ZIMMERMAN SIGN CO
SC 13D/A, 1999-01-12
DURABLE GOODS, NEC
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<PAGE>


                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C.  20549

                                     Schedule 13D/A

                      Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                   (Amendment No. 1)

                                Zimmerman Sign Company
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (NAME OF ISSUER)

                       Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            (TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES)

                                     989580-10-5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (CUSIP NUMBER)

                                  David E. Anderson
                       8150 North Central Expressway Suite 1801
                                 Dallas, Texas 75206
                                    (214) 691-3937
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PERSON
                  AUTHORIZED TO RECEIVE NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS)


                                   January 11, 1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (DATE OF EVENT WHICH REQUIRES FILING
                                  OF THIS STATEMENT)


If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to 
report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is 
filing this schedule because of Sections 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 
240.13d-1(g), check the following box / /.

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and 
five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits.  See Section 
240.13d-7(b) for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting 
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of 
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which 
would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be 
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section 
of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, 
see the Notes).

                                  Page 1 of 5 Pages


<PAGE>

CUSIP NO. 989580-10-5                  13D                   Page 2 of 5 Pages

 1   NAME OF REPORTING PERSONS  I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NOS. OF ABOVE PERSONS
     (entities only)

     David E. Anderson
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*                 (a) / / 
                                                                       (b) / / 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 3   SEC USE ONLY

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

     PF
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5   CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
     ITEMS
     2(d) or 2(a)          / /

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

     UNITED STATES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         NUMBER OF         7    SOLE VOTING POWER
          SHARES                506,087
       BENEFICIALLY -----------------------------------------------------------
         OWNED BY          8    SHARED VOTING POWER
           EACH                 0
         REPORTING  -----------------------------------------------------------
          PERSON           9    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER                         
           WITH                 506,087                                        
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
                           10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 11  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
     506,087
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 12  CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE
     INSTRUCTIONS)                                                         /X/
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 13  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
     38.2%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 14  TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
     IN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>
CUSIP NO. 989580-10-5                  13D                   Page 3 of 5 Pages

The undersigned hereby amends and supplements the Schedule 13D previously 
filed by him (the "Statement") in connection with shares of common stock, par 
value $0.01 per share, (the "Common Stock") of Zimmerman Sign Company, a 
Texas  corporation (the "Company").  Reference is made to the Statement for 
previously reported facts, and all capitalized terms not otherwise defined 
herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Statement.

ITEM 5.  INTEREST IN SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER.  Item 5 of the Statement is 
amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

    Mr. Anderson beneficially owns 506,087 shares, or 38.2%, of the 
outstanding Common Stock of the Company.  Mr. Anderson beneficially owns all 
of such shares by direct ownership and possesses sole voting power and sole 
dispositive power with respect to all of such shares.

    On September 30, 1998, the Company, Continental Illinois Venture 
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("CIVC"), MIG Partners VIII, a Delaware 
partnership ("MIG"), and certain members of the Company's management (the 
"Management Purchasers"), including Mr. Anderson, entered into that certain 
Senior Subordinated Note, Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (the 
"Securities Purchase Agreement").  Under the Securities Purchase Agreement, the
Company issued to CIVC, MIG and the Management Purchasers 12% Senior
Subordinated Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $4 million and warrants
to purchase an aggregate of 1,197,914 shares of the Company's Common Stock.  The
Company also issued an aggregate of 52,500 shares of the Company's Series A 
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, to CIVC, MIG and certain of the 
Management Purchasers, including Mr. Anderson.  Under the Securities Purchase 
Agreement, the Company issued to Mr. Anderson (i) a 12% Senior Subordinated 
Note (the "Note") in the principal amount of $236,133.33; (ii) immediately 
exercisable warrants to purchase 75,113 shares of the Company's Common Stock 
(the "Warrants"); and (iii) 3,322 shares of the Company's Series A Preferred 
Stock.  Mr. Anderson paid $568,333.32 in total consideration for the Note, 
Warrants and shares of Series A Preferred Stock.  

