  SEVERABILITY.  Any provision of this Guarantee which is prohibited 
or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be 
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without 
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or 
unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render 
unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

     15.   INTEGRATION.  This Guarantee represents the agreement of each 
Guarantor with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises 
or representations by the Administrative Agent or any Lender relative to the 
subject matter hereof not reflected herein.

     16.   AMENDMENTS IN WRITING; NO WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.  (a)  None 
of the terms or provisions of this Guarantee with respect to any Guarantor 
may be waived, amended, supplemented or otherwise modified except by a 
written instrument executed by such Guarantor and the Administrative Agent, 
PROVIDED that any provision of this Guarantee may be waived by the 
Administrative Agent and the Lenders in a letter or agreement executed by the 
Administrative Agent or by telex or facsimile transmission from the 
Administrative Agent.

     (b)  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall by any act 
(except by a written instrument pursuant to subsection  hereof), delay, 
indulgence, omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or 
remedy hereunder or to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default or 
in any breach of any of the terms and conditions hereof.  No failure to 
exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Administrative 
Agent or any Lender, any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as 
a waiver thereof.  No single or partial exercise of any right, power or 
privilege hereunder shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or 
the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  A waiver by the 
Administrative Agent or any Lender of any right or remedy hereunder on any 
one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which the 
Administrative Agent or such Lender would otherwise have on any future 
occasion.

     (c)  The rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative, may be 
exercised singly or concurrently and are not exclusive of any other rights or 
remedies provided by law.

     17.  SECTION HEADINGS.  The section headings used in this Guarantee are 
for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction 
hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

     18.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  This Guarantee shall be binding upon the 
successors and assigns of each Guarantor and shall inure to the benefit of 
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their successors and permitted 
assigns.

     19.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Guarantee shall be governed by, and construed 
and interpreted in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

<PAGE>

                                                                             9



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this 
Guarantee to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as 
of the day and year first above written.

                               C/M PRODUCTS, INC.


                               By: ___________________________________________
                                Name:
                                Title:

                               Address for
                               Notices:      395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415
                                             South San Francisco, CA 94080
                               Fax:          (415) 952-4284


                               CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC.


                               By:____________________________________________
                                Name:
                                Title:

                               Address for
                               Notices:      395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415
                                             South San Francisco, CA 94080 
                               Fax:          (415) 952-4284


                               CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC.


                               By:____________________________________________
                                Name:
                                Title:

                               Address for
                               Notices:      395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415
                                             South San Francisco, CA 94080
                               Fax:          (415) 952-4284


<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT F TO
                                                                CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                                                ----------------
                                    [FORM OF]

                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                           BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

          Pursuant to subsection 6.2(f) of the Credit Agreement, dated as of 
August 7, 1996 (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"; terms defined therein being used herein 
as therein defined), among Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "BORROWER"), the several banks and other financial institutions from time 
to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the "LENDERS") and The Chase Manhattan 
Bank, a New York banking corporation, as administrative agent for the Lenders, 
the undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements and figures are 
true on the date hereof:

CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
FOR THE PERIOD ENDING
<TABLE>
                                                       DATE
                                                ------------------
                                                 ADVANCE      U.S.     CANADA     CANADA      TOTAL      TOTAL
                                                   RATE      (US$)     (CDN$)      (US$)      (US$)    AVAILABLE
                                                --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Uncleared US Checks
Available Uncleared US Checks:                     90%

Canadian Cash Equivalents
Less Ineligibles and Canadian Cash Adjustment
Available Canadian Cash Equiv:
                                                   85%

Cash Held by Agent
Available Cash Held by Agent:                     100%

Gross Accounts Receivable Per Aging
Less Intercompany Receivables
Gross A/R Net of Intercompany
Less Other Ineligibles:
  Past Dues Greater than 45 Days
  Contras
  Employee Accounts
  Manufacturer Representatives
  Government Receivables
  Bankruptcy
  Loss/accounts in collection
  Special Terms
  25% Cross-age
  Credits Greater Than 45 Days
                                                --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total Ineligibles
Less Reserve-Customer Rebates                                                               (100,000)
Total Eligible Receivable
Available Accounts Receivables                     85%

Vendor Receivables
Less Ineligibles:
  Contras
  50% due 180 days or more
Total Ineligibles:
Total Eligible Vendor Receivables
Available Amt. of Vendor Receivables               75%

Cigarette Inventory on 0 Day EFT (Including
  Affixed & Unaffixed Tax Stamps)

<PAGE>

                                                       DATE
                                                ------------------
                                                 ADVANCE      U.S.     CANADA     CANADA      TOTAL      TOTAL
                                                   RATE      (US$)     (CDN$)      (US$)      (US$)    AVAILABLE
                                                --------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S>                                             <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Less Ineligibles
  Stamps in Excess of Bond
  Consignment Inventory
  Landlord Lien Reserve
  Inventory Reserve
Total Ineligibles
Eligible Cigarette Inventory
Available Cigarette Inventory                      85%

Tobacco & Cigar Inventory
Less Ineligibles
  Consignment Inventory
  Landlord Lien Reserve
  Inventory Reserve
Total Ineligibles
Eligible Tobacco & Cigar Inventory
Available Tobacco & Cigar Inventory                80%

Other Inventory
Less Ineligibles
  Consignment Inventory
  Landlord Lien Reserve
  Inventory Reserve
Total Ineligibles
Eligible Other Inventory
Available Other Inventory                          65%
Total Available

</TABLE>
The following is a summary of Core-Mark International, Inc.'s availability as
of (ENTER DATE):

Available Uncleared US Checks . . . . . . . . . $ ______
Available Canadian Cash Equivalents . . . . . . $ ______
Available Cash Held by Agent  . . . . . . . . . $ ______
Available Accounts Receivable . . . . . . . . . $ ______
Available Vendor Receivables  . . . . . . . . . $ ______
Available Cigarette and tax Stamp Inventory . . $ ______
Available Cigar and Tobacco Inventory . . . . . $ ______
Available Other Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . $ ______
  Total Available Collateral  . . . . . . . . . $ ______

<PAGE>

                                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL,
                                           INC.    




                                         By:_________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:



Dated: ________ __, 199_ 


<PAGE>


                                                              EXHIBIT G TO
                                                              CREDIT AGREEMENT


                                   [FORM OF]

                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                             BORROWING CERTIFICATE

     Pursuant to subsection 2.2 of the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 7,
1996 (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"; terms defined therein being used herein as therein
defined), among Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "BORROWER"), the several banks and other financial institutions from time
to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the "LENDERS") and The Chase 
Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, as administrative agent for the
Lenders, the undersigned hereby requests [a withdrawal from the US Cash
Collateral Account and] [a Revolving Credit Loan] under the Credit Agreement,
and in that connection sets forth below the information relating to such
proposed borrowing (the "PROPOSED BORROWING"):

     (i)  The aggregate amount of the Proposed Borrowing is $ ________ 
[of which $ ________ shall constitute a withdrawal from the US Cash Collateral
Account and $  ________ shall constitute a Revolving Credit Loan].

     (ii) The requested Borrowing Date of the Proposed Borrowing is ________ __,
199_.

     (iii)     The Type of Revolving Credit Loan(s) comprising the Proposed
Borrowing is/are [Eurodollar Loans] [ABR Loans] [a combination thereof].

     (iv) The Proposed Borrowing will [not] result in an Overadvance Amount. 
         
     [(v) The initial Interest Period for each Eurodollar Loan made as part of
the Proposed Borrowing is [one] [two] [three] [six] month[s].]
         
     The undersigned hereby certifies that the following statements are true on
the date hereof, and will be true on the date of the Proposed Borrowing:
         
     (A)  The representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in the
Credit Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a
party or which are contained in any certificate furnished by or on behalf of the
Borrower pursuant to or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents are true and correct on and as of the date hereof with the
same effect as if made on the date hereof except for representations and 
warranties expressly stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case
such representations and warranties are true and correct as of such earlier
date; and
         
      (B)  No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of
the date hereof or after giving effect to the Revolving Credit Loans to be made
on the

<PAGE>

                                                                              2

date hereof and/or the issuance of any Letters of Credit to be issued on
the date hereof.
         
      (C)  After giving effect to the Proposed Borrowing, the Aggregate Covered
Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit will not exceed the sum of the
Borrowing Base (as determined by reference to the Borrowing Base Certificate and
Supplemental Reporting most recently required to be delivered in accordance with
subsection 6.2(f) of the Credit Agreement) and the Overadvance Limit.
         
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set our names as of the
date set forth below.
         
         
                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. 
                                       
                                       
                                       By:--------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:


Date: ________ __, 199_


<PAGE>
                                        1         
                                                                   EXHIBIT H TO
                                                               CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                                                ---------------
         
                                     [FORM OF]
         
                           CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                         RESPONSIBLE OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE
         
         
         Pursuant to subsection 6.2(b) of the Credit Agreement, dated as of 
August 7, 1996 (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"; terms defined therein being used 
herein as therein defined), among Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "BORROWER"), the several banks and other financial institutions
from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the "LENDERS") and The Chase 
Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, as administrative agent for the
Lenders, the undersigned hereby certifies the following: 
        
    1.   to the best of the undersigned's knowledge, during the period of the 
         financial statements delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1 (a) (b) and
         (c) of the Credit Agreement (the Financial Statements"), 
        
         (a)  no Subsidiary has been formed or acquired (or, if any such 
              Subsidiary has been formed or acquired, the Borrower has complied
              with the requirements of subsection 6.12 of the Credit Agreement 
              with respect thereto); 
         
         (b)  neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has changed its
              name, its principal place of business, its chief executive office 
              or the location of any material item of tangible Collateral 
              without complying with the requirements of the Credit Agreement 
              and the Security Documents with respect thereto; and 
        
         (c)  the Borrower has observed or performed in all material respects 
              all of its covenants and other agreements, and satisfied every 
              condition, contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
              Documents to be observed, performed or satisfied by it, and that 
              undersigned has obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of
              Default except as specified in such certificate; provided that 
              with respect to the financial statements delivered pursuant to 
              subsection 6.1(c) of the Credit Agreement, such certificate need 
              only cover the items set forth in clause (a) above; and 
         
    2.   in the case of the financial statements delivered pursuant to 
         subsection 6.1(a) and (b) of the Credit Agreement, the following 
         statements and figures are true on the date hereof:
         
         [Insert, in reasonable detail, a calculation of the financial 
         covenants set forth in subsection 7.1 of the Credit Agreement for the 
         period corresponding to the "Financial Statements" and, with respect 
         to the annual financial statements required to be furnished pursuant 
         to subsection 6.1(a) of the Credit Agreement, a reconciliation of such
         financial statements from the last-in first-out inventory valuation 
         method to the 

<PAGE>

         first-in, first-out inventory valuation method in order to 
         calculate the financial covenants set forth in subsection 7.1 of the 
         Credit Agreement.]




               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set my name as 
         of the date set forth below.
         
                   
                                       
                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                       
                                       
                                       By:
                                          ---------------------------
                                         Name:
                                         Title:
                                       
                                       
         Date: ________ __, 199_


<PAGE>
                                                                   EXHIBIT I TO
                                                               CREDIT AGREEMENT


                             [FORM OF]
         
         
                   CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                       SUPPLEMENTAL REPORTING
                               AS OF:

     Pursuant to subsection 6.2(f) of the Credit Agreement, dated as of 
August 7, 1996 (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"; terms defined therein being used 
herein as therein defined), among Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "BORROWER"), the several banks and other financial 
institutions from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the 
"LENDERS") and The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, as 
administrative agent for the Lenders, the undersigned hereby certifies that 
the following statements and figures are true on the date hereof:
         
         
REPORTING FOR PERIOD ENDED:___________
         
         
WEEKLY ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE REPORTING*
         
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
                                        Canada     Canada
                                U.S.     CDN$       US$      Total    (prior
                               -----    ------     ------    -----    week end)
<S>                             <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Beginning Accounts Receivable   _____     _____     _____     _____
Gross Billings                  _____     _____     _____     _____
Other Debits                    _____     _____     _____     _____
Collection Receipts Applied     _____     _____     _____     _____
Discounts Taken**               _____     _____     _____     _____
Credits Issued**                _____     _____     _____     _____
Returns**                       _____     _____     _____     _____
Write Offs**                    _____     _____     _____     _____
Other Credit Adjustments**      _____     _____     _____     _____
Intercompany Receivables        _____     _____     _____     _____
Ending Accounts Receivable, 
  net of  Intercompany          _____     _____     _____     _____   (current
                                                                      week  end)
</TABLE>
______________________ 
**Items notes are to be detailed on a monthly basis, and presented in total on a
  weekly basis.


<PAGE>
                                                                             2
         
         
         
WEEKLY INVENTORY REPORTING*        
- -------------------------------       
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                Cigarette      
                                Inventory    
                                (zero day                                     
                                EFT terms)                  
                                Including    Tobacco and        Other 
                                 stamps    Cigar Inventory    Inventory    Total
                                ---------  ---------------    ---------    -----
<S>                             <C>           <C>              <C>         <C>
Beginning Inventory Balance     
(prior week end)                 _____         _____            _____      _____
Plus:  Purchases                 _____         _____            _____      _____
Less:  Cost of Goods Sold        _____         _____            _____      _____
Other                            _____         _____            _____      _____
Ending Inventory Balance         
(current week end)               _____         _____            _____      _____

Monthly Inventory Reporting*     
- ----------------------------
Inventory by Location:           
List Locations Here              _____         _____            _____      _____
List Locations Here              _____         _____            _____      _____
List Locations Here              _____         _____            _____      _____
List Locations Here              _____         _____            _____      _____
Total:                           _____         _____            _____      _____
</TABLE>
___________________
*  Documents to be submitted per Schedule I to this certificate are integral
   part of the above reporting.
** Items noted are to be detailed on a monthly basis, and presented in total
   on a weekly basis.


       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set my name as of the
date set forth below.
       
                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                       
                                       
                                       By:_______________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:
                                       
         Date: ________ __, 199_
         



<PAGE>


                                                        SCHEDULE I

I.  WEEKLY REPORTS

          On the third Business Day following the end of each calendar week 
and on the third Business Day of the next calendar month, the Borrower will 
deliver to the Administrative Agent by facsimile transmission the 
Supplemental Reporting with respect to the close of business on the last 
calendar day of the immediately preceding calendar week or calendar month, as 
the case may be, duly completed and certified by a Responsible Officer of the 
Borrower.

          On the third Business Day following the end of each calendar week 
and on the third Business Day of the next calendar month, the Borrower will 
deliver to the Administrative Agent by overnight courier the following 
reports with respect to the close of business on the last calendar day of the 
immediately preceding calendar week or calendar month, as the case may be:

1.  An accounts receivable activity report (i.e., rollforward) for the US and 
    Canada operations, with supporting documentation including system generated
    reports detailing gross sales, collections, and adjustments.

2.  An accounts receivable consolidating aging for both the US and Canada
    operations.  The total on the consolidating aging must agree to the ending
    balance on the activity report referred to in item 1.

3.  Supporting documentation for all ineligible accounts receivable items

4.  A perpetual inventory activity report (i.e., rollforward) by category with
    supporting documentation including system generated reports detailing
    receipts, sales, and adjustments.

5.  A perpetual inventory report, i.e., a one page corporate rollup and summary
    sheet.  The total of which agrees to the ending balance on the activity
    report referred to in item 4.

6.  Calculation/worksheet of tax stamps eligible and not eligible.

7.  A copy of weekly bank statements (or balances as reported from a bank
    reporting system) of gross collected and available funds for account numbers
    (TO BE PROVIDED) reconciled to the amount of uncleared US checks as
    presented on the Borrowing Base Certificate.

8.  Schedule of Canadian Cash Equivalents reconciled to amounts as presented on
    the Borrowing Base Certificate.

9.  Details of accrual calculation used to determine the vendor receivable, by
    category, i.e., quarterly program, semi-annual program and annual program.



<PAGE>
                                                                      2



II. MONTHLY REPORTS

          On the tenth Business Day of each fiscal month, the Borrower will
deliver to the Agent by overnight courier the following reports with respect to
the previous fiscal month:

1.  An accounts receivable activity report (i.e., rollforward) for the US and
    Canada operations, with supporting documentation including system generated
    reports detailing gross sales, collection, and adjustments.  Adjustments are
    to be detailed for all dilutive items such as discounts taken, credits 
    issued, returns, write-offs, and other credit adjustments.  Although a month
    end Borrowing Base Certificate is not required, a reconciliation must be
    performed from the weekly to the monthly rollforward.

2.  A consolidating aged accounts receivable aging by division for both the US
    and Canada operations.  The total on the consolidating aging must agree to
    the ending balance on the monthly activity report referred to in item 1.

3.  A corporate chain report for accounts receivable, summarizing the top ten
    accounts on the report. The top ten (excluding Southland and any other
    customers which are on the "Franchise-No" report but should be on the
    "Franchise-Yes" report) should be accumulated from the "Franchise-No" 
    portion of the corporate chain report.  The "Franchise-Yes" report should
    also be provided.

4.  A perpetual Inventory report by category and by division.

5.  Supporting documentation for all ineligible inventory items, including
    inventory reserves, landlord lien reserves and consigned inventory.

6.  Summary of amounts payable to the top ten tax vendors.

7.  A schedule on a state by state basis of accrued or payable excise taxes and
    bonding with respect thereto.

8.  "Cigarette inventory" and "other inventory" turnover by division.



<PAGE>

            [LETTERHEAD OF PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON]


                                 August 7, 1996

                                                                     Exhibit J-1


To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement  
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank 
 as Administrative Agent


Ladies and Gentlemen:

            We have acted as special counsel to Core-Mark International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), C/M Products, Inc., a California
corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower ("C/M Products"),
Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc., a California corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower ("CMIC"), and Core-Mark Midcontinent,
Inc., an Arkansas corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower ("CM
Midcontinent" and, together with the Borrower, C/M Products and CMIC,
collectively the "Loan Parties" and each a "Loan Party"), in connection with the
Credit Agreement, dated as of

<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                   2
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent


August 7, 1996 (the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the several banks
and other financial institutions parties thereto as lenders (the "Lenders"), and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, a New York banking corporation, as Administrative
Agent. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective
meanings given them in the Credit Agreement. This opinion is being furnished to
you at the request of the Borrower pursuant to Section 5. l(1()(l) of the Credit
Agreement.

            In connection with this opinion, we have examined originals, or
copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of the following
documents, each dated as of the date hereof (collectively, the "Documents"):

            1. The Credit Agreement;

            2. The Revolving Credit Notes;

            3. The Term Notes;

            4. The Security Agreement;

            5. The Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement; and

            6. The Subsidiaries Guarantee.

            In addition, we have examined such corporate records of the Loan
Parties as we have considered appropriate, including copies of the charter and
by-laws of the Borrower as in effect on the date hereof and certified copies of
resolutions of the board of directors of the Borrower, and such other
certificates, agreements and
<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                   3
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent


documents as we deemed relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions
hereafter expressed.

            In our examination of the aforesaid documents, we have assumed,
without independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures, the due
authorization, execution and delivery of the Documents by each Person other than
the Borrower that are parties to the Documents, the enforceability of the
Documents against each party thereto other than the Loan Parties that are
parties thereto, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals,
the conformity to the original documents of all documents submitted to us as
certified, photostatic, reproduced or conformed copies of validly existing
agreements or other documents, the authenticity of all such latter documents and
the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the documents.

            In expressing the opinions set forth herein we have relied upon the
factual matters contained in the representations and warranties of the Loan
Parties and upon certificates of public officials and officers of the Loan
Parties. Whenever an opinion is indicated to be based on our knowledge, it is
intended to signify that in the course of our representation of the Loan Parties
in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Documents, no
information came to the attention of the attorneys at our firm who are actually
engaged in such transactions that would give such attorneys actual knowledge of
the existence or absence of such facts. We have not
<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                   4
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent.


undertaken any independent investigation to determine the existence or absence
of such facts, and no inference as to our knowledge of the existence or absence
of such facts should be drawn from the fact of our representation of the Loan
Parties.

            Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, exceptions
and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

            1. The Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has the
corporate power and authority to own and operate its property, to lease the
property it operates as lessee and to conduct the business in which it is
currently engaged.

            2. The Borrower has the corporate power and authority to make,
deliver and perform the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to borrow
under the Credit Agreement and has taken all necessary corporate action to
authorize the borrowings on the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents to
which it is a party and to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of
the Loan Documents to which it is a party. No consent or authorization of,
filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental
Authority of the State of New York, the United States of America or under the
General Corporation law of the State of Delaware (the "GLC") is required in
connection with the borrowings under the Credit Agreement or the execution,
delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of the
<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                   5
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent


Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party, except for such filings as are
necessary to perfect security interests.

            3. Each of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party has
been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Borrower. Each of the Loan
Documents constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party
which is a party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with
its terms.

            4. The execution, delivery and performance of each of the Loan
Documents to which each Loan Party is a party, the borrowings under the Credit
Agreement by the Borrower and the use of proceeds thereof as set forth in
Section 4.16 of the Credit Agreement will not violate any Requirement of Law of
the State of New York, the United States of America or under the GCL or any
Contractual Obligation known to us of such Loan Party, and will not result in,
or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its properties or
revenues pursuant to any such Requirement of Law or Contractual Obligation known
to us (except for Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders as contemplated by the Documents).

            5. The Borrower is not an "investment company" within the meaning of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

            6. The Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement is effective to create in
favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, a valid and
<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                   6
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent


enforceable security interest in the Pledged Stock described therein and,
assuming that (i) the Administrative Agent has, at the date hereof, possession
in the State of New York of the Pledged Stock and maintains continuous
possession thereof and (ii) the Lenders and the Administrative Agent have
entered into the Credit Agreement in good faith without notice of any adverse
claim to such Pledged Stock, and after giving effect to the making of Loans on
the date hereof, the Administrative Agent has a valid and perfected security
interest, for the benefit of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, to the
extent provided in the Borrower Stock Pledge Agreement, in all right, title and
interest of the Borrower in such Pledged Stock, which security interest has
priority over any other security interest in the Pledged Stock which can be
perfected under the UCC.

            7. After giving effect to the making of the Loans on the date
hereof, each Security Agreement is effective to create in favor of the
Administrative Agreement, for the benefit of the Lenders and the Administrative
Agent, a valid and enforceable security interest in such of the Collateral
purported to be covered thereby and in which a security interest may be created
under Article 9 of the UCC, except that the Security Agreements to which a Loan
Party is a party will create such interests in property in which such Loan Party
has no currently existing rights only when such Loan Party acquires right
therein.
<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                   7
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent


            8. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.6 to the Credit Agreement, we
have no knowledge of any litigation, investigation or proceeding of or before
any arbitrator or Governmental Authority, pending or threatened against the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of its or their respective
properties or revenues (a) with respect to any of the Loan Documents or any of
the transactions contemplated thereby, or (b) which could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      * * *

            The foregoing opinion is subject to the following additional
assumptions, exceptions and qualifications:

                  (a) The enforceability of the Documents may be: (i) subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer,
moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally; (ii) subject
to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); (iii) subject to the
qualification that certain remedial provisions of the Security Documents are or
may be unenforceable in whole or in part under the laws of the State of New
York, but the inclusion of such provisions does not make the remedies afforded
by such Security Documents inadequate for the practical realization of the
rights and benefits purported to be provided thereby,
<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                   8
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent


except for the economic consequences resulting from any delay imposed by, or any
procedure required by, applicable New York laws, rules, regulations and court
decisions and by constitutional requirements in and of the State of New York;
and (iv) subject to the qualification that, insofar as provisions contained in
the Documents provide for indemnification, the enforcement thereof may be
limited by public policy considerations.

                  (b) We express no opinion as to: (i) the enforceability of any
provisions in the Guarantees purporting to preserve and maintain the liability
of any party thereto despite the fact that the guaranteed debt is unenforceable
due to illegality or the fact that the obligee has voluntarily released the
primary obligor's liability on the guaranteed debt; (ii) the enforceability of
any provisions contained in the Documents that purport to establish (or may be
construed to establish) evidentiary standards; (iii) the enforceability of any
provisions contained in the Documents that constitute waivers not permitted
under applicable law; and (iv) the enforceability of forum selection clauses in
the federal courts.

                  (c) We express no opinion as to: (i) any Loan Party's right,
title or interest in or to any Collateral or the description of any property
(real, personal or mixed) in the Security Documents, the UCC financing
statements or any other Documents; (ii) the laws of any state other than the
State of New York or the perfection and effect of perfection or non-perfection
of a security interest in the

<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                   9
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent


Collateral subject to the laws of any state other than New York; (iji) the
perfection of security interests in equipment used in farming operations, farm
products, consumer goods, timber or minerals or the like, or accounts resulting
from the sale thereof; (iv) except as expressly stated herein, the creation,
validity, perfection, priority or enforceability of any security interest sought
to be created in any patents, trademarks, tradenames, service marks, copyrights,
aircraft, deposit accounts, insurance policies, real property or any other items
of property to the extent that a security interest therein is excluded from the
coverage of Article 9 of the UCC; (v) except as specifically set forth in
paragraph 6 above, any opinion as to the perfection or priority of any security
interest; or (vi) the creation, validity, perfection, priority or enforceability
of any security interest with respect to any item of Collateral subject to
Section 552 of Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.ss. 101, et seq.
(the "Bankruptcy Code") which limits the extent to which property acquired by a
debtor after the commencement of a case under the Bankruptcy Code may be subject
to a security interest arising from a security agreement entered into by the
debtor before the commencement of such case. We have also assumed that no item
of Collateral (or any agreement relating thereto) contains or will contain any
provision purportedly prohibiting or otherwise restricting the assignability
thereof or the granting of a security interest with respect thereto.

<PAGE>

PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

To the Lenders Party to the Credit Agreement                                  10
 Referred to Below and The Chase Manhattan Bank
 as Administrative Agent


                  (d) With regard to the choice of law provisions contained in
the Documents and any reference to certain provisions of the UCC contained
therein, we wish to point out that, whether through the operation of applicable
choice of law rules or otherwise, the laws of the jurisdiction in which an item
of collateral is located or in which the debtor is located may govern the
perfection of the security interests created by the Documents and the
enforceability of the rights or remedies provided in the Documents upon the
occurrence of a Default or Event of Default and, to the extent that the
Documents provide otherwise, such provisions may be unenforceable.

            We express no opinion herein as to the law of any jurisdiction other
than the federal laws of the United States of America and the laws of the State
of New York and the GCL. Our opinion is rendered only with respect to the laws,
and the rules, regulations and orders thereunder, which are currently in effect.
Please be advised that no member of this firm is admitted to practice in the
State of Delaware.

            This letter is furnished by us solely for your benefit in connection
with the transactions referred to in the Credit Agreement and the other
Documents and may not be circulated to, or relied upon by, any other Person or
used in any other context.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                    /s/ Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison

                                    PAUL, WEISS, RIFKIND, WHARTON & GARRISON

<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit J-2

            [LETTERHEAD OF SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP]


                                 August 7, 1996


The Chase Manhattan Bank, 
as Administrative Agent 
270 Park Avenue 
New York, New York  10017

Each of the Lenders party to the 
Credit Agreement referred to below


            Re:   Credit Agreement among Core-Mark International, Inc. 
                  the Lenders from time to time parties thereto
                  and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent, 
                  dated as of August 7, 1996

Dear Sirs:

            We have acted as special local counsel in the State of California to
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent for the Lenders referred to
below, in connection with (a) the Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 1996
(the "Credit Agreement"), among Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), the lenders party thereto (collectively, the
"Lenders"), and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent for the
Lenders (in such capacity, the "Agent"), and (b) the Security Documents listed
on Schedule 1 attached hereto delivered pursuant to the Credit Agreement (the
"State Security Documents").

            The opinions expressed below are furnished to you pursuant to
Section 5.1(k) of the Credit Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms
defined in the Credit Agreement, and terms defined in the Uniform Commercial
Code of the State of California (the "UCC"), are used herein as therein defined.
<PAGE>

SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP

The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Administrative Agent,
and each of the Lenders
August 7, 1996
Page 2


            In connection with the opinions expressed below,

            (a) we have examined and relied on copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of each of (1) the Credit Agreement and (2) the
State Security Documents.

            (b) we have examined unfiled copies of the financing statements
listed on Schedule 2 (collectively, the "Financing Statements") naming the
Borrower, C/M Products, Inc., a California corporation ("C/M Products"), or
Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc., a California corporation ("CMIC"), as
Debtor and the Agent as Secured Party, which we understand will be filed in the
filing offices listed on Schedule 2 (the "Filing Offices");

            (c) we have examined and relied on (i) copies of the articles of
incorporation of C/M Products and CMIC, each certified by the California
Secretary of State on August 5, 1996, (ii) certificates of status for C/M
Products and CMIC, each dated August 5, 1996, issued by the California Secretary
of State, and (iii) franchise tax board letters for C/M Products and CMIC, each
dated August 5, 1996, issued by the California Franchise Tax Board; and

            (d) we have also examined such other documents as we have deemed
necessary or appropriate for the purpose of giving this opinion.

            In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed, with
your permission, without independent investigation or inquiry, (a) the
genuineness of all signatures, (b) the authenticity of all documents submitted
to us as originals and (c) the conformity to original documents of documents
submitted to us as certified, conformed or photostatic copies.

            You have advised us that in rendering this opinion, we may assume
that (i) the Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware; (ii) Core-Mark
Midcontinent, Inc. ("CM Midcontinent") is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Arkansas; (iii) the
Borrower is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
under the laws of the State of California; (iv) the actions of each of the
Borrower, C/M
<PAGE>

SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP

The Chase Manhattan Bank, 
as Administrative Agent, 
and each of the Lenders 
August 7, 1996 
Page 3


Products, CMIC and CM Midcontinent are permitted under their respective
certificates of incorporation, bylaws and other organizational or governing
documents; (v) each of the Credit Agreement and the State Security Documents has
been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the respective parties thereto
in the form of the copies reviewed by us; (vi) except for C/M Products and CMIC,
none of the Subsidiaries either has its place of business or chief executive
office in the State, or owns any personal property that is located in the State;
(vii) with respect to patents, copyrights and trademarks covered by the Security
Agreement described in Item 2 on Schedule 1 attached hereto, the Agent has made
all filings in federal offices, and has taken all actions in jurisdictions other
than the State of California, necessary to effect any transfer of, or create or
perfect any interest in, any of the property described therein.

            Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

            1. C/M Products and CMIC (a) are each corporations duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of California,
and (b) each has the corporate power and authority to own and operate its
property, to lease the property it operates as lessee and to conduct the
business in which it is currently engaged.

            2. The execution, delivery and performance by C/M Products and CMIC
of the State Security Documents, and the creation and perfection of any security
interest upon or with respect to any of C/M Products' or CMIC's properties
provided for therein do not violate (a) the articles or incorporation of C/M
Products or CMIC or (b) any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation of the
State of California.

            3. Except for the filings described on Schedule 2 to perfect the
security interests created by the Security Agreement, no consent or
authorization of, filing with, notice to or other act by or in respect of, any
Governmental Authority of the State of California is required in connection with
the execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower, C/M Products, CMIC or CM
Midcontinent of the State Security Documents, or the creation and perfection of
any security interest upon or with respect to any of the Borrower's, C/M
Products' or CMIC's properties provided for therein.
<PAGE>

SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP

The Chase Manhattan Bank, 
as Administrative Agent, 
and each of the Lenders 
August 7, 1996 
Page 4


            4. (a) Insofar as the laws of the State of California apply, the
provisions of each State Security Agreement are effective to create in favor of
the Agent a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral
described therein. (b) Upon the filing of the Financing Statements in the Filing
Offices, the Agent will have a perfected security interest in the Filing
Collateral. As used in this paragraph, "Filing Collateral" means (x) all
equipment and inventory located in the State of California other than (i) motor
vehicles or boats subject to the registration provisions of the California
Vehicle Code, (ii) mobile homes or commercial coaches subject to the
registration provisions of the California Health and Safety Code, (iii) any
vehicle or other item of tangible personal property subject to a registration or
certificate of title statute of a jurisdiction other than California, and (iv)
goods which are mobile and which are of a type normally used in more than one
jurisdiction; (y) all accounts (other than accounts resulting from the sale of
minerals or the like (including oil and gas) at the wellhead or minehead),
chattel paper (other than chattel paper in which the Lenders' interest is
perfected by possession under Section 9305 of the UCC) and general intangibles
(other than (i) uncertificated securities or (ii) any property subject to a
statute or treaty of the United States which provides for a national or
international registration or which specifies a place of filing different from
that specified in the UCC) of C/M Products and CMIC; and (z) all other
Collateral as to which filing UCC-l financing statements in the Filing Offices
is an appropriate method of perfection.

            Our opinions set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2(a), above, are based
solely upon our review of (i) copies of the articles of incorporation of C/M
Products and CMIC, each certified by the California Secretary of State on August
5, 1996, (ii) certificates of status for C/M Products and CMIC, each dated
August 5, 1996, issued by the California Secretary of State, and (iii) franchise
tax board letters for C/M Products and CMIC, each dated August 5, 1996, issued
by the California Franchise Tax Board.
<PAGE>

SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP

The Chase Manhattan Bank, 
as Administrative Agent, 
and each of the Lenders 
August 7, 1996 
Page 5


            Our opinions set forth in paragraph 4, above, are subject to the
effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law) and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

            In giving the opinions set forth in paragraph 4, above, we advise
you that a California court may not strictly enforce certain covenants contained
in the State Security Documents or allow acceleration of the maturity of the
indebtedness secured by the State Security Documents if it concludes that such
enforcement or acceleration would be unreasonable under the then existing
circumstances. We do believe, however, that subject to the limitations expressed
elsewhere in this opinion, enforcement or acceleration would be available if an
Event of Default occurs as a result of a material breach of a material covenant
contained in the Credit Agreement or the State Security Documents.

            We have not made or undertaken to make any investigation of the
state of title to the personal property described in the State Security
Documents, and we express no opinion with respect to the title thereto. We
understand that you are relying on your own examinations of title to personal
property. We express no opinion concerning the priority of any liens or security
interests in connection with the transaction.

            Our opinions are based solely upon the existing laws of the State of
California , and we express no opinion as to the laws or regulations of any
jurisdiction other than the State of California which may be applicable to the
transaction or documents referred to herein. We are not admitted to practice law
in any states or jurisdictions other than the State of California.
<PAGE>

SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP

The Chase Manhattan Bank, 
as Administrative Agent, 
and each of the Lenders 
August 7, 1996 
Page 6


            This opinion is rendered in connection with the transaction
contemplated by the Credit Agreement and the State Security Documents, and is
intended solely for your guidance in connection therewith. Our opinion speaks
only as of the date hereof. This opinion is not to be relied upon in any other
context, nor is it to be relied upon by any other person or entity for any
reason whatsoever.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                     /s/ Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

                                     SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP


<PAGE>
                                     SCHEDULE 1
 
                             STATE SECURITY DOCUMENTS

     1. SUBSIDIARIES GUARANTEE dated as of August 7, 1996, executed by C/M 
Products, CMIC and CM Midcontinent in favor of the Agent, as administrative 
agent for itself and the other Lenders.

     2. SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of August 7, 1996, executed by the 
Borrower, C/M Products, CMIC and CM Midcontinent in favor of the Agent, as 
administrative agent for itself and the other Lenders.













                                       Page 1 of 2
<PAGE>

                                       SCHEDULE 2

              UCC-1 FINANCING STATEMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE CALIFORNIA 
                                   SECRETARY OF STATE

1. UCC-1 financing statement executed by the Borrower, as debtor, for the 
   benefit of the Agent, as administrative agent for itself and the other 
   Lenders, as secured party.

2. UCC-1 financing statement executed by C/M Products, as debtor, for the 
   benefit of the Agent, as administrative agent for itself and the other 
   Lendors, as secured party.

3. UCC-1 financing statement executed by CMIC. as debtor, for the benefit
   of the Agent, as adminstrative agent for itself and the other Lenders,
   as secured party.

4. UCC-1 financing statement executed by CM Midcontinent, as debtor, for 
   the benefit of the Agent, as administrative agent for itself and the 
   other Lenders, as secured party.

5. UCC-1 financing statement executed by the Borrower under the name of
   Core-Mark Distributors, Inc., the Borrower's former name, as debtor,
   for the benefit of the Agent, as administrative agent for itself and
   the other Lenders, as secured party.

                                       Page 2 of 2
<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit J-3

                         [LETTERHEAD OF STOEL RIVES LLP]


                                 August 7, 1996


To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent

      Re:   $210,000,000 Loan to Core-Mark International, Inc. By The Chase
            Manhattan Bank, as Administrative Agent to the Lenders Under the
            Credit Agreement Described Below

Dear The Chase Manhattan Bank and Lenders:

      We have acted as special counsel to you (collectively "the Lenders") in
the state of Oregon (the "State") in connection with the transactions
contemplated by a Credit Agreement between The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
Administrative Agent for the Lenders and Core-Mark International, Inc.
("Borrower"), for certain loans in the aggregate principal amount of
$210,000,000 (the "Loans") to be made by the Lenders to the Borrower. This
opinion is furnished to you pursuant to Section 5.1(k) of the Credit Agreement.

                           DOCUMENTS AND DEFINITIONS

      We have examined draft, unsigned execution copies of the Credit Agreement,
the Security Agreement and a Uniform Commercial Code UCC-1 financing statement
from Borrower (the "Financing Statement") (collectively, the "Loan Documents").
We also have examined a certificate from the Oregon Secretary of State relating
to the registration of Borrower as a foreign corporation, and we have relied on
that certificate as we have deemed appropriate. We have relied solely on the
foregoing documents and such other documents as referred to in this letter as to
all matters and facts covered therein. We have not undertaken any independent
verification or investigation of these factual matters, nor have we conducted or
reviewed searches of files of UCC financing statements or judgments. Capitalized
terms not defined in this Opinion shall have the respective meaning ascribed to
them in the Credit Agreement. "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as
currently in effect in the state of Oregon.

<PAGE>

                                STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996 
Page 2


                                   ASSUMPTIONS

      For purposes of this letter, we have assumed:

      1. Conformity. The executed original Loan Documents will conform to the
draft execution copies submitted to us, and the signatures thereon will be
genuine.

      2. Document Authenticity. The Loan Documents will be duly authorized,
executed and delivered by all the parties thereto other than the Borrower and
will constitute the legal, valid and binding and enforceable obligations of all
parties other than Borrower.

      3. Lenders. The Lenders are duly organized and validly existing under the
laws of the states of their respective incorporation and are qualified to do
business in all states where the activities contemplated by the Loan Documents
require such qualification.

      4, Borrower. The Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated and validly
existing under the laws of the state of Delaware. The Borrower has all requisite
corporate power and authority under the laws of the state of Delaware (i) to
execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under and carry out the
transactions contemplated by, the Loan Documents to which it is party, (ii) to
own its properties, including, without limitation, the Collateral, and (iii) to
conduct its business as contemplated by the Loan Documents.

      5. Authorization. Each of the Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a
party will be duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
the Borrower to the extent authorization is required as a condition to the
legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of such Loan Document and
has been duly and properly executed and delivered by Borrower.

      6. Performance. All conditions to the Borrower's and the Lenders'
performance set forth in the Loan Documents, whether performance or satisfaction
thereof is due before, on or after the date hereof, have been or will be fully
performed and satisfied at the respective times required by such documents or
have been or will be validly waived.
<PAGE>

                                STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996 
Page 3


      7. Future Conduct. The Borrower will obtain all permits and governmental
approvals required in the future and take all actions similarly required for its
performance of the Loan Documents.

      8. Title to Collateral. The Borrower holds the requisite title to the
Collateral.

      9. Property Title and Description. The descriptions of personal property
in the pertinent Loan Documents are sufficient to create a lien or security
interest under the pertinent security documents and to enable identification by
a subsequent purchaser, secured party or creditor.

      10. Indexing. The Financing Statement will be filed with and properly
indexed by the Oregon Secretary of State.

      11. Use of Loan Proceeds. No portion of the loans will be used for the
"purpose of purchasing or carrying" any "margin stock" or "margin security" as
such terms are used in Regulations G, U and X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System or otherwise in violation of such regulations.

      12. Attachment. The Borrower has "rights" in all of the Collateral capable
of being pledged and has received "value" within the meaning of ORS 79.2030.

      13. Good Faith. The transaction has been entered into by all of the
parties in good faith within the meaning of ORS 71.2030, and the conduct of all
parties has conformed and will conform with all applicable express and implied
covenants of good faith and fair dealing and the requirements of
conscionability.

      14. Enforceability Under Other Laws. Each of the Loan Documents, to the
extent governed by the laws of any state other than the state of Oregon, is
legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with the laws of such other
state.

      15. No Notice of Defenses. The Lenders and any agents acting for them in
connection with the Loans have acted in good faith and without notice of any
defense against the enforcement of any rights created by the Loan Documents.
<PAGE>

                                STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996 
Page 4


      16. Laws of Other States. The performance by the parties of their
respective obligations under the Loan Documents do not and will not contravene
or conflict with any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction other than the
State, or any judgment, order or decree of any court or regulatory body
applicable to the parties or by which the parties may be bound, and do not
conflict with or constitute on the part of the Borrower a violation of, breach
of or default under any agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower is a
party or by which it is bound.

      17. Location. The Loans are being made, funded and closed in New York, the
Loan Documents have been primarily negotiated in New York and have been executed
and delivered by the parties in New York, amounts due under the Loans are
intended to be paid in New York, and the chief executive office and principal
place of business of Borrower is in California. The interest and other charges
payable by the Borrower under the Loan Documents are lawful in the state of New
York.

      18. Collateral. The Collateral does not include timber to be cut, minerals
or the like (including oil and gas), accounts subject to ORS 79.1030(5) or
minerals, and goods that are or are to become fixtures. The inventory is not
held in Oregon by a third party bailee or warehouseman under a negotiable
document of title.

      We have not conducted an independent investigation with respect to these
assumptions although we have no knowledge that these assumptions are incorrect.
We have not conducted any investigation as to any transaction, including those
contemplated by the Loan Documents. For the purpose of this opinion, our
"knowledge" is limited to the current actual knowledge (and not constructive,
implied or imputed knowledge) of the attorneys in our firm acquired who
participated in the preparation of this opinion without independent inquiry,
investigation or review of the Collateral or any files or public or private
records. We understand that you will rely solely on separate opinions furnished
to you by other counsel should you desire assurances regarding these matters.

                                    OPINIONS

      Based upon the foregoing review and assumptions, and subject to the
qualifications, exclusions and limitations below, we are of the opinion that
under the applicable state law in effect in Oregon on the date of this opinion:
<PAGE>

                                STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996 
Page 5


      1. The Borrower is authorized to transact business as a foreign
corporation in Oregon.

      2. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of the Loan Documents to
which the Borrower is a party, and the consummation by the Borrower and the
Lenders of the transactions contemplated thereby, will not violate any law, rule
or regulation of Oregon.

      3. Subject to the assumptions and qualifications to the opinions expressed
herein, no authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to any
governmental or quasi-governmental authority or regulatory body of the State is
required for (a) the due execution, delivery, recordation, filing or performance
by the Borrower of the Loan Agreements, (b) the grant by the Borrower of the
liens or security interests granted by it pursuant to the Security Agreement,
(c) the perfection or maintenance of the security interests created by the
Security Agreement in that collateral that can be perfected by a UCC financing
statement, or (d) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of its
rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral
pursuant to the Security Agreement, except (i) that the exercise of certain
remedies may require prior court approvals, filings or notice, and (ii) in the
case of clause (c) above, the matters referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6 below.

      4. The Security Agreement creates in favor of the Administrative Agent as
secured party, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
valid security interests in all Collateral located in Oregon as collateral
security for the payment of the obligations under the Loan Documents.

      5. The Financing Statement is in proper form so as to comply with the
filing requirements of Oregon. Assuming the proper execution and delivery of the
Security Agreement, upon filing of the Financing Statement in the office of the
Oregon Secretary of State with the applicable filing fee, the Administrative
Agent will have a valid and perfected security interest in the Inventory of the
Borrower located in the State subject to the provisions of ORS 79.1030, and in
any other Collateral referred to therein located in the State to which Article 9
of the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect in the State (the "UCC"), is
applicable and to the extent a security interest can be perfected by filing in
the office of the Secretary of State a financing statement under the UCC. We
advise you that:

            (a) UCC continuation statements must be filed with respect to the
      Financing Statement in the same office in which the Financing Statement
      was

<PAGE>
                                 STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996  
Page 6


      originally filed within six months before the expiration of each
      consecutive five-year period (with the first such period commencing on the
      date such Financing Statement was originally filed and recorded);

            (b) Section 552 of the Bankruptcy Code limits the extent to which
      certain property acquired by a debtor after the commencement of a
      bankruptcy case under the Bankruptcy Code may be subject to a security
      interest arising from a security agreement entered into by the debtor
      before the commencement of that case;

            (c) The perfection of the security interests perfected by the filing
      of a fmancing statement in the state of Oregon will be terminated as to
      any Collateral acquired by the Borrower more than four months after the
      Borrower so changes its name, identity or corporate structure as to make
      the respective Financing Statement seriously misleading, unless new
      appropriate UCC financing statements indicating the new name, identity or
      corporate structure of the Borrower are properly filed before the
      expiration of such four months;

            (d) Actions other than the filing of a UCC financing statement are
      necessary to perfect a security interest in certain types of personal
      property (including deposit accounts; instruments; permits; licenses;
      property subject to state, federal or international registration;
      intellectual property; insurance; motor vehicles; watercraft; and
      manufactured housing);

            (e) ORS 79.3060 limits the right of a secured party to perfect a
      security interest in the proceeds of the collections from any of the
      Collateral that is the type of collateral subject to a security interest
      under Article 9 of the UCC. In the case of noncash proceeds that do not
      constitute part of the Collateral subject to the Loan Documents and in the
      case of nonidentifiable cash proceeds, continuation of the perfection of
      the security interest is also limited to the extent set forth in ORS
      79.3060; and

            (f) Under ORS 79.3070, .3080 and.3090, certain purchasers of the
      Collateral may take the same free and clear of the Security Documents and
      the security interests granted therein.

<PAGE>

                                 STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996 
Page 7


            (g) We express no opinion regarding any requirements to file in any
      other state, nor as to perfection with respect to intellectual property,
      including without limitation any requirement to file under any nation-wide
      system for the perfection of security interests in intellectual property.
      To the extent that a security interest in intellectual property can be
      perfected by filing a UCC financing statement in Oregon, the Office of the
      Secretary of State is the appropriate office.

            (h) In the case of inventory or other goods held for the benefit of
      the Borrower by a third-party bailee or warehouseman, perfection of the
      security interest in the goods may be had by filing only if the interest
      in the applicable document of title, if negotiable, is perfected by an
      applicable UCC filing adequately describing the document of title or
      possession of the document of title, and if the document of title is not
      negotiable, by (i) filing an applicable UCC financing statement as to the
      goods, or (ii) receipt by the bailee or warehouseman of notice of the
      secured party's interest, or (iii) possessing the document of title issued
      in the name of the secured party.

      6. Each of the Loan Documents is the legal, valid and binding obligation
of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms.

                                 QUALIFICATIONS

      The opinions expressed above are subject to the following qualifications:

      1. The enforcement of the Loan Documents will be subject to certain
limitations imposed by general principles of equity and by statutes and judicial
decisions that limit or prohibit enforcement which would violate the implied
covenant of good faith and fair dealing or would be commercially unreasonable.

      2. Certain procedural requirements, such as the required format and timing
of service of process, court filings, recordation and notices, must meet the
minimum statutory requirements. Other rights and obligations are subject to
limitations or restrictions imposed by statute. By way of example only, you are
advised that any provision in the Loan Documents requiring a party to pay the
attorneys' fees and costs of another party in actions to enforce the provisions
thereof will be construed to entitle the prevailing party in any action to be
awarded its costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.


<PAGE>

                                 STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996 
Page 8


      3. With respect to our opinions in paragraphs 4 and 6, (a) the
enforceability of the Loan Documents may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or similar laws, or by equitable
principles (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law) relating to or limiting the rights of creditors generally,
and (b) the use of the term "enforceable" shall not imply any opinion as to the
availability of equitable remedies other than the foreclosure of the liens
created by the Loan Documents in accordance with Oregon law. Further, a court of
the State may not strictly enforce certain provisions contained in the Loan
Documents or allow acceleration of the maturity of the indebtedness if it
concludes that such enforcement or acceleration would be unreasonable under
circumstances then existing. We do believe, however, that subject to limitations
expressed elsewhere in this opinion, enforcement or acceleration against the
Borrower would be available if an event of default occurs as a result of a
material breach of a material provision contained in the Loan Documents.

      The following list is not a complete recitation of matters as to which no
opinion is expressed, but we wish to emphasize specifically that we express no
opinion as to the enforceability of (i) self-help, rights of set off or the
right to possession of the personal property or collection of rental or other
income without appointment of a receiver or the rights, procedural requirements
for or powers of a receiver; (ii) provisions purporting to establish evidentiary
standards; (iii) provisions related to the waiver of rights, remedies and
defenses; (iv) provisions that permit the Lenders to collect a late charge,
increased interest rate after default or maturity or a prepayment premium to the
extent such amount exceeds actual damages; (v) any reservation of the right to
pursue inconsistent or cumulative remedies; (vi) any "due on encumbrance" clause
in any circumstance where the security for the loan would not be impaired; (vii)
provisions for payment or reimbursement of costs and expenses or indemnification
for claims, losses or liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys'
fees) in excess of statutory limits or an amount determined to be reasonable by
any court or other tribunal and any provision for attorneys' fees other than to
the prevailing party; (viii) provisions pertaining to jurisdiction or venue;
(ix) provisions purporting to appoint the Administrative Agent or a Lender as
attorney-in-fact for the Borrower; (x) limitations on the liability of the
Administrative Agent or a Lender, or for indemnification of same, for its own
negligence or misconduct; (xi) provisions that purport to establish or maintain
priority of the lien or security interest; (xii) provisions purporting to allow
the Administrative Agent to determine the method or order of sale of property in
a foreclosure action; and (xiii) any disclaimer of liability under environmental
laws.

<PAGE>

                                 STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996 
Page 9


      4. Our opinions set forth in paragraphs 4 and 5 above are subject to the
further qualifications that we express no opinion as to the validity or
perfection of the security interests referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5 above as
they relate to any interest in or claim under any policy of insurance, except a
claim to the proceeds payable by reason of loss or damage under insurance
policies maintained by the Borrower with respect to Collateral as required by
and in compliance with the Security Agreement.

      5. Our opinion with respect to the perfection and maintenance of
perfection of security interests under the UCC is not to be construed as
applying (i) to the creation or perfection of any security interest in any
"security," as defined in the UCC, or (ii) to the laws of any jurisdiction other
than the State that may govern the creation or perfection of any security
interest in any of the Collateral. A perfected security interest in certain
tangible Collateral may become unperfected if it is removed from the State.

      6. Under Oregon law, the interpretation of any contract is based on the
intent of the parties and evidence extrinsic to a contract may be introduced to
ascertain the intent of the parties regardless of the presence or absence of
ambiguity and regardless of a statement by the parties that the written
agreement constitutes an integrated expression of their agreement. We expressly
disclaim any knowledge of the intent of the parties not expressed in the words
used in the Loan Documents. This opinion is expressly qualified to the extent
that determination of the intent of the parties based on evidence other than the
words used in the Loan Documents would lead to a result differing from our
opinion.

                                   EXCLUSIONS

      1. We express no opinion regarding the priority of any lien or security
interest.

                                   LIMITATIONS

      The opinions expressed in this Opinion are limited to matters governed by
the substantive laws of the State (excluding the laws of any other jurisdiction
that may be applicable under choice or conflicts of laws, rules or principles of
the State), in each case as in effect on the date of this letter, and we express
no opinion as to the law of any other state or jurisdiction. We undertake no
obligation to update or supplement this Opinion in response to subsequent
changes in the law or facts or future events. This Opinion is limited to the
specific


<PAGE>

                                 STOEL RIVES LLP

To The Chase Manhattan Bank and 
  the Lenders Who Are a Party to the 
  Credit Agreement Referred to Below, 
  Acting by and Through The Chase Manhattan 
  Bank, As Administrative Agent
August 7, 1996 
Page 10


transactions, documents and matters described above, and no opinions may be
implied or inferred beyond those that are expressly stated in this letter.

      This Opinion may not be relied upon by any person other than the
addressees named in this letter and any permitted participant under the Credit
Agreement, and no person may be subrogated to the rights of the addressees. This
Opinion is provided to you solely for the purpose of complying with the
requirements of Section 5.1(k) of the Credit Agreement and, without our prior
written consent, may not be quoted in whole or in part or otherwise referred to
in (or be the basis for) any report or document furnished to any person or
entity, except in connection with the inspection of your files by internal or
governmental examiners or auditors.

                                            Very truly yours,   
                                            
                                            /S/ Stoel Rives LLP
                                            
                                            Stoel Rives LLP
                                 
<PAGE>
                                                                 Exhibit J-4 (1)

                        [LETTERHEAD OF STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT]


                                           August 7, 1996


TO THE PERSONS IDENTIFIED IN
SCHEDULE A TO THIS LETTER

Dear Sirs:

            Re:   Security Interest granted in favour of
                  The Chase Manhattan Bank by Core-Mark International, Inc., 
                  CIM Products, Inc., Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc. 
                  and Core-Mark Midcontinent. Inc.
            ----------------------------------------------------------------

            We have acted as local agent for Core-Mark International, Inc., CIM
Products, Inc., Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc. and Core-Mark
Midcontinent, Inc. (collectively, the "Debtors" and each individually being a
"Debtor") in connection with the registration under the Personal Property
Security Act (Alberta), as amended (the "PPSA"), of a financing statement in
respect of a security interest created under a security agreement (the "Security
Agreement") dated August 7, 1996 granted in favour of The Chase Manhattan Bank,
as Administrative Agent (the "Lender") by each of the Debtors.

Scope of Examination

            We have examined a copy identified to our satisfaction of the
Security Agreement.

            We have also examined originals or copies of such records,
certificates or other documents and have considered such questions of law as we
have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter
expressed.

Assumptions

            In rendering the opinions expressed below we have, without
independent inquiry, assumed:

<PAGE>

                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                        2


      1.    and relied upon the genuineness of all signatures (whether on
            originals or copies of documents), the authenticity of all documents
            submitted to us as originals the conformity to the original
            documents of all documents submitted to us as notarial, certified,
            conformed, photostatic or telecopied copies thereof and the
            authenticity of the originals of such documents;

      2.    the name and address of each of the Debtors is at all relevant times
            as set forth in Schedule C hereto;

      3.    that the name and address of the lender is at all relevant times as
            set forth in Schedule C hereto;

      4.    that each of the parties to the Security Agreement has all requisite
            power and authority to execute and deliver the Security Agreement
            and to perform its obligations thereunder;

      5.    that the Security Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
            unconditionally delivered by each of the parties thereto and
            constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation enforceable
            against the parties in accordance with its terms;

      6.    that the personal property subject to the security interest
            expressed to be created under the Security Agreement (the
            "Collateral") is accurately described in the Security Agreement;

      7.    that value has been given and each of the Debtors has rights in the
            Collateral such that attachment (as that term is used in the PPSA)
            of the security interest in the Collateral expressed to be created
            under the Security Agreement has occurred;

      8.    that the parties to the Security Agreement have not specifically
            agreed in writing to postpone the time for attachment of the
            security interest in the Collateral expressed to be created under
            the Security Agreement;

      9.    that the Collateral does not include "serial number goods" as
            defined in Alberta Regulation 234/90 made pursuant to the PPSA,
            being a motor vehicle, a trailer, a mobile home, an aircraft, a boat
            or an outboard motor for a boat; and

      10.   that the Collateral does not include property in which a security
            interest may not be perfected by the filing of a financing statement
            under the PPSA, such as, but without limitation, contracts of
            annuity or policies of insurance (except money or other value
            payable under a policy of insurance as indemnity or compensation for
            loss of or damage to the Collateral), interests in land (including a
            lease), interests

<PAGE>

                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                        3


            in rights to payment in connection with an interest in lands
            (including rental payments), and rights to damages in tort.

            In addition we have assumed and relied upon the accuracy of the
search results and verification statements issued by the Personal Property
Registry (Alberta). In providing the opinion set forth in paragraph 1 under the
heading "Opinions" we have relied solely on a Certificate of Status respecting
Core-Mark International, Inc. issued by the Registrar of Corporations (Alberta)
and dated August 6, 1996, a copy of which is attached hereto as Schedule B.

Subject Laws

            Our opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the
Province of Alberta and federal laws of Canada applicable therein and we express
no opinion with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction. For the purposes
of the PPSA the validity, perfection and effect of perfection or non-perfection
of a security interest in intangibles (which includes accounts receivable) is
governed by the law of the jurisdiction where the debtor is located at the time
the security interest attaches. Under the PPSA, a debtor is deemed to be located
at the debtor's place of business if there is one, at the debtor's chief
executive office if there is more than one place of business, and otherwise at
the debtor's principal place of residence.

Searches

            At your request, we have conducted or arranged to be conducted
searches in certain public registry or filing offices in the Province of Alberta
which may disclose any other interests in the Collateral. The results of those
searches have been provided under separate cover.

Registrations

            On August 6, 1996 we attended to registration of a financing
statement (the "Financing Statement") in respect of the security interest
expressed to be granted to and created in favour of the lender under the
Security Agreement, which registration is described in Schedule C hereto. In
accordance with your instructions that registration has been made for a term of
ten (10) years and unless the obligations secured by the security interest
expressed to be created by the Security Agreement have been fulfilled within
that period of time, renewal of that Financing Statement prior to its expiry on
August 6, 2006 will be required.

<PAGE>

                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                        4


Renewals

            Our firm maintains no record of the dates of registration of
financing statements and we have no reminder system for that purpose;
accordingly, we take no responsibility for the registration of renewals or
amendments .

Opinions

            Subject to the assumptions set forth above and the qualifications
hereinafter expressed, we are of the opinion that:

      1.    Core-Mark International, Inc. is a valid and subsisting
            extra-provincial corporation under the Business Corporations Act
            (Alberta) .

      2.    The Security Agreement creates a valid security interest in that
            Collateral the validity of a security interest in which is governed
            by the PPSA.

      3.    The security interest created under the Security Agreement in that
            Collateral, the perfection of a security interest in which is
            governed by the PPSA, has been duly perfected by registration under
            the PPSA.

      4.    No other notice, registration or act is necessary in the Province of
            Alberta to perfect under the PPSA the security interests created
            under the Security Agreement .

Qualifications

            The opinions expressed herein are based on and subject to the
following qualifications:

      1.    we express no opinion as to title of the Collateral;

      2.    we express no opinion as to the rank or priority of any charge on or
            security interest in the Collateral, including that expressed to be
            created under the Security Agreement;

      3.    to the extent that the PPSA is applicable, the obligations of an
            account debtor in respect of an intangible or chattel paper assigned
            under the Security Agreement to make payment to the secured party
            are subject to Section 41 of the PPSA which requires, inter alia,
            that the account debtor receive notice regarding the assignment as
            stipulated in Section 41(5) of the PPSA;

<PAGE>
                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                        5


      4.    we express no opinion as to any recordings, filings, indexing,
            entering or registrations which may be necessary in respect of: (i)
            any interest in real or immovable property; (ii) any debt owing by
            the Crown in right of Canada or Alberta or any agency thereof; (iii)
            any permit, license or authorization, the transfer or assignment of
            which is specifically regulated by any statute or regulation of
            Alberta; (iv) debts, claims, demands and other rights the assignment
            of which is subject to certain conditions or is specifically
            regulated by any statute or regulation of Alberta; (v) ships (which
            are registered under the Canada Shipping Act), rolling stock,
            trademarks, patents, copyrights or industrial designs; or (vi)
            property to which the PPSA does not apply;

      5.    under the PPSA, the failure to register by serial number in respect
            of certain kinds of collateral (itinerant collateral such as motor
            vehicles, trailers, mobile homes, aircraft and boats) not held by
            the debtor as inventory may result in the secured party not having
            priority over certain third parties in relation to such collateral.
            As no registration by serial number has been effected in respect of
            such kinds of assets which now or may hereafter form part of the
            Collateral, this opinion is qualified to the extent that such serial
            number registration may be necessary or desirable.

            This opinion has been delivered to you in connection with the
registration of the security interest created under the Security Agreement in
the Province of Alberta. Without our prior consent, this opinion may not be
relied upon by you for any other purposes or in connection with any other
transaction, be relied upon by any other party other than the addressees nor
quoted in whole or in part.

                                           Yours very truly,


                                           /s/ Stikeman, Elliott
<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT K TO
                                                              CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   [FORM OF]

                          ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

     Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1996
(as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among Core-Mark International, Inc. (the "BORROWER"), 
the Lenders named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent
for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT").  Unless 
otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

     The Assignor identified on Schedule l hereto (the "ASSIGNOR") and the 
Assignee identified on Schedule l hereto (the "ASSIGNEE") agree as follows:

     1.  The Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee 
without recourse to the Assignor, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably 
purchases and assumes from the Assignor without recourse to the Assignor, as 
of the Effective Date (as defined below), the interest described in Schedule 1 
hereto (the "Assigned Interest") in and to the Assignor's rights and 
obligations under the Credit Agreement with respect to those credit facilities 
contained in the Credit Agreement as are set forth on Schedule 1 hereto 
(individually, an "Assigned Facility"; collectively, the "Assigned 
Facilities"), in a principal amount for each Assigned Facility as set forth on 
Schedule 1 hereto.

     2.  The Assignor (a) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no 
responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations 
made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or with respect to the 
execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or 
value of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other 
instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, other than that the 
Assignor has not created any adverse claim upon the interest being assigned 
by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any such adverse 
claim; (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility 
with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its 
Subsidiaries or any other obligor or the performance or observance by the 
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any other obligor of any of their 
respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document 
or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; 
(c) attaches any Notes held by it evidencing the Assigned Facilities and 
(i) requests that the Administrative Agent, upon request by the Assignee, 
exchange the attached Notes for a new Note or Notes payable to the Assignee 
and (ii) if the Assignor has retained any interest in the Assigned Facility, 
requests that the Administrative Agent exchange the attached Notes for a new 
Note or Notes payable to the Assignor, in each case in amounts which reflect 
the assignment being made hereby (and after giving effect to any other 
assignments which have become effective on the Effective Date); and 
(d) represents and warrants that it has complied with all of the provisions of 
Section 10.6(c) of the Credit Agreement which are applicable to it in 
connection with this Assignment. 

      3.  The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that it is legally 
authorized to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (b) confirms that it 
has received a copy of the 


<PAGE>

                                                                              2 

Credit Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements 
delivered pursuant to subsection 4.1 thereof and such other documents and 
information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and 
decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (c) agrees that it 
will, independently and without reliance upon the Assignor, the 
Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and 
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its 
own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit 
Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document 
furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (d) appoints and authorizes the 
Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to 
exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement, the other 
Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto 
or thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, 
together with such powers as are incidental thereto; (e) agrees that it will 
be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and will perform in 
accordance with its terms all the obligations which by the terms of the 
Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender including, if 
it is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, 
its obligation pursuant to subsection 2.19(b) of the Credit Agreement; and 
(f) represents and warrants that it has complied with all of the provisions 
of Section 10.6 (c) of the Credit Agreement which are applicable to it in 
connection with this Assignment.

      4.  The effective date of this Assignment and Acceptance shall be the 
Effective Date of Assignment described in Schedule 1 hereto (the "Effective 
Date"). Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance, it will be 
delivered to the Administrative Agent for acceptance by it and recording by 
the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement, effective as of the 
Effective Date (which shall not, unless otherwise agreed to by the 
Administrative Agent, be earlier than five Business Days after the date of 
such acceptance and recording by the Administrative Agent). 

      5.  Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Effective 
Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the 
Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other 
amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to the Effective Date 
and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued subsequent to the Effective 
Date. The Assignor and the Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in 
payments by the Administrative Agent for periods prior to the Effective Date 
or with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

      6.  From and after the Effective Date, (a) the Assignee shall be a 
party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment 
and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and 
under the other Loan Documents and shall be bound by the provisions thereof 
and (b) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment and 
Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under 
the Credit Agreement.

      7.  This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed 
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.



<PAGE>

                                                                            3
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment and 
Acceptance to be executed as of the date first above written by their 
respective duly authorized officers on Schedule 1 hereto.



<PAGE>



                                  Schedule 1
                         to Assignment and Acceptance

Name of Assignor: 
                  ----------------------------------

Name of Assignee:
                  ----------------------------------

Effective Date of Assignment:
                              ----------------------


    Credit              Principal                 
Facility Assigned    Amount Assigned   Commitment Percentage Assigned (1)
- -----------------    ---------------   ----------------------------------

                      $                                    %
                       ---------                  ---------


[Name of Assignee]              [Name of Assignor]


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






- -------------------
(1) Calculate the Commitment Percentage that is assigned to at least 15 decimal
    places and show as a percentage of the aggregate commitments of all Lenders.


<PAGE>

                                                                             2
  
Accepted:                            Consented To:

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.(2)
Administrative Agent


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


                                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                                         Administrative Agent


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


                                         CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                         DELAWARE, as Issuing Bank


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




- -------------------
(2) The consents of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank
    are not required unless the assignee is not an existing Lender under the 
    Credit Agreement.




                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                   SCHEDULE A
                                   ADDRESSEES

Core-Mark International, Inc.
C/M Products, Inc.
Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc.
Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

The Chase Manhattan Bank
The other Lenders party to the Credit Agreement dated August 7, 1996 among 
       Core-Mark International, Inc., The Chase Manhattan Bank and those Lenders

<PAGE>

                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                   SCHEDULE B
                              CERTIFICATE OF STATUS

<PAGE>

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

Alberta                                                 Corporate Access Number
GOVERNMENT OF ALBERTA                                          21670091


                              CERTIFICATE OF STATUS
                                     Form 32


I CERTIFY THAT ACCORDING TO OUR RECORDS

CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

JURISDICTION: DELAWARE
REGISTERED IN ALBERTA ON 95/09/28

IS AS OF THIS DATE A VALID AND SUBSISTING EXTRA-PROVINCIAL CORPORATION


GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA.

            DATED: 96 AUG 06 


   [Seal]



                                                 /s/ [Illegible]

                                                 Registrar of Corporations

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

                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                   SCHEDULE C
                            REGISTRATION PARTICULARS

A Financing Statement was registered at Personal Property Registry (Alberta) in
respect of the Security Agreement on August 6, 1996. Particulars of the
Registration are as follows:

(a)   Registration #:                     96080616228

(b)   Expiry Date:                        August 6, 2006

(c)   Name and Address of each Debtor:    Core-Mark International, Inc.
                                          395 Oyster Point Boulevard, South
                                          San Francisco, California 94080

                                          C/M Products, Inc.
                                          395 Oyster Point Boulevard, South
                                          San Francisco, California 94080

                                          Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc.
                                          395 Oyster Point Boulevard, South
                                          San Francisco, California 94080

                                          Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.
                                          395 Oyster Point Boulevard, South
                                          San Francisco, California 94080

(d)   Secured Party's Name:               The Chase Manhattan Bank

(e)   Secured Party's Address:            200 Jericho Quadrangle
                                          Jericho, New York
                                          11753

(f)   Collateral Description:             All of the Debtor's present and after
                                          acquired personal property

<PAGE>
                                                                  Exhibit J-4(2)

                        [LETTERHEAD OF STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT]

FILE NO. 00010-046

                                                August 7, 1996


The Chase Manhattan Bank and the
  Lenders (as hereinafter defined)
200 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York
11753

and

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York
10017-3954


Dear Sirs:

      Re: Security granted by Core-Mark International, Inc.
      ------------------------------------------------------

      We have acted on your behalf as special British Columbia counsel in
connection with a security agreement granted pursuant to a credit agreement made
as of August 7, 1996 (the "Credit Agreement") between The Chase Manhattan Bank
(the "Agent") as agent bank and the lenders (collectively, the "Lenders") party
thereto as lenders and Core-Mark International, Inc. ("Core-Mark"), C/M
Products, Inc., Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc. and Core-Mark
Midcontinent, Inc. (which, together with Core-Mark are collectively referred to
as the "Borrowers").

      In connection with this transaction, we have reviewed a security agreement
dated as of August 7, 1996 (the "Security Agreement") granted by the Borrowers
in favour of the Agent.

      We have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to
our satisfaction, of certificates of governmental officials, documents and such
other material as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes
of this opinion. In such

<PAGE>

                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                       -2-


examination we have assumed that all signatures are genuine, all documents
submitted to us as originals are authentic and all photostatic, certified,
notarial or other copies conform to the originals.

      For the purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that:

      (i)   the Borrowers have been duly incorporated and are validly existing
            corporations in good standing under the laws of their respective
            jurisdictions of incorporation and that the Borrowers have all
            corporate power and authority to own property and carry on business;

      (ii)  the Borrowers have the corporate power and capacity to execute and
            deliver the Security Agreement; and

      (iii) the Security Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
            executed and delivered to the Agent by the Borrowers.

      We have conducted or arranged for certain searches and registrations
against the name of the Borrower in certain offices of public record in the
Province of British Columbia. The results of the searches and registrations are
set out in Schedule A to this opinion.

      The opinions expressed herein relate only to the laws of the Province of
British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable therein. No opinions are
expressed herein with respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

      For the purposes of the Personal Property Security Act (British Columbia)
(the "PPSA"), the validity, perfection and effect of perfection or
non-perfection of a security interest in intangibles (which includes accounts
receivable) is governed by the law of the jurisdiction where the debtor is
located at the time the security interest attaches. Under the PPSA, a debtor is
deemed to be located at the debtor's place of business if there is one, at the
debtor's chief executive office if there is more than one place of business, and
otherwise at the debtor's principal place of residence. It is our understanding
that you have made appropriate personal property security registrations in the
jurisdiction where the Borrower maintains their chief executive offices.

      Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the qualifications below, we
are of the opinion that, on the date hereof:

      1.    Core-Mark is duly registered as an extra-provincial corporation with
            the Registrar of Companies for the Province of British Columbia and
            is duly qualified to carry on business under the Company Act British
            Columbia).

<PAGE>

                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                       -3-


      2.    The Security Agreement creates a valid security interest in the
            Collateral (as defined in the Security Agreement) to which the
            Personal Property Security Act (British Columbia) applies. No other
            notice, filing, registration or act is necessary in the Province of
            British Columbia to perfect the security interest created by the
            Security Agreement.

      The foregoing opinions are subject to the following qualifications:

      (a)   we express no opinion as to the rank or priority of any security
            interest in personal property;

      (b)   we express no opinion as to the accuracy of the description of any
            of the property charged by the Security Agreement or as to the
            ownership of or title to any of the property charged by the Security
            Agreement;

      (c)   we express no opinion as to the creation or perfection of the
            security interest, nor have we effected registrations, filings or
            searches in any office of public record, with respect to:

            (i)   any Collateral which is now or hereafter becomes a fixture or
                  crop;

            (ii)  any Collateral that is serial numbered goods, as defined in
                  the PPSA;

            (iii) any Collateral of a nature described in subsections (c), (d),
                  (e), (f), (g), (1) or (1) of Section 4 of the PPSA, a copy of
                  which Section is attached hereto;

            (iv)  any Collateral to the extent that security agreements with
                  respect to such Collateral are governed by the provisions of
                  an Act of the Parliament of Canada including, without
                  limitation, any vessel registered under the Canada Shipping
                  Act and any patents, trademarks and other intellectual
                  property rights;

            (v)   any Collateral for which, pursuant to applicable conflicts
                  rules (including without limitation the conflicts rules of the
                  PPSA), the validity, perfection and the effect of perfection
                  are governed by the laws of a jurisdiction other than British
                  Columbia;

            (vi)  any Collateral being proceeds which are not identifiable or
                  traceable; and

            (vii) permits, quotas or other property which is not personal
                  property;

<PAGE>

                                                               STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT

                                       -4-


      (d)   to the extent that the PPSA is applicable, the obligation of an
            account debtor under an intangible or chattel paper assigned to make
            payments to the assignee thereunder is subject to section 41(7) of
            the PPSA which requires, inter alia, that the account debtor receive
            the notice regarding the assignment stipulated in section 41(7);

      (e)   to the extent that the Financial Administration Act (Canada) (the
            "FAA") is applicable, the obligation of the Crown to make payment of
            a Crown debt (as defined in Part VII of the FAA) requires, inter
            alia, that the assignment is absolute and that the Crown receive
            notice of the assignment in the form and manner stipulated in
            section 69 of the FAA;

      (f)   the requirement to re-register or amend the existing registration in
            certain instances pursuant to the provisions of the PPSA in order to
            maintain the perfection of the security interest; and

      (g)   we express no opinion as to the creation of the security interest
            with respect to:

            (i)   any contractual rights which by their terms; or

            (ii)  any Collateral which by its nature,

            cannot be the subject of a security interest without consent,
            authorization or approval of third parties.

      This opinion is solely for the benefit of the addressees in connection
with the Credit Agreement and is not for the benefit of any other person or
entity. This opinion letter may not be relied upon by, quoted, in whole or in
part, or otherwise referred to, used or disclosed to, anyone else or used for
any other purpose, without our prior written consent.

                                  Yours truly,

                                  /s/ Stikeman, Elliott

<PAGE>

1989                        PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITY              SBC CHAP. 36
                                                               INDEX CHAP. 321.5
Exclusions from scope of Act

      4. Except as otherwise provided in this Act, this Act does not apply to
the following:

            (a)   a lien, charge or other interest given by a rule of law or by
                  an enactment unless the enactment contains an express
                  provision that this Act applies;

            (b)   a security agreement governed by an Act of the Parliament of
                  Canada that deals with rights of parties to the agreement or
                  the rights of third parties affected by a security interest
                  created by the agreement, including but without limiting the
                  generality of the foregoing

                        (i)   a mortgage under the Canada Shipping Act, and

                        (ii)  any agreement governed by Part V, Division B of
                              the Bank Act (Canada);

            (c)   the creation or transfer of an interest or claim in or under a
                  contract of annuity or policy of insurance except the transfer
                  of a right to money or other value payable under a policy of
                  insurance as indemnity or compensation for loss of or damage
                  to collateral;

            (d)   the creation or transfer of an interest in present or future
                  wages, salary, pay, commission or any other compensation for
                  labour or personal services other than fees for professional
                  services;

            (e)   the transfer of an interest in an unearned right to payment
                  under a contract to a transferee who is to perform the
                  transferor's obligations under the contract;

            (f)   the creation or transfer of an interest in land, other than an
                  interest arising under a licence, including

                        (i)   a lease,

                        (ii)  [Repealed 1990-11-3 (b).]

                        (iii) a petroleum and natural gas lease under the
                              Petroleum and Natural Gas Act,

                        (iv)  a lease, issued under the Coal Act, that confers
                              the right to produce coal, or

                        (v)   any similar interest that is prescribed for the
                              purposes of this section;

            (g)   the creation or transfer of an interest in a right to payment
                  that arises in connection with an interest in land, including
                  an interest in rental payments payable under a lease of land;

            (h)   a sale of accounts or chattel paper as part of a sale of a
                  business out of which they arose unless the vendor remains in
                  apparent control of the business after the sale;

            (i)   a transfer of accounts made solely to facilitate the
                  collection of the accounts for the assignor;

            (j)   the creation or transfer of an interest in a right to damages
                  in tort;

            (k)   an assignment for the general benefit of creditors made in
                  accordance with an Act of the Parliament of Canada relating to
                  insolvency;

            (l)   a mineral claim or a placer claim as those terms are defined
                  in the

                  Mineral Tenure Act.