    On September 30, 1998, Mr. Anderson entered into a Share Option Purchase 
Agreement with the Company and the Geneve Affiliates pursuant to which, in 
consideration of $0.25 cash per share, the Geneve Affiliates granted to (i) 
the Company an option to purchase an aggregate of 357,143 shares of Common 
Stock at a price per share equal to (a) $1.50 in cash and (b) .0175 shares of 
Series C Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company; and (ii) 
Anderson an option to purchase an aggregate of 428,000 shares of Common Stock 
at a price per share equal to $3.25 in cash.  The options were exercisable 
only between the open of business on January 4, 1999 and the close of 
business on January 8, 1999.  Mr. Anderson and the Company entered into a 
Purchase Agreement on September 30, 1998, pursuant to which, promptly upon 
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Share Option Purchase 
Agreement, Mr. Anderson agreed to sell and the Company agreed to buy 228,000 
shares of Common Stock in 

<PAGE>

CUSIP NO. 989580-10-5                  13D                   Page 4 of 5 Pages

exchange for $98,000 in cash and 7,000 shares of the Company's Series B 
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

    On September 30, 1998, the Company, CIVC, MIG, the Geneve Affiliates and 
the Management Purchasers entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which 
CIVC, MIG and the Management Purchasers agreed to surrender to the Company a 
portion of the warrants issued under the Securities Purchase Agreement upon 
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Share Option Purchase 
Agreement and the Purchase Agreement.  Under the terms of the letter 
agreement, Mr. Anderson would surrender to the Company without consideration 
warrants for 21,549 shares of Common Stock.

    On January 8, 1999, the Company and Mr. Anderson exercised the purchase 
options granted by the Geneve Affiliates under the Share Option Purchase 
Agreement, as described above. On January 11, 1999, in accordance with the 
Purchase Agreement, as described above, the Company purchased 228,000 shares 
of Common Stock from Mr. Anderson, and in accordance with the letter 
agreement, as described above, CIVC, MIG and the Management Purchasers 
surrendered to the Company a portion of their warrants, including Mr. 
Anderson, who surrendered warrants for 21,549 shares of Common Stock.

    On December 17, 1998, Mr. Anderson purchased 200 shares of Common Stock 
in a market transaction for $3.69 per share. One hundred of these shares are 
held by Mr. Anderson's minor children. Mr. Anderson disclaims beneficial 
ownership of the remaining 100 shares, which are held by his non-minor 
children.

     Except as set forth herein, no transactions in the Common Stock were 
effected by Mr. Anderson during the past 60 days.

ITEM 7.  MATERIAL TO BE FILED AS EXHIBITS.

    Item 7 of the Statement is supplemented as follows:

         F.   Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of September 30, 1998 by 
              and among the Company, CIVC, MIG and the Management Purchasers.

<PAGE>

CUSIP NO. 989580-10-5                  13D                   Page 5 of 5 Pages

                                      SIGNATURES


    After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I 
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete 
and correct.

Date: January 12, 1999                    /s/ David E. Anderson
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                             David E. Anderson



<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit F






                   SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE, PREFERRED STOCK AND
                             WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                            DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1998

                                        AMONG

                                ZIMMERMAN SIGN COMPANY               

                     CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS VENTURE CORPORATION,
                                          
                                 MIG PARTNERS VIII
                                          
                                        AND
                                          
                      THE MANAGEMENT PURCHASERS LISTED HEREIN

<PAGE>

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 PAGE
                                                                                 ---- 
<S>                                                                              <C>
Section 1.  Authorization and Closing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
       1A.    Authorization of Notes, Warrants and Series A Preferred.   . . . . .  1
       1B.    Purchase and Sale of the Notes, the Warrants and Series A
              Preferred.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
       1C.    The Closing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
       1D.    Closing Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

Section 2.  Conditions of the Purchasers' Obligation at the Closing. . . . . . . .  2
       2A.    Loan Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
       2B.    Share Purchase Option Transaction.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
       2C.    Stockholders Agreement and Registration Agreement. . . . . . . . . .  3
       2D.    Representations and Warranties; Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
       2E.    Certificate of Designation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
       2F.    Delivery of Notes, Warrants and Series A Preferred . . . . . . . . .  3
       2G.    Resignation of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
       2H.    Termination of Registration Rights Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2I.    Securities Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2J.    No Pending Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2K.    No Materially Adverse Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2L.    Indebtedness; No Default.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2M.    Environmental Reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2N.    Liquidity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2O.    Opinion of Counsel.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2P.    Closing Documents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2Q.    The Purchasers' Fees and Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
       2R.    Total Transaction Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
       2S.    Legal Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
       2T.    Proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       2U.    Waiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7