                              1989-36-4; 1990-11-3.


                                                                      SCHEDULE A

                  [Letterhead of Province of British Columbia]

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          BC Online: PPRS SEARCH RESULT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: AUG 06, 1996             Currency Date: JUL 31 1996          Page:  1
Time: 11:44:07                         Clerk: PE12804
Searching Party:

   STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT BARRISTER & SOLIC

   Mailing Address: STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT BARRISTER & SOLICITOR
                    SUITE 1700, PARK PLACE
                    666 BURRARD STREET
                    VANCOUVER          BC       V6C 2X8



 Inquiry Origin: BC ONLINE                    Billing #:
      Control #:                                  Index: BUSINESS DEBTOR
Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL
______________________________________________________________________

********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

            Reg. Date: FEB 28, 1992            Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
            Reg. Time: 10:20:00                Expiry Date: FEB 28, 1997
          Base Reg. #: 3874008                   Control #: F0588052
Block#

 50001  Secured Party: G.N. JOHNSTON EQUIPMENT CO. LTD.
                       1400 COURTNEY PARK DRIVE 
                       MISSISSAUGA ON  L5T 1Hl

*D0001    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC.
            (Business) 2924 JACKLIN ROAD
                       VICTORIA BC  V9B 3Y5

       Vehicle Collateral:
       Type                 Serial #     Year          Make/Model      MH Reg.*
 V000l MV                 031G-91-16997   91 RAYMOND    311R3OTT

       General Collateral:
       GNB BATTERY MODEL 18-120C-13 S/N V12630
       IEL CHARGER MODEL 185A720 S/N 7210

       ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

       Reg. Date: JUN 25, 1992                Reg. Length: 3 YEARS
       Reg. Time: 10:43:12                    Expiry Date: JUN 25, 1998
     Base Reg. 1: 4071096                        Control #: B0521053

    ***    Expiry date includes subsequent registered renewal(s).
Block#

                                                       Continued on Page  2

<PAGE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          BC Online: PPRS SEARCH RESULT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                    Page:    2

 S000l   Secured Party: TELECOM LEASING CANADA (TLC) LIMITED 
                        700 5945 KATHLEEN AVENUE 
                        BURNABY BC    V5H 4L5

*D0001     Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
             (Business) 13211 DELF PLACE STE 601
                        RICHMOND BC  V6V 2A2

          General Collateral:
          TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT

                      ---------- R E N E W A L ----------

              Reg. Date: MAY 17, 1995                   Reg. Life: 3 YEARS
              Reg. Time: 10:45:00
                 Reg. #: 5788967                        Control #: C1658589
         Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
            Base Reg. #: 4071096                   Base Reg. Date: JUN 25, 1992

     Registering
           Party: TELECOM LEASING CANADA (TLC) LIMITED 
                  700 5945 KATHLEEN AVENUE
                  BURNABY BC  V5H 4L5

        ---------- A M E N D M E N T / O T H E R C H A N G E ----------

              Reg. Date: MAY 17, 1995
              Reg. Time: 10:45:00
            Base Reg. #: 5789656                        Control #: C1658588 
              Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
            Base Reg. #: 4071096                   Base Reg. Date: JUN 25, 1992

         Details Description:
         AMENDING GENERAL COLLATERAL

         General Collateral:
         ** DELETED **
         TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT
         *** ADDED ***
         TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT LEASE #405258

           Registering
                 Party:  TELECOM LEASING CANADA (TLC) LIMITED 
                         700 5945 KATHLEEN AVENUE 
                         BURNABY BC  V5H 4L5


                                                      Continued on Page  3

<PAGE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          BC Online: PPRS SEARCH RESULT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                    Page:    3

       ********** P P 5 A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

         Reg. Date: JUN 25, 1992                       Reg. Length: 3 YEARS
         Reg. Time: 10:51:26                           Expiry Date: JUN 25, 1998
       Base Reg. #: 4071146                              Control #: B0521090

  *** Expiry date includes subsequent registered renewal(s). 

Block#

 S0001   Secured Party: TELECOM LEASING CANADA (TLC) LIMITED 
                        700 5945 KATHLEEN AVENUE 
                        BURNABY BC  V5H 4L5

 D0001     Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
             (Business) 2924 JACKLIN ROAD
                        VICTORIA BC  V9B 3Y5
       General Collateral:
        TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT

                      ---------- R E N E W A L ----------


              Reg. Date: MAY 17, 1995                 Reg. Life: 3 YEARS 
              Reg. Time: 10:45:00
                 Reg. #: 5788968                      Control #: C1658586 
         Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
            Base Reg. #: 4071146                 Base Reg. Date: JUN 25, 1992

            Registering
                  Party:  TELECOM LEASING CANADA (TLC) LIMITED 
                          700 5945 KATHLEEN AVENUE 
                          BURNABY BC  V5H 4L5

    ---------- A M E N D M E N T  /  O T H E R   C H A N G E ------------

                     Reg. Date: MAY 17, 1995 
                     Reg. Time: 10:45:00
                        Reg. #: 5789655                 Control #: C1658587 
                Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
                   Base Reg. #: 4071146            Base Reg. Date: JUN 25, 1992

        Details Description:
        AMENDING GENERAL COLLATERAL

        General Collateral:
        ** DELETED **
        TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT

                                                      Continued on Page  4

<PAGE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          BC Online: PPRS SEARCH RESULT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                    Page:    4

        *** ADDED ***
        TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT LEASE 1405259

                 Registering
                       Party: TELECOM LEASING CANADA (TLC) LIMITED 
                              700 5945 KATHLEEN AVENUE
                              BURNABY BC  V5H 4L5

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

        Reg. Date: DEC 23, 1992                       Reg. Length: 6 YEARS
        Reg. Time: 16:06:29                           Expiry Date: DEC 23, 1998
      Base Reg. #: 4374735                              Control #: B0689691
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: IBM CANADA LTD.
                       3500 STEELES AVENUE EAST., 
                       MARKHAM ONT  L3R 2Z1

 D0001    Base Debtor: COMDISCO CANADA LTD
            (Business) 1055 DUNSMUIR STREET, STE 2794
                       VANCOUVER BC  V7X 1L4

=D0002    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC
                       13160 VANIER PLACE, STE 140
                       RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2
             General Collateral:
             ALL PRESENT AND AFTER-ACQUIRED GOODS SUPPLIED BY THE
             SECURED PARTY, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL OFFICE
             MACHINES, OFFICE EQUIPMENT, COMPUTER HARDWARE, SOFTWARE
             AND ANCILLARY PRODUCTS SUPPLIED BY THE SECURED PARTY, AND
             ALL PROCEEDS THEREFROM REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF THE
             PROCEEDS.

                 Registering
                       Party:  RUSSELL & DUMOULIN 
                               1075 W GEORGIA ST, STE 1500 
                               VANCOUVER BC  V6E 3G2

       *** Name/Address Changed on October 25, 1994 to:

                 Registering
                       Party:  RUSSELL & DUMOULIN 
                               1075 W GEORGIA ST, STE 2100 
                               VANCOUVER BC  V6E 3G2

                                                      Continued on Page  5

<PAGE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          BC Online: PPRS SEARCH RESULT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                    Page:    5

     
  ---------- A M E N D M E N T  /  0 T H E R   C H A N G E -----------

     Reg. Date: JAN 14, 1993 
     Reg. Time: 10:15:00
        Reg. #: 4403182                          Control #: C0899147 
Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
   Base Reg. #: 4374735                     Base Reg. Date: DEC 23, 1992

      Details Description:
      ADD TWO DEBTORS 
Block#
                     *** ADDED ***

 D0003    Bus. Debtor: COMDISCO DU CANADA LTEE 
                       1055 DUNSMUIR STREET, STE 2794 
                       VANCOUVER BC V7X 1L4

                     *** ADDED ***

 D0004    Bus. Debtor: COMDISCO CANADA LTD/COMDISCO DU
                       CANADA LTEE
                       1055 DUNSMUIR STREET, STE 2794
                       VANCOUVER BC  V7X 1L4

             Registering
                   Party: RUSSELL & DUMOULIN 
                          1075 W GEORGIA ST, STE 1500 
                          VANCOUVER BC  V6E 3G2

           *** Name/Address Changed on October 25, 1994 to:

             Registering
                   Party:  RUSSELL & DUMOULIN 
                           1075 W GEORGIA ST, STE 2100 
                           VANCOUVER BC  V6E 3G2

  ********** P P 5 A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

      Reg. Date: FEB 15, 1993                          Reg. Length: S YEARS
      Reg. Time: 09:00:00                              Expiry Date: FEB 15, 1998
    Base Reg. #: 4457490                                  Control #: F1219612
Block#

S0001  Secured Party: COMDISCO CANADA LTD. 
                      ROYAL BANK PLAZA, NORTH TOWER,
                      TORONTO ONT  M5J 2J3

                                                             Continued on Page 6


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                         BC Online: PPRS SEARCH RESULT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 6
                                                                         
=D0001      Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
              (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE
                         RICHMOND BC  V6V 2A2

        General Collateral:
        EQUIPMENT LEASED PURSUANT TO MASTER LEASE AGREEMENT DATED JANUARY 13, 
        AND PROCEEDS.

- --------A D D I T I O N   O F   C O L L A T E R A L  /  P R 0 C E E D S-------

                    Reg. Date: MAR 03, 1995
                    Reg. Time: 10:50:00
                       Reg. #: 5669001          Control #: C1606120 
               Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
                  Base Reg. #: 4457490     Base Reg. Date: FEB 15, 1993

        General Collateral:
        *** ADDED ***
        ALL PROPERTY LEASED UNDER A MASTER LEASE DATED JANUARY 13, 1993 AND
        CORRESPONDING LEASE SCHEDULES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE
        FOLLOWING: ONE IBM 9406 E45 S/N 10A9488, ONE IBM 2623 SIX LINE COMM
        CONTROLLER S/N 10A9489, ONE IBM 2626, ONE IBM 2644,ONE IBM 2658, TWO
        IBM 3101, TWO IBM 6112, ONE IBM 6140, TWO IBM 6173, ONE IBM 6175.
        THREE IBM 5494-001 REMOTE CONTROLLERS S/N 8201420, 8201421,
        8201422. ONE CROSS COMM XLT-20 WITH THE FOLLOWING FEATURES:
        XLM-EEWW/XL-WS-V35IBM/XL-WS-SCM/XL-PS/FPX-20-R/IMS-1/XLM-MODEM/CS-
        V35/CS-V35-PT. ONE  BM 9406 E60 S/N A3534, ONE IBM 2623 SIX LINE COMM
        CONTROLLER, ONE IBM 2619 OR 2626, ONE IBM 2644, ONE IBM 2658, TWO IBM
        3104, ONE IBM 5042, ONE IBM 5512, ONE IBM 5520, ONE IBM 5540, ONE IBM
        6050 OR 6140, ONE IBM 6173, ONE IBM 6175, ONE IBM 6501, ONE IBM 9080,
        ONE IBM 9865, ONE IBM 9980 ONE IBM MULIC E60/1/2 INCH 3480 CART. 18
        TRACK TOGETHER WITH ALL PARTS AND ACCESSORIES INSTALLED IN OR AFFIXED
        OR ATTACHED TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING AND ALL MANUALS AND USER
        DOCUMENTATION RELATING THERETO AND ALL PROCEEDS IN ANY FORM DERIVED
        DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY DEALING WITH THE COLLATERAL.

           Registering
                 Party: CANADIAN SECURITIES REGISTRATION 
                        SYSTEMS
                        130 3751  SHELL ROAD, 
                        RICHMOND BC  V6X 2W2

    ********** P P 5 A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

              Reg. Date: MAR 09, 1993             Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
              Reg. Time: 15:00:00                 Expiry Date: MAR 09, 1998
            Base Reg. #: 4492529                    Control #: F1889100
Block#

                                                            Continued on Page  7
<PAGE>

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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                               Page: 7
                                                                         

  +++     Secured Party: MANUFACTURER FINANCE PROGRAMS LTD
                         2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

          *** Name/Address Changed on August 20, 1993 to:

  +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                         2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

          *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

 S0001    Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                         2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT L5K 2S3

=D0001      Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
              (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                         RICHMOND BC  V6V 2A2

          General Collateral:
          ALL EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO SCHEDULE OF TERMS 517 DATED MAR 3/93
          AND ALL EQUIPMENT LEASED AND AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

      ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

     Reg. Date: AUG 12, 1993                          Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
     Reg. Time: 13:44:09                              Expiry Date: AUG 12, 1998
   Base Reg. #: 4761308                                 Control #: B0923784 
Block#

  +++     Secured Party: MANUFACTURER FINANCE PROGRAMS LTD
                         2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  LSK 2P8

          *** Name/Address Changed on August 20, 1993 to:

  +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                         2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  LSK 2P8

          *** Name/Address Changed en March 4, 1996 to:

 S000l    Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                         2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT   L5K 253


                                                            Continued on Page  8
<PAGE>

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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 8

=D0001      Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (Business)  601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                         RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2A2

           General Collateral:
           COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-2 DATED AUGUST
           13, 1993 UNDER SCHEDULE OF TERMS NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL
           AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

              Registering
                    Party: MANUFACTURER FINANCE PROGRAMS LTD. 
                           2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

           *** Name/Address Changed on August 20, 1993 to:

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                           2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

           *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                           2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

 ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

       Reg. Date: SEP 27, 1993                 Reg. Length: 6 YEARS
       Reg. Time: 08:38:25                     Expiry Date: SEP 27, 1999
     Base Reg. #: 4839192                        Control #: B0971051 
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: RENTWAY INC.
                       1910  800  5TH AVE. S W 
                       CALGARY AB  T2P 3T6

=D0001    Base Debtor: CORE MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
            (Business) 1140 19160 VANIER PLACE
                       RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2JZ

            Vehicle Collateral:
            Type         Serial #     Year        Make/Model       MH Reg.#
 V000l      MV      1FTYS9SL4RVA11913  94  FORD HDCC
                                                           2138             513
 
                                                            Continued on Page  9
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                 Page: 9
                                                                         
            Registering
                  Party: RENTWAY INC.
                         1910  800  5TH AVE.S W 
                         CALGARY AB  T2P 3T6

       ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

      Reg. Date: DEC 03, 1993                          Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
      Reg. Time: 13:56:11                              Expiry Date: DEC 03, 1998
    Base Reg. #: 4956110                                 Control #: B1040696 
Block#

 +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                        2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                        MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

         *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

 +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                        2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                        MISSISSAUGA ONT  LSK 2S3

=DOOO1     Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC.
             (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                        RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2A2

         General Collateral:
         COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-3 DATED
         NOVEMBER 29, 1993, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF
         TERMS NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

            Registering
                  Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                         2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

            *** Name/Address Changed en March 4, 1996 to:

            Registering
                  Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                         2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3


                                                           Continued on Page  10
<PAGE>

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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                              Page: 10
                                                                      

   ---------- A M E N D M E N T  /  0 T H E R   C H A N G E ----------

               Reg. Date: MAR 09, 1995
               Reg. Time: 11:10:00
                  Reg. #: 5678507                       Control #: C1614515 
          Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
             Base Reg. #: 4956110                  Base Reg. Date: DEC 03, 1993

            Details Description:
            TO DELETE SECURED PARTY AND ADD NEW SECURED PARTY. 
Block#
            ** DELETED **

   +++      Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                           2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280 
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

            *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

   +++      Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                           2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

            *** ADDED ***

 S0002      Secured Party: BARCLAYS BANK OF CANADA 
                           304 BAY STREET 
                           TORONTO ON  MSH 2P2

              Registering
                    Party: CANADIAN SECURITIES REGISTRATION SYSTEMS
                           130 3751  SHELL ROAD, 
                           RICHMOND BC  V6X 2W2

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

          Reg. Date: JAN 05, 1994                   Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
          Reg. Time: 14:03:17                       Expiry Date: JAN 05, 1999
       Base Reg. #: 5001568                           Control #: B1067403
Block#

 +++        Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                           2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  LSK 2P8


                                                            Continued on Page 11


<PAGE>

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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                             Page: 11 

         *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

 S0001   Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                        2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                        MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

=D000l     Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                        RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2A2

           General Collateral:
           COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-4 DATED
           JANUARY 5, 1994, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF TERMS
           NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                           2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

           *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                           2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT   L5K 2S3

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

        Reg. Date: MAR 07, 1994               Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
        Reg. Time: 13:09:10                   Expiry Date: MAR 07, 1999
      Base Reg. #: 5096864                      Control #: B1124219 
Block#

   +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                          2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

           *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

 S0001     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                          2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT   L5K 2S3

=D0001       Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
               (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE
                          RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2A2

                                                            Continued on Page 12
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                              Page: 12

     General Collateral:
     COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-5 DATED MARCH
     7, 1994, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF TERMS NO. 517
     DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

      Registering
            Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                   2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280 
                   MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

      *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

       Registering
             Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                    2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                    MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

         Reg. Date: APR 13, 1994               Reg. Length: 4 YEARS
         Reg. Time: 09:42:06                   Expiry Date: APR 13, 1998
       Base Reg. #: 5158292                      Control #: B1161242
Block#
 S0001      Secured Party: RENTWAY INC.
                           1910  800  5TH AVE.S W 
                           CALGARY AB  T2P 3T6

=D0001        Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC.
                (Business) 140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                           RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2J2

          Vehicle Collateral:
          Type           Serial #       Year     Make/Model    MH Reg.#
 V0001    MV         1FUYDSEBORP75527Z   94  FREIGHTLINER FLDl20

               Registering
                     Party: RENTWAY INC.
                            1910  800  5TH AVE.S W 
                            CALGARY AB  T2P 3T6

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

        Reg. Date: APR 14, 1994                  Reg. Length: 4 YEARS
        Reg. Time: 08:40:12                      Expiry Date: APR 14, 1998
      Base Reg. #: 5160635                         Control #: B1159309
Block#                                                    2138               51?

                                                            Continued on Page 13
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                              Page: 13 

 S000l  Secured Party: CANADIAN WESTERN BANK LEASING INC. 
                       900 - 555 BURRARD STREET
                       VANCOUVER BC  V7X 1M8

=D000l    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
            (Business) 2924 JACKLIN ROAD
                       VICTORIA BC  V9B 3Y5

         General Collateral:
         104 COLDSTREAM RSCP 48G5 COOLERS S/N'S 94B0327 TO 94B0430 C/W GRAPHICS
         2 EXTRA SHELVES PER UNIT TAG MOLDING ALL PARTS, ACCESSORIES) GOODS
         AND EQUIPMENT NOW OR HEREAFTER ATTACHED TO OR FORMING A PART OF THE
         GOODS DESCRIBED IN THIS FINANCING STATEMENT
         PROCEEDS: GOODS (INCLUDING TRADE-INS), CHATTEL PAPER, SECURITIES,
         DOCUMENTS OF TITLE, INSTRUMENTS, MONEY AND INTANGIBLES.


     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

         Reg. Date: AUG 16, 1994             Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
         Reg. Time: 13:29:32                 Expiry Date: AUG 16, 1999
       Base Reg. #: 5364783                    Control #: B1286869
Block#

 +++       Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                          2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT  LSK 2P8

           *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

 +++       Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                          2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

=D0001       Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
               (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE
                          RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2A2

           General Collateral:
           COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-6 DATED
           AUGUST 16, 1994, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF TERMS
           NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY  SERVICES LTD. 
                           2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 8280  
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

                                                            Continued on Page 14
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                              Page: 14

              *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                           2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

   ---------- A M E N D M E N T  /  O T H E R   C H A N G E ----------

                   Reg. Date: MAR 09, 1995 
                   Reg. Time: 11:10:00
                      Reg. #: 5678508                  Control #: C1614514 
              Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
                 Base Reg. #: 5364783             Base Reg. Date: AUG 16, 1994

           Details Description:
           TO DELETE SECURED PARTY AND ADD NEW SECURED PARTY. 
Block#
           ** DELETED **

   +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                          2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

           *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

   +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                          2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

           *** ADDED ***

 S0002     Secured Party: BARCLAYS BANK OF CANADA 
                          304 BAY STREET 
                          TORONTO ON  MSH 2P2

             Registering
                   Party: CANADIAN SECURITIES REGISTRATION SYSTEMS
                          130 3751  SHELL ROAD, 
                          RICHMOND BC  V6X 2W2


                                                            Continued on Page 15
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                              Page: 15  

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

         Reg. Date: OCT 26, 1994              Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
         Reg. Time: 13:16:42                  Expiry Date: OCT 26, 1999
       Base Reg. #: 5479148                     Control #: B1354819
Block#

  +++    Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                         2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

         *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

 +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                        2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                        MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

=D0001     Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                        RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2A2

         General Collateral:
         COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-7 DATED
         OCTOBER 21, 1994, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF TERMS
         NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

            Registering
                  Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                             2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280
                             MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

            *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

            Registering
                  Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                         2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  LSK 2S3

   ---------- A M E N D M E N T  /  O T H E R   C H A N G E ----------

            Reg. Date: MAR 09) 1995
            Reg. Time: 1#:10:00
               Reg. #: 5678509                            Control #: C1614513 
       Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
          Base Reg. #: 5479148                    Base Reg. Date: OCT 26, 1994

         Details Description:
         TO DELETE SECURED PARTY AND ADD NEW SECURED PARTY.

                                                            Continued on Page 16


<PAGE>
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 16

Block#
          ** DELETED **

  +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                         2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

          ***  Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

  +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                         2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

          *** ADDED ***

 S0002    Secured Party: BARCLAYS BANK OF CANADA 
                         304 BAY STREET 
                         TORONTO ON  M5H 2P2

               Registering
                     Party: CANADIAN SECURITIES REGISTRATION SYSTEMS
                            130 3751  SHELL ROAD, 
                            RICHMOND BC  V6X 2W2

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

        Reg. Date: DEC 21, 1994                Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
        Reg. Time: 12:5#:14                    Expiry Date: DEC 21, 1999
      Base Reg. #: 5568305                       Control #: B1410449
Block#

  +++  Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                      2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 1280 
                      MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

       *** Name/Address Changed en March 4, 1996 to:

 S0001 Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                      2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                      MISSISSAUGA ONT L5K 2S3

=D000l   Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
           (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                      RICHMOND B.C.  V6V ZA2

                                                            Continued on Page 17
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 17

          General Collateral:
          COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-8 DATED
          DECEMBER 20, 1994, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF
          TERMS NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

             Registering
                   Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                          2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

          *** Name/Address Changed on March 4) 1996 to:

             Registering
                   Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                          2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

      Reg. Date: DEC 21, 1994             Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
      Reg. Time: 12:5#:16                 Expiry Date: DEC 21, 1999
    Base Reg. #: 5568306                    Control #: B1410450 
Block#

  +++     Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                         2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

          *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

 S0001    Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                         2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                         MISSISSAUGA ONT   L5K 2S3

=D0001      Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
              (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                         RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2A2

          General Collateral:
          COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-9 DATED
          DECEMBER 20, 1994, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF
          TERMS NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

             Registering
                   Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                          2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 8280
                          MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

                                                            Continued on Page 18
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 18


            *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

                Registering
                      Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                             2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                             MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

         Reg. Date: FEB 06, 1995              Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
         Reg. Time: 12:18:21                  Expiry Date: FEB 06, 2000
       Base Reg. #: 5629923                     Control #: B1449421
Block#

 +++    Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD.
                       2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280 
                       MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

        *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

 S000l  Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                       2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                       MISSISSAUGA ONT   L5K 2S3

=D0001    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
            (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                       RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2A2

           General Collateral:
           COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-10 DATED
           FEBRUARY 1, 1995, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF TERMS
           NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993 AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                           2655 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY #280
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2P8

           *** Name/Address Changed on March 4, 1996 to:

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD. 
                           2381 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                           MISSISSAUGA ONT  L5K 2S3

                                                            Continued on Page 19
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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 19

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

     Reg. Date: FEB 10, 1995          Reg. Length: 6 YEARS
     Reg. Time: 09:50:32              Expiry Date: FEB 10, 2001
   Base Reg. #: 5637599                 Control #: B1454670 
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: RENTWAY INC.
                       1910  800  5TH AVE.S W 
                       CALGARY AB  T2P 3T6

=D000l    Base Debtor: CORE MARK INTERNATIONAL INC DIV CORE 
            (Business) MARK DISTRIBUTORS DIV
                       140 19160 VANIER PLACE 
                       RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2J2

       Vehicle Collateral:
       Type         Serial #       Year    Make/Model     MH Reg.#
V0001  MV      1FTY595L75VA31028    95    FORD LA9OOO

       Registering
             Party:   RENTWAY INC.
                      1910  800  5TH AVE.S W 
                      CALGARY AB  T2P 3T6

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

      Reg. Date: FEB 23, 1995                 Reg. Length: 10 YEARS
      Reg. Time: 14:53:01                     Expiry Date: FEB 23, 2005
    Base Reg. #: 5657110                        Control #: B1466697 
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: CITICORP USA, INC.
                       399 PARK AVENUE
                       NEW YORK NY  10043

=D000l    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC
            (Business) 395 OYSTER POINT BLVD
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

            General Collateral:
            ALL PRESENT AND AFTER-ACQUIRED PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE DEBTOR.

               Registering
                     Party: STIKEMAN ELLIOTT
                            1700-666 BURRARD STREET
                            VANCOUVER BC  V6C 2X8
                                                            Continued on Page 20
<PAGE>

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

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 20

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

       Reg. Date: APR 28, 1995             Reg. Length: 6 YEARS
       Reg. Time: 09:23:40                 Expiry Date: APR 28, 2001
     Base Reg. #: 5753001                    Control #: B15280250 
Block#

 S0001    Secured Party: INLAND KENWORTH
                         5550 GORING STREET 
                         BURNABY BC  V5B 3A4

=D0001      Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL) INC.
              (Business) 140 13160 VANIER PLACE
                         RICHMOND BC  V6V2J2
         Vehicle Collateral:
         Type            Serial #         Year     Make/Model       MH Reg.*
V0001    MV          2NKMH78X05M937360           KENWORTH T300

                Registering
                      Party: INLAND KENWORTH
                             5550 GORING STREET 
                             BURNABY BC  VSB 3A4

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

     Reg. Date: JUL 05, 1995                         Reg. Length: 6 YEARS
     Reg. Time: 11:31:52                             Expiry Date: JUL 05, 2001
   Base Reg. #: 5866771                                Control #: B1599863
 Block#

 S000l  Secured Party: PACCAR OF CANADA,LTD.
                       6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD,
                       NORTH MISSISSAUGA ON  L5N 4J8

 D0001    Base Debtor: INLAND KENWORTH LTD
            (Business) 5550 GORING AVENUE
                       BURNABY B.C.  V5B 3A4

=D0002    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
                       140-13160     VANIER PLACE 
                       RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2J2

           Vehicle Collateral:
           Type       Serial #      Year        Make/Model   MH Reg.#
V0001      MV     ZXKBAS8XlTM941276  96    KENWORTH T400
V0002      MV     2XKBA58X3TM941277  96    KENWORTH T400

                                                            Continued on Page 21



<PAGE>

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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 21

      Registering
            Party: PACCAR OF CANADA,LTD.
                   6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD,
                   NORTH MISSISSAUGA ON  L5N 4J8

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

      Reg. Date: JUL 07, 1995               Reg. Length: 6 YEARS
      Reg. Time: 09:07:04                   Expiry Date: JUL 07, 2001
    Base Reg. #: 5871444                      Control #: B1559553
Block#

 S000l    Secured Party: ENSIGN PACIFIC LEASE LTD. 
                         1130 WEST GEORGIA STREET  
                         VANCOUVER BC   V6E 3H7

+D0001      Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL
              (Business) #140 - 13160 VANIER PLACE 
                         RICHMOND BC  V4M 2K6

           Vehicle Collateral:
           Type        Serial #        Year       Make/Model          MH Reg.#
 V000l     MV      1FALP52465G260151    95 FORD TAURUS GL 4DR. SEDAN

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

        Reg. Date: JUL 13, 1995               Reg. Length: 8 YEARS
        Reg. Time: 14:45:01                   Expiry Date: JUL 13, 2003
      Base Reg. #: 5881647                      Control #: B1609446
Block#
 S0001     Secured Party: INLAND KENWORTH
                          5550 GORING STREET 
                          BURNABY BC  V5B 3A4

=D0001       Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
               (Business) 140 - 13160 VANIER
                          RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2J2

        Vehicle Collateral:
        Type      Serial #        Year         Make/Model   MH Reg.1
V0001   MV     2XKBA58X1TM941276            T400 KENWORTH
V0002   MV     2XKBA58X3TM941277            T400 KENWORTH

                                                            Continued on Page 22
<PAGE>

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

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 22


              Registering
                    Party: INLAND INDUSTRIES LTD. 
                           2482 DOUGLAS ROAD
                           BURNABY BC  V5C 6C9

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

       Reg. Date: AUG 04, 1995            Reg. Length: 7 YEARS
       Reg. Time: 08:50:25                Expiry Date: AUG 04, 2002
     Base Reg. #: 5916963                   Control #: B1632815
Block#
 S0001      Secured Party: INLAND KENWORTH
                           5550 GORING STREET
                           BURNABY BC  V5B 3A4

=D0001        Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC
                (Business) 140 13160 VANIER PLACE
                           RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2

         Vehicle Collateral:
         Type          Serial #       Year       Make/Model    MH Reg.#
V0001    MV         lXKDDR9XOTS94139l      KENWORTH T8OOB

              Registering
                    Party: INLAND KENWORTH
                           5550 GORING STREET 
                           BURNABY BC  V5B 3A4

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

        Reg. Date: AUG 16, 1995             Reg. Length: 8 YEARS
        Reg. Time: 09:48:37                 Expiry Date: AUG 16, 2003
      Base Reg. #: 5932783                    Control #: B1642787
Block#
 S000l      Secured Party: INLAND KENWORTH
                           5550 GORING STREET 
                           BURNABY BC  V5B 3A4
=D000l        Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                (Business) 140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                           RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2

         Vehicle Collateral:
         Type        Serial #       Year         Make/Model   MH Reg.#
V000l    MV      2NKMH78X05M936645            KENWORTH T300

                                                            Continued on Page 23
<PAGE>

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

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 23


         Registering
               Party: INLAND KENWORTH
                      5550 GORING STREET 
                      BURNABY BC  V5B 3A4

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

      Reg. Date: OCT 23, 1995                  Reg. Length: 6 YEARS
      Reg. Time: 12:29:48                      Expiry Date: OCT 23, 2001
    Base Reg. #: 6046467                         Control #: B1712420
Block*

 S000l  Secured Party: PACCAR OF CANADA,LTD.
                       6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD,
                       NORTH MISSISSAUGA ON  L5N 4J8

=D000l    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
            (Business) 140 - 13160 VANIER PLACE 
                       RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2J2

 D0002    Bus. Debtor: INLAND KENWORTH LTD
                       5550 GORING AVENUE
                       BURNABY B.C.  V5B 3A4

        Vehicle Collateral:
        Type       Serial #        Year        Make/Model  MH Reg.#
 V0001  MV     1XKDDR9XOTS94139l    96   KENWORTH T800

               Registering
                     Party: PACCAR OF CANADA,LTD.
                            6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD,
                            NORTH MISSISSAUGA ON  L5N 4J8

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

       Rag. Date: OCT 23, 1995                Reg. Length: 8 YEARS
       Reg. Time: 12:30:09                    Expiry Date: OCT 23, 2003
     Base Rag. #: 6046469                      Control #: B1712422
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: PACCAR OF CANADA,LTD.
                       6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD,
                       NORTH MISSISSAUGA ON  L5N 4J8

 D0001    Base Debtor: INLAND KENWORTH LTD
            (Business) 5550 GORING AVENUE
                       BURNABY B.C.  V5B 3A4

                                                            Continued on Page 24
<PAGE>

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

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 24

=D0002     Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
                        140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                        RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2J2

         Vehicle Collateral:
         Type           Serial #      Year          Make/Model  MH Reg.#
V000l    MV       2NKMH78X05M936645    95    KENWORTH T300

             Registering
                   Party:    PACCAR OF CANADA, LTD. 
                             6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD,
                             NORTH MISSISSAUGA ON   L5N 4J8

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

       Reg. Date: JUL 11, 1995               R3g. Length: 8 YEARS
       Reg. Time: 12:33:21                   Expiry Date: JUL 11, 2003
     Base Reg. #: 5876306                      Control #: B1606301
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: PACCAR OF CANADA, LTD. 
                       6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD,
                       NORTH MISSISSAUGA ON  L5N 4J8

 D0001        Base Debtor: INLAND KENWORTH LTD
                (Business) 5550 GORING AVENUE
                           BURNABY B.C.  V5B 3A4

              Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK
                           140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                           RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2J2
        Vehicle Collateral:
        Type           Serial #       Year       Make/Model    MH Reg.#
 V0001  MV        2NKMH78X05M937360    95    KENWORTH

             Registering
                   Party: PACCAR OF CANADA, LTD. 
                          6711 MISSISSAUGA ROAD,
                          NORTH MISSISSAUGA ON   L5N 4J8


                                                            Continued on Page 25
<PAGE>

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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 25

   ---------- A M E N D M E N T  /  O T H E R   C H A N G  ----------E

              Reg. Date: NOV 21, 1995 
              Reg. Time: 09:55:00
                 Reg. #: 6100865                     Control #: C1816443 
         Base Reg. Type: PPSA SECURITY AGREEMENT
            Base Reg. #: 5876306                Base Reg. Date: JUL 11, 1995

            Details Description:
            CORRECT NAME ADDED TO REGISTRATION
Block#
            ** DELETED **
            Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK
                         140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                         RICHMOND B.C.  V6V 2J2

            *** ADDED ***
=D0003      Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
                         140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                         RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2

               Registering
                     Party: CANADIAN SECURITIES REGISTRATION SYSTEMS
                            130 3751  SHELL ROAD, 
                            RICHMOND BC  V6X 2W2

     ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

            Reg. Date: DEC 20, 1995                Reg. Length: 5 YEARS
            Reg. Time: 08:42:49                    Expiry Date: DEC 20, 2000
          Base Rag. #: 6141778                       Control #: B1773562
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD 
                       2281 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                       MISSISSAUGA ON  L5K 2S3

=D0001    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC.
            (Business) 601-13211 DELF PLACE 
                       RICHMOND BC  V6V 2A2

                                                            Continued on Page 26



<PAGE>

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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 26


          General Collateral:
          COMPUTER EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517-li DATED
          DECEMBER 18) 1995, AND ALL AMENDMENTS THERETO, UNDER SCHEDULE OF
          TERMS FOR EQUIPMENT LEASE AGREEMENT NO. 517 DATED MARCH 3, 1993,
          AND ALL AMOUNTS OWING THEREUNDER.
          DEBTORS FULL NAME IS-
          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

              Registering
                    Party: MFP TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LTD 
                           2281 NORTH SHERIDAN WAY 
                           MISSISSAUGA ON   L5K 2S3

        ********** R E P A I R E R S   L I E N   A C T **********

      Reg. Date: APR 02, 1996                   Reg. Length: 180 DAYS
      Reg. Time: 10:05:32                       Expiry Date: SEP 30, 1996
    Base Reg. #: 6307632                          Control #: B1877762

 Amount of Lien: $2617.52                    Surrender Date: MAR 18, 1996
Block#
 S0001   Secured Party: PER.M. ENTETPRISES LTD.                      DBA
                        ANNACIS TRUCK & TRAILER SERVICE
                        918 CLIVEDEN AVENUE
                        NEW WESTMINSTER B.C.  V3M 5R5

=D0001     Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
             (Business) 140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                        RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2

        Vehicle Collateral:
        Type          Serial #        Year     Make/Model     MH Reg.#
 V0001  MV        1PT071NE9K9006089    89   TRAILMBILE SEMI

       ********** R E P A I R E R S   L I E N   A C T **********

       Reg. Date: APR 02, 1996            Reg. Length: 180 DAYS
       Reg. Time: 10:10:36                Expiry Date: SEP 30, 1996
     Base Reg. #: 6307650                     Control #: B1877789

  Amount of Lien: $2791.76               Surrender Date: MAR 22, 1996
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: PER.M. ENTERPRISES LTD.                  DBA
                       ANNACIS TRUCK & TRAILER SERVICE
                       918 CLIVEDEN AVENUE
                       NEW WESTMINSTER B.C.  V3M 5R5

                                                            Continued on Page 27
<PAGE>

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

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 27

=D000l      Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL INC
              (Business) 140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                         RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2

         Vehicle Collateral:
         Type         Serial #        Year     Make/Model  MH Reg.#
 V0001   MV       JHBSGZ354K1S1O17S    89   HINO VAN

       ********** R E P A I R E R S   L I E N   A C T **********

        Reg. Date: JUL 16, 1996           Reg. Length: 180 DAYS
        Reg. Time: 16:25:30               Expiry Date: JAN 13, 1997
      Base Reg. #: 6491191                  Control #: B1999499

   Amount of Lien: $1945.79            Surrender Date: JUN 25, 1996
Block*
 S000l      Secured Party: PER.M. ENTERPRISES LTD.       DBA
                           ANNACIS TRUCK & TRAILER SERVICE
                           918 CLIVEDEN AVENUE
                           NEW WESTMINSTER B.C.  V3M 5R5

=D0001        Base Debtor: COREMARK INTERNATIONAL INC.
                (Business) 140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                           RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2

         Vehicle Collateral:
         Type         Serial #         Year     Make/Model   MH Reg.#
 V0001   MV       JHBSG235XL1TlO198     90   HINO VAN

       ********** R E P A I R E R S   L I E N   A C T **********

        Reg. Date: JUL 31, 1996                  Reg. Length: 180 DAYS
        Reg. Time: 08:58:04                      Expiry Date: JAN 27, 1997
      Base Reg. #: 6521207                         Control #: B2016283

   Amount of Lien: $1782.86                   Surrender Date: JUL 13, 1996
Block#
 S000l     Secured Party: PER.M. ENTERPRISES LTD.                      DBA
                          ANNACIS TRUCK & TRAILER SERVICE
                          918 CLIVEDEN AVENUE
                          NEW WESTMINSTER B.C.  V3M 5R5

 D0001       Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INT'L INC. #50
               (Business) 140-13160 VANIER PLACE
                          RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2

                                                            Continued on Page 28
<PAGE>

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

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 28

=D0002      Bus. Debtor: CORE MARK INTERNATIONAL INC.
                         140-13160 VANIER PLACE 
                         RICHMOND BC  V6V 2J2

         Vehicle Collateral:
         Type       Serial #        Year       Make/Model   MH Reg.#
 V000l   MV     JHB5G2354K1510175    89    HINO VAN

    ********** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T **********

        Reg. Date: AUG 06, 1996           Reg. Length: 10 YEARS
        Reg. Time: 1#:38:28               Expiry Date: AUG 06, 2006
      Base Reg. #: 6529487                  Control #: B2021119
Block#

S000l  Secured Party: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS
                      ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT - LIEN PERF.
                      DEPT .
                      200 JERICHO QUADRANGLE
                      JERICHO NY  11753

=D0001   Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC
           (Business) 395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415
                      SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0002   Bus. Debtor: C/M PRODUCTS, INC
                      395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                      SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0003   Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC 
                      395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415
                      SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0004   Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC
                      395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                      SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0005   Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK DISTRIBUTORS, INC
                      395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415
                      SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080
  
         General Collateral:
           ALL PRESENT AND AFTER-ACQUIRED PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE DEBTOR.


                                                            Continued on Page 29
<PAGE>

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Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL                                Page: 29


        Registering
              Party:   STIKEMAN ELLIOTT
                       1700-666 BURRARD STREET 
                       VANCOUVER BC  V6C 2X8

****************************************************************************

   Some, but not all, tax liens and other Crown claims are registered at the
   Personal Property Registry (PPR) and if registered, will be displayed on this
   search result. HOWEVER, it is possible that a particular chattel is subject
   to a Crown claim that is not registered at the PPR. Please consult the
   Miscellaneous Registrations Act, 1992 for more details. If you are concerned
   that a particular chattel may be subject to a Crown claim not registered at
   the PPR, please consult the agency administering the type of Crown claim.

****************************************************************************


   ****************************************************************************
    WARNING: The currency date noted at the top of this search
             indicates the date to which registrations have been completely
             recorded on the system. While some registrations processed after
             this date may be included, others may still be in process and not
             included.

*********************************** END OF SEARCH ***************************

<PAGE>
                                                                         Page: 1
As of: JUL 31 1996          BC OnLine: PPRS SEARCH RESULT            96/08/06
Lterm: V1381414     For: PE12804  STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT BAPRISTER & SOL  11:43:02
Search Criteria: C/M PRODUCT                  Index: BUSINESS DEBTOR

 **************** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T ****************

          Reg. Date: AUG 06, 1996               Reg. Length: 10 YEARS
          Reg. Time: 11:38:28                   Expiry Date: AUG 06, 2006
        Base Reg. #: 6529487                      Control #: B2021119
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS
                       ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT - LIEN PERF.
                       DEPT.
                       200 JERICHO QUADRANGLE
                       JERICHO NY  11753

 D0001    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC 
            (Business) 395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

=D0002    Bus. Debtor: C/M PRODUCTS, INC
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0003    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0004    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0005    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK DISTRIBUTORS, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

      General Collateral:
      ALL PRESENT AND AFTER-ACQUIRED PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE DEBTOR.

         Registering
               Party: STIKEMAN ELLIOTT
                      1700-666 BURRARD STREET 
                      VANCOUVER BC  V6C 2X8

******************************************************************************

   Some, but not all, tax liens and other Crown claims are registered at the
   Personal Property Registry (PPR) and if registered, will be displayed on this
   search result. HOWEVER, it is possible that a particular chattel is subject
   to a Crown claim that is not registered at the PPR. Please consult the
   Miscellaneous Reqistrations Act, 1992 for more details. If you are concerned
   that a particular chattel may be subject to a Crown claim not registered at
   the PPR, please consult the agency administering the type of Crown claim.



                                                             Continued on Page 2



<PAGE>

Search Criteria: C/M PRODUCT                                       Page:  2

*******************************************************************************

   WARNING:  The currency date noted at the top of this search indicates the
             date to which registrations have been completely recorded on the
             system. While some registrations processed after this date may be
             included, others may still be in process and not included.

*********************************** END OF SEARCH ***************************


<PAGE>

As of: JUL 31 1996          BC OnLine: PPRS SEARCH RESULT            96/08/06
Lterm: V1381414     For: PE12804  STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT BAPRISTER & SOL  11:43:02
Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERRELATED             Index: BUSINESS DEBTOR

 **************** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T ****************


          Reg. Date: AUG 06, 1996           Reg. Length: 10 YEARS
          Reg. Time: 11:38:28               Expiry Date: AUG 06, 2006
        Base Reg. #: 6529487                  Control #: B2021119
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS
                       ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT - LIEN PERF.
                       DEPT.
                       200 JERICHO QUADRANGLE
                       JERICHO NY  11753

 D0001    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC 
            (Business) 395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0002    Bus. Debtor: C/M PRODUCTS, INC
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

=D0003    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0004    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0005    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK DISTRIBUTORS, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

        General Collateral:
        ALL PRESENT AND AFTER-ACQUIRED PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE DEBTOR.

           Registering
                 Party: STIKEMAN ELLIOTT
                        1700-666 BURRARD STREET 
                        VANCOUVER BC  V6C 2X8

*****************************************************************************

   Some, but not all, tax liens and other Crown claims are registered at the
   Personal Property Registry (PPR) and if registered, will be displayed on this
   search result. HOWEVER, it is possible that a particular chattel is subject
   to a Crown claim that is not registered at the PPR. Please consult the
   Miscellaneous Registrations Act, 1992 for more details. If you are concerned
   that a particular chattel may be subject to a Crown claim not registered at
   the PPR, please consult the agency administering the type of Crown claim.



                                                            Continued on Page  2
<PAGE>

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK INTERRELATED                              Page:  2


*****************************************************************************

   WARNING:  The currency date noted at the top of this search indicates the
             date to which registrations have been completely recorded on the
             system. While some registrations processed after this date may be
             included, others may still be in process and not included.

************************************ END OF SEARCH ***************************

<PAGE>

As of: JUL 31 1996          BC OnLine: PPRS SEARCH RESULT            96/08/06
Lterm: V1381414     For: PE12804  STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT BAPRISTER & SOL  11:43:02
Search Criteria: CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT       Index: BUSINESS DEBTOR

 **************** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T ****************


          Reg. Date: AUG 06, 1996           Reg. Length: 10 YEARS
          Reg. Time: 11:38:28               Expiry Date: AUG 06, 2006
        Base Reg. #: 6529487                  Control #: B2021119
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS
                       ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT - LIEN PERF.
                       DEPT.
                       200 JERICHO QUADRANGLE
                       JERICHO NY  11753

 D0001    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC 
            (Business) 395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0002    Bus. Debtor: C/M PRODUCTS, INC
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0003    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

=D0004    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0005    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK DISTRIBUTORS, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

    General Collateral:
    ALL PRESENT AND AFTER-ACQUIRED PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE DEBTOR.

       Registering
             Party: STIKEMAN ELLIOTT
                    1700-666 BURRARD STREET 
                    VANCOUVER BC  V6C 2X8

*****************************************************************************

   Some, but not all, tax liens and other Crown claims are registered at the
   Personal Property Registry (PPR) and if registered, will be displayed on this
   search result. HOWEVER, it is possible that a particular chattel is subject
   to a Crown claim that is not registered at the PPR. Please consult the
   Miscellaneous Registrations Act, 1992 for more details. If you are concerned
   that a particular chattel may be subject to a Crown claim not registered at
   the PPR, please consult the agency administering the type of Crown claim.


                                                            Continued on Page  2
<PAGE>

Search Criteria: CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT                              Page:  2


*****************************************************************************

   WARNING:  The currency date noted at the top of this search indicates the
             date to which registrations have been completely recorded on the
             system. While some registrations processed after this date may be
             included, others may still be in process and not included.

****************************** END OF SEARCH ********************************


<PAGE>

As of: JUL 31 1996          BC OnLine: PPRS SEARCH RESULT            96/08/06
Lterm: V1381414     For: PE12804  STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT BAPRISTER & SOL  11:43:02
Search Criteria: CORE-MARK DISTRIBUTOR           Index: BUSINESS DEBTOR

 **************** P P S A   S E C U R I T Y   A G R E E M E N T ****************


          Reg. Date: AUG 06, 1996           Reg. Length: 10 YEARS
          Reg. Time: 11:38:28               Expiry Date: AUG 06, 2006
        Base Reg. #: 6529487                  Control #: B2021119
Block#

 S0001  Secured Party: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, AS
                       ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT - LIEN PERF.
                       DEPT.
                       200 JERICHO QUADRANGLE
                       JERICHO NY  11753

 D0001    Base Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC 
            (Business) 395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0002    Bus. Debtor: C/M PRODUCTS, INC
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0003    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK INTERRELATED COMPANIES, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

 D0004    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

=D0005    Bus. Debtor: CORE-MARK DISTRIBUTORS, INC 
                       395 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 415 
                       SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO CA  94080

     General Collateral:
     ALL PRESENT AND AFTER-ACQUIRED PERSONAL PROPERTY OF THE DEBTOR.

        Registering
              Party: STIKEMAN ELLIOTT
                     1700-666 BURRARD STREET 
                     VANCOUVER BC  V6C 2X8

****************************************************************************

   Some, but not all, tax liens and other Crown claims are registered at the
   Personal Property Registry (PPR) and if registered, will be displayed on this
   search result. HOWEVER, it is possible that a particular chattel is subject
   to a Crown claim that is not registered at the PPR. Please consult the
   Miscellaneous Reqistrations Act, 1992 for more details. If you are concerned
   that a particular chattel may be subject to a Crown claim not registered at
   the PPR, please consult the agency administering the type of Crown claim.


                                                            Continued on Page  2

<PAGE>
Search Criteria: CORE-MARK DISTRIBUTOR                               Page:  2


 ****************************************************************************

   WARNING:  The currency date noted at the top of this search indicates the
             date to which registrations have been completely recorded on the
             system. While some registrations processed after this date may be
             included, others may still be in process and not included.

 ********************************* END OF SEARCH ****************************

<PAGE>

[Letterhead of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman]

                                                                     Exhibit J-5

August 7, 1996


STIKEMAN, ELLIOTT
Barristers and Solicitors
P.O. Box 85
5300 Commerce Court West
Toronto, ON M5L 1B9

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
(and the other Lenders)
200 Jericho Quardrangle
Jericho, NEW YORK  11753

SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT
Barristers and Solicitors
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NEW YORK   10017-3954


        Re: CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
            (the "Corporation")

     We have acted as agents for Stikeman, Elliott in the Province of Manitoba
(the "Province") in Connection with a security agreement dated as of August 7,
1996 (the "Security Agreement") made between the Corporation, CIM Products,
Inc., Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc. and Core-Mark Midcontinent, Inc.
(collectively the "Business Debtors") and The Chase Manhattan Bank (the "Bank")
as Administrative Agent for the Lenders parties to a Credit Agreement dated as
of August 7, 1996 among the Corporation, the Bank and such Lenders (the "Credit
Agreement").

     A Financing Statement giving notice of the Security Agreement was
registered in the Manitoba Personal Property Registry (the "PPR") on August 7, 
1996 (the "Financing Statement"). Upon verification of the registration of the



<PAGE>

THOMPSON DORFMAN SWEATMAN
Barristers and Solicitors              -2-


Statement a registration number will be assigned, and upon our receipt of the
Verification Statement we will provide the registration number to you.

     A Certificate of the Registrar of the PPR dated as at July 9, 1996 at 4:30
p.m. (as updated and confirmed by a search conducted August 7, 1996 for the
period ended at the close of business on July 30, 1996) disclosed the following
registrations against the Corporation which, as regards the Corporation,
continue to remain in priority to the Financing Statement:

     1. Registration No.950106-104393 in favour of PACCAR OF CANADA LTD. in
        respect of certain motor vehicles;

     2. Registration No.951120-101972 in favour of PACCAR OF CANADA LTD. in
        respect of a 1996 Kenworth motor vehicle, Serial No. 1XKDD99XXT5942970;

     3. Registration No. 950228-102057 in favour of CITICORP USA INC. in respect
        of assets described by schedule including inventory, equipment, debts,
        accounts and intangibles.

     In the Province there may also exist encumbrances ranking in priority to
the Financing Statement of the following nature which would not be disclosed by
our searches:

     1. conditional sales contracts made prior to September 1, 1978, being the
        date The Personal Property Security Act (Manitoba) (the "PPSA") came
        into force;

     2. wage claims of employees of the Corporation and the other Business
        Debtors under the provisions of The Payment of Wages Act (Manitoba) and
        under the provisions of legislation relative to insolvency and
        bankruptcy;

     3. liens created by statute in favour of Her Majesty in Right of Manitoba,
        municipalities, Crown corporations and government agencies on (personal)
        property of the Corporation and the other Business Debtors for the
        amount of any debt due from the Corporation and the other Business
        Debtors which came into existence prior to the registration of the
        Financing Statement.

<PAGE>

THOMPSON DORFMAN SWEATMAN
Barristers and Solicitors              -3-


     In giving the opinion which follows, we have assumed:

     (a) the genuineness of all documents submitted to us as originals and the
         authenticity and conformity to the originals of all certified and
         notarial copies of original documents;

     (b) that the Security Agreement has been duly and validly authorized,
         executed and delivered to the Bank by the Business Debtors;

     (c) the Business Debtors each have the corporate power and capacity to
         execute and deliver the Security Agreement;

     (d) value has been given by the Bank to the Business Debtors;

     (e) the Business Debtors have rights in the Collateral, as that term is
         defined in the Security Agreement;

     (f) that the Collateral does not include real or immovable property or
         property that has been affixed to real or immovable property.

     For the purposes of the PPSA, the validity, perfection and possibility and
effect of proper registration with respect to intangibles (which includes
accounts receivable) is governed by the law of the jurisdiction in which the
chief place of business of the debtor is located.

     Based and relying upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications
hereinafter set out, we are of the opinion that:

     1. The Corporation has been duly registered as an extra-provincial
        corporation under the laws of the Province and is in good standing under
        the laws of the Province with respect to the filing of Annual Returns.

     2. With the exception of the Corporation none of the Business Debtors has
        been duly registered as an extra-provincial corporation under the laws
        of the Province.

     3. The Security Agreement creates in favour of the Bank a valid security
        interest in Collateral (as that term is defined in the Security
        Agreement) to which the PPSA applies.

<PAGE>

THOMPSON DORFMAN SWEATMAN
Barristers and Solicitors              -4-


     4. Notice of the Security Agreement has been properly registered according
        to the laws of the Province in all places in which registration is
        necessary or advisable. No other notice, filing, registration or act is
        necessary in the Province to perfect the security interests created by
        the Security Agreement.

     5. At the time of registration of the Financing Statement, except for the
        registrations described above, there were no mortgages, hypothecs,
        charges, pledges, encumbrances or security interests registered in the
        PPR against or affecting the Corporation which rank or purport to rank
        in priority to or pari passu with the security interest created or
        granted by the Security Agreement.

     The foregoing opinions are:

     (a) Subject to the qualification that in order to continue the
         effectiveness of the registration of the Financing Statement, it is
         necessary to register:

         (i)  a renewal financing statement respecting the Financing Statement
              before the expiration of the three year period from the date of
              the initial registration thereof and before the expiration of the
              third anniversary of each successive renewal; and

         (ii) a transfer financing statement within fifteen (15) days after the
              Bank learns that the Corporation has transferred its interest in
              the collateral described in the Financing Statement.

     (b) subject to the qualification that a security interest in instruments,
         securities, letters of credit and advices of credit, or negotiable
         documents of title (as such terms are defined in the PPSA can only be
         perfected by the Bank (or its agents) possessing such items of
         Collateral;

     (c) limited to matters governed by the laws of the Province only;

     (d) limited to the matters expressly stated herein, and no opinion is
         implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein;

<PAGE>

THOMPSON DORFMAN SWEATMAN
Barristers and Solicitors              -5-

 
     (e) subject to the qualification that no opinion is expressed as to the
         enforceability of a security interest in Collateral to the extent that
         such Collateral is not identifiable and traceable;

     (f) subject to the qualification that perfection of a security interest in
         the Collateral may be defeated or impaired with respect to such portion
         of the Collateral that is removed from the Province to another
         jurisdiction;

     (g) subject to the qualification that motor vehicles or aircraft (as
         defined by the PPSA) comprised in the Collateral and used by the
         Business Debtors as equipment must be described in the Financing
         Statement according to the serial number and other identifying
         information required by the PPSA in order for the security interest
         therein to be perfected;

     (h) subject to the qualification that a license, quota or similar
         governmental authorization may not be personal property subject to the
         granting of a security interest pursuant to the PPSA; and

     (i) subject to the qualification that limitations may exist in law upon the
         right of the holder of a judgment to seize patent rights under a writ
         of execution and subject to such priorities as may be created pursuant
         to the Copyright Act (Canada), the Trade Marks Act (Canada) and the
         Patent Act (Canada).

     The opinion expressed herein is effective as of the date hereof and is
based upon the laws in effect as of the date hereof. We expressly disclaim any
undertaking or obligation to modify this opinion to reflect changes in facts or
developments in law which may occur after the date hereof.

     This opinion is rendered solely for the use of the addressees hereof in
connection with the transaction referred to herein and may not be relied upon by
any other parties or for any other purpose without our prior express written
consent.


                                  Yours truly,


                                  /s/Thompson Dorfman Sweatman



<PAGE>

                                                                  EXHIBIT K TO
                                                              CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   [FORM OF]

                          ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE

     Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 7, 1996
(as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among Core-Mark International, Inc. (the "BORROWER"), 
the Lenders named therein and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent
for the Lenders (in such capacity, the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT").  Unless 
otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

     The Assignor identified on Schedule l hereto (the "ASSIGNOR") and the 
Assignee identified on Schedule l hereto (the "ASSIGNEE") agree as follows:

     1.  The Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee 
without recourse to the Assignor, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably 
purchases and assumes from the Assignor without recourse to the Assignor, as 
of the Effective Date (as defined below), the interest described in Schedule 1 
hereto (the "Assigned Interest") in and to the Assignor's rights and 
obligations under the Credit Agreement with respect to those credit facilities 
contained in the Credit Agreement as are set forth on Schedule 1 hereto 
(individually, an "Assigned Facility"; collectively, the "Assigned 
Facilities"), in a principal amount for each Assigned Facility as set forth on 
Schedule 1 hereto.

     2.  The Assignor (a) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no 
responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations 
made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or with respect to the 
execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or 
value of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other 
instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto, other than that the 
Assignor has not created any adverse claim upon the interest being assigned 
by it hereunder and that such interest is free and clear of any such adverse 
claim; (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility 
with respect to the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its 
Subsidiaries or any other obligor or the performance or observance by the 
Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any other obligor of any of their 
respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document 
or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; 
(c) attaches any Notes held by it evidencing the Assigned Facilities and 
(i) requests that the Administrative Agent, upon request by the Assignee, 
exchange the attached Notes for a new Note or Notes payable to the Assignee 
and (ii) if the Assignor has retained any interest in the Assigned Facility, 
requests that the Administrative Agent exchange the attached Notes for a new 
Note or Notes payable to the Assignor, in each case in amounts which reflect 
the assignment being made hereby (and after giving effect to any other 
assignments which have become effective on the Effective Date); and 
(d) represents and warrants that it has complied with all of the provisions of 
Section 10.6(c) of the Credit Agreement which are applicable to it in 
connection with this Assignment. 

      3.  The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that it is legally 
authorized to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (b) confirms that it 
has received a copy of the 


<PAGE>

                                                                              2 

Credit Agreement, together with copies of the financial statements 
delivered pursuant to subsection 4.1 thereof and such other documents and 
information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and 
decision to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (c) agrees that it 
will, independently and without reliance upon the Assignor, the 
Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and 
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its 
own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit 
Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document 
furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (d) appoints and authorizes the 
Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to 
exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement, the other 
Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto 
or thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, 
together with such powers as are incidental thereto; (e) agrees that it will 
be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and will perform in 
accordance with its terms all the obligations which by the terms of the 
Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender including, if 
it is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, 
its obligation pursuant to subsection 2.19(b) of the Credit Agreement; and 
(f) represents and warrants that it has complied with all of the provisions 
of Section 10.6 (c) of the Credit Agreement which are applicable to it in 
connection with this Assignment.

      4.  The effective date of this Assignment and Acceptance shall be the 
Effective Date of Assignment described in Schedule 1 hereto (the "Effective 
Date"). Following the execution of this Assignment and Acceptance, it will be 
delivered to the Administrative Agent for acceptance by it and recording by 
the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement, effective as of the 
Effective Date (which shall not, unless otherwise agreed to by the 
Administrative Agent, be earlier than five Business Days after the date of 
such acceptance and recording by the Administrative Agent). 

      5.  Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Effective 
Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the 
Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other 
amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to the Effective Date 
and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued subsequent to the Effective 
Date. The Assignor and the Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in 
payments by the Administrative Agent for periods prior to the Effective Date 
or with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

      6.  From and after the Effective Date, (a) the Assignee shall be a 
party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment 
and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and 
under the other Loan Documents and shall be bound by the provisions thereof 
and (b) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment and 
Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under 
the Credit Agreement.

      7.  This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed 
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.



<PAGE>

                                                                            3
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment and 
Acceptance to be executed as of the date first above written by their 
respective duly authorized officers on Schedule 1 hereto.



<PAGE>



                                  Schedule 1
                         to Assignment and Acceptance

Name of Assignor: 
                  ----------------------------------

Name of Assignee:
                  ----------------------------------

Effective Date of Assignment:
                              ----------------------


    Credit              Principal                 
Facility Assigned    Amount Assigned   Commitment Percentage Assigned (1)
- -----------------    ---------------   ----------------------------------

                      $                                    %
                       ---------                  ---------


[Name of Assignee]              [Name of Assignor]


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






- -------------------
(1) Calculate the Commitment Percentage that is assigned to at least 15 decimal
    places and show as a percentage of the aggregate commitments of all Lenders.


<PAGE>

                                                                             2
  
Accepted:                            Consented To:

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.(2)
Administrative Agent


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


                                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as
                                         Administrative Agent


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


                                         CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                         DELAWARE, as Issuing Bank


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




- -------------------
(2) The consents of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank
    are not required unless the assignee is not an existing Lender under the 
    Credit Agreement.





<PAGE>





                                STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT

                                     by and among

                            CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                         and

                        ALL OF THE HOLDERS OF ITS COMMON STOCK



                              Dated as of August 7, 1996


<PAGE>



                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
Section 1.  Certain Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .2

Section 2.  Restrictions on Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 12
  2.1  Common Stock Subject To This Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . 12
  2.2  General Restriction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . 13
  2.3  Transfers of Restricted B Stock and Option Shares . . . . . . .  . . 14
  2.4  Tag-Along Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . 15
  2.5  Drag-Along Right. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . 17
  2.6  Transfers Following Initial Public Offering . . . . . . . . . .  . . 19

Section 3.  Call Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
  3.1  Call Options of the Company and the Principal Stockholder . . . . .  21
  3.2  Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
  3.3  Termination of Call Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26

Section 4.  Registration Rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26

Section 5.  Changes in Common Stock; Option Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
  5.1  Changes in Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
  5.2  Approval of Option Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27

Section 6.  Transferees Subject to Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27

Section 7.  Legends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27

Section 8.  Miscellaneous. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
  8.1  Amendment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
  8.2  Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
  8.3  Execution in Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
  8.4  Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
  8.5  Entire Agreement; Headings; Gender. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
  8.6  Copy of Agreement with Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
  8.7  Specific Performance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
  8.8  Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
  8.9  Third Party Beneficiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
  8.10 Certain Tax Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32

Exhibit A   Parties
Exhibit B   Repurchase Percentages
Exhibit C   Form of Registration Rights Agreement

                                        i

<PAGE>

                                STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT


       STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT"), dated as of August 7, 1996, by
and among CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"),
JUPITER PARTNERS L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("JUPITER"), and the other
parties listed on Exhibit A hereto under the caption "Management Stockholders"
(Jupiter and the Management Stockholders are collectively referred to herein as
the "STOCKHOLDERS," which term shall also include any Person who hereafter
becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof). 
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings
specified in Section 1.

                                W I T N E S S E T H :

       WHEREAS, the Stockholders are the holders of all of the issued and
outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company;

       WHEREAS, the Management Stockholders own both Restricted A Stock and
Restricted B Stock;

       WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Company
is entering into severance and non-competition agreements with each of the
Management Stockholders (each, a "SEVERANCE AGREEMENT");

       WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, pursuant to
that certain Stock Option Plan of the Company (the "OPTION PLAN"), the Company
is granting to certain of its employees options to purchase shares of Common
Stock at a 

<PAGE>
                                                                             2

per share exercise price of $10 per share, subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Option Plan; 

       WHEREAS, as a result of a 155,000 for 1 stock split occurring on the
date hereof, the Company has 5,500,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
the date hereof; and

       WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to provide for certain rights and
obligations of the Stockholders with respect to the transfer, purchase and other
rights affecting the Common Stock.

       NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the receipt and adequacy of
which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

       Section   CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms and phrases have the following meanings:

       "AFFILIATE" means, (i) with respect to any natural Person, the spouse of
such Person, either parent of such Person or of such Person's spouse, any
descendant of any such parent, or any relative of such Person who has the same
home as such Person, and (ii) with respect to any other Person, any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with,
such Person.  For purposes of this definition, the term "CONTROL" (including,
with correlative meanings, the terms "CONTROLLING," "CONTROLLED BY" and "UNDER
COMMON CONTROL WITH"), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.


<PAGE>
                                                                             3

       "AFFILIATED TRANSFEREE," with respect to the Principal Stockholder,
means (i) any Affiliate of the Principal Stockholder, (ii) any employee or
partner of the Principal Stockholder or (iii) any employee or partner of any
Affiliate of the Principal Stockholder.

       "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

       "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which commercial banks in New York, New York, are authorized by law to close.

       "CALL FOR BREACH" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1.4.

       "CALL FOR CAUSE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1.1.

       "CALL FOR RESIGNATION" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 3.1.2.

       "CALL OPTION" shall mean any right of the Company or the Principal
Stockholder to purchase Restricted B Stock from a Management Stockholder under
Section 3.

       "CALL SHARES" shall mean any shares of Restricted B Stock with respect
to which the Company or the Principal Stockholder would have a purchase right if
a Management Stockholder ceased to be employed by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries for any of the reasons specified in Section 3.1.

       "CALL WITHOUT CAUSE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.1.3.

       "CAUSE," with respect to any Management Stockholder, shall mean (i) a
reasonable, good faith determination by the Board that the Management
Stockholder has, in any material respect, willfully failed to follow any of the
Company's written policies or any written directives of the Board (other than by
reason of a resignation for 


<PAGE>
                                                                             4

Good Reason) and, if such failure is susceptible of being cured as reasonably
determined by the Board in good faith, the failure of the Management Stockholder
to cure such failure within 10 days after receiving written notice (stating with
specificity the nature of such failure) from the Board; or (ii) any act of gross
negligence, willful misconduct, fraud or personal dishonesty by the Management
Stockholder involving the assets of the Company or any of its Affiliates
resulting in economic or reputational harm to the Company; or (iii) the
conviction of, or a plea of guilty or NOLO CONTENDERE by the Management
Stockholder to, a charge of any crime involving moral turpitude or a felony; or
(iv) the breach by the Management Stockholder in any material respect of any
contract or other agreement between the Company or any of its Affiliates and the
Management Stockholder and, if such breach is susceptible of being cured as
reasonably determined by the Board in good faith, the failure of the Management
Stockholder to cure such breach within 10 days after receiving written notice
(stating with specificity the nature of such failure) from the Board. 

       "CHANGE IN CONTROL" shall mean (i) such time as the Principal
Stockholder no longer is the beneficial owner of shares of any Common Stock or
(ii) the consummation of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and its subsidiaries (other than to the Principal Stockholder or any
Affiliate of the Company); PROVIDED, that a Change in Control shall only be
deemed to have occurred if immediately after the occurrence of the event
specified in clause (i) or clause (ii) the Company does not have any publicly-
traded securities. 


<PAGE>
                                                                             5

       "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
Company and any other shares of capital stock of the Company classified as
common stock hereafter authorized.

       "COMPANY" means Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

       "CONTINGENT OBLIGATION" shall mean any direct or indirect liability,
contingent or otherwise, (i) with respect to any indebtedness, letter of credit
or other monetary obligation of another if the primary purpose or intent thereof
by the Person incurring such liability is to provide assurance to the obligee of
such obligation of another that such obligation of another will be paid or
discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or
that the holder of such obligation will be protected (in whole or in part)
against loss in respect thereof or (ii) under any letter of credit issued for
the account of that Person or for which that Person is otherwise liable for
reimbursement thereof.

       "DISABILITY," with respect to a Management Stockholder, shall mean
incapacity of such Management Stockholder due to physical or mental illness, as
a result of which such Management Stockholder shall have been unable to perform
his duties for an aggregate period of six months during any 12-month period.

       "DRAG-ALONG RIGHT" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.5.

       "EBIT"  shall mean, as of the date of determination, the Company's
consolidated earnings before interest and taxes for the twelve full months
immediately preceding such date, determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting 


<PAGE>
                                                                             6

principles as defined by the Company's accountants as in effect as of the date
hereof, except that inventory shall be determined on a "first-in, first-out"
basis.

       "ENCUMBRANCE" means any mortgage, lien, security interest, pledge,
claim, option, right of first refusal or other like encumbrance with respect to
any share of Common Stock, and "ENCUMBER" shall have a correlative meaning.

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

       "FAIR MARKET VALUE" shall mean (A) after the Initial Public Offering,
(i) the average of the last reported bid price of the Common Stock for the 30
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the date on which any such
determination is to be made, as reported by NASDAQ or, if the Common Stock is
not listed on NASDAQ, by another reliable source or (ii) if the Common Stock is
listed on a securities exchange, the average of the last reported sales price of
the Common Stock for the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the
date on which any such determination is to be made and (B) prior to the Initial
Public Offering, the fair market value per share of Common Stock as determined
in good faith by the Board.

       "FULLY DILUTED SHARES"  shall mean the total number of the Company's
outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully diluted, fully converted basis
(assuming the exercise of all options and other securities convertible or
exchangeable into or exercisable for Common Stock).

       "GOOD REASON," with respect to a Management Stockholder, means (i) a
reduction of such Management Stockholder's base salary payable during any fiscal
year by the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the failure of the Company to pay
such 

<PAGE>
                                                                             7

Management Stockholder his base salary or any of his benefits to which he is
entitled to be paid during any fiscal year, if such failure is not cured within
ten days thereof or (iii) a relocation of such Management Stockholder's
principal base of operation to any location other than a location within
50 miles of San Francisco during the term of such Management Stockholder's
employment with the Company.

       "INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING" means the first public offering of Common
Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act
which results in the listing of such Common Stock on a national securities
exchange or the quotation of such Common Stock on NASDAQ.

       "IN-THE-MONEY," with respect to options or other securities convertible
into Common Stock, shall mean any options or other such securities the Fair
Market Value of whose underlying shares of Common Stock exceeds the then
applicable exercise price.

       "INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER," with respect to any shares of Common Stock,
means any Transfer, proceeding or action (other than a Transfer on the death of
a Management Stockholder) by or in which a Management Stockholder (or his
Permitted Transferee) shall be deprived or divested of any right, title or
interest in or to any of its shares of Common Stock, including, without
limitation, any seizure under levy of attachment or execution, any Transfer in
connection with bankruptcy (whether pursuant to the filing of a voluntary or an
involuntary petition under any applicable bankruptcy law) or other court
proceeding to a debtor-in-possession, trustee in bankruptcy or receiver or other
officer or agency, any Transfer to a state or to a public officer or agency
pursuant to any statute pertaining to escheat or abandoned property, any


<PAGE>
                                                                             8

Transfer pursuant to a divorce action or any Transfer upon or occasioned by the
legal incompetence of any Management Stockholder (or his Permitted Transferee)
or any Transfer to a legal representative of any Management Stockholder (or his
Permitted Transferee). 

       "MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS" means the individuals listed on Exhibit A
under the caption "MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS," any Stockholder who acquires Common
Stock from a Management Stockholder and who becomes a party to this Agreement,
and any other Stockholder (including any Person who acquires Option Shares) who
hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement and is denominated as a "Management
Stockholder."

       "NET DEBT"  shall mean (A) the sum of (a) all obligations of the Company
(i) for borrowed money, (ii) evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar
instruments, (iii) for the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property,
service or business (other than trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of business and constituting current liabilities
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), (b) any liability
of the Company secured by any lien on property owned or acquired by the Company,
whether or not such liability shall have been assumed (but if such liability has
not been assumed by the Company, only to the extent that the value of the
asset(s) is subject to such lien), (c) all Contingent Obligations of the
Company, (d) all letters of credit and all obligations of the Company relating
thereto, and (e) all net obligations of the Company in respect of interest rate
swap agreements, currency swap agreements and other similar agreements designed
to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates or foreign exchange rates 

<PAGE>
                                                                             9

(collectively, "HEDGES"), minus (B) the sum of (a) all cash and cash equivalents
of the Company, (b) all net receivables of the Company in respect of Hedges and
(c) the aggregate exercise or conversion prices that would be payable to the
Company in connection with the exercise of any "in-the-money" options or "in-
the-money" convertible securities or other securities to acquire Common Stock,
regardless of whether such options or convertible or other securities are then
actually exercised or converted.  In determining Net Debt as of any date, the
obligations described in clauses (A)(a)(i), (A)(a)(ii) and (A)(d) shall be the
ending balance or, to the extent such obligations arise under revolving credit
facilities, be the average of the ending balances of such obligations for the 12
months immediately preceding such date.

       "NOTICE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4.

       "OPTION PLAN" shall have the meaning specified in the recitals to this
Agreement.

       "OPTION SHARES" shall mean any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable
pursuant to the Option Plan.

       "OPTION SHARE RESTRICTION PERIOD" shall mean any time prior to
February 7 , 2004.

       "PERMITTED TRANSFEREE" means, with respect to a Stockholder who is a
natural person, (a) the spouse, parents, parents-in-law, siblings (by blood or
adoption) of such Stockholder or the lineal descendants (by blood or adoption)
of such Stockholder or such Stockholder's spouse, parents or siblings, (b) a
trust, the beneficiaries of which include only such Stockholder or spouse,
parents, or siblings (by blood or adoption) of such Stockholder or the lineal
descendants (by blood or adoption) 

<PAGE>
                                                                            10

of such Stockholder, spouse, parents or siblings, or a charitable trust that is
an Affiliate of such Stockholder, or (c) upon such Stockholder's death,
executors, administrators, testamentary trustees, legatees or beneficiaries of
such Stockholder.

         "PERSON" shall mean an individual, firm, corporation, limited
liability company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated
association, joint venture, joint stock company, government (or an agency or
political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

         "POTENTIAL PARTICIPANT" shall have the meaning specified in Section
2.4.

         "PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER" shall mean Jupiter and, where the context
refers to the ownership by the Principal Stockholder of Common Stock, shall also
mean its Affiliated Transferees who own Common Stock.


         "PROSPECTIVE SELLER" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4.

         "PROSPECTIVE TRANSFEREE" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 6.

         "PUBLIC OFFERING" means a public offering of Common Stock pursuant to
an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

         "PUBLIC SALE" means a Transfer of Common Stock pursuant to a Public
Offering or under Rule 144 (or any successor rule) under the Securities Act.

         "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, in the form of Exhibit C.

         "REPURCHASE PRICE" shall mean, with respect to a share of Common
Stock, (A) prior to the Initial Public Offering, an amount in cash equal to the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) Enterprise Value (defined below) minus Net
Debt by (ii) the number of Fully Diluted Shares and (B) after the Initial Public
Offering, an amount in 


<PAGE>
                                                                            11

cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such share.  "ENTERPRISE VALUE" shall
mean EBIT times 6.1.

         "RESTRICTED A STOCK," with respect to any Management Stockholder,
means those shares of Common Stock representing 40% of the aggregate shares of
Common Stock held by such Management Stockholder as of the date hereof and
bearing the legend specified in Section 7.2.

         "RESTRICTED B STOCK," with respect to any Management Stockholder,
means all Common Stock (including, without limitation, any Option Shares) held
by such Management Stockholder from time to time, other than Restricted A Stock.

         "RESTRICTED SHARES" means all shares of Common Stock other than
(i) shares that have been registered under a registration statement pursuant to
the Securities Act, (ii) shares with respect to which a sale has been made
pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor
rule) or (iii) shares with respect to which the holder thereof shall have
delivered to the Company an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that the Transfer of such shares may
be effected without registration under the Securities Act.

         "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

         "SEVERANCE AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning specified in the recitals
to this Agreement.

         "STOCKHOLDERS" shall have the meaning specified in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.


<PAGE>
                                                                            12

         "SUBSIDIARY," with respect to any Person, means any other Person of
which such Person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
outstanding voting shares or other voting interests or equity interests.

         "SUBSTITUTE PURCHASE OFFER" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.4.

         "TAG-ALONG COMMON STOCK" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 2.4.

         "TAG-ALONG NOTICE" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4.

         "TAG-ALONG RIGHT" shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4.

         "THRESHOLD AMOUNT" shall mean 825,000 shares of Common Stock, which is
20% of the shares of Common Stock held by the Principal Stockholder on the date
hereof.