Section 3.  Affirmative Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       3A.    Business Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       3B.    Financial Statements and Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
       3C.    Inspection of Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
       3D.    Compliance with Certain Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
       3E.    Proprietary Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       3F.    Environmental Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       3G.    ERISA Notices and Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       3H.    SBIC Regulatory Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
       3I.    Current Public Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14


                                     -2-

<PAGE>

Section 4.  Financial Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       4A.    Financial Covenants When Notes Outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       4B.    Financial Covenants When Series A Preferred Outstanding. . . . . . . 16

Section 5.  Negative Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
       5A.    Acquisition; Consolidation; Reorganization . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
       5B.    Sale, Lease or Transfer of Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
       5C.    Distributions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
       5D.    Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
       5E.    Limitations on Indebtedness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
       5F.    Contingent Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
       5G.    Liens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
       5H.    Amendment to the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws;
              Stock Splits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
       5I.    Conduct of Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
       5J.    Affiliated Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
       5K.    Restrictive Agreements; Conflicting Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . 21
       5L.    Public Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
       5M.    Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
       5N.    Fiscal Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
       5O.    Amendment of Indebtedness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
       5P.    Equity Issuances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
       5Q.    ERISA Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Section 6.  Representations and Warranties of the Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       6A.    Organization and Corporate Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       6B.    Capital Stock and Related Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       6C.    Subsidiaries; Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       6D.    Authorization; No Breach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       6E.    Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
       6F.    Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       6G.    No Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       6H.    Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       6I.    Investment Company Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       6J.    Margin Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       6K.    Tax Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       6L.    Contracts and Commitments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       6M.    Trademarks, Patents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
       6N.    Litigation, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
       6O.    No Forfeiture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
       6P.    Small Business Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
       6Q.    Brokerage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
       6R.    Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
       6S.    Employees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29


                                     -3-

<PAGE>

       6T.    Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       6U.    Affiliated Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       6V.    Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       6W.    Loan Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       6X.    ERISA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
       6Y.    Environmental and Safety Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
       6Z.    Real Property Holding Corporation Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
       6AA.   Certain Government Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
       6BB.   Closing Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Section 7.  Representations and Warranties of BA Purchasers. . . . . . . . . . . . 33
       7A.    Due Authorization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
       7B.    Consents and Approvals.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Section 8.  Representations and Warranties and Covenants of all Purchasers.. . . . 34
       8A.    Investment Intent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
       8B.    Access: Sophistication: etc... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Section 9.  Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
       9A.    Defined Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
       9B.    Accounting Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Section 10.  Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
       10A.   Events of Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
       10B.   Default Interest Rate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
       10C.   Remedy if Bankruptcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
       10D.   Remedy if Other Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
       10E.   Waivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
       10F.   Right of Setoff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Section 11.  Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
       11A.   Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
       11B.   Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
       11C.   Indemnification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
       11D.   Usury. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
       11E.   Consent to Amendments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
       11F.   Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
       11G.   Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
       11H.   Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
       11I.   Descriptive Headings; Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
       11J.   Governing Law. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
       11K.   Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
       11L.   Survival of Agreement; Indemnities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55


                                     -4-

<PAGE>

       11M.   Taxes and Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
       11N.   Jurisdiction and Venue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
       11O.   Waiver of Right to Jury Trial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
       11P.   Consideration for the Warrants and Warrant Stock . . . . . . . . . . 57
       11Q.   No Strict Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
       11R.   Complete Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
       11S.   Time of Essence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
       11T.   No Third Party Beneficiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
       11U.   Confidentiality of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
</TABLE>


Schedules and Exhibits:

List of Exhibits
List of Disclosure Schedules
Schedule of Purchasers













                                     -5-

<PAGE>

                                       
                 SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE, PREFERRED STOCK AND
                          WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT

              THIS AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made as of September 30, 
1998 by and among Continental Illinois Venture Corporation, a Delaware 
corporation ("CIVC"), MIG Partners VIII, a Delaware partnership ("MIG"), 
Zimmerman Sign Company, a Texas corporation (the "COMPANY") and certain 
members of the Company's management listed on the signature pages hereto as 
the "Management Purchasers" (the "MANAGEMENT PURCHASERS").  CIVC and MIG are 
referred to herein collectively as the "BA PURCHASERS" and each is referred 
to herein individually as a "BA PURCHASER."  The BA Purchasers and the 
Management Purchasers are referred to herein collectively as the "PURCHASERS" 
and each is referred to herein individually as a "PURCHASER."  Except as 
otherwise indicated herein, capitalized terms used herein are defined in 
SECTION 9 hereof. 

              The Company is initiating a plan to recapitalize its existing 
debt and equity structure through a series of transactions including, but not 
limited to, refinancing of funded debt, repurchase of stock from certain 
shareholders, issuance of capital stock and restructuring certain rights held 
by certain stockholders of the Company (the "RECAPITALIZATION").  The 
Purchasers are entering into this Agreement to provide financing for the 
Company's Recapitalization.

              In connection with the Recapitalization, the Company is 
entering into a Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term 
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the "LOAN AGREEMENT"), with Comerica 
Bank-Texas, a Texas banking association (the "BANK"), pursuant to which the 
Bank has agreed to make available to the Company a revolving credit facility 
of $17,000,000 (the "REVOLVER") and a term loan facility in the amount of 
$2,000,000 (the "TERM A LOAN"), a term loan facility in the amount of 
$1,000,000 (the "TERM B LOAN") and a term loan facility in the amount of 
$3,500,000 (the "TERM C LOAN"), and together with the Term A Loan and Term B 
Loan, the "TERM LOANS").
              
              In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained 
herein and for the good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy 
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

              Section 1.  Authorization and Closing.

              1A.    AUTHORIZATION OF NOTES, WARRANTS AND SERIES A PREFERRED. 
The Company shall authorize the issuance and sale to the Purchasers of (i) 
12.00% Senior Subordinated Notes, in the form attached hereto as EXHIBIT A 
(any such note, a "NOTE" and all notes issued hereunder or in respect of any 
Note, collectively, the "NOTES"), in the aggregate principal amount of 
$4,000,000, (ii) stock purchase warrants, in the form attached hereto as 
EXHIBIT B (any such warrant, a "WARRANT" and all warrants issued pursuant to 
this CLAUSE (ii), or in respect of any such Warrant, collectively, the 
"WARRANTS") initially exercisable to 1,197,914 shares of Common Stock and 
(iii) 52,500 shares of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, par value 
$0.01 per share (the 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

"SERIES A PREFERRED"), having the rights and preferences set forth in EXHIBIT 
C attached hereto.  The Notes, Series A Preferred, the Warrants and Warrant 
Stock sometimes are referred to herein collectively as the "SECURITIES."

              1B.    PURCHASE AND SALE OF THE NOTES, THE WARRANTS AND SERIES 
A PREFERRED.  At the Closing (as defined in SECTION 1C below) the Company 
shall issue to each of the Purchasers and, subject to the terms and 
conditions set forth herein, each of the Purchasers shall severally and 
independently (and not jointly) purchase from the Company, (i) Notes in the 
aggregate principal amount set forth opposite such Purchaser's name on the 
attached SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS, in each case, at a purchase price equal to 
the price set forth opposite such Purchaser's name on the attached SCHEDULE 
OF PURCHASERS, (ii) Warrants initially exercisable to acquire the aggregate 
number of shares of Common Stock set forth opposite such Purchaser's name on 
the attached SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS, in each case, at a purchase price equal 
to the price set forth opposite such Purchaser's name on the attached 
SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS, and (iii) the number of shares of Series A Preferred 
set forth opposite such Purchaser's name on the attached SCHEDULE OF 
PURCHASERS, in each case, at a purchase price equal to the price set forth 
opposite such Purchaser's name on the attached SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS.

              1C.    THE CLOSING.  The sale of the Notes, the Series A 
Preferred and the Warrants to each Purchaser hereunder shall constitute 
separate sales hereunder.  The closing of the purchase and sale of the 
Securities (the "CLOSING") shall take place on September 30, 1998 (the 
"CLOSING DATE") at the offices of Kirkland & Ellis or at such other place or 
on such other date as may be mutually agreeable to the Company and the 
Purchasers.  At the Closing, the Company shall deliver to each of the 
Purchasers instruments and certificates for the Notes, Series A Preferred and 
the Warrants to be purchased by such Purchaser, issued to such Purchaser, 
registered in such Purchaser's or its nominee's name, upon payment of the 
purchase price therefor by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to 
accounts designated by the Company in the amount set forth opposite such 
Purchaser's name on the attached SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS.