         "TRANSFER," with respect to any shares of Common Stock, means any
transfer, assignment, sale, gift, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of
Common Stock or of all or part of the voting power (other than the granting of a
revocable proxy) associated with the Common Stock whatsoever, or any other
transfer of beneficial ownership of Common Stock, including, without limitation,
any Involuntary Transfer; and "TRANSFEREE" shall have a correlative meaning. 

         Section 2.  RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER 

         2.1  COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT.  Unless otherwise
provided herein, all shares of Common Stock of the Company (including, without
limitation, any Option Shares) now owned or hereafter acquired by any of the
Stockholders or any Transferee thereof (including any Person who acquires Common

<PAGE>
                                                                            13


Stock by means of an Involuntary Transfer, but not including any Person who
acquires Common Stock pursuant to a Public Sale) shall be subject to the terms
of this Agreement. 

         2.2  GENERAL RESTRICTION.  

              2.2.1  GENERAL.  Each Stockholder agrees that it will not,
directly or indirectly, make any Transfer of any Common Stock, except in
compliance with the Securities Act.  Each Management Stockholder agrees that he
will not, directly or indirectly, make any Transfer of any Restricted B Stock
except in compliance with this Agreement.  Each Management Stockholder further
agrees (i) that any direct or indirect Transfer of Restricted A Stock will be
made only in compliance with Section 6 (Transferees Subject to Agreement), to
the extent applicable, (ii) to be bound by the provisions of Section 2.5 (Drag-
Along Right) with respect to its Restricted A Stock, and (iii) that he shall not
Encumber his Restricted A Stock without the consent of the Board.  The Principal
Stockholder agrees (i) that any direct or indirect Transfer of Common Stock held
by it will be made only in compliance with Section 6 (Transferees Subject to
Agreement), to the extent applicable, and (ii) to be bound by the provisions of
Section 2.4 (Tag-Along Right) with respect to its Common Stock.  Any Transfer
effected, or purported or attempted to be effected, not in accordance with the
terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be void and of no effect.  In
connection with any voided Transfer, the Company may hold and refuse to transfer
any Common Stock or certificate therefor tendered for transfer, in addition and
without prejudice to any and all other rights and remedies which may be
available.


<PAGE>
                                                                            14

              2.2.2  INVOLUNTARY TRANSFER.  Any Person who acquires Common
Stock from a Management Stockholder by means of an Involuntary Transfer shall be
deemed to have become a party to this Agreement as a "Management Stockholder"
and shall be bound by the terms hereof; PROVIDED, that prior to the Company
transferring such Common Stock on its books and records to such Person and prior
to the exercise by such Person of any rights hereunder, such Person shall have
delivered an appropriate document, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Company, confirming that such Person takes such shares subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, and such Person thereupon shall be
deemed to be a Permitted Transferee of such Management Stockholder.

         2.3  TRANSFERS OF RESTRICTED B STOCK AND OPTION SHARES  

              2.3.1  Each Management Stockholder agrees that he will not,
directly or indirectly, Transfer any shares of Restricted B Stock except,
subject to compliance with Section 6 (Transferees Subject to Agreement),
(i) Transfers of Restricted B Stock pursuant to the procedures, and subject to
the limitations, set forth in Section 2.4 (Tag-Along Right), Section 2.5 (Drag-
Along Right), Section 2.6 (Transfers Following Initial Public Offering), or
(ii) Transfers of Restricted B Stock to the Company or the Principal Stockholder
pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (Call Options) or otherwise, or
(iii) Transfers of Restricted B Stock to any Permitted Transferee of such
Management Stockholder, or (iv) Transfers consisting of pledges of Restricted B
Stock to the Company, or (v) Transfers of Restricted B Stock to any Person
pursuant to an Involuntary Transfer; PROVIDED that, in the case of this
clause (v), such Person shall have delivered an appropriate document, in form
and 

<PAGE>
                                                                            15

substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, confirming that such Person
takes such shares subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and
such Person thereupon shall be deemed to be a Permitted Transferee of such
Management Stockholder.  Each Management Stockholder further agrees that,
notwithstanding the foregoing, he will not, directly or indirectly, Transfer any
Option Shares during the Option Share Restriction Period other than pursuant to
Section 2.4 (Tag-Along Right), Section 2.5 (Drag-Along Right) or Section 2.6
(Transfers Following Initial Public Offering).

         2.4  TAG-ALONG RIGHT.  Other than in connection with the exercise of
the Drag-Along Right or a Call Option or pursuant to a Public Sale permitted
hereunder, in the event that any Stockholder (as used in this Section, a
"PROSPECTIVE SELLER") shall receive a bona fide offer to purchase shares of
Common Stock (a "PURCHASE OFFER") from any Person (including, without
limitation, any offer by a Management Stockholder, but not including (a) an
offer by a Permitted Transferee of such Prospective Seller or (b) an offer by
the Principal Stockholder), the Prospective Seller shall either decline such
Purchase Offer or, if the Prospective Seller determines to accept such Purchase
Offer, then, prior to accepting any Purchase Offer, arrange for the proposed
purchaser to make, in lieu of the Purchase Offer, a substitute bona fide offer
to purchase the same number of shares of Common Stock that were the subject of
the Purchase Offer, and upon the same terms as the Purchase Offer, from the
Stockholders owning Common Stock as a group in the relative proportions and
otherwise as described in the third succeeding sentence (the "SUBSTITUTE
PURCHASE OFFER").  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Management Stockholder may
sell his 

<PAGE>
                                                                            16

Restricted A Stock at any time without complying with the provisions of this
Section 2.4.  In the event a Substitute Purchase Offer is made, the Prospective
Seller shall give the other Stockholders written notice thereof (the "NOTICE")
specifying (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that is the subject of such
Substitute Purchase Offer, (ii) the terms (including the proposed date of
consummation thereof, which shall be not less than 30 days following the date of
the Notice) of such Substitute Purchase Offer, and (iii) the identity of the
proposed purchaser.  Upon receipt of the Notice, each Stockholder (a "POTENTIAL
PARTICIPANT") shall have the right (the "TAG-ALONG RIGHT") to sell that number
of shares of Common Stock equal to (A) the product of (a) the total number of
shares of Common Stock proposed to be purchased and (b) a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Tag-Along Common Stock (as
defined below) owned by such Potential Participant and the denominator of which
shall be the number of shares of Tag-Along Common Stock owned by all Potential
Participants (including the Prospective Seller) electing to participate in such
sale, minus (B) the total number of shares of Restricted A Stock held by such
Potential Participant as of the date hereof.  For purposes of the foregoing,
"TAG-ALONG COMMON STOCK" shall mean all shares of Common Stock, including shares
issuable pursuant to Options which, at the time of the Notice, are capable of
being exercised in accordance with the terms of the Option Plan and are "in-the-
money."  The Tag-Along Right may be exercised by a Potential Participant by
delivery, not later than 15 days after receipt of the Notice, of a written
notice (the "TAG-ALONG NOTICE") to the Prospective Seller, which shall state the
number of shares of Common Stock that such Potential Participant wishes to
include in such sale to the purchaser.  Any Potential Participant who elects 


<PAGE>
                                                                            17

not to participate in such sale may assign his rights with respect to such
participation to any other Potential Participant in any manner as such assigning
Potential Participant so elects, provided that the Tag-Along Notice is received
by the Prospective Seller on a timely basis and provides sufficient information
with respect to such assignment to enable the Prospective Seller to determine
the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that all Potential Participants
wish to include in such sale.  The Prospective Seller, together with any
electing Potential Participants, shall participate in any purchase made by the
purchaser specified in the Notice on the terms set forth therein (or on terms no
less favorable) and as provided in the Tag-Along Notice during the 90-day period
following the date of the Notice.  Any purchases by such purchaser following
such 90-day period shall require a new Notice.  To the extent a Potential
Participant does not participate in such sale and does not assign his rights
with respect thereto as provided above, the Prospective Seller may sell that
number of its shares of Common Stock (in addition to the shares of Common Stock
otherwise permitted to be sold by it hereunder) equal to the number of shares
with respect to which such Potential Participant had the opportunity to sell
hereunder and did not so assign his rights with respect thereto.  All Transfers
made pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be subject to the provisions of
Section 6 (Transferees Subject to Agreement).  The provisions of this Section
2.4 shall terminate after the Initial Public Offering at such time as the
Principal Stockholder no longer owns Common Stock in excess of the Threshold
Amount.

         2.5  DRAG-ALONG RIGHT.  If the Principal Stockholder proposes to make
a bona fide sale of its shares of Common Stock to a third party un-Affiliated
with the 

<PAGE>
                                                                            18

Principal Stockholder (which may include another Stockholder) in an amount equal
to at least 1% of the Fully Diluted Shares (which amount shall be calculated
based on the transaction in question or series of transactions related thereto),
the Principal Stockholder shall have the right (the "DRAG-ALONG RIGHT"),
exercisable upon 15 days' prior written notice, to require the other
Stockholders to sell a corresponding percentage (as the percentage being sold by
the Principal Stockholder) of the number of shares of Common Stock held by such
other Stockholder to such third party upon terms no less favorable than those
that apply to the Principal Stockholder with respect to such third party sale. 
For purposes of calculating such corresponding percentage, there shall be
included in such calculation (i) Option Shares that are exercisable in
accordance with the Option Plan and are in-the-money, even if such sale is
during the Option Share Restriction Period, and (ii) Call Shares.  Any shares of
Restricted A Stock held by a Management Stockholder shall be subject to the
Drag-Along Right prior to the inclusion of any Restricted B Stock held by such
Management Stockholder in such third party sale.  Each Stockholder hereby agrees
to cooperate with the Principal Stockholder and to take any and all action
reasonably required in connection with the consummation of such third party
sale.  Without limiting the foregoing, at the closing of any sale under this
Section 2.5, each Stockholder shall deliver certificates representing the shares
of Common Stock to be sold, duly endorsed for transfer and accompanied by all
requisite stock transfer taxes, and each Stockholder shall represent and warrant
that it is the beneficial owner of such shares free and clear of any
Encumbrances, with full authority and power to transfer such shares.  All
Transfers made pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be subject to the provisions
of Section 6 (Transferees Subject to 

<PAGE>
                                                                            19

Agreement).  The provisions of this Section 2.5 shall terminate after the
Initial Public Offering at such time as the Principal Stockholder no longer owns
Common Stock in excess of the Threshold Amount.

         2.6  TRANSFERS FOLLOWING INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING.

              2.6.1  From and after the date of the Initial Public Offering,
and provided that at the time of the Transfer by a Management Stockholder
referred to below the Principal Stockholder owns Common Stock in excess of the
Threshold Amount, a Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees may
Transfer shares of Restricted B Stock held by them (other than, until the fifth
anniversary of the date hereof, any Call Shares) (x) pursuant to the exercise of
their rights under the Registration Rights Agreement, (y) pursuant to a sale
under Rule 144 of the Securities Act which is subject to the volume limitations
set forth in subparagraph (e)(1) of such Rule; PROVIDED, that a Management
Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees as a group may only Transfer their
Restricted B Stock under this clause (y) in an aggregate amount equal to (A) the
product of (i) the total number of shares of Public Sale Stock (as defined
below) held by such Management Stockholder as of the date hereof (or, if such
Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees as a group have acquired
additional Restricted B Stock after the date hereof in a manner that was not in
violation of this Agreement, such greater number) multiplied by (ii) a fraction,
the numerator of which shall be the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
that have been Transferred by the Principal Stockholder prior to the date of the
proposed Transfer by such Management Stockholder, and the denominator of which
shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock held by the Principal
Stockholder as of the date hereof (or, 

<PAGE>
                                                                            20

if the Principal Stockholder has acquired additional Common Stock after the date
hereof in a manner that was not in violation of this Agreement, such greater
number), minus (B) the total number of shares of Restricted A Stock held by such
Management Stockholder as of the date hereof, or (z) pursuant to an exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, but only (in the case
of this clause (z)) if at the time of such Transfer by such Management
Stockholder the Principal Stockholder is also Transferring Common Stock;
PROVIDED that a Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees as a group
may only Transfer their Restricted B Stock under this clause (z) in an aggregate
amount equal to (A) the product of (i) the total number of shares of Public Sale
Stock held by such Management Stockholder as of the date hereof (or, if such
Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees as a group have acquired
additional Restricted B Stock after the date hereof in a manner that was not in
violation of this Agreement, such greater number) multiplied by (ii) a fraction,
the numerator of which shall be the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
then being Transferred by the Principal Stockholder, and the denominator of
which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock held by the Principal
Stockholder as of the date hereof (or, if the Principal Stockholder has acquired
additional Common Stock after the date hereof in a manner that was not in
violation of this Agreement, such greater number), minus (B) the total number of
shares of Restricted A Stock held by such Management Stockholder as of the date
hereof.  For purposes of the foregoing, "PUBLIC SALE STOCK" shall mean all
shares of Common Stock, including shares issuable 


<PAGE>
                                                                            21

pursuant to Options which, at the time of such proposed Transfer, are capable of
being exercised in accordance with the terms of the Option Plan and are "in-the-
money," but until the fifth anniversary of the date hereof, shall not include
any Call Shares.

              2.6.3  From and after the date of the Initial Public Offering,
and provided that at the time of the Transfer referred to below the Principal
Stockholder does not own Common Stock in excess of the Threshold Amount, a
Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees may Transfer shares of
Common Stock held by them (other than, until the fifth anniversary of the date
hereof, any Call Shares) pursuant to the exercise of their rights under the
Registration Rights Agreement or pursuant to an applicable exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act.

              2.6.3  Any shares of Common Stock Transferred pursuant to a
Public Sale shall no longer be subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

         Section 3.  CALL OPTIONS.

              3.1  CALL OPTIONS OF THE COMPANY AND THE PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER. 

                   3.1.1  TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.  Subject to Section 3.3
(Termination of Call Options), if the employment by the Company of any 
Management Stockholder shall be terminated by the Company or any of its 
subsidiaries for Cause, then the Company and the Principal Stockholder shall 
have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (the "CALL FOR CAUSE") 
from the applicable Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees, and 
if the Company and/or the Principal Stockholder exercises such right, such 
Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees shall have the 
obligation to sell to the Company and/or the Principal

<PAGE>

                                                                          22

Stockholder, all (but not less than all) of the shares of Restricted B
Stock held by such Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees (it
being agreed that the number of shares subject to the Call for Cause shall be
the maximum number of shares of Restricted B Stock that may be held by such
Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees during the 180-day period
during which such Call for Cause may be exercised), at a price per share equal
to the lower of (i) $10 per share and (ii) the Repurchase Price (PROVIDED, that
if the termination for Cause occurs on or after the fifth anniversary of the
date hereof, the Call for Cause shall only apply to the Option Shares then held
by the applicable Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees).  For
purposes of this Section 3.1.1, a termination for Cause shall be deemed to have
occurred with respect to a Management Stockholder if such Management Stockholder
resigns from his employment with the Company after committing any act which,
with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an event of Cause under
the definition of "Cause."

              3.1.2  TERMINATION BY RESIGNATION.  Subject to Section 3.3
(Termination of Call Options), if prior to the fifth anniversary of the date
hereof any Management Stockholder shall cease to be employed by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries as a result of his resignation (other than for Good
Reason and other than a resignation which occurs after committing any act which,
with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an event of Cause under
the definition of such term), then the Company and the Principal Stockholder
shall have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (the "CALL FOR
RESIGNATION") from the applicable Management Stockholder and his Permitted
Transferees, and if the Company and/or the Principal Stockholder exer-

<PAGE>

                                                                          23

cises such right, such Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees
shall have the obligation to sell to the Company and/or the Principal
Stockholder, all (but not less than all) of that number of shares of
Restricted B Stock held by such Management Stockholder and his Permitted
Transferees (it being agreed that the number of shares referred to above shall
be the maximum number of shares of Restricted B Stock that may be held by such
Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees during the 180-day period
during which such Call for Resignation may be exercised) multiplied by the
percentage specified on Exhibit B opposite the relevant period in which such
resignation occurs, at a price per share equal to the lower of (i) $10 per share
and (ii) the Repurchase Price.

              3.1.3  TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE.  Subject to Section 3.3
(Termination of Call Options), if prior to the fifth anniversary of the date
hereof any Management Stockholder shall cease to be employed by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries for any reason whatsoever, except due to death,
Disability, termination for Cause (including resignation deemed to be a
termination for Cause under Section 3.1.1) or resignation (other than
resignation for Good Reason), the Company and the Principal Shareholder shall
have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (the "CALL WITHOUT CAUSE")
from the applicable Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees, and if
the Company and/or the Principal Stockholder exercises such right, such
Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees shall have the obligation
to sell to the Company and/or the Principal Stockholder, all (but not less than
all) of that number of shares of Restricted B Stock held by such Management
Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees (it being agreed that the number of
shares referred to above shall 


<PAGE>

                                                                          24

be the maximum number of shares of Restricted B Stock that may be held by such
Management Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees during the 180-day period
during which such Call Without Cause may be exercised) multiplied by the
percentage specified on Exhibit B opposite the relevant period in which such
cessation occurs, at a price per share equal to the Repurchase Price.

              3.1.4  MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDER BREACH OF SEVERANCE AGREEMENT. 
Subject to Section 3.3 (Termination of Call Options), if any Management
Stockholder materially breaches any of Sections 3 (Non-Competition), 4
(Confidential Information), 5 (Employees of the Company) or 6 (Consultants of
the Company, Etc.) of his Severance Agreement and, if such breach is susceptible
of being cured as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith, such breach
is not cured within ten days after receiving written notice (stating with
specificity the nature of the breach of such failure) from the Board, then the
Company, among the other rights and remedies set forth in the Severance
Agreement, and the Principal Stockholder shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to purchase (the "CALL FOR BREACH") from the applicable Management
Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees, and if the Company and/or the
Principal Stockholder exercises such right, the Management Stockholder and his
Permitted Transferees shall have the obligation to sell to the Company and/or
the Principal Stockholder, all (but not less than all) of the shares of
Restricted B Common Stock held by such Management Stockholder and his Permitted
Transferees (it being agreed that the number of shares of Restricted B Stock
subject to the Call for Breach shall be the maximum number of shares of
Restricted B Stock held by such Management Stockholder and his Permitted
Transferees during the 180-day period 

<PAGE>

                                                                          25

during which such Call for Breach may be exercised) at a price per share equal
to the lower of (i) $10 per share and (ii) the Repurchase Price.

              3.1.5  PROCEDURE.  The Company may exercise its rights pursuant
to this Section 3.1 by providing written notice to the relevant Management
Stockholder and the Principal Stockholder not later than 90 days after the
occurrence of the event which triggers the Company's rights under this
Section 3.1 (the "EVENT DATE"), provided, that the Company may exercise its
rights pursuant to this Section 3.1 for less than all of the shares subject to
such rights only with the prior written consent of the Principal Stockholder. 
Any portion of such Call Option not exercised within such 90-day period shall
expire with respect to the Company and be void and of no further force and
effect.  Provided that the Company (with the consent of the Principal
Stockholder) has not exercised its rights in full with respect to such relevant
Call Option under this Section 3.1, the Principal Stockholder shall exercise the
rights of the Company (with respect to that portion of the Call Option not
exercised by the Company) under this Section 3.1 on its own behalf by providing
written notice to the relevant Management Stockholder not later than 180 days
after the Event Date.

         3.2  CLOSING.  The closing of any purchase by the Company or the
Principal Stockholder under this Section 3 shall be held at the principal office
of the Company on the 30th day after the date on which a notice of exercise of a
Call Option is given hereunder or at such other time and place as the parties to
the transaction may agree upon.  At the closing of any purchase under this
Section 3, the applicable Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees shall
deliver certificates representing the shares of Restricted B Stock to be sold,
duly endorsed for transfer and accompanied by 

<PAGE>

                                                                          26

all requisite stock transfer taxes, and the Stockholder and his Permitted
Transferees shall represent and warrant that each is the beneficial owner of
such shares free and clear of any Encumbrances, with full authority and power to
transfer such shares.  At such closing, the parties shall execute and/or deliver
such additional documents as are otherwise reasonably necessary or appropriate
to consummate the transfers.

         3.3  TERMINATION OF CALL OPTIONS.  Upon the occurrence of a Change in
Control, any theretofore unexercised Call Options shall terminate and be of no
further force or effect.  Any shares of Common Stock Transferred in accordance
with the provisions of Section 2.4 (Tag-Along Right), Section 2.5 (Drag-Along
Right) or Section 2.6 (Transfers Following Initial Public Offering) (other than
to a Person who is a Management Stockholder on the date hereof or to any
Permitted Transferee of such Management Stockholder) shall no longer be subject
to the Call Options.

         Section 4.  REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  The Company hereby grants to the
Principal Stockholder, the Management Stockholders and each of their Permitted
Transferees, registration rights with respect to the Common Stock on the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

         Section 5.  CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OPTION PLAN.

         5.1  CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK.  If there is any change in the Common
Stock by way of stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
reclassification, merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or any
other means, then all appropriate adjustments to the provisions hereof shall be
made so that the rights and obligations of the parties hereto under this
Agreement shall continue, without enlargement or dilution, with respect to the
Common Stock as so changed.

<PAGE>

                                                                          27

         5.2  APPROVAL OF OPTION PLAN.  Each Stockholder (as of August 7, 1996)
hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Option Plan, and hereby approves
the adoption of the Option Plan by the Company in all respects.

         Section 6.  TRANSFEREES SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT.  Each Stockholder agrees
that it will not make any Transfer (including, without limitation, to a
Permitted Transferee but excluding a Transfer in a Public Sale) unless, prior to
the consummation of any such Transfer, the Person (other than any then current
Stockholder) to whom such Transfer will be made (a "PROSPECTIVE TRANSFEREE")
executes and delivers to the Company an agreement, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, whereby such Prospective Transferee
confirms that it shall be deemed to be a Stockholder for the purposes of, and
shall be subject to, this Agreement.

         Section 7.  LEGENDS.  

         7.1  Each certificate evidencing shares of Common Stock shall bear a
legend in substantially the following form:

    "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
    UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.  NO REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER
    OF SUCH SECURITIES WILL BE MADE ON THE BOOKS OF THE ISSUER UNLESS SUCH
    TRANSFER IS MADE PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH
    ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH
    ACT.  THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
    RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER, ALL AS SET FORTH IN A 

<PAGE>

                                                                          28

    STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL
    EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF THE ISSUER."

         7.2  Each certificate evidencing shares of Restricted A Stock shall
bear an additional legend in substantially the following form:

    "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE SHALL CONSTITUTE
    "RESTRICTED A STOCK," AS DEFINED IN AND GOVERNED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS
    AGREEMENT."

         7.3  Each certificate evidencing shares of Restricted B Stock shall
bear an additional legend in substantially the following form:

    "THE SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE SHALL CONSTITUTE
    "RESTRICTED B STOCK," AS DEFINED IN AND GOVERNED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS
    AGREEMENT, AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN REPURCHASE RIGHTS AS PROVIDED IN
    SUCH AGREEMENT."

         7.4  In the event that any shares of Common Stock shall cease to be
Restricted Shares, the Company shall, upon the written request of the holder
thereof, issue to such holder a new certificate evidencing such shares without
the first two sentences of the legend required by Section 7.1  In the event any
shares of Common Stock shall cease to be subject to the restrictions on transfer
and repurchase set forth in this Agreement, the Company shall, upon the written
request of the holder thereof, issue to such holder a new certificate evidencing
such shares without the third sentence of the legend required by Section 7.1 or
the legends required by Sections 7.2 and 7.3.

<PAGE>

                                                                          29

         Section 8.  MISCELLANEOUS.

         8.1  AMENDMENT.  This Agreement cannot be amended orally, but only by
an agreement in writing signed by the Company, the Principal Stockholder and the
holders of at least 50% of the shares of Common Stock held by all of the
Management Stockholders and their Permitted Transferees as a group, except that
the Company may amend Exhibit A of this Agreement to reflect changes made in
accordance with this Agreement.

         8.2  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

         8.3  EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be signed in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one instrument.

         8.4  NOTICES.  All communications provided for herein shall be in
writing and,

         (i)  if addressed to a Stockholder, shall be delivered or mailed or
telecopied to such Stockholder at its address specified on Exhibit A (or an
annex thereto, if such Stockholder shall have become a party hereto pursuant to
Section 6), or to such other address as such Stockholder shall have notified the
Company in writing, or

         (ii) if addressed to the Company, shall be delivered or mailed or
telecopied to it at Core-Mark International, Inc., 395 Oyster Point Boulevard,
Suite 415, South San Francisco, California 94060, Attention:  Gary L. Walsh,

<PAGE>

                                                                          30


Telecopy:  415-589-4010, with a copy to the Principal Stockholder, c/o Jupiter
Partners, L.P., 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 4525, New York, New York  10112,
Attention: John A. Sprague, Telecopy: (212) 332-2829, or to such other address
as the Company or the Principal Stockholder, as the case may be, shall have
notified all Stockholders in writing.  Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, any communication shall be deemed to have been given when delivered (if
delivered by hand or by reputable overnight courier service), in the case of
facsimile transmission, when telecopied with confirmation of transmission, or if
mailed, shall be deemed to have been given three days after having been so
mailed.

         8.5  ENTIRE AGREEMENT; HEADINGS; GENDER.  This Agreement (including
the Exhibits hereto) and the Agreements referred to herein embody the entire
agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede all prior agreements
and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.  The headings in and
date of this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or
otherwise affect the meaning hereof.  The term "ITS" is used in this Agreement
for convenience only and shall be deemed to include, where applicable, "HER OR
HIS," and vice versa.  Similarly, the pronoun "IT" when referring to a
Stockholder shall be deemed to include, where applicable, "HER OR SHE" or "HIM
OR HE," and vice versa.

         8.6  COPY OF AGREEMENT WITH COMPANY.  A counterpart of this Agreement
shall be filed with the Company at its principal office.

         8.7  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties recognize that the obligations
imposed on them in this Agreement are special, unique and of extraordinary
character, and that in the event of breach by any party, damages will be an
insufficient remedy; 

<PAGE>

                                                                          31

consequently, it is agreed that the parties hereto may have specific performance
(in addition to damages) as a remedy for the enforcement hereof, without proving
damages.  No party shall raise any argument as to the sufficiency of money
damages.

         8.8  ASSIGNMENT. Except as otherwise provided herein, the terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that this Agreement may not be assigned by the Company or any of the
Management Stockholders without the prior written consent of the Company, the
Principal  Stockholder and the holders of at least 50% of the shares of Common
Stock held by all of the Management Stockholders and their Permitted Transferees
as a group, except that (i) the Company may assign its rights herein to any
successor to all or substantially all of its assets (by merger or otherwise);
(ii) subject to Section 6 (Transferees Subject to Agreement), any Management
Stockholder may assign its rights under this Agreement to any Permitted
Transferee of its shares of Common Stock; and (iii) each Stockholder's rights
under the Registration Rights Agreement shall inure to the benefit of any holder
of Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement). 
Any purported assignment made in violation of this Agreement shall be void and
of no force and effect. 

         8.9  THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or
implied, is intended or shall confer upon anyone other than the parties hereto
(and their 

<PAGE>

                                                                          32

respective permitted successors and assigns) any right, benefit or remedy of any
nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

         8.10 CERTAIN TAX MATTERS.  The Company covenants and agrees that it
shall not claim a deduction for federal, state or local income tax purposes in
connection with the issuance of, the reduction of the Repurchase Percentage (as
set forth in Exhibit B) with respect to, or the disposition of, the shares of
Restricted A Stock and Restricted B Stock.


<PAGE>


              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunder signed
their names or have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their officers
thereunder duly authorized as of the date first above written.

                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                       By:/s/Gary L. Walsh
                                          -----------------------------
                                            Authorized Officer


                                       STOCKHOLDERS:

                                       /s/Robert A. Allen
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Robert A. Allen


                                       /s/Leo Granucci
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Leo Granucci


                                       /s/Leo F. Korman
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Leo F. Korman



                                       /s/Basil P. Prokop
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Basil P. Prokop


                                       /s/Gary L. Walsh
                                       -----------------------------
                                       Gary L. Walsh



                                       /s/J. Michael Walsh
                                       -----------------------------
                                       J. Michael Walsh

<PAGE>


                                       JUPITER PARTNERS, L.P.

                                       By:  Ganymede, L.P., its General Partner

                                       By:  Europa, L.P., its General Partner


                                       By:/s/Illegible
                                       -----------------------------
                                            General Partner

<PAGE>


                                                                     EXHIBIT A


                                       PARTIES
                                       --------

                                  NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES 
I.STOCKHOLDERS:                   OWNED AS OF DATE HEREOF:

Name and Address
- ----------------
Jupiter Partners, L.P.                   4,125,000




II. MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS:      Restricted          Restricted
                                  A Stock             B Stock
                                  ---------           -----------
    NAME

    Gary L. Walsh                 137,500             206,251

    Robert A. Allen               112,750             169,125

    Leo F. Korman                  85,250             127,875

    J. Michael Walsh               85,250             127,875

    Basil P. Prokop                66,000              98,999

    Leo Granucci                   63,250              94,875
                                  -------             -------

                                  550,000             825,000
                                  ---------------------------

                                            1,375,000
<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT B


                                REPURCHASE PERCENTAGES

    Anniversary from 
    Date of Agreement                            Repurchase Percentage
    -----------------                            ---------------------

On or before 1st Anniversary                               100%
 
Between 1st and on or before                               100%
2nd Anniversary              

Between 2nd and on or before                               100%
3rd Anniversary              

Between 3rd and on or before                               66 2/3%
4th Anniversary    

Between 4th and on or before                               33 1/3% 
5th Anniversary

On or After 5th Anniversary                                0%


<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT C




                        FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

<PAGE>

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

                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                                 by and among

                         CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                    and

                     ALL OF THE HOLDERS OF ITS COMMON STOCK




                          Dated as of August 7, 1996

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

<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----

1.  Demand Registrations ...............................................     1

2.  Piggy-back Registration ............................................     6

3.  Registration Procedures ............................................     8

4.  Preparation; Reasonable Investigation ..............................    14

5.  Rule 144 ...........................................................    15

6.  Hold-Back ..........................................................    16

7.  Indemnification ....................................................    16

8.  Participation in Underwritten Registration .........................    18

9.  Registration Rights to Others ......................................    19

10. Definitions ........................................................    19

<PAGE>

     REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of August 7 1996, by and among 
CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and 
each of the other parties signatory hereto who own Common Stock of the 
Company and are parties to that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of 
the date hereof, among the Company and all of the holders of the Common Stock 
of the Company (the "STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT"). Capitalized terms used herein 
and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in Section 10.

     The parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.  DEMAND REGISTRATIONS.

         (a)  REQUEST.  Jupiter shall have the right from time to time to 
make up six written requests that the Company, subject to the provisions of 
Sections 1(e) and (f), effect the registration under the 1933 Act of all or 
any part of its Registrable Securities. Registrations requested pursuant to 
this Section 1(a) are referred to herein as "DEMAND REGISTRATIONS." Each 
request for a Demand Registration shall specify the number of Registrable 
Securities requested to be registered. Within 10 days after receipt of any 
such request, the Company shall give written notice of the Demand 
Registration to all other holders of Registrable Securities (such holders, 
together with Jupiter, are referred to in this Section 1 as the ""SELLING 
HOLDERS") and shall, subject to Section 1(e), include in such registration 
all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received 
written requests for inclusion therein within 15 days after the giving of the 
Company's notice; PROVIDED, that the Company shall not be required to 
include in such registration any Registrable Securities held by a Management 
Stockholder or any of his Permitted

<PAGE>

                                                                              2

Transferees in excess of the Proportional Amount (as defined below). The term 
"PROPORTIONAL AMOUNT," as of any date, shall mean an aggregate number of 
shares of Common Stock equal to (A) the product of (i) the total number of 
shares of Registrable Securities held by such Management Stockholder and his 
Permitted Transferees as of the date hereof (or, if such Management 
Stockholder and his Permitted Transferees as a group have acquired additional 
Registrable Securities after the date hereof in a manner that was not in 
violation of the Stockholders Agreement, such greater number) multiplied by 
(ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the aggregate number of 
shares of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such 
registration by Jupiter and the denominator of which shall be the total 
number of shares of Registrable Securities held by Jupiter as of the date 
hereof (or, if Jupiter has acquired additional Registrable Securities after 
the date hereof in a manner that was not in violation of the Stockholders 
Agreement, such greater number), minus (B) the total number of shares of 
Restricted A Stock transferred by such Management Stockholder prior to the 
date of such registration. For purposes of the foregoing definition, there 
shall be included in the number of shares of Registrable Securities all 
shares of Common Stock, including shares that, as of the date of 
determination, are capable of being exercised in accordance with the terms of 
the Option Plan and are "in-the-money," but, until the fifth anniversary of 
the date hereof, shall not include any Call Shares.


         (b)  REGISTRATION STATEMENT FORM.  Registrations under this Section 
1 shall be on such appropriate registration form of the Commission as shall 
be reasonably selected by the Company.

<PAGE>

                                                                              3

         (c)  EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT.  A registration requested 
pursuant to this Section 1 shall not be deemed to have been effected (i) 
unless a registration statement with respect thereto has become effective and 
remained effective in compliance with the provisions of the 1933 Act with 
respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such 
registration statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities 
have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition 
by the Selling Holders set forth in such registration statement (unless the 
failure to so dispose of such Registrable Securities shall be caused solely 
by reason of a failure on the part of the Selling Holders); PROVIDED that 
such period need not exceed 180 days, (ii) if after it has become effective, 
such registration is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or other 
order or requirement of the Commission or other governmental agency or court 
for any reason not primarily attributable to the Selling Holders and has not 
thereafter again become effective, or (iii) if the conditions to closing 
specified in the underwriting agreement, if any, entered into in connection 
with such registration are not satisfied or waived, other than primarily by 
reason of a failure on the part of the Selling Holders.

         (d)  SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS.  If the Company or Jupiter desires 
to engage an underwriter or underwriters with respect to an offering of the 
Registrable Securities so to be registered, such underwriter shall be 
selected by Jupiter and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

         (e)  PRIORITY IN DEMAND REGISTRATION.  If the managing underwriter 
of any underwritten offering shall advise the Company (and the Company


<PAGE>

                                                                              4

shall so advise each Selling Holder of such advice) that, in its opinion, the 
securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number 
which can successfully be sold in such offering within a price range 
acceptable to Jupiter, then the Company will include in such registration, to 
the extent of the Registrable Securities which the Company is so advised can 
be sold in such offering, FIRST, all securities proposed to be registered by 
Jupiter and, SECOND, to the extent additional shares of Common Stock may be 
included is such offering, all other shares proposed to be registered, pro 
rata among the other Selling Holders of Registrable Securities participating 
in such registration (relative to the number of Registrable Securities 
originally requested to be registered by such Selling Holders) and the 
Company (subject, in the case of any Management Stockholder or his Permitted 
Transferees, to the Proportional Amount limitation); PROVIDED that if the 
number of Registrable Securities that such managing underwriter advises can 
be sold in such offering is less than 75% of all the Registrable Securities 
the Jupiter had requested be included, Jupiter may withdraw its written 
request made pursuant to Section 1(a) (Demand Registration) and such written 
request will not be considered a request for registration for the purposes of 
Section 1(a).

          (f)  LIMITATIONS ON DEMAND REGISTRATIONS.  Notwithstanding anything 
in this Section I to the contrary, (i) in no event will the Company be 
required to effect more than six registrations pursuant to this Section I 
upon the request of Jupiter and (ii) the Company shall not be required to 
effect more than one Demand Registration in any six-month period or within 90 
days after a previous offering of the Common Stock registered under the 1933 
Act.

<PAGE>

                                                                              5

          (g)  COMPANY DELAY.  Notwithstanding herein to the contrary, if 
after Jupiter has given a written request under Section 1(a) (Demand 
Registration), and prior to the effective date of the registration statement 
filed in connection with such registration, the Board of Directors of the 
Company shall determine in its good faith judgement that the filing of such 
registration statement would be undesirable and would interfere with any 
material financing, investment, acquisition or merger transaction then under 
consideration or would reasonably in the judgement of the Board of Directors 
of the Company adversely affect the interests of the Company and its 
Stockholders, the Company may decide to delay the registration of such 
Registrable Securities, and if the Board of Directors of the Company makes 
such determination, the Company shall give written notice of such 
determination to each Selling Holder. Such delay shall be for the period the 
Company determines on the basis provided above in good faith is necessary or 
desirable, but in no event greater than six months. The Company shall notify 
Jupiter of the expiration of the period of delay. Following such delay, the 
Company shall promptly cause the Registrable Securities to be registered 
unless, within 15 days of receipt of notice from the Company, Jupiter 
withdraws its written request made pursuant to Section 1 (Demand 
Registration), in which case, such written request will not be considered a 
request for registration for the purposes of Section 1 (Demand Registration) 
or 2 (Piggy-back Registration).

          (h)  EXPENSES.  The Company will pay all Registration Expenses 
(excluding any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the

<PAGE>

                                                                              6

Registrable Securities) in connection with any registration requested 
pursuant to this Section 1.