              1D.    CLOSING FEES.  On  the Closing Date, the Company shall 
pay to the BA Purchasers for their own account a closing fee (the "CLOSING 
FEE") in an aggregate amount of $200,000, by wire transfer of immediately 
available funds to accounts specified by the BA Purchasers in the respective 
amounts set forth opposite each BA Purchaser's name on the attached SCHEDULE 
OF PURCHASERS.

              Section 2.  CONDITIONS OF THE PURCHASERS' OBLIGATION AT THE 
CLOSING.  The obligation of each Purchaser to purchase and pay for Securities 
issued hereunder at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction as of the 
Closing of the following conditions to such Purchaser's satisfaction in its 
sole discretion: 

              2A.    LOAN AGREEMENT.  The Loan Agreement and all other 
documents and agreements contemplated thereby shall be in form and substance 
satisfactory to the Purchasers and their counsel, without amendment or 
modification thereof, and shall be in full force and effect, all conditions 
to the obligations of the Banks to make loans thereunder shall have been 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

satisfied, and the Banks shall have agreed to advance to the Company 
immediately following the Closing or simultaneously therewith all amounts 
under the Term Loans and up to $17,000,000 under the Revolver (excluding the 
aggregate amount of unused availability thereunder).

              2B.    SHARE PURCHASE OPTION TRANSACTION.  (i) Each of the 
Company and David Anderson shall have entered into a share purchase option 
agreement in the form of EXHIBIT D attached hereto (the "SHARE PURCHASE 
OPTION AGREEMENT") with Geneve Securities Holding Corp.  ("GSH"), Southern 
Investors Corp. ("SIC"), Southern Mortgage Holding Corporation ("SMHC"), 
Geneve Securities Portfolio Corp. ("GENEVE") and First International 
Reinsurance Company, Inc. ("FIRC") and such Share Purchase Option Agreement 
shall not have been amended or modified and shall be in full force and effect 
as of the Closing, (ii) the Company and David Anderson shall have entered in 
a share purchase agreement in the form of EXHIBIT E attached hereto (the 
"ANDERSON PURCHASE AGREEMENT") and such Anderson Purchase Agreement shall not 
have been amended or modified and shall be in full force and effect as of the 
Closing, and (iii) the Company and Anderson shall have entered into the side 
agreement in the form of EXHIBIT F attached hereto (the "ANDERSON SIDE 
AGREEMENT") and such Anderson Side Agreement shall not have been amended or 
modified and shall be in full force and effect as of the Closing. 
       
              2C.    STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT AND REGISTRATION AGREEMENT. The 
Stockholders Agreement in the form of EXHIBIT G hereto and the Registration 
Agreement in the form of EXHIBIT H hereto shall have been duly authorized, 
executed and delivered by each other party thereto and shall be in full force 
and effect as of the Closing.

              2D.    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; COVENANTS.  The 
representations and warranties contained in SECTION 6 hereof shall be true 
and correct at and as of the Closing as though then made, the Company shall 
have performed prior to the Closing all of the covenants required to be 
performed by it hereunder and under the other documents, agreements and 
instruments executed in connection herewith that are to be complied with or 
performed by the Company prior to the Closing.

              2E.    CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION. The Company shall have duly 
adopted, executed and filed with the Secretary of State of Texas a 
Certificate of Designation establishing the terms and the relative rights and 
preferences of each of (i) the Series A Preferred in the form set forth in 
EXHIBIT C attached hereto (the "SERIES A CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION"), (ii) 
the Series B Preferred in the form set forth on EXHIBIT I attached hereto 
(the "SERIES B CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION"), and (iii) the Series C Preferred 
in the form set forth in EXHIBIT J attached hereto (the "SERIES C CERTIFICATE 
OF DESIGNATION," and together with the Series A Certificate of Designation 
and the Series B Certificate of Designation, the "CERTIFICATES OF 
DESIGNATION"), and the Company shall not have adopted or filed any other 
document designating terms, relative rights or preferences of its preferred 
stock.  The Certificates of Designation shall be in full force and effect as 
of the Closing under the laws of Texas and shall not have been amended or 
modified.