      2.  PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION.

          (a)  RIGHT TO INCLUDE REGISTRABLE SECURITIES.  If the Company 
proposes to register any of its Common Stock under the 1933 Act by 
registration on any form other than Forms S-4 or S-8 (or any successor rule) 
for sale for its own account, it will each such time give prompt written 
notice to all holders of Registrable Securities of its intention to do so and 
of such holders' rights under this Section 2 prior to the proposed 
registration. Upon the written request of any such holder (a "REQUESTING 
HOLDER") made as promptly as practicable and in any event within 15 days 
after the receipt of any such notice (which request shall specify the 
Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Requesting Holder), 
the Company will file a registration statement with respect to, and use all 
reasonable efforts to make effective at the earliest possible date, the 
registration under the 1933 Act, subject to Section 2(b), of all Registrable 
Securities which the Company has been so requested to register (PROVIDED that 
the Company shall not be required to include in such registration any 
Registrable Securities held by any Management Stockholder or his Permitted 
Transferees in excess of the Proportional Amount) by the Requesting Holders 
thereof (each, a "PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if, at 
any time after giving written notice of its intention to register any 
securities and prior to the effective date of the registration statement 
filed in connection with such registration, the Company shall determine for 
any reason not to register or to delay registration of such securities, the 
Company may, at its election, give written notice

<PAGE>

                                                                              7

of such determination to each Requesting Holder of Registrable Securities and 
(i) in the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its 
obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such 
registration (but not from any obligation of the Company to pay the 
Registration Expenses in connection therewith), without prejudice, however, 
to the rights of any holder or holders of Registrable Securities entitled to 
cause such registration to be effected as a registration under Section 1 
(Demand Registration), and (ii) in the case of a determination to delay 
registering, shall be permitted to delay registering any Registrable 
Securities for the same period as the delay in registering such other 
securities. No registration effected under this Section 2 shall receive the 
Company of its obligation to effect any Demand Registration under Section 1.

          (b)  PRIORITY IN PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATION.  If the managing 
underwriter of any underwritten offering shall inform the Company that the 
Registrable Securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds 
the number which can successfully be sold in such offering within a price 
range acceptable to the Company, and the Company has so advised the 
Requesting Holders in writing, then the Company will include in such 
registration, to the extent of the Registrable Securities and other shares of 
Common Stock which the Company is so advised can be sold in such offering, 
FIRST, all securities proposed to be registered by the Company for its own 
account, SECOND, to the extent additional shares of Common Stock may be 
registered in such offering, all of the Registrable Securities requested to 
be registered by Jupiter, and THIRD, to the extent additional shares of 
Common Stock may be registered in such offering, all other shares of 
Registrable Securities proposed

<PAGE>

                                                                              8

to be registered, pro rata (subject, in the case of any Management 
Stockholder or his Permitted Transferees, to the Proportional Amount 
limitation). In connection with any registration as to which this Section 
2(b) applies, the Requesting Holders shall have the right, upon written 
notice to the Company within 10 days of receipt of notice from the Company, 
to withdraw from such registration the Registrable Securities requested to be 
registered by such Requesting Holders.

          (c)  EXPENSES.  The Company will pay all Registration Expenses 
(excluding any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the 
Registrable Securities) in connection with any registration effected pursuant 
to this Section 2.

      3.  REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.  If and whenever the Company is required 
to use its reasonable efforts to make effective the registration of any 
Registrable Securities under the 1933 Act as provided in Sections 1 (Demand 
Registration) and 2 (Piggy-back Registration), the Company will, as 
expeditiously as possible.

          (a)  prepare and (within 90 days after the date a request for 
registration is given to the Company but in any event as soon thereafter as 
practicable) file with the Commission the requisite registration statement to 
effect such registration and thereafter use all reasonable efforts to cause 
such registration statement to become effective;

          (b)  prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and 
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in 
connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement 
effective and to


<PAGE>
                                                                              9

comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of 
the Commission thereunder with respect to the disposition of all Registrable 
Securities covered by such registration statement, and furnish to each seller 
of Registrable Securities, prior to the filing thereof draft copies of any 
amendment or supplement to such registration statement or prospectus;

          (c)  furnish to each seller of Registrable Securities covered by 
such registration statement, such number of conformed copies of such 
registration statement and of each such amendment and supplement thereto (in 
each case including all exhibits), such number of copies of the prospectus 
contained in such registration statement (including each preliminary 
prospectus and any summary prospectus) and any other prospectus filed under 
Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, and in each case, each amendment or supplement 
thereto, in conformity with the requirements of the 1933 Act, such documents, 
if any, incorporated by reference in such registration statement or 
prospectus, and such other documents, as such seller may reasonably request;

          (d)  use all reasonable efforts (i) to register or qualify all 
Registrable Securities and other securities covered by such registration 
statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such states of the 
United States of America where an exemption is not available and as the 
sellers of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement 
shall reasonably request, (ii) to keep such registration or qualification in 
effect for so long as such registration statement remains in effect, and 
(iii) to take any other action which may be reasonably necessary or advisable 
to enable such sellers to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of 
the securities to be sold by such sellers, except that the Company shall

<PAGE>
                                                                             10


not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do business as a 
foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not but for the 
requirements of this Section 3(d) be obligated to be so qualified or to 
consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction or to subject 
itself to taxation in such jurisdiction;

          (e)  use all reasonable efforts to cause all Registrable Securities 
covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by 
such other federal or state governmental agencies or authorities as may be 
necessary in the opinion of counsel to the Company or counsel to the seller 
or sellers of Registrable Securities to enable the seller or sellers thereof 
to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

          (f)  furnish at the effective date of such registration statement 
to each seller of Registrable Securities and each such seller's underwriters, 
if any, a signed counterpart of an opinion of counsel for the Company, 
addressed to such seller and underwriters, if any, dated the effective date 
of such registration statement and, if applicable, the date of the closing 
under the underwriting agreement, covering substantially the same matters 
with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included 
therein) as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer's counsel delivered 
to the underwriters in underwritten public offerings of securities and such 
other legal matters as the underwriters may reasonably request;

          (g)  promptly notify each seller of Registrable Securities covered 
by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto 
is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, upon discovery that, or upon 
the happening of any event as a result of which, the prospectus included in 
such registra-

<PAGE>

                                                                             11

tion statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material 
fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or 
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in the light of the 
circumstances under which they were made, and promptly prepare and, at the 
request of any such seller, furnish to it a reasonable number of copies of 
drafts and final forms of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus 
as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of 
such securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement 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 in the light of 
the circumstances under which they were made;

          (h)  otherwise use all reasonable efforts to comply with all 
applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally 
available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an 
earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months, but not more 
than 18 months, beginning with the first full calendar month after the 
effective date of such registration statement, which earnings statement shall 
satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and Rule 158 
promulgated thereunder, and promptly furnish to each such seller of 
Registrable Securities a copy of any amendment or supplement to such 
registration statement or prospectus;

         (i)  provide and cause to be maintained a transfer agent and 
registrar (which, in each case, may be the Company) for all Registrable 
Securities covered by such registration statement from and after a date not 
later than the effective date of such registration;

<PAGE>
                                                                             12

          (j)  use all reasonable efforts to list all Registrable Securities 
covered by such registration statement on any national securities exchange on 
which Registrable Securities of the same class covered by such registration 
statement are then listed (or, if other shares of Registrable Securities are 
so qualified, qualify them for inclusion in the National Association of 
Securities Dealers Automated Quotations National Market System, as the case 
may be);

          (k)  enter into such customary agreements (including an 
underwriting agreement in customary form, including customary provisions 
concerning indemnification of the underwriters by the Company) and take such 
other actions as the sellers of Registrable Securities and the underwriters, 
if any, reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition 
of such Registrable Securities;

          (l)  obtain a "cold comfort" letter or letters from the Company's 
independent public accountants in customary form and covering matters of 
the type customarily covered by "cold comfort" letters as the underwriters 
may reasonably request;

          (m)  notify each seller of Registrable Securities and the managing 
underwriter or agent, immediately, and confirm the notice in writing (i) when 
the registration statement, or any post-effective amendment to the 
registration statement, shall have become effective, or any supplement to the 
prospectus or any amendment to the prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of 
the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request of the 
Commission to amend the registration statement or amend or supplement the 
prospectus or for additional information, and (iv) of the issuance by the 
Commission of any stop order suspending the

<PAGE>

                                                                             13

effectiveness of the registration statement or of any order preventing or 
suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the 
qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or 
of the institution or threatening of any proceedings for any such purposes;

         (n)  use all reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any 
order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement at the 
earliest possible time;

         (o)  cooperate with the sellers of Registrable Securities and the 
managing underwriter or agent, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation 
and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) 
representing Registrable Securities to be sold, and enable such Registrable 
Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as such 
sellers or the managing underwriter or agent, if any, may reasonably request;

         (p)  cause its subsidiaries and affiliates to take all action 
necessary or advisable to effect the registration of the Registrable 
Securities contemplated hereby, including preparing and filing any required 
financial information;

         (q)  make its officers and employees available to participate in 
presentations to potential purchasers of Registrable Securities; and

         (r)  use all reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary or 
advisable to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities 
contemplated hereby.

<PAGE>

                                                                             14

     The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to 
which any registration is being effected to furnish the Company such 
information regarding such seller and the distribution of such securities as 
the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

     Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees by acquisition of such 
Registrable Securities that, upon receipt of any written notice from the 
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g) 
(Company Delay), such holder will forthwith discontinue such holder's 
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement 
relating to such Registrable Securities until such holder's receipt of the 
copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 
3(g) and, if so directed by the Company, will deliver to the Company (at the 
Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in 
such holder's possession of the prospectus relating to such Registrable 
Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.

     4.  PREPARATION; REASONABLE INVESTIGATION.  In connection with the 
preparation and filing of each registration statement under the 1933 Act 
pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will give the holders of Registrable 
Securities registered under such registration statement, the underwriters, if 
any, and their respective counsel and accountants, the timely opportunity to 
participate in the preparation of such registration statement, each 
prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission, and each amendment 
thereof or supplement thereto, and will give each of them such access to its 
books and records and such opportunities to discuss the business of the 
Company with its officers and the independent public

<PAGE>

                                                                             15

accountants who have certified its financial statements as shall be 
reasonably necessary or advisable, in the opinion of such holders and such 
underwriters' respective counsel, to conduct appropriate due diligence as 
contemplated by the 1933 Act.

     5.  RULE 144.  So long as the Common Stock shall be registered pursuant 
to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"), the Company will file the reports required to 
be filed by it under the Exchange Act and will take such further action as 
Jupiter or the Management Stockholders, as the case may be, may reasonably 
request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable Jupiter and 
the Management Stockholders to sell Registrable Securities (to the extent 
permitted by the Stockholders Agreement) without registration under the 1933 
Act under the exemptions provided by Rule 144, as such rule may be amended 
from time to time ("RULE 144"), or any similar rule or regulation hereafter 
adopted by the Commission. Upon the request of Jupiter or such Management 
Stockholder, as the case may be, a written statement as to whether it has 
complied with such requirements and, if it has not so complied, stating that 
it will promptly do so.

     6.  HOLD-BACK.  Each of the Company and each Stockholder holding 
Registrable Securities, whether or not included in a registration statement 
hereunder, agrees not to effect any public sale or distribution of shares of 
Common Stock during the period specified by the managing underwriter or 
underwriters if the underwritten offer being made pursuant to such 
registration statement (which period shall not

<PAGE>

                                                                             16

exceed seven days prior to and 180 days following the effective date of such 
registration statement), except as part of such registration, if and to the 
extent reasonably requested by such managing underwriter or underwriters.

     7.  INDEMNIFICATION.

         (a)  The Company agrees to indemnify, to the fullest extent 
permitted by law, each holder of Registrable Securities, its partners, 
officers and directors, agents and each person who controls such holder 
(within the meaning of the 1933 Act) against all losses, claims, damages, 
liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue 
statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement, 
prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement 
thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be 
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, 
except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information 
furnished in writing to the Company by such holder expressly for use therein 
by such holder's failure to deliver a copy of the prospectus or any 
amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such holder 
with a sufficient number of copies of the same. In connection with an 
underwritten offering, the Company shall indemnify such underwriters, their 
officers and directors and each person who controls such underwriters (within 
the meaning of the 1933 Act) to the same extent as provided above with 
respect to the indemnification of the holders of Registrable Securities.

         (b)  In connection with any registration statement in which a holder 
of Registrable Securities is participating, each such holder shall furnish to 
the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company may 
reasonably

<PAGE>

                                                                             17

requests for use in connection with any such registration statement or 
prospectus and, to the extent premitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, 
its directors, officers and agents and each person who controls the Company 
(within the meaning of the 1933 Act) against any losses, claims, damages, 
liabilities and expenses resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue 
statement of material fact contained in the registration statement, 
prospectus or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof of or 
supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact 
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not 
misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is 
contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such 
holder; PROVIDED, that the obligation to indemnify shall be individual to 
each holder and shall be limited to the net amount of proceeds received by 
such holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such 
registration statement.

         (c)  Any person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall (i) give 
prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to 
which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt 
notice shall not impair any person's right to indemnification hereunder to 
the extent such failure has not prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) 
unless in such indemnified party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest 
between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to 
such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such 
claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such 
defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any 
liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its 
consent (but

<PAGE>

                                                                             18

such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who 
is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not 
be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (and such 
local counsel as may be necessary) for all parties indemnified by such 
indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable 
judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between 
such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect 
to such claim.

         (d)  The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall 
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on 
behalf of the indemnified party or any partner, officer, director or 
controlling person of such indemnified party and shall not survive the 
transfer of securities. The Company also agrees to make such provisions, as 
are reasonably requested by any indemnified party, for contribution to such 
party on the event the Company's indemnification is unavailable for any 
reason.

     8.  PARTICIPATION IN UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS.  Notwithstanding the 
provisions of Sections 1 (Demand Registration) and 2 (Piggy-Back 
Registration), no person may participate in any registration hereunder which 
is underwritten unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person's 
securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by 
the person or persons entitled to hereunder to approve such arrangements and 
(ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, 
indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents required under the 
terms of such underwriting arrangements; PROVIDED that no holder of 
Registrable Securities included in any underwriting registration shall be 
required to make any



<PAGE>

                                                                             19

representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters other than 
representations and warranties regarding such holder and such holder's 
intended method of distribution.

      9.  REGISTRATION RIGHTS TO OTHERS.  If the Company shall at any time 
after the date hereof provide to any holder of any securities of the Company 
rights with respect to the registration of such securities under the 1933 
Act, such rights shall not be in conflict with the rights provided to the 
holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement.

      10.  DEFINITIONS.  As used in this Agreement, unless the context 
otherwise requires, the following terms have the following respective 
meanings:

      "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

      "CALL SHARES" shall have the meaning specified in the Stockholders 
Agreement.

      "COMMISSION" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any 
other federal agency at the time administering the 1933 Act.

      "COMMON STOCK" shall mean the authorized common stock of the Company, 
par value $.01 per share.

      "IN-THE-MONEY" shall have the meaning specified in the Stockholders 
Agreement.

      "JUPITER" shall mean the Principal Stockholder, as defined in the 
Stockholders Agreement.

      "MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS" shall have the meaning specified in the 
Stockholders Agreement.

<PAGE>
                                                                             20

      "1933 ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

      "PROPORTIONAL AMOUNT" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1(a).

      "PERMITTED TRANSFEREES" shall have the meaning specified in the 
Stockholders Agreement.

      "PERSON" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation, limited 
liability company, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated 
association, joint venture, joint stock company, government (or an agency or 
political subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

      "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" shall mean any shares of Common Stock issued 
or issuable to any of Jupiter, the Management Stockholders or any of their 
transferees (but only if such transfer was made in compliance with the terms 
of the Stockholders Agreement and such transferee became a party to the 
Stockholders Agreement), but with respect to any particular share of Common 
Stock, only until such time as such share (i) has been effectively registered 
under the 1933 Act and disposed of in accordance with the registration 
statement covering it, (ii) has been sold to the public pursuant to Rule 144 
(or any similar provision then in effect) under the 1933 Act, or (iii) has 
ceased to be outstanding; PROVIDED that any shares of Common Stock issued or 
issuable to a Management Stockholder whose employment with the Company and/or 
any of its subsidiaries has terminated shall only be deemed to be Registrable 
Securities hereunder if such employment was terminated Without Cause.

<PAGE>
                                                                             21

      "REGISTRATION EXPENSES" means all expenses incident to the Company's
performance of or compliance with Sections 1 (Demand Registration), 2 
(Piggy-back Registration) or 3 (Registration Procedures), including, without 
limitation, all registration and filing fees, all fees of the New York Stock 
Exchange, Inc., other national securities exchanges or the National 
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., all fees and expenses of complying 
with federal securities or blue sky laws, all word processing, duplicating 
and printing expenses (including expenses of printing prospectuses and of 
certificates for the Registrable Securities), messenger and delivery 
expenses, the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its 
independent public accountants, including the expenses of "cold comfort" 
letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance, any fees 
and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or sellers of 
securities (excluding any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect 
to the Registrable Securities), any fees and expenses associated with any 
road show, and the fees and expenses of one counsel to the Selling Holders or 
the Requesting Holders, as applicable (selected by Selling Holders or the 
Requesting Holders, as applicable, representing at least 50% of the 
Registrable Securities covered by such registration).

      "STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning specified in the 
introductory paragraph hereto and shall mean the Stockholders Agreement as in 
effect on the date hereof.

      "WITHOUT CAUSE" with respect to a Management Stockholder, shall mean 
the termination of such Management Stockholder's employment with the Company 
or any of its subsidiaries for any reason (including due to death, Disability

<PAGE>
                                                                             22

or for Good Reason (as such terms are defined in the Stockholders 
Agreement)), other than a termination for Cause (as defined in the 
Stockholders Agreement).

<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the 
date first written above.

                                    CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                    By: __________________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

                                    JUPITER PARTNERS L.P.

                                    By: GANYMEDE L.P., its
                                          General Partner

                                    By: EUROPA L.P., its
                                          General Partner

                                        By:_______________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title: General Partner

                                    MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDERS:

                                    ______________________________________
                                    Robert A. Allen

                                    ______________________________________
                                    Leo Granucci

                                    ______________________________________
                                    Leo F. Korman

                                    ______________________________________
                                    Basil P. Prokop

                                    ______________________________________
                                    Gary L. Walsh

                                    ______________________________________
                                    J. Michael Walsh


<PAGE>

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

                       SEVERANCE AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT




                                    by and between




                            CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.



                                         and




                                    GARY L. WALSH





                              Dated as of August 7, 1996


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                            PAGE


1.  Severance...............................................................  2

2.  Acknowledgments.........................................................  2

3.  Non-Competition.........................................................  3

4.  Confidential Information................................................  5

5.  Employees of the Company................................................  5

6.  Consultants of the Company, Etc.........................................  6

7.  Rights and Remedies Upon Breach.........................................  6

8.  Severability of Covenants...............................................  7

9.  Blue Pencilling.........................................................  8

10. Enforceability in Jurisdictions.........................................  8

11. Amendment and Modification..............................................  8

12. Notices.................................................................  8

13. Assignment..............................................................  9

14. Governing Law........................................................... 10

15. Counterparts............................................................ 10

16. Entire Agreement........................................................ 10

<PAGE>
                       SEVERANCE AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT


         SEVERANCE AND NON-COMPETITION AGREEMENT, dated as of August 7, 1996,
by and between Gary L. Walsh (the "MANAGEMENT STOCKHOLDER") and CORE-MARK
INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY").

         WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, Jupiter
Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("JUPITER"), is acquiring from the
Company a majority of the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company
(the "COMMON STOCK") in a transaction in which the Management Stockholder is
reducing his indirect interest in the Company in exchange for significant
proceeds;

         WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the
Company and all of the holders of its Common Stock, including the Management
Stockholder, are entering into a Stockholders Agreement (the "STOCKHOLDERS
AGREEMENT");

         WHEREAS, in order to induce the Management Stockholder to continue to
serve as a key employee of the Company, the Company is willing to provide
severance compensation to the Management Stockholder to the extent provided
herein; and

         WHEREAS,  as a condition to Jupiter's obligation to acquire a majority
interest in the Company pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, thus resulting
in significant proceeds to the Management Stockholder, the Management
Stockholder has agreed to certain non-competition arrangements as provided
herein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
<PAGE>

                                                                             2


         1.   SEVERANCE.  If the Management Stockholder's employment by the
Company and its subsidiaries is terminated (a) by the Company, other than for
Cause (as defined in Section 3) or (b) due to the resignation of the Management
Stockholder for Good Reason (as defined below), the Company may, in its sole
discretion, continue to pay to the Management Stockholder, for a period of up to
one year following such termination, the Management Stockholder's base salary as
in effect at the effective date of such termination, less such deductions or
amounts to be withheld as required by applicable law and regulations (the
"SEVERANCE").  As used in this Agreement, "GOOD REASON" means (i) a reduction of
such Management Stockholder's base salary payable during any fiscal year by the
Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the failure of the Company to pay such
Management Stockholder his base salary or any of his benefits to which he is
entitled to be paid during any fiscal year, if such failure is not cured within
ten days thereof, or (iii) a relocation of such Management Stockholder's
principal base of operation to any location other than a location within 50
miles of San Francisco during the term of such Management Stockholder's
employment with the Company.

         2.   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.  The Management Stockholder hereby acknowledges
that the agreements and covenants contained in Section 3 (Non-Competition),
Section 4 (Confidential Information), Section 5 (Employees of the Company),
Section 6 (Consultants of the Company), and Section 7 (Rights and Remedies Upon
Breach) of this Agreement are essential to protect the business and goodwill of
the Company.  As used in Sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Agreement, the term
"COMPANY" shall be deemed to include the Company and its subsidiaries.
<PAGE>

                                                                             3


         3.   NON-COMPETITION.  During (A) the period the Management
Stockholder is an employee of the Company (the "EMPLOYMENT PERIOD") and (B)
provided that the Company has become bound to provide, and for so long as the
Company shall pay, the Severance to such Management Stockholder, for a period of
one year thereafter, if the Management Stockholder's employment with the Company
is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined below) or terminates as a
result of his resignation other than a resignation for Good Reason, the
Management Stockholder agrees that he shall not in the United States of America
or Canada, or any other geographic region in which the Company is doing business
at the time of such termination, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in any
activities that compete, directly or indirectly, with the Company for the
Management Stockholder's own account; (ii) enter the employ of, or render any
services to, any person engaged, directly or indirectly, in such activities in
any capacity that involves engaging, directly or indirectly, in activities that
compete, directly or indirectly, with the Company; or (iii) acquire an active
interest in any person engaged in such activities, directly or indirectly, as an
individual, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, employee,
trustee, consultant or in any other relationship or capacity; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the Management Stockholder may own, directly or indirectly, solely as an
investment, securities of any person which are traded on any national securities
exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System or NASDAQ National List
if the Management Stockholder is not a controlling person of, or a member of a
group which controls, such person, and does not, directly or indirectly, own
more than 1% of any class of securities of such person.
<PAGE>

                                                                             4


For purposes of this Agreement, "CAUSE" shall mean (a) a reasonable, good faith
determination by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "BOARD") that the
Management Stockholder has, in any material respect, willfully failed to follow
any of the Company's written policies or any written directives of the Board
(other than by reason of a resignation for Good Reason) and, if such failure is
susceptible of being cured as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith,
the failure of the Management Stockholder to cure such failure within 10 days of
receiving written notice (stating with specificity the nature of such failure)
from the Board; or (b) any act of gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud or
personal dishonesty by the Management Stockholder involving the assets of the
Company or any of its affiliates resulting in economic or reputational harm to
the Company, or (c) the conviction of, or a plea of guilty or NOLO CONTENDERE by
the Management Stockholder to, a charge of any crime involving moral turpitude
or a felony; or (d) the breach by the Management Stockholder in any material
respect of any contract or other agreement between the Company or any of its
affiliates and such Management Stockholder and, if such breach is susceptible of
being cured as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith, the failure of
the Management Stockholder to cure such breach within 10 days after receiving
written notice (stating with specificity the nature of such failure) from the
Board.  A termination for Cause shall be deemed to have occurred if the
Management Stockholder resigns from his employment with the Company after
committing any act which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute
an event of Cause under the foregoing definition.
<PAGE>

                                                                             5


         4.   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.  During and following the Employment
Period, the Management Stockholder agrees that (except as required by law or in
any action or proceeding) he shall keep secret and retain in strictest
confidence, and shall not disclose to others, all confidential information
relating to the Company or learned by the Management Stockholder, directly or
indirectly, from the Company or as a result of his duties with respect to the
Company, and shall not disclose them to anyone, except with the Company's prior
written consent except for information (i) which is or becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by any person in
violation of any confidentiality agreement, (ii) available to the Management
Stockholder on a non-confidential basis from a source outside of the Company,
which source to the knowledge of the Management Stockholder is not and was not
prohibited from disclosing such information to the Management Stockholder by a
contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation, (iii) rightfully known to the
Management Stockholder outside of the scope of his employment by the Company
without any limitation on use or disclosure prior to receipt thereof from the
Company or (iv) generally made available to third parties without restrictions
on disclosure.

         5.   EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY.  During the Employment Period and for
one year thereafter, the Management Stockholder shall not, directly or
indirectly, hire, solicit or encourage to leave the employment of the Company,
any director, officer or employee of the Company, or hire any such person who
has left the employment of the Company within one year of the expiration of the
Employment Period.
<PAGE>

                                                                              6


         6.   CONSULTANTS OF THE COMPANY, ETC.  During the Employment Period
and for one year thereafter, the Management Stockholder shall not, directly or
indirectly, hire, solicit or encourage to cease to work with the Company any
consultant then under contract with the Company or any then supplier or customer
of the Company, except that such a consultant may be hired and supplier or
customer dealt with in connection with a business which does not engage in any
activities which are competitive with the Company.

         7.   RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UPON BREACH.  If the Management Stockholder
breaches, in any material respect, any of the provisions of Section 3 (Non-
Competition), Section 4 (Confidential Information), Section 5 (Employees of the
Company) or Section 6 (Consultants of the Company Etc.) of this Agreement
(collectively, the "RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS") and, if such failure is susceptible
of being cured as reasonably determined by the Board in good faith, the
Management Stockholder fails to cure such breach within 10 days of receiving
written notice (stating with specificity the nature of such breach) from the
Company, then the Company shall have the following rights and remedies, each of
which shall be independent of the other and severally enforceable, and all of
which rights and remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other
rights and remedies available to the Company under law or in equity:

              (a)  SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The right and remedy to have the
Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court having equity
jurisdiction, it
<PAGE>

                                                                              7


being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach will cause irreparable injury
to the Company and that money damages will not provide adequate remedy to the
Company;

              (b)  BENEFITS.  The right and remedy to require the Management
Stockholder to account for and pay over to the Company all compensation,
profits, monies, accruals, increments or other benefits (collectively,
"BENEFITS") derived or received by the Management Stockholder during the period
of his breach of any of the Restrictive Covenants, as the result of any
transactions constituting a breach of any of the Restrictive Covenants, and the
Management Stockholder shall account for and pay over such Benefits to the
Company;

              (c)  CANCELLATION OF SEVERANCE.  The right to terminate all or
part of the Management Stockholder's rights to Severance under Section 1;

              (d)  CANCELLATION OF OPTIONS.  The right to terminate the
Management Stockholder's rights (if any) under the Company's Stock Option Plan
with respect to any options, whether or not then vested; and

              (e)  CALL OPTION.  The right to purchase Common Stock held by the
Management Stockholder or his permitted transferees thereof as provided in
Section 3.1.4 of the Stockholders Agreement.

         8.   SEVERABILITY OF COVENANTS.  If any court determines that any of
the Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is invalid or enforceable, the
remainder of the Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall
be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portions.
<PAGE>

                                                                             8


         9.   BLUE PENCILLING.  If any court determines that any of the
Restrictive Covenants, or any part thereof, is unenforceable because of the
duration or geographical scope of such provision, such court shall have the
power to reduce the duration or scope of such provision, as the case may be,
and, in its reduced form, such provision shall then be enforceable and shall be
enforced.

         10.  ENFORCEABILITY IN JURISDICTIONS.  The Company and the Management
Stockholder intend to and hereby confer jurisdiction to enforce the Restrictive
Covenants upon the courts of any jurisdiction within the geographical scope of
such Covenants.  If the courts of any one or more of such jurisdictions hold the
Restrictive Covenants wholly unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such
scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the Company and the Management
Stockholder that such determination not bar or in any way affect the Company's
right to the relief provided above in the courts of any other jurisdiction
within the geographical scope of such Restrictive Covenants, as to breaches of
such Restrictive Covenants in such other respective jurisdictions, such
Restrictive Covenants as they relate to each jurisdiction being, for this
purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.

         11.  AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION.  This Agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented only by a written agreement signed by the parties
hereto.

         12.  NOTICES.  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person,
by courier or registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested) or by
<PAGE>

                                                                             9


facsimile to the respective parties at the following addresses (or at such other
address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

              (a)  If to the Management Stockholder, to him at his address set
                   forth on the stock records of the Company:

                   with a copy to:

                   Ronald F. Daitz, Esq.
                   Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
                   757 Fifth Avenue
                   New York, New York  10153
                   Telecopy:  (212) 310-8007

              (b)  If to the Company, to it at:

                   Core-Mark International, Inc.
                   395 Oyster Point Boulevard
                   Suite 415
                   South San Francisco, CA  94080
                   Telecopy:  (415) 589-4010
                   Attention: Gary L. Walsh

                   with copies to:

                   Jupiter Partners L.P.
                   30 Rockefeller Plaza
                   Suite 4525
                   New York, New York  10019
                   Attention:  John A. Sprague
                   Telecopy:  (212) 332-2828

                   and

                   Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
                   1285 Avenue of the Americas
                   New York, New York  10019-6064
                   Attention:  Richard S. Borisoff
                   Telecopy:  (212) 757-3990

         13.  ASSIGNMENT.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
<PAGE>

                                                                              10


         14.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF
THE STATE OF DELAWARE APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY
WITHIN SUCH STATE.

         15.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         16.  ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, including the documents
referred to herein, embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the
parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein.  There are no
restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings
with respect thereto, other than those expressly set forth or referred to
herein.
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Management Stockholder have
executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

                             CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.



                             By: /s/ Gary L. Walsh
                                 -----------------------------
                                  Name:  
                                  Title:


                             /s/ Gary L. Walsh
                             --------------------------------
                             Gary L. Walsh

<PAGE>


                                                                EXHIBIT 10.6.2



1.  Severance and Noncompetition Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, between the
    Company and Robert A. Allen

2.  Severance and Noncompetition Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, between the
    Company and Leo Granucci

3.  Severance and Noncompetition Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, between the
    Company and Leo F. Korman

4.  Severance and Noncompetition Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, between the
    Company and Basil P. Prokop

5.  Severance and Noncompetition Agreement, dated August 7, 1996, between the
    Company and J. Michael Walsh


<PAGE>

                                   [LETTERHEAD]
                                   JUPITER PARTNERS LP




                                                        August 7, 1996


Mr. Gary L. Walsh
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Core-Mark International, Inc.
395 Oyster Point Blvd., Suite 415
South San Francisco, CA 94080


Dear Gary:

In connection with the transaction contemplated between Core-Mark 
International, Inc. ("Core-Mark") and Jupiter Partners L.P. ("Jupiter"), 
Core-Mark, Jupiter and management stockholders have agreed to certain call 
rights with respect to your shares as provided in the Stockholders Agreement 
dated as of August 7, 1996 (the "Stockholders Agreement").

Notwithstanding the provisions described in the Stockholders Agreement with 
respect to call rights Jupiter and you agree that, in the event of your 
termination by Core-Mark without cause or your resignation without cause or 
for good reason after December 31, 1997, Jupiter will not exercise, and 
Jupiter will cause Core-Mark not to exercise, the call rights with respect to 
your shares.


                                                        Very truly yours,


                                                        /s/ Terry J. Blumer
                                                        Terry J. Blumer


Accepted and agreed

as of this 7th day of August, 1996
           ---

/s/ Gary L. Walsh
- ---------------------------------
Gary L. Walsh

JFK/cp



                            CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                     $75,000,000

                         11-3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003

                                  PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                                             September 24, 1996

CHASE SECURITIES INC.
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York  10017

DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10072

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          Core-Mark International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell $75,000,000 principal amount of its 11-3/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2003 (the "Securities").  The Securities are to be issued
pursuant to an Indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto to be
dated as of the Closing Date (as defined in Section 3 hereof) (the "Indenture"),
between the Company and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee (the "Trustee").  The
Company hereby confirms its agreement with Chase Securities Inc. ("CSI") and
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation (together with CSI, the
"Initial Purchasers") with respect to the sale by the Company of the Securities.


          The Securities will be offered and sold to the Initial Purchasers
without being registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), in reliance on an exemption therefrom.  The Company has
prepared a preliminary offering memorandum dated September 5, 1996 (such
preliminary offering memorandum being hereinafter referred to as the
"preliminary offering memorandum"), and an offering memorandum dated
September 24, 1996 (such offering memorandum, in the form first furnished to the
Initial Purchasers for use in connection with the offering of the Securities,
being hereinafter referred to as the "Offering Memorandum"), setting forth
information regarding the Company and the


<PAGE>

                                                                             2

Securities.  The Company hereby confirms that it has authorized the use of the
preliminary offering memorandum and the Offering Memorandum in connection with
the offering and sale of the Securities.

          Holders (including subsequent transferees) of the Securities will have
the registration rights set forth in the Exchange and Registration Rights
Agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") to be dated as of the Closing
Date, in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, for so long as any such
Securities constitute "Transfer Restricted Securities" (as defined in the
Registration Rights Agreement).  Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement,
the Company will agree to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") (i) a registration statement under the Securities Act (the
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement") registering an issue of a series of
senior subordinated notes (the "Exchange Securities") identical in all material
respects to the Securities (except that the Exchange Securities will not contain
terms with respect to transfer restrictions) to be offered in exchange for the
Securities (the "Exchange Offer") and (ii) under certain circumstances, a shelf
registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the "Shelf
Registration Statement").

          Capitalized terms used herein without definition have the respective
meanings specified therefor in the Offering Memorandum.

          1.  REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS OF THE COMPANY.  The
Company represents and warrants to and agrees with the Initial Purchasers as of
the date hereof and as of the Closing Date that:

          (a)  Each of the preliminary offering memorandum and the Offering
     Memorandum, as of its respective date, contains all the information that,
     if requested by a prospective purchaser, would be required to be provided
     pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.  Each of the
     preliminary offering memorandum and the Offering Memorandum, as of its
     respective date, did not, and at the Closing Date, the Offering Memorandum
     and any amendment or supplement thereto will not, contain any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
     the circumstances under which they were made, not


<PAGE>

                                                                             3


     misleading.  The preceding sentence does not apply to information contained
     in or omitted from the preliminary offering memorandum or the Offering
     Memorandum (or any supplement or amendment thereto) in reliance upon and in
     conformity with written information relating to either Initial Purchaser
     furnished to the Company by or on behalf of either  Initial Purchaser
     specifically for use therein (the "Initial Purchasers' Information").  The
     parties acknowledge and agree that the Initial Purchasers' Information
     consists solely of the last paragraph of text on the cover page of the
     Offering Memorandum and the third, fourth and sixth paragraphs under the
     caption "Plan of Distribution" in the Offering Memorandum.  The parties
     hereto acknowledge and agree that certain of the financial data set forth
     in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the preliminary
     offering memorandum are incorrect and will be corrected in the Offering
     Memorandum.

          (b)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined below) has
     been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good
     standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation.  Each of the
     Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to do business and is in
     good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its
     ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its businesses requires
     such qualification, and has all power and authority necessary to own or
     hold its respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which it is
     engaged as described in the Offering Memorandum, except where the failure
     to so qualify or have such power or authority would not have, singly or in
     the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or
     otherwise), results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and
     the Subsidiaries considered as a whole (a "Material Adverse Effect").  The
     term "Subsidiary" means each person of which a majority of the voting
     equity securities or other interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by
     the Company as of the Closing Date, such persons referred to collectively
     as the "Subsidiaries".

          (c)  The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
     Offering Memorandum under the heading "Capitalization", and all the issued
     shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly


<PAGE>

                                                                             4

     authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.  The capital
     stock of the Company conforms to the description thereof contained in the
     Offering Memorandum.  The outstanding shares of capital stock of each
     Subsidiary are validly authorized and issued and fully paid and
     nonassessable and are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, free
     and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction
     upon voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party (except as
     disclosed in the Offering Memorandum).

          (d)  This Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and
     delivered by the Company and is the valid and legally binding agreement of
     the Company.  At the Closing Date the Indenture will conform in all
     respects to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
     (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and the rules and regulations of the
     Commission applicable to an indenture which is qualified thereunder; and
     the Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement have been duly
     authorized by the Company and, when duly executed and delivered in
     accordance with their terms by each party thereto, will constitute valid
     and legally binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the
     Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar
     laws affecting creditors' rights and remedies generally and to general
     principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
     proceeding at law or in equity).

          (e)  On the Closing Date, the Securities will have been duly
     authorized by the Company, and the Securities, the Indenture and the
     Registration Rights Agreement will have been duly executed by the Company
     and will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof
     contained in the Offering Memorandum.  When the Securities are issued,
     authenticated and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and paid for
     in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Securities will
     constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company,
     enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and entitled
     to the benefits of the Indenture, subject to applicable bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar
     laws affecting creditors' rights


<PAGE>

                                                                             5

     and remedies generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of
     whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity).

          (f)  The execution, delivery and performance of the Indenture, the
     Securities, the Registration Rights Agreement and this Agreement by the
     Company, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
     thereby, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof or thereof, will not
     conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
     provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or
     imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets
     of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed
     of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the
     Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any
     Subsidiary is bound or to which any of their respective properties or
     assets is subject, nor will such actions result in any violation of the
     provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any Subsidiary or
     any statute or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court
     or arbitrator or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
     Company or any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets,
     except for such conflicts, breaches, violations, defaults, liens, charges
     or encumbrances that would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material
     Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or
     filing or registration with, any such court or arbitrator or governmental
     agency or body under any such statute, judgment, order, decree, rule or
     regulation is required for the execution, delivery and performance of the
     Indenture, the Securities, the Registration Rights Agreement or this
     Agreement by the Company or any Subsidiary or the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated hereby and thereby which shall not have been
     obtained or made prior to the Closing Date (other than such consents,
     approvals, authorizations or orders of, or filings or registrations with,
     the Commission or any state securities regulatory authorities as may be
     required to be obtained or made pursuant to the Registration Rights
     Agreement).

          (g)  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP ("Peat Marwick") are independent public
     accountants with respect to the


<PAGE>

                                                                             6

     Company as required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
     thereunder for financial statements included in a definitive prospectus
     forming part of a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities
     Act.  The historical financial statements (including the related notes, if
     any) included in the preliminary offering memorandum and the Offering
     Memorandum have been prepared, and fairly present in all material respects,
     the financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries on a
     consolidated basis at the respective dates indicated and the results of
     their operations and cash flows for the respective periods indicated, in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently
     applied throughout such periods; and the financial information and
     financial data set forth in the Offering Memorandum under the captions
     "Summary -- Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data",
     "Capitalization", "Selected Historical and Pro Forma Consolidated Financial
     and Other Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
     Condition and Results of Operations" are derived from the accounting
     records of the Company, and fairly present in all material respects the
     data purported to be shown.  The pro forma financial information contained
     in the preliminary offering memorandum and the Offering Memorandum give
     effect to assumptions made on a reasonable basis and present fairly in all
     material respects the historical and proposed transactions contemplated by
     the preliminary offering memorandum, the Offering Memorandum and this
     Agreement.  The other historical financial and statistical information and
     data included in the preliminary offering memorandum and the Offering
     Memorandum are, in all material respects, accurately presented.  The
     parties hereto acknowledge and agree that certain of the financial data set
     forth in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the
     preliminary offering memorandum are incorrect and will be corrected in the
     Offering Memorandum.
     
          (h)  There are no pending actions or suits or judicial, arbitral,
     rule-making or other administrative or other proceedings to which the
     Company or any Subsidiary is a party or of which any property or assets of
     the Company or any Subsidiary is the subject which, singly or in the
     aggregate, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and to
     the best of the Company's knowledge, except as described in


<PAGE>

                                                                             7

     the Offering Memorandum, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated
     by governmental authorities or threatened by others.

          (i)  No action has been taken and no statute, rule or regulation or
     order has been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency or
     body which prevents the issuance of the Securities or suspends the sale of
     the Securities in any jurisdiction; no injunction, restraining order or
     order of any nature by a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction
     has been issued with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary which would
     prevent or suspend the issuance or sale of the Securities, or the use of
     the preliminary offering memorandum or the Offering Memorandum in any
     jurisdiction; no action, suit or proceeding is pending against or, to the
     best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against or affecting the
     Company or any Subsidiary before any court or arbitrator or any
     governmental body, agency or official, domestic or foreign, which could
     reasonably be expected to interfere with or adversely affect the issuance
     of the Securities or in any manner draw into question the validity of the
     Indenture, the Securities, the Registration Rights Agreement or this
     Agreement or any action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or thereto;
     and every request of any securities authority or agency of any jurisdiction
     for additional information (to be included in the preliminary offering
     memorandum or the Offering Memorandum or otherwise) has been complied with.

          (j)  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is (i) in violation of its
     charter or by-laws, (ii) in default in any material respect, nor has any
     event occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
     constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any
     term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of
     trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which
     the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound or to
     which any of their respective property or assets is subject or (iii) in
     violation in any respect of any law, ordinance, governmental rule,
     regulation or court decree to which the Company or any Subsidiary or their
     respective property or assets may be subject, except any violation


<PAGE>

                                                                             8

     or default under clauses (ii) or (iii) that would not have a Material
     Adverse Effect.

          (k)  The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all material licenses,
     certificates, authorizations and permits issued by, and have made all
     declarations and filings with, the appropriate state, federal or foreign
     regulatory agencies or bodies which are necessary for the ownership of
     their respective properties or the conduct of their businesses as described
     in the Offering Memorandum, except where the failure to possess or make the
     same would not have, singly or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect,
     and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received notification of any
     revocation or modification of any such license, authorization or permit and
     none of them has any reason to believe that any such license, certificate,
     authorization or permit will not be renewed, except where such revocation,
     modification or non-renewal would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

          (l)  All material Tax Returns (as defined below) required to be filed
     by the Company and the Subsidiaries in any jurisdiction have been filed,
     other than those filings being contested in good faith (other than federal
     and state income tax returns for the year ended December 31, 1995, for
     which extensions have been timely filed), and all material taxes, including
     withholding taxes, penalties and interest, assessments, fees and other
     charges due or claimed to be due from such entities have been paid, other
     than those being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves
     under generally accepted accounting principles have been provided or those
     currently payable without penalty or interest.  To the best of the
     Company's knowledge, all Tax Returns filed by the Company and the
     Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof were complete and accurate, except
     such as could not reasonably be expected to result, singly or in the
     aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect.  No material claim for assessment
     or collection of Taxes (as defined below) is presently being asserted or,
     to the knowledge of the tax director of the Company, threatened against the
     Company or any Subsidiary except such as could not reasonably be expected
     to result, singly or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect. 
     Except for state tax liens in an aggregate amount not exceeding $100,000 no
     Liens are presently imposed upon or assert-


<PAGE>

                                                                             9

     ed against any of the assets as a result of or in connection with any
     failure, or alleged failure, to pay any Tax.  Except as set forth in
     Schedule II hereto, as of the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any
     Subsidiary will have any agreement, whether or not written, providing for
     the payment of material income Tax liabilities or entitlements to refunds
     with any other party.  To the best of the Company's knowledge, the Company
     and the Subsidiaries have withheld and paid all material Taxes required to
     be withheld in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any employee,
     creditor, independent contractor or other third party with respect to the
     business of the Company.  The unpaid Taxes of the Company and the
     Subsidiaries do not materially exceed the reserve for Tax liability set
     forth on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of
     and through the date thereof.  For purposes of this Agreement, the terms
     "Tax" and "Taxes" shall mean all federal, state, local or foreign income,
     payroll, employee withholding, unemployment insurance, social security,
     sales use, service use, leasing use, excise, franchise, gross receipts,
     value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, occupation, real
     and personal property, stamp, transfer, workers' compensation, severance,
     windfall profits, environmental (including taxes under Section 59A of the
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), or other tax of
     the same or of a similar nature, including any interest, penalty, or
     addition thereto.  The term "Tax Return" means any return, declaration,
     report, form, claim for refund, or information return or statement relat-
     ing to Taxes or income subject to taxation, or any amendment thereto, and
     including any schedule or attachment thereto.

          (m)  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiaries is  (i) an "investment
     company" or a company "controlled" by an investment company within the
     meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment
     Company Act"), and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder
     or (ii) a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a holding company,
     or an "affiliate" thereof within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding
     Company Act of 1935, as amended.

          (n)  The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal
     accounting controls which the


<PAGE>

                                                                            10

     Company believes is sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that
     (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or
     specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to
     permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
     accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability;
     (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management's
     general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability
     for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals
     and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

          (o)  The Company and the Subsidiaries have insurance covering their
     respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, which
     insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks
     reasonably adequate to protect their respective businesses.

          (p)  There are no securities of the Company or any Subsidiary
     registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
     "Exchange Act"), or listed on a national securities exchange or quoted in a
     U.S. automated inter-dealer quotation system.  The Company has been advised
     that the Securities have been designated as PORTAL securities in accordance
     with the rules and regulations of the National Association of Securities
     Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").

          (q)  Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary owns any "margin
     securities" as that term is defined in Regulations G and U of the Board of
     Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve Board"), and
     none of the proceeds of the sale of the Securities will be used, directly
     or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin
     security, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which
     was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any
     other purpose which might cause any of the Securities to be considered a
     "purpose credit" within the meanings of Regulation G, T, U or X of the
     Federal Reserve Board.

          (r)  Other than this Agreement or as disclosed in the Offering
     Memorandum under "Certain Transactions", neither the Company nor any
     Subsidiary is a party to


<PAGE>

                                                                            11

     any contract, agreement or understanding with any person that would give
     rise to a valid claim against the Company or any Subsidiary or the Initial
     Purchasers for a brokerage commission, finder's fee or like payment in
     connection with the offering of the Securities.

          (s)  The Company and the Subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights
     to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade
     names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights,
     licenses and know-how (including trade secrets and other unpatented or
     unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or
     procedures) necessary for the conduct of their businesses, except for those
     the failure to own which could not reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect, and the Company has no reason to believe that the
     conduct of their businesses will conflict with any such rights of others
     which might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and
     neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of any claim
     of conflict with any such rights of others.

          (t)  The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title
     in fee simple to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items
     of real or personal property material to the business of the Company and
     the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances,
     claims, defects and imperfections of title that may have a Material Adverse
     Effect, other than as permitted by the Senior Credit Facility.

          (u)  No labor disturbance or dispute by the employees of the Company
     or any Subsidiary exists or, to the best of the Company's knowledge, is
     threatened, in either case which might reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect.

          (v)  No non-exempt "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 406
     of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,
     including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder
     ("ERISA"), or Section 4975 of the Code) or "accumulated funding deficiency"
     (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) or any of the events set forth in
     Section


<PAGE>

                                                                            12

     4043(b) of ERISA (other than events with respect to which the 30-day notice
     requirement under Section 4043 of ERISA has been waived) has occurred with
     respect to any "employee benefit plan" (as defined in ERISA Section 3(3))
     other than a "multiemployer plan" (as defined in ERISA Section 3(37))
     (an "Employee Benefit Plan") which might reasonably be expected to have a
     Material Adverse Effect; each Employee Benefit Plan is in compliance in all
     material respects with applicable laws, including ERISA and the Code; the
     Company and the Subsidiaries have not incurred and do not expect to incur
     any material liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termina-
     tion of, or withdrawal from, any "pension plan" (as defined in ERISA
     Section 3(2)); and each "pension plan" for which the Company or any
     Subsidiary would have any liability and that is intended to be qualified
     under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects
     and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which
     might reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification. 

          (w)  There has been no storage, generation, transportation, handling,
     treatment, disposal, discharge, emission, or other release of any kind of
     toxic or other wastes or other hazardous substances by, due to, or caused
     by the Company  or any Subsidiary (or, to the best of the Company's
     knowledge, any other entity for whose acts or omissions the Company or any
     Subsidiary is or may reasonably be expected to be liable) upon any of the
     property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or any
     Subsidiary, or upon any other property, (i) in violation of any statute or
     any ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or (ii)
     which would, under any statute or any ordinance, rule (including rule of
     common law), regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, give rise to
     any liability, except in the case of both clauses (i) and (ii) for any
     violation or liability which could not reasonably be expected to have,
     singly or in the aggregate with all such violations and liabilities, a
     Material Adverse Effect; there has been no disposal, discharge,


<PAGE>

                                                                            13

     emission or other release of any kind onto such property or into the
     environment surrounding such property of any toxic or other wastes or other
     hazardous substances with respect to which the Company or any Subsidiary
     has knowledge, except for any such disposal, discharge, emission or other
     release of any kind which could not reasonably be expected to have, singly
     or in the aggregate with all such discharges and other releases, a Material
     Adverse Effect.

          (x)  None of the Company, any affiliate (as such term is defined in
     Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act) of the Company or any person acting
     on its or their behalf has engaged or will engage in any directed selling
     efforts (as that term is defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act),
     and all such persons have complied and will comply with the offering
     restrictions requirement of Regulation S to the extent applicable.

          (y)  Neither the Company nor any affiliate (as such term is defined in
     Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act) of the Company has, directly or
     through any agent, sold, offered for sale, solicited offers to buy or
     otherwise negotiated in respect of, any "security" (as defined in the
     Securities Act), which is or will be integrated with the sale of the
     Securities in a manner that would require the registration of the
     Securities under the Securities Act.

          (z)  None of the Company or any affiliate (as such term is defined in
     Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act) of the Company or any other person
     acting on its or their behalf has engaged, in connection with the offering
     of the Securities, in any form of general solicitation or general
     advertising within the meaning of Rule 502(c) under the Securities Act.

          (aa)  Assuming the accuracy of the Initial Purchasers representations
     in Section 2 hereof and their compliance with the agreements set forth
     therein, it is not necessary, in connection with the issuance and sale of
     the Securities and the offer, resale and delivery of the Securities in the
     manner contemplated by this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum, to
     register the Securities under the Securities Act or to qualify the
     Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

          (bb)  The Company and the Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
     immediately after the Closing Date (after giving effect to the issuance of
     the Securities and to the other transactions related thereto as described
     in the Offering Memorandum) will be Solvent.  As used in this paragraph
     (bb), the term "SOLVENT"


<PAGE>

                                                                            14

     means, with respect to an entity on a particular date, that on such date
     (A) the present fair salable value of the assets of such entity is not less
     than the total amount required to pay the probable liabilities of such
     entity on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent
     liabilities) as they become absolute and matured, (B) such entity is able
     to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities,
     contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the
     normal course of business, (C) assuming the sale of the Securities as
     contemplated by this Agreement and as described in the Offering Memorandum,
     such entity is not incurring debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay
     as such debts and liabilities mature, and (D) such entity is not engaged in
     any business or transaction, and is not about to engage in any business or
     transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small
     capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the
     industry in which such person is engaged.  In computing the amount of such
     contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities
     will be computed at the amount that, in light of all the facts and
     circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can
     reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

          (cc)  The Securities satisfy the eligibility requirements of
     Rule 144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act.

          (dd)  The Company has not taken and will not take, directly or
     indirectly, any action prohibited by Rule 10b-6 under the Exchange Act in
     connection with the offering of the Securities.

          (ee)  Except for the letter agreement dated as of January 1, 1990,
     between the Company and Corporate Decisions, Inc. and as described in the
     Offering Memorandum, there are no outstanding rights, warrants or options
     to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, or
     agreements or understandings to which the Company is a party or to which
     the Company has knowledge with respect to the sale or issuance of, any
     shares of capital stock of or other equity interest in the Company.


<PAGE>

                                                                            15

          (ff)  Since the date as of which information is given in the Offering
     Memorandum, (A) there has been no material adverse change or any
     development involving a prospective material adverse change in the
     condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or
     business prospects of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole,
     whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, (B) there have
     been no transactions entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary, other
     than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with
     respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (C) there
     has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by
     the Company on any class of its capital stock.

          2.  Purchase by the Initial Purchasers.  On the basis of the
representations, warranties and agreements contained herein, and subject to the
terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to issue and sell to
each of the Initial Purchasers severally and not jointly, and the Initial
Purchasers, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from the Company such
respective principal amounts of Securities as are set forth opposite the name of
such Initial Purchaser in Schedule I hereto at a purchase price equal to 97% of
the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from September 27,
1996, to the Closing Date.  If payment of the purchase price on the Closing Date
is made in immediately available funds, the Initial Purchasers shall be entitled
to deduct from such purchase price the costs, if any (calculated at the Federal
Funds Effective Rate as in effect at 12:00 p.m. New York City Time, on the
business day prior to the Closing Date), of obtaining such immediately available
funds for delivery on the Closing Date.

          The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any of the Securities
except upon payment for all the Securities to be purchased as provided herein.

          The Initial Purchasers have advised the Company that it is their
intention, as promptly as they deem appropriate after the Company shall have
furnished the Initial Purchasers with copies of the Offering Memorandum, to
resell the Securities pursuant to the procedures and upon the terms set forth in
the Offering Memorandum, including not to solicit any offer to buy or offer to
sell the Securities by means of any form of general solicitation or


<PAGE>

                                                                            16

general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities
Act) or in any manner involving a public offering within the meaning of Section
4(2) of the Securities Act.  The Initial Purchasers represent, warrant and
agree with the Company that they have solicited and will solicit offers for
Securities only from, and will offer Securities only to, persons that they
reasonably believe to be, in the case of offers inside the United States, (i)
"Qualified Institutional Buyers" ("QIBs"), as defined in Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, or (ii) other Institutional Accredited Investors, within the
meaning of Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act.  Each Initial Purchaser,
severally and not jointly, represents and warrants that (i) it has either QIBs
or Institutional Accredited Investors, in either case with such knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters as are necessary to evaluate the
merits and risks of an investment in the Securities, and are acquiring their
interest in the Securities not with a view to the distribution or resale
thereof, except resales in compliance with the registration requirements or
exemption provisions of the Securities Act, (ii) neither they, nor anyone acting
on their behalf, will offer the Securities so as to bring the issuance and sale
of the Securities within the provisions of Section 5 of the Securities Act,
(iii) they will be re-offering and reselling the Securities only to QIBs in
reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act provided by Rule 144A and to a limited number of persons that they reason-
ably believe to be Institutional Accredited Investors that execute and deliver
a letter containing certain representations and agreements in the form attached
as Annex A to the Offering Memorandum, and (iv) they have used no form of
general solicitation or general advertising in connection with the offer and
sale of the Securities.  The Company acknowledges and agree that the Initial
Purchasers may sell Securities to any affiliate of an Initial Purchaser and that
any such affiliate may sell Securities purchased by it to the Initial
Purchasers.  The Initial Purchasers agree that, prior to or simultaneously with
the confirmation of sale by the Initial Purchasers to any purchaser of any of
the Securities purchased by the Initial Purchasers from the Company pursuant
hereto, the Initial Purchasers shall furnish to that purchaser a copy of the
Offering Memorandum (and any amendment thereof or supplement thereto that the
Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers prior to the date of such
confirmation of sale).  In addition to the foregoing, the Initial Purchasers
agree and understand that the Company and, for purposes of


<PAGE>

                                                                            17

the opinions to be delivered to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to Sections
5(c) and (d) hereof, counsel to the Company and to the Initial Purchasers,
respectively, may rely upon the accuracy and truth of the foregoing represent-
ations, warranties and covenants in this Section 2 and the Initial Purchasers
hereby consent to such reliance.

          3.  Delivery of and Payment for the Securities.  Delivery of and
payment for the Securities shall be made at the office of Cravath, Swaine &
Moore ("CS&M"), New York, New York, or at such other place as shall be agreed
upon by the Initial Purchasers and the Company, at 9:00 a.m., New York City
time, on September 27, 1996, or at such other date or time, not later than seven
full business days thereafter, as shall be agreed upon by the Initial Purchasers
and the Company (such date and time being referred to herein as the "Closing
Date").  On the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered
to CSI for the account of each Initial Purchaser certificates for the Securities
against payment to or upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by
wire or book-entry transfer of immediately available funds.  Upon delivery, the
Securities shall be in definitive fully registered form, in such denominations
and registered in such names, or otherwise, as CSI on behalf of the Initial
Purchasers shall have requested in writing not less than two full business days
prior to the Closing Date.  The Company shall make one or more certificates for
the Securities available for inspection by CSI on behalf of the Initial
Purchasers in New York, New York, not later than one full business day prior to
the Closing Date.

          4.  Further Agreements of the Company.  The Company agrees with the
Initial Purchasers:

          (a) to advise the Initial Purchasers promptly and, if requested,
     confirm such advice in writing, of the happening of any event which makes
     any statement of a material fact made in the Offering Memorandum untrue or
     which requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Offering
     Memorandum (as amended or supplemented from time to time) in order to make
     the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
     made, not misleading and not to effect such amendment or supplementation
     without the consent of the Initial Purchasers, which consent shall not be
     unreasonably withheld; to advise the Initial Purchasers promptly of any
     order preventing or suspending the use of the preliminary offering
     memorandum or the Offering


<PAGE>

                                                                            18

Memorandum, of any suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offer-
ing or sale in any jurisdiction and of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for any such purpose; and to use best efforts to prevent the issuance
of any such order preventing or suspending the use of the preliminary offering
memorandum or the Offering Memorandum or suspending any such qualification and,
if any such suspension is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest
possible time;

          (b) to furnish promptly to the Initial Purchasers and counsel for the
     Initial Purchasers, without charge, as many copies of the preliminary
     offering memorandum and the Offering Memorandum (and of any amendments or
     supplements thereto) as may be reasonably requested; to furnish to the
     Initial Purchasers on the date hereof two copies of the independent
     accountants' report included in the Offering Memorandum signed by the
     accountants rendering such report; and the Company hereby consents to the
     use of the preliminary offering memorandum and the Offering Memorandum, and
     any amendments and supplements thereto, in connection with resales of the
     Securities;

          (c) if the delivery of the Offering Memorandum is required at any time
     in connection with the sale of the Securities and if at such time any
     events shall have occurred as a result of which the Offering Memorandum as
     then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a
     material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make
     the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
     were made when the Offering Memorandum is delivered, not misleading, or if
     for any other reason it shall be necessary at such time to amend or
     supplement the Offering Memorandum in order to comply with any law, to
     notify the Initial Purchasers immediately thereof, and to promptly prepare
     and furnish to the Initial Purchasers an amended Offering Memorandum or a
     supplement to the Offering Memorandum which will correct such statement or
     omission or effect such compliance.  The Initial Purchasers' delivery of
     any such amendment or supplement shall not constitute a waiver of any of
     the conditions set forth in Section 5 hereof;


<PAGE>

                                                                            19

          (d) during the five year period following the Closing Date, to furnish
     to the Initial Purchasers all public reports and all reports, documents,
     information and financial statements furnished by the Company to the
     Commission pursuant to the Indenture or the Exchange Act or any rule or
     regulation of the Commission thereunder;

          (e) for so long as it is required to do so under the Indenture, upon
     request of any holder of the Securities, to furnish to such holder, and to
     any prospective purchaser or purchasers of the Securities designated by
     such holder, information satisfying the requirements of subsection (d)(4)
     of Rule 144A under the Securities Act.  This covenant is intended to be for
     the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Securities, and
     prospective purchasers of the Securities designated by such holders;

          (f) to use the proceeds from the sale of the Securities in the manner
     described in the Offering Memorandum under the caption "Use of Proceeds";

          (g) to assist the Initial Purchasers, at their reasonable request, in
     arranging to cause the Securities to be designated as PORTAL securities in
     accordance with the rules and regulations of the NASD;

          (h) in connection with the offering of the Securities, to make its
     officers, employees, independent accountants and legal counsel reasonably
     available upon request by the Initial Purchasers;

          (i) to do and perform all things required to be done and performed
     under this Agreement by it that are within its control prior to or after
     the Closing Date and to use its best efforts to satisfy all conditions
     precedent on its part to the delivery of the Securities;

          (j) except following the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer or Shelf
     Registration Statement, as the case may be, to not, to use its best efforts
     to ensure that no affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under
     the Securities Act) of the Company will, and to not authorize or knowingly
     permit any person acting on its or their behalf to, solicit any offer to
     buy or offer to sell the Securities by means


<PAGE>

                                                                            20

of any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as such terms are
used in Regulation D under the Securities Act) or in any manner involving a
public offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act;

          (k) to not, and to use its best efforts to ensure that no affiliate
     (as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under the Securities Act) of the
     Company will, offer, sell or solicit offers to buy or otherwise negotiate
     in respect of any "security" (as defined in the Securities Act) which could
     be integrated with the sale of the Securities in a manner that would
     require the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act;

          (l) to not, so long as the Securities are outstanding, be or become,
     or be or become owned by, an open-end investment company, unit investment
     trust or face-amount certificate company that is or is required to be
     registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act, and to not be or
     become, or be or become owned by, a closed-end investment company required
     to be registered, but not registered thereunder;

          (m) to cause each Security to bear the legend set forth in the form of
     Security attached as Exhibit A to the Indenture until such legend shall no
     longer be necessary or advisable because the Securities are no longer
     subject to the restrictions on transfer described therein;

          (n) promptly to take from time to time such action as the Initial
     Purchasers may reasonably request to qualify the Securities for offering
     and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Initial
     Purchasers may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the
     continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long
     as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Securities;
     provided, however, that in connection therewith neither the Company nor any
     Subsidiary shall be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file
     a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not
     so qualified or so subject.  The Company will promptly advise the Initial
     Purchasers of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect
     to the suspension of the


<PAGE>

                                                                            21

qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation
or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;

          (o) to comply with the Registration Rights Agreement and all
     agreements set forth in the representation letters of the Company to The
     Depository Trust Company relating to the approval of the Securities for
     "book-entry" transfer;

          (p) other than borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility, for a
     period of 180 days from the date of the Offering Memorandum, to not offer
     for sale, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or
     indirectly, or file a registration statement for, or announce any offer,
     sale, contract for sale of or other disposition of any debt securities
     issued or guaranteed by the Company (other than the Securities or the
     Exchange Securities) without the prior written consent of the Initial
     Purchasers, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  The Company
     will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or
     indirectly, any securities under circumstances where such offer, sale,
     contract or disposition would cause the exemption afforded by Section 4(2)
     of the Securities Act to cease to be applicable to the offer and sale of
     the Securities as contemplated by this Agreement and the Offering
     Memorandum;

          (q) in connection with the offering, until the completion of the
     resale of the Securities, neither the Company nor any of its affiliated
     purchasers (as defined in Rule 10b-6 under the Exchange Act), either alone
     or with one or more other persons, will bid for or purchase, for any
     account in which it or any of its affiliated purchasers has a beneficial
     interest, any Securities, or attempt to induce any person to purchase any
     Securities; and neither it nor any of its affiliated purchasers will make
     bids or purchases for the purpose of creating actual, or apparent, active
     trading in the Securities or of raising the price of the Securities;

          (r) during the period from the Closing Date until three years after
     the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of the Initial
     Purchasers, to not, and not permit any of its affiliates (as defined in


<PAGE>

                                                                            22

     Rule 144 under the Securities Act) to, resell any of the Securities that
     have been reacquired by them, except for Securities purchased by the
     Company or any of its affiliates and resold in a transaction registered
     under the Securities Act; 

          (s) prior to the Closing Date, not to issue any press release or other
     communication directly or indirectly or hold any press conference with
     respect to the Company, its condition, financial or otherwise, or earnings,
     business affairs or business prospects (except for routine oral marketing
     communications in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the
     past practices of the Company and of which the Initial Purchasers is
     notified), without the prior written consent of the Initial Purchasers,
     unless in the judgment of the Company and its counsel, and after
     notification to the Initial Purchasers, such press release or communication
     is required by law;

          (t) to not take any action prior to the execution and delivery of the
     Indenture which, if taken after such execution and delivery, would have
     violated any of the covenants contained in the Indenture; and

          (u) to not take any action prior to the Closing Date which in the
     Company's reasonable judgment would require the Offering Memorandum to be
     amended or supplemented pursuant to Section 4(c) hereof.

          (v) Notwithstanding any provision of Sections 4(a) or (c) to the
     contrary, the Company's obligations under Sections 4(a) and (c) shall
     terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) 180 days after the Closing Date,
     (ii) the Exchange Date, (iii) the effective date of a Shelf Registration
     Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and (iv) the date
     upon which the Initial Purchasers and their affiliates cease to hold
     Securities acquired as part of the initial distribution, the occurrence of
     which the Initial Purchaser shall promptly notify the Company.

          5.  CONDITIONS OF INITIAL PURCHASERS' OBLIGATIONS.  The respective
obligations of the Initial Purchasers hereunder are subject to the accuracy,
when made and on the Closing Date, of the representations and warranties of the
Company contained herein, to the accuracy of the statements of officers of the
Company made in any certificates pursuant


<PAGE>

                                                                            23


to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions:

          (a)  The Offering Memorandum shall have been printed and copies
     distributed to the Initial Purchasers as promptly as practicable on or
     following the date of this Agreement or at such other date and time as to
     which the Initial Purchasers may agree; and no stop order suspending the
     sale of the Securities in any jurisdiction shall have been issued and no
     proceeding for that purpose shall have been commenced or shall be pending
     or threatened.

          (b)  All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the
     authorization, form and validity of the Securities, the Indenture, the
     Registration Rights Agreement, this Agreement and the Offering Memorandum,
     and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions
     contemplated hereby shall be satisfactory in all material respects to the
     Initial Purchasers, and the Company shall have furnished to the Initial
     Purchasers all documents and information that they or their counsel may
     reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

          (c)  Paul, Weiss, Rifkind Wharton & Garrison shall have furnished to
     the Initial Purchasers their written opinion, as counsel to the Company,
     addressed to the Initial Purchasers and dated the Closing Date, in form and
     substance reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, to the effect
     that: 

               (i) the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
          existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of its
          jurisdiction of incorporation and has all corporate power and
          authority necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the
          businesses in which it is engaged; 

              (ii) based solely on certificates of appropriate government
          officers of each jurisdiction listed in Schedule III, the Company is
          duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign
          corporation in each jurisdiction listed in Schedule III hereto.  In


<PAGE>

                                                                           24

          rendering the opinion set forth in this paragraph (ii), such counsel
          may rely on a certificate of an officer of the Company which is
          attached hereto as Appendix A, as to the jurisdictions in which the
          Company's ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business
          requires such qualification;

             (iii) the outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock of
          the Company has been duly and validly authorized and issued and are
          fully paid and nonassessable; and the certificates for the Securities
          are in valid and sufficient form;

              (iv) the Company has the requisite corporate power and authority
          to execute and deliver the Indenture, the Securities, the Registration
          Rights Agreement and this Agreement and to perform its obligations
          hereunder and thereunder; and all corporate action required to be
          taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery of
          the Indenture, the Securities, the Registration Rights  Agreement and
          this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
          hereby and thereby have been duly and validly taken;

               (v) each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement
          has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

              (vi) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
          delivered by the Company and the Securities have been duly authorized
          and executed by the Company;

             (vii) the Company's authorized capitalization is as set forth in
          the Offering Memorandum under the heading "Capitalization"; the
          capital stock of the Company conforms to the description thereof
          contained in the Offering Memorandum;

            (viii) the descriptions in the Offering Memorandum of statutes,
          legal and governmental proceedings and contracts and other documents
          are accurate in all material respects and fairly present the
          information that would be required to be shown if the Offering
          Memorandum were a prospectus included in a registration statement on


<PAGE>

                                                                            25

          Form S-1 under the Securities Act; the statements in the Offering
          Memorandum under the caption "Business--Legal Proceedings" to the
          extent that they constitute matters of law or regulation or legal
          conclusions, have been reviewed by them and fairly summarize the
          matters described therein in all material respects; and such counsel
          does not have actual knowledge of any current or pending legal or
          governmental actions, suits or proceedings which would be required to
          be described in the Offering Memorandum if the Offering Memorandum
          were a prospectus included in a registration statement on Form S-1
          which are not described as required;

              (ix) as of its date and on the Closing Date, the Offering
          Memorandum (except for financial statements, the notes thereto and
          related schedules and other financial data included in the Offering
          Memorandum, as to which no opinion need be expressed) complies as to
          form in all material respects with that which would be required by the
          Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
          thereunder applicable to a definitive prospectus forming part of a
          registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act;

               (x) the Indenture conforms as to form in all material respects
          with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and
          regulations of the Commission applicable to an indenture which is
          qualified thereunder;

              (xi) no authorization, approval, consent or order of, or filing or
          registration with, any Delaware (pursuant to the Delaware General
          Corporation Act), New York or Federal governmental body or agency or,
          to such counsel's best knowledge, any New York or Federal court that
          has jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or properties
          is required for the consummation by the Company of the transactions
          contemplated by this Agreement, except such as may be required under
          state securities or Blue Sky laws or regulations and except, with
          respect to the Exchange Offer and Exchange Securities, filings or
          registration under the Securities Act or the


<PAGE>

                                                                            26

          Exchange Act or the rules and regulation promulgated thereunder or the
          by-laws of the NASD and except where the failure to obtain such
          authorization, approval, consent or order would not reasonably be
          expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of the
          Company to consummate the offering of the Securities and the other
          transactions contemplated hereby; 

             (xii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is (A) an "investment
          company" or a company "controlled" by an investment company within the
          meaning of the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations of
          the Commission thereunder, without taking account of any exemption
          under the Investment Company Act arising out of the number of holders
          of the Company's securities, or (B) a "holding company" or a
          "subsidiary company" of a holding company, or an "affiliate" thereof
          within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,
          as amended;

            (xiii) each of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement
          constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company,
          enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (assuming
          the due execution and delivery thereof by the other parties thereto)
          subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
          moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws now or hereafter in
          effect relating to or affecting creditors' rights and remedies
          generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether
          enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity) and except
          to the extent that indemnification or contribution provisions may be
          unenforceable;

             (xiv) the Indenture constitutes a valid and legally binding
          agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
          accordance with its terms (assuming due execution and delivery by the
          Trustee), subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
          reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws (now
          or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors' rights and
          remedies generally and to general principles


<PAGE>

                                                                            27

          of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding
          at law or in equity); the Securities are in the form contemplated by
          the Indenture and, upon the due authentication and delivery thereof by
          the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture, will be duly and validly issued
          and outstanding and will constitute valid and legally binding obliga-
          tions of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and
          enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms,
          subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
          moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar laws now or hereafter in
          effect relating to or affecting creditors' rights and remedies
          generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether
          enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity); and the
          Indenture, the Securities and the Registration Rights Agreement
          conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained
          in the Offering Memorandum;

              (xv) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the
          Indenture, the Securities, the Registration Rights Agreement and this
          Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
          and thereby, and the fulfillment of the terms hereof and thereof, do
          not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the
          terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in
          the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any
          property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to any
          indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement
          or instrument identified to such counsel in a certificate of the
          Company or any of its Subsidiaries as being a material instrument to
          which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
          the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the
          property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
          subject, except for any breach, violation, default, lien, charge or
          encumbrances which would not have a material adverse effect on the
          transactions contemplated hereby nor will such actions result in any
          violation of the provisions of the charter or by-


<PAGE>

                                                                            28

          laws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any statute, or, to
          the best of our knowledge,  any judgment, order, decree, rule or
          regulation of any federal or New York State court or governmental
          agency or body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company or
          any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets except
          for any violation which would not have a material adverse effect on
          the transactions contemplated hereby; and no consent, approval,
          authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any such
          court or arbitrator or governmental agency or body is required under
          any such statute, judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation for the
          execution, delivery and performance of the Indenture, the Securities
          or the Registration Rights Agreement by the Company or the consumma-
          tion of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby except, with
          respect to the Exchange Offer and Exchange Securities, filings or
          registration under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or the rules
          and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder or the by-
          laws of the NASD and except any filings, consents, approvals,
          authorizations, orders or registrations the failure to so obtain or
          make would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the
          Company to consummate the offering of the Securities and the other
          transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that the fore-
          going may exclude state securities laws or Blue Sky laws and any such
          consents, approvals, authorizations, or order of, or filings or
          registrations with, the Commission and any state securities regulatory
          authorities as may be required to be obtained or made pursuant to the
          Registration Rights Agreement;

             (xvi) neither the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
          this Agreement nor the sale, issuance, execution or delivery of the
          Securities will violate Regulation G, T, U or X of the Federal Reserve
          Board; 

            (xvii) except as disclosed in the Offering Memorandum, to the best
          knowledge of counsel, there is no pending or threatened action or suit
          or judicial, arbitral, rule-making or other


<PAGE>

                                                                            29

          administrative or other proceeding to which the Company or any
          Subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective property
          or assets is the subject that, singly or in the aggregate, (A)
          questions the validity of this Agreement, the Registration Rights
          Agreement or the Indenture or any action taken or to be taken
          pursuant hereto or thereto, or (B) if determined adversely to the
          Company or any Subsidiary is reasonably likely to have a Material
          Adverse Effect; and 

               (xviii) assuming the accuracy of the representations, warranties
          and agreements of the Company and each of the Subsidiaries contained
          in paragraphs (x), (y) and (z) of Section 1 of this Agreement and of
          the Initial Purchasers in Section 2 of this Agreement, the issuance
          and sale of the Securities and the offer, resale and delivery of the
          Securities in the manner contemplated in the Offering Memorandum and
          this Agreement, are exempt from the registration requirements of the
          Securities Act and it is not necessary to qualify the Indenture under
          the Trust Indenture Act.

          Such counsel shall state that they have participated in conferences
     with representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent
     auditors of the Company and representatives of the Initial Purchasers at
     which conferences the contents of the Offering Memorandum any amendment
     thereof and supplement thereto and related matters were discussed, and,
     although such counsel assume no responsibility for the accuracy or
     completeness or fairness of the Offering Memorandum, any amendment thereof
     or supplement thereto (except as expressly provided above), nothing has
     come to the attention of such counsel to cause such counsel to believe that
     the Offering Memorandum or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto
     (other than the financial statements and other financial and statistical
     information contained therein, as to which such counsel need express no
     belief) as of its date or such Closing Date, contained or contains any
     untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material
     fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
     circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.


<PAGE>

                                                                            30

          In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely as to matters of
     fact, to the extent such counsel deems proper, on certificates or written
     statements of responsible officers of the Company and public officials
     which are furnished to the Initial Purchasers.  Such counsel need not, and
     may state in such opinion that it does not, express any opinion with regard
     to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the federal laws of the United
     States, the laws of the State of New York and the Delaware General
     Corporation Law.

          (d)  The Initial Purchasers shall have received from Cravath, Swaine &
     Moore ("CS&M"), counsel for the Initial Purchasers, such opinion or
     opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to such matters as the
     Initial Purchasers may reasonably require, and the Company shall have
     furnished to such counsel such documents as they request for enabling them
     to pass upon such matters.

          (e)  The Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers a
     letter of Peat Marwick, dated the date hereof, with respect to the
     Company's fiscal years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, and the six
     month periods ended June 30, 1995 and 1996 in form and substance
     satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, to the effect that:

               (i) they are independent certified public accountants with
          respect to the Company within the meaning of the applicable rules and
          regulations thereunder and Rule 101 of the American Institute of
          Certified Public Accountants' Code of Professional Conduct and its
          interpretations and rulings;

               (ii) based upon a reading of the latest unaudited financial
          statements made available by the Company, the procedures of the
          American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for a review of
          interim financial information as described in Statement of Auditing
          Standards No. 71, reading of minutes and inquiries of certain
          officials of the Company who have responsibility for financial and
          accounting matters and certain other limited procedures requested by
          the Initial Purchasers and described


<PAGE>

                                                                            31

          in detail in such letter, nothing has come to their attention that
          causes them to believe that (A) any unaudited financial statements
          included or incorporated in the Offering Memorandum do not comply in
          form in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements
          or (B) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited
          financial statements included in the Offering Memorandum for them to
          be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied
          on a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited financial
          statements included in the Offering Memorandum;

               (iii) based upon the procedures detailed in such letter with
          respect to the period subsequent to June 30, 1996, including reading
          of minutes and inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have
          responsibility for financial and accounting matters, nothing has come
          to their attention that causes them to believe that (1) at July 31,
          1996, there was any change in capital stock, increase in accumulated
          deficit, increase in long-term debt or decrease in net current assets
          as compared with the amounts shown in the December 31, 1995 audited
          balance sheet included in the Offering Memorandum or for the month of
          July 1996, there were any decreases on a first-in-first-out basis, as
          compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year, in
          consolidated net sales, earnings before acquisition expenses, interest
          and taxes, and net income, (2) at a specified date not more than five
          business days prior to the date of the letter, there was any change in
          capital stock, increase in accumulated deficit or increase in long-
          term debt as compared with the amounts shown in the December 31, 1995
          audited balance sheet included in the Offering Memorandum or (3) for
          the period from July 1, 1996 to a specified date not more than five
          business days prior to the date of the letter, there was any decrease,
          as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year, in
          net sales, except in all instances for changes, increases or decreases
          that the Offering Memorandum discloses have occurred or which are set
          forth in such letter, in which case the letter shall be accompanied by
          an explanation by the Company as to the significance thereof unless
          said


<PAGE>

                                                                            32

          explanation is not deemed necessary by the Initial Purchasers;
          and

               (iv) they have performed certain other specified procedures as a
          result of which they respectively determined that certain information
          of an accounting, financial or statistical nature (which is limited to
          accounting, financial or statistical information derived from the
          general accounting records of the Company) set forth in the Offering
          Memorandum agrees with the accounting records of the Company,
          excluding any questions of legal interpretation.


          (f)  The Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers a
     letter (the "bring-down letter") of Peat Marwick, addressed to the Initial
     Purchasers and dated the Closing Date confirming, as of the date of the
     bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or
     developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial
     information is given in the Offering Memorandum, as of a date not more than
     two days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and
     findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other
     matters covered by its letter delivered to the Initial Purchasers
     concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and described in
     paragraph (e).

          (g)  The Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchasers a
     certificate, dated the Closing Date, signed by its Chairman and Chief
     Executive Officer and its chief financial officer stating that (A) such
     officers have carefully examined the Offering Memorandum, (B) to such
     person's knowledge, as of its date, the Offering Memorandum did not include
     any untrue statement of a material fact and did not, omit to state a
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading and since its date, no event has occurred
     which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the
     Offering Memorandum so that the Offering Memorandum as of the Closing Date
     would not include any untrue statement of a material fact or would not omit
     to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
     the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they


<PAGE>

                                                                            33

     were made, not misleading (C) to such person's knowledge as of the Closing
     Date, the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement
     are true and correct in all material respects, the Company has complied
     with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be perform-
     ed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date, and subsequent
     to the date of the most recent financial statements in the Offering
     Memorandum, there has been no event or development that can reasonably be
     expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in the
     Offering Memorandum.

          (h)  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement or, if
     earlier, the dates as of which information is given in the Offering
     Memorandum (exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto), there shall
     not have been any event or development that can reasonably be expected to
     result in a Material Adverse Effect or any change specified in the letters
     referred to in paragraphs (e) or (f) of this Section, the effect of which,
     in any such case described above, is, in the reasonable judgment of the
     Initial Purchasers, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or
     inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities on
     the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Offering Memorandum
     (exclusive of any amendment or supplement).

          (i)  No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation
     or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental
     agency which would, as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or sale of
     the Securities; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other
     nature by a Federal or state court of competent jurisdiction shall have
     been issued as of the Closing Date which would prevent the issuance or sale
     of the Securities.

          (j)  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement (i) no
     downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded the Securities or
     any of the Company's other debt securities or preferred stock by any
     "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is
     defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) of the rules and
     regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act, and (ii) no such
     organization shall have publicly


<PAGE>

                                                                            34

     announced that it has under surveillance or review (other than an
     announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading), its
     rating of the Securities or any of the Company's other debt securities or
     preferred stock.

          (k)  Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there
     shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) trading in securities
     generally on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or
     the over-the-counter market shall have been suspended or limited, or
     minimum prices shall have been established on either of such exchanges or
     such market by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other regulatory
     body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, or trading in
     securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market
     shall have been suspended or (ii) any moratorium on commercial banking
     activities shall have been declared by Federal or New York State
     authorities or (iii) an outbreak or escalation of hostilities or a
     declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or such a
     material adverse change in general economic, political or financial
     conditions (or the effect of international conditions on the financial
     markets in the United States shall be such) as to make it, in the judgment
     of the Initial Purchasers, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the
     offering or the delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner
     contemplated in the Offering Memorandum.

          (l)  The Company and the Initial Purchasers shall have executed and
     delivered the Registration Rights Agreement.

          (m) The Securities shall have been approved by the NASD for trading in
     the PORTAL market.

          (n) The Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by the
     Company and the Trustee and the Securities shall have been duly executed
     and delivered by the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee.

          (o) If any event shall have occurred that requires the Company under
     Section 4(c) hereof to prepare an amendment or supplement to the Offering
     Memorandum, such amendment or supplement shall have been prepared, the
     Initial Purchasers shall have been given a


<PAGE>

                                                                            35

     reasonable opportunity to comment thereon, and copies thereof delivered
     to the Initial Purchasers.
     
          (p)  There shall not have occurred any invalidation of Rule 144A under
     the Securities Act by any court or any withdrawal or proposed withdrawal of
     any rule or regulation under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act by the
     Commission or any amendment or proposed amendment thereof by the Commission
     which in the judgment of the Initial Purchasers would materially impair the
     ability of the Initial Purchasers to purchase, hold or effect resales of
     the Securities as contemplated hereby.

          All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or
elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the
provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to CS&M.

          6.  TERMINATION.  The obligations of the Initial Purchasers hereunder
may be terminated by the Initial Purchasers, in their absolute discretion, by
notice given to and received by the Company prior to delivery of and payment for
the Securities if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Section
5(h), 5(i), 5(j) or 5(k) shall have occurred.

          7.  DEFAULTING INITIAL PURCHASERS.  (a)  If, on the Closing Date, any
Initial Purchaser defaults in the performance of its obligations under this
Agreement, the non-defaulting Initial Purchaser may make arrangements for the
purchase of such Securities by other persons satisfactory to the Company but if
no such arrangements are made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement
shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Initial
Purchaser or the Company except that the Company will continue to be liable for
the payment of expenses to the extent set forth in Sections 8 and 12 except that
the provisions of Sections 9 and 10 shall not terminate and shall remain in
effect.  As used in this Agreement, the term "Initial Purchaser" includes, for
all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any party
not listed in Schedule I hereto who, pursuant to this Section 7, purchases
Securities which a defaulting Initial Purchaser agreed but failed to purchase.


<PAGE>

                                                                            36

          (b)  Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Initial
Purchaser of any liability it may have to the Company or the non-defaulting
Initial Purchaser for damages caused by its default.  If other persons are
obligated or agree to purchase the Securities of a defaulting Initial Purchaser,
either the non-defaulting Initial Purchaser or the Company may postpone the
Closing Date for up to seven full business days in order to effect any changes
that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Initial
Purchasers may be necessary in the Offering Memorandum or in any other document
or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly make any amendment or
supplement to the Offering Memorandum that effects any such changes.

          8.  REIMBURSEMENT OF INITIAL PURCHASERS' EXPENSES.  If this Agreement
is terminated pursuant to Section 6 or if for any reason permitted under this
Agreement the purchase of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers is not
consummated, the Company shall remain responsible (except to a defaulting
Initial Purchaser) for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to
Section 12 and the respective obligations of the Company and the Initial
Purchasers pursuant to Sections 9 and 10 shall remain in effect.  In addition,
if the purchase of the Securities by the Initial Purchasers is not consummated
because any condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in
Section 5 hereof is not satisfied or because of any refusal, inability or
failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein or comply
with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by the Initial
Purchasers, the Company will reimburse the Initial Purchasers upon demand for
all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by them in connection
with this Agreement and the proposed purchase and sale of the Securities.

          9.  INDEMNIFICATION.  (a)  The Company shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Initial Purchasers, their affiliates, and their respective
officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, and each person, if
any, who controls any Initial Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act
or the Exchange Act (collectively referred to for the purposes of this Section 9
and Section 10 as the Initial Purchasers), to the fullest extent lawful, against
any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability, joint or several, or any action
in respect


<PAGE>

                                                                            37

thereof, to which an Initial Purchaser may become subject, whether commenced or
threatened, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other Federal or
state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of or is based upon (i) any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
the preliminary offering memorandum or the Offering Memorandum or in any
amendment or supplement thereto or any information provided by the Company
pursuant to Section 4(e) or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each Initial
Purchaser for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Initial
Purchaser in connection with investigating or preparing to defend or defending
against or appearing as a third party witness in connection with any such loss,
claim, damage, liability, expense or action promptly following receipt of
detailed statements itemizing such expenses; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action arises out of or is based upon any such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission from any
of such documents in reliance upon and in conformity with the Initial
Purchasers' Information; provided further that with respect to any such untrue
statement or omission made in the preliminary offering memorandum, the indemnity
agreement contained in this Section 9(a) shall not enure to the benefit of the
Initial Purchaser from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities purchased the Securities concerned if, to the extent that
such sale was an initial resale by the Initial Purchaser and any such loss,
claim, damage or liability of the Initial Purchaser is a result of the fact that
both (A) a copy of the Offering Memorandum was not sent or given to such person
at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such Securities to such
person, (B) the untrue statement or omission in the preliminary offering
memorandum was corrected in the Offering Memorandum unless, in either case, such
failure to deliver the Offering Memorandum was a result of noncompliance by the
Company with Section 4(c).

          (b)  Each Initial Purchaser, severally and not jointly, shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its affiliates, and their respective
officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents, and each person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the


<PAGE>

                                                                            38

Securities Act or the Exchange Act (collectively referred to for the purposes
of this Section 9 and Section 10 as the Company), to the same extent as the
foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Initial Purchaser, against any
loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect
thereof, to which the Company may become subject, under the Securities Act, the
Exchange Act or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, expense, liability or
action arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the preliminary offering memorandum or
the Offering Memorandum or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (ii) the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, but in each case only to
the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Initial
Purchasers' Information, and shall reimburse the Company for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or
preparing to defend or defending against or appearing as third party witness in
connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action
promptly following receipt of detailed statements itemizing such expenses.

          (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
9 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party pursuant to Section 9(a) or 9(b), notify the indemnifying
party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided,
however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have under this Section 9 except to the extent
it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights
or defenses) by such failure; and, provided further, that the failure to notify
the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have
to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 9.  If any such claim
or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the
indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other
similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense


<PAGE>

                                                                            39

thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party.  After
notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to
assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be
liable to the indemnified party under this Section 9 for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however,
that an indemnified party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any
such action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel will be
at the expense of such indemnified party unless (1) the employment of counsel
by the indemnified party has been authorized in writing by the indemnifying
party, (2) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of
counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified
parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the
indemnifying party, (3) a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on advice
of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party will not have the right
to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or
(4) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel to assume the
defense of such action within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the
commencement of the action, in each of which cases the reasonable fees,
disbursements and other charges of counsel will be at the expense of the
indemnifying party or parties.  It is understood that the indemnifying party or
parties shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in
the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees, disbursements and
other charges of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any
local counsel) at any one time for all such indemnified party or parties.
Each indemnified party, as a condition of the indemnity agreements contained in
Sections 9(a) and 9(b), shall use all reasonable efforts to cooperate with the
indemnifying party in the defense of any such action or claim.  No indemnifying
party shall be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its
written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if
settled with its written consent or if there be a final judgment of the
plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment.


<PAGE>

                                                                            40

          The obligations of the Company and the Initial Purchasers in this
Section 9 and in Section 10 are in addition to any other liability that the
Company or the Initial Purchasers, as the case may be, may otherwise have,
including in respect of any breaches of representations, warranties and
agreements made herein by any such party.

          10.  CONTRIBUTION.  If the indemnification provided for in Section 9
is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
Section 9(a) or (b), then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying
such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or
action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to
reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the
Initial Purchasers on the other from the offering of the Securities or (ii) if
the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on
the one hand and the Initial Purchasers on the other with respect to the
statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability,
or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
and the Initial Purchasers on the other with respect to such offering shall be
deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering
of the Securities purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses)
received by or on behalf of the Company bear to the total discounts received by
the Initial Purchasers with respect to the Securities purchased under this
Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the
Offering Memorandum.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company on the one hand or to the Initial
Purchasers' Information on the other, the intent of the parties and their
relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such untrue statement or omission.  The Company and the Initial Purchasers agree
that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this
Section 10 were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method
of allocation that does not take into account the


<PAGE>

                                                                            41

equitable considerations referred to herein.  The amount paid or payable by an
indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or action
in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 10 shall be deemed to
include, for purposes of this Section 10, any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending
any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 10, no
Initial Purchaser shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total price at which the Securities purchased from the
Company by it were offered to investors less the amount of any damages which
such Initial Purchaser has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of
any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  

          11.  PERSONS ENTITLED TO BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT.  This Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Initial Purchasers, the Company
and their respective successors.  Nothing expressed or mentioned in this
Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or
corporation, other than the Initial Purchasers, the Company and their respective
affiliates and successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors
referred to in Sections 9 and 10 and their heirs and legal representatives and
other than holders and prospective purchasers of the Securities as provided in
Section 4(e), any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect
of this Agreement or any provision contained herein.

          12.  EXPENSES.  The Company agrees to pay (a) the costs incident to
the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Securities
and any taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the
preparation, printing and distribution of any preliminary offering memorandum,
the Offering Memorandum and any amendments and supplements thereto; (c) the
costs of reproducing and distributing this Agreement, the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Indenture; (d) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the
certificates for the Securities to the Initial Purchasers; (e) the fees and
expenses of qualifying the Securities under the securities laws of the several
jurisdictions as provided in


<PAGE>

                                                                            42

Section 4(n) and of preparing, printing and distributing Blue Sky Memoranda
(including related fees and expenses of CS&M); (f) any fees charged by
securities rating services for rating the Securities; (g) all fees and expenses
of the Trustee; (h) all costs incident to and fees and expenses of the inclusion
of the Securities on the PORTAL system and the approval of the Securities for
book-entry transfer by The Depository Trust Company; and (i) all other costs and
expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under
this Agreement; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in this
Section 12 and in Section 8 the Initial Purchasers shall pay their own costs and
expenses (including, without limitation, the costs of travel and lodging),
including the costs and expenses of their counsel, 50% of the costs of charter-
ing aircraft in connection with the roadshow, any transfer taxes on the
Securities that they may sell and the expenses of advertising any offering of
the Securities made by the Initial Purchasers.

          13.  SURVIVAL.  The respective indemnities, rights of contribution,
representations, warranties and agreements made by or on behalf of the Company
and the Initial Purchasers and any of their respective affiliates,
representatives, officers, directors or controlling persons contained in this
Agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement, shall
survive the delivery of and payment for the Securities and shall remain in full
force and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this
Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of any of them or any person
controlling any of them.

          14.  NOTICES, ETC.  All statements, requests, notices and agreements
hereunder shall be in writing, and:

          (a) if to the Initial Purchasers, shall be delivered or sent by mail,
     telex or facsimile transmission to Chase Securities Inc., 270 Park Avenue,
     New York, New York 10017, Attention: Stephen J. Eichenberger;

          (b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
     facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the
     Offering Memorandum, Attention: Leo F. Korman.


<PAGE>

                                                                            43

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any notice to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to
Section 9(c) shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission
to the Initial Purchasers at their addresses set forth on the signature page
hereof.

          Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect
at the time of receipt thereof.

          15.  BUSINESS DAY.  For purposes of this Agreement, "business day"
means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading.

          16.  GOVERNING LAW.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.

          17.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

          18.  HEADINGS.  The headings herein are inserted for convenience of
reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or
interpretation of, this Agreement.


<PAGE>

                                                                            44

          If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of the
agreement between the Company and the Initial Purchasers, kindly indicate your
acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below.

                                       Very truly yours,


                                       CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

                                       by 
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: 
                                          Title: 

Accepted:

CHASE SECURITIES INC.,


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


DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION,


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


Address for Notices:

CHASE SECURITIES INC.
One Chase Plaza, 25th Floor
New York, New York 10081
Attention:  Legal Department

DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE
SECURITIES CORPORATION
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10072


<PAGE>


                                 Schedule I



                                             Principal
                                             Amount of Senior
Initial Purchaser                            Subordinated Notes
- -----------------                            ------------------

Chase Securities Inc.                        $45,000,000

Donaldson, Lufkin &                          $30,000,000
  Jenrette Securities
  Corporation
                                             ------------
  TOTAL                                      $75,000,000


<PAGE>


                                  Schedule III


Arizona
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Yukon Territory
Northwest Territory


<PAGE>


                                      Appendix A

                            CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.


          I, [      ], the [     ] of CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), do hereby certify in such capacity and on behalf of
the Company that on and as of the date of this certificate the following is a
true and complete list of jurisdictions in which the Company's ownership or
lease of property or the conduct of business requires the Company to be duly
qualified to do business and to be in good standing in such jurisdictions:

Arizona
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
Oregon
Texas
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

British Columbia
Alberta
Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Ontario
Yukon Territory
Northwest Terriroty



<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12
 
                 CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                         (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         FOR THE SIX MONTHS
                                                                                               ENDED
                                           FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,                   JUNE 30,
                                   1991       1992       1993       1994       1995       1995       1996
                                ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                             <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Earnings:
  Income (loss) before income
    taxes (a).................  $   (7,222) $   4,333  $  41,652  $  11,904  $  12,286  $   5,764  $  10,845
  Fixed charges...............      13,757      9,670      8,593      9,522     11,821      6,017      5,556
                                ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Earnings......................  $    6,535  $  14,003  $  50,245  $  21,426  $  24,107  $  11,781  $  16,401
 
Fixed Charges:
  Interest expense (net)(b)...  $   10,358  $   5,983  $   4,887  $   5,773  $   8,052  $   4,185  $   3,606
  One-third rental expense....       3,399      3,687      3,706      3,749      3,769      1,832      1,950
                                ----------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Fixed charges.................  $   13,757  $   9,670  $   8,593  $   9,522  $  11,821  $   6,017  $   5,556
 
Earnings to fixed charges.....         N/A       1.4x       5.8x       2.3x       2.0x       2.0x       3.0x
Deficiency....................  $   (7,222)        --         --         --         --         --         --
</TABLE>
 
(a) Before cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles and
    extraordinary items.
 
(b) Including amortization of SFAS No. 15 troubled debt restructuring deferred
    credit and debt
    financing costs.

<PAGE>

                                                 SUBSIDIARIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                       PERCENTAGE
                                    STATE OF          DATE OF           SHARES         SHARES          OF SHARES
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY                  INCORPORATION     INCORPORATION     AUTHORIZED     OUTSTANDING     OUTSTANDING
- ------------------                  -------------     -------------     ----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                 <C>               <C>               <C>            <C>             <C>
ASI OFFICE AUTOMATION, INC. *       California           5/26/78        C: 300,000     C:  75,000          25%
                                                                        P: 150,000     P:       0           0%
                                                                           Series A
Sole Shareholder:                                                          
Marquise Ventures Company, Inc.

BINGO CASH & CARRY, INC.*           California           2/26/81        C:  50,000     C:  25,000          50%
                                                                        P:   5,000     P:   1,000          20%
                                                                             Series A

Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark Interrelated
  Companies, Inc.

C/M PRODUCTS, INC.                  California           7/19/89        C:   1,000     C:     100          10%
                                                                        P:     N/A     P:     N/A          N/A
Sole Shareholder:                                                            
Core-Mark International, Inc.

E.A. MORRIS DISTRIBUTORS, LIMITED   Canada*              1/20/82        C:  10,000     C:       1    less than
                                                                                                           .01%
                                                                        P:     N/A     P:     N/A          N/A
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark International, Inc.

</TABLE>

*Represents inactive corporations

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                                               PERCENTAGE
                                    STATE OF          DATE OF           SHARES          SHARES          OF SHARES
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY                  INCORPORATION     INCORPORATION     AUTHORIZED      OUTSTANDING     OUTSTANDING
- ------------------                  -------------     -------------     ------------    -----------     -----------
<S>                                 <C>               <C>               <C>            <C>             <C>
CORE-MARK INTERRELATED              California           4/14/75        C: 1,000,000    C: 1,000,000        100%
  COMPANIES, INC.                                                       P:       N/A    P:       N/A         N/A

Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark International, Inc.

CORE-MARK MIDCONTINENT, INC.        Arkansas             7/2/81         C:  2,000       C:     2,000        100%
                                                                        P:    N/A       P:       N/A         N/A
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark International, Inc.

CORE-MARK VIDEO, INC.*              California           11/5/80        C:  100,000     C:   100,000        100%
                                                                        P:      N/A     P:       N/A        
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark Interrelated
  Companies, Inc.

CORE-MARK WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.*      California           12/15/87       C: 100,000      C:       100        .10%
                                                                        P:     N/A      P:       N/A         N/A
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark Interrelated
  Companies, Inc.


                                                              2
</TABLE>

*Represents inactive corporations

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                       PERCENTAGE
                                    STATE OF          DATE OF           SHARES         SHARES          OF SHARES
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY                  INCORPORATION     INCORPORATION     AUTHORIZED     OUTSTANDING     OUTSTANDING
- ------------------                  -------------     -------------     ----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                    <C>               <C>               <C>            <C>             <C>
FOAM MERCHANTS CORPORATION*         California           6/1/88         C:   1,000     C:     100          10%
                                                                        P:     N/A     P:     N/A          N/A
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark Interrelated
  Companies, Inc.

GENERAL ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION*     California           6/10/83        C: 400,000     C:     200         .05%
                                                                        P:     N/A     P:     N/A          N/A
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark Interrelated
  Companies, Inc.

LCLC ACQUISITION CORPORATION*       Delaware            10/25/88        C:   5,000     C:   1,000          20%
                                                                        P:   5,000     P:   1,000          20%
                                                                             Series A
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark Interrelated
  Companies, Inc.

MARQUISE VENTURES COMPANY, INC.*    California           7/26/84        C:  75,000     C:  75,000         100%
                                                                        P:     N/A     P:     N/A          N/A
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark International, Inc.
</TABLE>

*Represents inactive corporations

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                                              PERCENTAGE
                                    STATE OF          DATE OF           SHARES         SHARES          OF SHARES
NAME OF SUBSIDIARY                  INCORPORATION     INCORPORATION     AUTHORIZED     OUTSTANDING     OUTSTANDING
- ------------------                  -------------     -------------     ----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                 <C>               <C>               <C>            <C>             <C>
RUSSELLVILLE TOBACCO COMPANY*       Arkansas            11/26/76        C:  1,000      C:    150           15%
                                                                        P:    N/A      P:    N/A           N/A

Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark International, Inc.

SJL PRODUCTS, INC.*                 California           3/4/83         C:  7,500      C:    300            4%
                                                                        P:    N/A      P:    N/A           N/A
Sole Shareholder:
Core-Mark Interrelated Companies, Inc.

- ------------------
C: - Common Stock
P: - Preferred Stock
</TABLE>
*Represents inactive corporations



<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
The Board of Directors
Core-Mark International, Inc.:
 
The audits referred to in our report dated February 23, 1996, included the
related financial statement schedule for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1995, included in the registration statement on Form
S-4. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial
statement schedule based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.
 
We consent to the use of our reports included herein and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
 
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
October 8, 1996

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                              --------------------
                                    FORM T-1

     STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 
     OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

     CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE 
     PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ___________

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

                              BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
               (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

NEW YORK                                               13-4941247
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or                      (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national bank)              Identification no.)


FOUR ALBANY STREET
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                     10006
(Address of principal                                  (Zip Code)
executive offices)

                          BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
                          LEGAL DEPARTMENT
                          130 LIBERTY STREET, 31ST FLOOR
                          NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10006
                          (212) 250-2201
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)      

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

                          CORE-MARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
               (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                                               84-0978360
(State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. employer
Incorporation or organization)                         Identification no.)


395 OYSTER POINT BOULEVARD, SUITE 415
SAN FRANCISCO, CA                                      94080
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)


                   11-3/8% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2003
                       (Title of the indenture securities)

<PAGE>

ITEM 1.        GENERAL INFORMATION.
               Furnish the following information as to the trustee.

               (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority
                    to which it is subject.

               NAME                                         ADDRESS
               ----                                         -------

               Federal Reserve Bank (2nd District)          New York, NY
               Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation        Washington, D.C.
               New York State Banking Department            Albany, NY

               (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

                    Yes.

ITEM 2.        AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

               If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such
               affiliation.

               None.

ITEM 3. -15.   NOT APPLICABLE

ITEM  16.      LIST OF EXHIBITS.

               EXHIBIT 1 -    Restated Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust
                              Company dated August 7, 1990, Certificate of
                              Amendment of the Organization Certificate of
                              Bankers Trust Company dated June 21, 1995 -
                              Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1
                              filed with Form T-1 Statement, Registration No.
                              33-65171, and Certificate of Admendment of the
                              Organization Certificate of Bankers Trust Company
                              dated March 21, 1996, copy attached.

               EXHIBIT 2 -    Certificate of Authority to commence business -
                              Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2
                              filed with Form T-1 Statement, Registration No.
                              33-21047.

               EXHIBIT 3 -    Authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate
                              trust powers - Incorporated herein by reference to
                              Exhibit 2 filed with Form T-1 Statement,
                              Registration No. 33-21047.

               EXHIBIT 4 -    Existing By-Laws of Bankers Trust Company, dated
                              as amended on October 19, 1995. - Incorporated
                              herein by reference to Exhibit 4 filed with
                              Form T-1 Statement, Registration No. 33-65171.


                                       -2-

<PAGE>

               EXHIBIT 5 -    Not applicable.

               EXHIBIT 6 -    Consent of Bankers Trust Company required by
                              Section 321(b) of the Act. - Incorporated herein
                              by reference to Exhibit 4 filed with Form T-1
                              Statement, Registration No. 22-18864.

               EXHIBIT 7 -    A copy of the latest report of condition of
                              Bankers Trust Company dated as of July 31, 1996.

               EXHIBIT 8 -    Not Applicable.

               EXHIBIT 9 -    Not Applicable.


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURE



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, Bankers Trust Company, a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement
of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in The City of New York, and State of New York, on the 3rd day
of October, 1996.


                                        BANKERS TRUST COMPANY



                                        By:  /s/ Kevin Weeks
                                             ---------------
                                             Kevin Weeks
                                             Assistant Treasurer


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                      <C>                           <C>                      <C>                   <C>
Legal Title of Bank:     Bankers Trust Company         Call Date:  6/30/96      ST-BK:   36-4840      FFIEC 031
Address:                 130 Liberty Street            Vendor ID:  D            CERT:  00623          Page RC-1
City, State   ZIP:       New York, NY  10006                                                          11
FDIC Certificate No.:      0   0   6   2   3
</TABLE>

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL 
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS JUNE 30, 1996

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars.  Unless otherwise 
indicated, reported the amount outstanding as of the last business day of the 
quarter.


SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               ------------------------------
                                                                                                 C400
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------
                                                     Dollar Amounts in Thousands   RCFD    Bil Mil Thou
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>                           <C>          <C>
ASSETS                                                 
                                                                                   / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
 1.  Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule RC-A):               / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
     a.   Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1) ................   0081                           1,631,000   1.a.
     b.   Interest-bearing balances(2) .........................................   0071                           2,066,000   1.b.
 2.  Securities:                                                                   / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 
     a.   Held-to-maturity securities (from Schedule RC-B, column A) ...........   1754                                   0   2.a.
     b.   Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)..........   1773                           3,761,000   2.b.
 3   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell in 
     domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,      / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  
     and in IBFs:                                                                  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  
     a.   Federal funds sold ...................................................   0276                           5,162,000   3.a.
     b.   Securities purchased under agreements to resell ......................   0277                           4,192,000   3.b.
 4.  Loans and lease financing receivables:                                        / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
     a.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income 
          (from Schedule RC-C)...........................RCFD 2122   24,849,000    / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /        4.a.
     b.   LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses......RCFD 3123      923,000    / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /        4.b.
     c.   LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve .........RCFD 3128            0    / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /        4.c.
     d.   Loans and leases, net of unearned income,                                / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 
          allowance, and reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c) ..................   2125                        23,926,000     4.d.
 5.  Assets held in trading accounts ...........................................   3545                        33,052,000     5.
 6.  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ..................   2145                           858,000     6.
 7.  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) ..............................   2150                           216,000     7.
 8.  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies 
     (from Schedule RC-M).......................................................   2130                           271,000     8.
 9.  Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ..............   2155                           572,000     9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) ....................................   2143                            18,000     10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F) .........................................   2160                         7,612,000     11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) ..................................   2170                        83,337,000     12.
                                                                                   ------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held in trading accounts.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Legal Title of Bank:  Bankers Trust Company       Call Date: 6/30/96     ST-BK: 36-4840        FFIEC  031
Address:              130 Liberty Street          Vendor ID: D           CERT:  00623          Page  RC-2
City, State    Zip:   New York, NY  10006                                                      12
FDIC Certificate No.:   0   0   6   2   3

SCHEDULE RC--CONTINUED
                                                                           ----------------------------------------------
                                    Dollar Amounts in Thousands  / / / / / / / /        Bil Mil Thou
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>    <C>                        <C>                    <C>
LIABILITIES                                                      / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
13.  Deposits:                                                    / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
     a.   In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C 
          from Schedule RC-E, part I)...........................        RCON 2200                      9,040,000           13.a.
          (1)  Noninterest-bearing(1)...RCON 6631  3,569,000....            / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  13.a.(1)
          (2)  Interest-bearing.........RCON 6636  5,471,000....            / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /  13.a.(2)
     b.   In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,    / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
          and IBFs (from Schedule RC-E part II).................        RCFN 2200                     19,648,000           13.b.
          (1)  Noninterest-bearing....RCFN 6631     494,000             / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /      13.b.(1)
          (2)  Interest-bearing.......RCFN 6636   19,154,000            / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /      13.b.(2)
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under                  / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 
     agreements to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank           / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
     and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs: 
     a.   Federal funds purchased ..............................        RCFD 0278                     2,564,000            14.a.
     b.   Securities sold under agreements to repurchase .......        RCFD 0279                       790,000            14.b.
15.  a.   Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury .............        RCON 2840                             0            15.a.
     b.   Trading liabilities ..................................        RCFD 3548                    18,177,000            15.b.
16.  Other borrowed money:                                         / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 
     a.   With original maturity of one year or less ...........        RCFD 2332                    16,421,000            16.a.
     b.   With original maturity of more than one year .........        RCFD 2333                     3,388,000            16.b.
17.  Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized 
     leases ....................................................        RCFD 2910                        31,000            17.
18.  Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding...        RCFD 2920                       572,000            18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures .........................        RCFD 3200                     1,227,000            19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) ....................        RCFD 2930                     6,911,000            20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20) ............        RCFD 2948                    78,769,000            21.
                                                                   / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 
22.  Limited-life preferred stock and related surplus ..........        RCFD 3282                             0            22.
EQUITY CAPITAL                                                     / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus .............        RCFD 3838                       500,000            23.
24.  Common stock ..............................................        RCFD 3230                     1,002,000            24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)...        RCFD 3839                       528,000            25.
26.  a.   Undivided profits and capital reserves ...............        RCFD 3632                     2,915,000            26.a.
     b.   Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on 
          available-for-sale securities ........................        RCFD 8434                  (      5,000)           26.b.
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments .......        RCFD 3284                  (    372,000)           27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27) .........        RCFD 3210                     4,568,000            28.
29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and               / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / 
     equity capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28) ..............        RCFD 3300                     83,337,000           29.
                                                                  ---------------------------------------------

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
 1.  Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement 
     below that best describes the most comprehensive level of                                 Number
     auditing work performed for the bank by independent external                           ------------
     auditors as of any date during 1995.........................       RCFD     6724             2        M.1
                                                                  ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>

1    =    Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance with generally
          accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm
          which submits a report on the bank
2    =    Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company conducted in
          accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified
          public accounting firm which submits a report on the consolidated
          holding company auditors (but not on the bank separately)
3    =    Directors' examination of the bank conducted in accordance with
          generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting
          firm (may be required by state chartering authority)
4    =    Directors' examination of the bank performed by other external
          auditors (may be required by state chartering authority)
5    =    Review of the bank's financial statements by external auditors 
6    =    Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external
7    =    Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)
8    =    No external audit work


- -------------------------
(1)  Including total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
     deposits.

<PAGE>

                               STATE OF NEW YORK,

                               BANKING DEPARTMENT



     I, PETER M. PHILBIN, Deputy Superintendent of Bank of the State of New
York, DO HEREBY APPROVE the annexed Certificate entitled "CERTIFICATE OF
AMENDMENT OF THE ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATE OF BANKERS TRUST COMPANY UNDER SECTION
8005 OF THE BANKING LAW," dated March 20, 1996, providing for an increase in
authorized capital stock from $1,351,666,670 consisting of 85,166,667 shares
with a par value of $10 each designated as Common Stock and 500 shares with a
par value of $1,000,000 each designated as Series Preferred Stock to
$1,501,666,670 consisting of 100,166,667 shares with a par value of $10 each
designated as Common Stock and 500 shares with a par value of $1,000,000 each
designated as Series Preferred Stock.

WITNESS, MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL OF THE BANKING DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY OF NEW
YORK,
                    THIS 21ST DAY OF MARCH IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND
                    NINE HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIX.



                                             Peter M. Philbin         
                                        ---------------------------------
                                        DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF BANKS

<PAGE>

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                     OF THE

                            ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATE

                                OF BANKERS TRUST

                      Under Section 8005 of the Banking Law

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

     We, James T. Byrne, Jr. and Lea Lahtinen, being respectively a Managing
Director and an Assistant Secretary of Bankers Trust Company, do hereby certify:

     1.   The name of the corporation is Bankers Trust Company.

     2.   The organization certificate of said corporation was filed by the
Superintendent of Banks on the 5th of march, 1903.

     3.   The organization certificate as heretofore amended is hereby amended
to increase the aggregate number of shares which the corporation shall have
authority to issue and to increase the amount of its authorized capital stock in
conformity therewith.

     4.   Article III of the organization certificate with reference to the
authorized capital stock, the number of shares into which the capital stock
shall be divided, the par value of the shares and the capital stock outstanding,
which reads as follows:

     "III.   The amount of capital stock which the corporation is hereafter
     to have is One Billion, Three Hundred Fifty One Million, Six Hundred
     Sixty-Six Thousand, Six Hundred Seventy Dollars ($1,351,666,670),
     divided into Eighty-Five Million, One Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand, Six
     Hundred Sixty-Seven (85,166,667) shares with a par value of $10 each
     designated as Common Stock and 500 shares with a par value of One
     Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each designated as Series Preferred
     Stock."

is hereby amended to read as follows:

     "III.   The amount of capital stock which the corporation is hereafter
     to have is One Billion, Five Hundred One Million, Six Hundred Sixty-
     Six Thousand, Six Hundred Seventy Dollars ($1,501,666,670), divided
     into One Hundred Million, One Hundred Sixty Six Thousand, Six Hundred
     Sixty-Seven (100,166,667) shares with a par value of $10 each
     designated as Common Stock and 500 shares with a par value of One
     Million Dollars ($1,000,000) each designated as Series Preferred
     Stock."

<PAGE>

     6.   The foregoing amendment of the organization certificate was authorized
by unanimous written consent signed by the holder of all outstanding shares
entitled to vote thereon.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have made and subscribed this certificate this 20th
day of March , 1996.


                                        James T. Byrne, Jr.      
                                   ----------------------------------
                                        James T. Byrne, Jr.
                                        Managing Director


                                        Lea Lahtinen             
                                   ----------------------------------
                                        Lea Lahtinen
                                        Assistant Secretary

State of New York   )
                    )  ss:
County of New York  )

     Lea Lahtinen, being fully sworn, deposes and says that she is an Assistant
Secretary of Bankers Trust Company, the corporation described in the foregoing
certificate; that she has read the foregoing certificate and knows the contents
thereof, and that the statements herein contained are true.

                                                  Lea Lahtinen
                                             ------------------------      
                                                  Lea Lahtinen

Sworn to before me this 20th day
of March, 1996.


     Sandra L. West 
- --------------------------
     Notary Public


           SANDRA L. WEST
   Notary Public State of New York             Counterpart filed in the
           No. 31-4942101                      Office of the Superintendent of
    Qualified in New York County               Banks, State of New York,
Commission Expires September 19, 1996          This 21st day of March, 1996
 

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995             JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995             JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          24,447                  12,911
<SECURITIES>                                         0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  105,190                 109,321
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,600                   3,958
<INVENTORY>                                     96,703                  72,933
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               230,882                 200,405
<PP&E>                                          40,746                  42,922
<DEPRECIATION>                                  20,217                  22,051
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 324,536                 292,594
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          126,652                 127,710
<BONDS>                                        101,598                  62,404
                                0                       0
                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                      87,669                  93,951
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   324,536                 292,594
<SALES>                                      2,047,187               1,068,575
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,047,187               1,068,575
<CGS>                                        1,901,604                 989,608
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  125,245                  64,516
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 1,065                     635
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               6,987                   2,971
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 12,286                  10,845
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,563                   4,629
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              6,723                   6,216
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                     6,723                   6,216
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0                       0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0                       0
        

</TABLE>


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