              2F.    DELIVERY OF NOTES, WARRANTS AND SERIES A PREFERRED.  The 
Company shall have simultaneously sold to each Purchaser the Notes, Series A 
Preferred and the Warrants to be 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

purchased by such Purchaser hereunder at the Closing and shall have received 
payment therefor in full.

              2G.    RESIGNATION OF DIRECTORS. The Company shall have 
received resignations effective as of the Closing of Steve Lapin and Roy T.K. 
Thung as members of the Company's board of directors (the "BOARD"), and 
Robert F. Perille and Andrea P. Joselit shall have been elected to the Board.

              2H.    TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT. The 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 1, 1996 (the "RIGHTS 
AGREEMENT"), among the Company, GSH, SIC, SMHC, Geneve, and FIRC shall have 
been terminated without any liability to the Company.
  
              2I.    SECURITIES LAW.  The Company shall have made all filings 
under any applicable Securities Laws necessary to consummate, in compliance 
with such Laws, all issuances of the Notes, Series A Preferred, and the 
Warrants and other securities pursuant to this Agreement, the Share Purchase 
Option Agreements, or as contemplated hereby or thereby and the issuance of 
the Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrants.

              2J.    NO PENDING ACTION.  No action, suit, proceeding or 
governmental investigation shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the 
Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its 
stockholders which (a) if adversely determined could have a Materially 
Adverse Effect or (b) seeks to or could restrain, prevent or, in the judgment 
of the Purchasers, impose any adverse condition upon the financing 
contemplated herein.

              2K.    NO MATERIALLY ADVERSE EFFECT.  Since December 31, 1997, 
there shall not have occurred a Materially Adverse Effect.

              2L.    INDEBTEDNESS; NO DEFAULT.  The Company shall be free 
from all Indebtedness, except for the Senior Indebtedness and the Notes 
issued hereby.  The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this 
Agreement will not result in, nor shall there exist any Event of Default or 
event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would be an 
Event of Default or breach under or with respect to any Indebtedness of the 
Company, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this 
Agreement, the Share Purchase Option Agreements or the Loan Agreement, and 
there shall not exist any failure by the Company to observe or perform in any 
material respect any covenant, condition or agreement to be observed or 
performed pursuant to the terms of any of the foregoing.

              2M.    ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS.  The environmental reviews and 
audits delivered by the Company to the Purchasers shall be in form, scope and 
substance satisfactory to the Purchasers with respect to all of the real 
estate and businesses of the Company.

              2N.    LIQUIDITY.  After giving effect to the Recapitalization, 
the receipt by the Company of proceeds of the issuance of the Securities 
hereunder and payment of all estimated legal, investment banking, accounting 
and other fees related to the financing contemplated herein, the Company  
shall have unused availability under the Loan Agreement of at least 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

$1,500,000. 

              2O.    OPINION OF COUNSEL.  The Purchasers shall have received 
from Jackson Walker L.L.P., counsel for the Company, opinions with respect to 
the matters set forth in EXHIBIT K attached hereto, which shall be addressed 
to the Purchasers, dated the date of the Closing and in form and substance 
reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers and their counsel.

              2P.    CLOSING DOCUMENTS.  The Company shall have delivered to 
the Purchasers all of the following documents:  

                     (a)    an Officer's Certificate of the Company, dated the
       date of the Closing, stating that (i) the conditions specified in SECTION
       2 have been fully satisfied; (ii) since December 31, 1997 there has been
       no Materially Adverse Effect or event, development, circumstance or other
       matter which may impose any materially adverse condition upon the
       consummation of the financing contemplated hereby and (iii) such Person
       has delivered to the Purchasers at least one day prior to the Closing all
       environmental reviews and audits with respect to all of the real estate
       and businesses of such entity;

                     (b)    copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the board
       of directors of the Company authorizing the execution, delivery and
       performance of this Agreement, the issuance of the Securities, the Share
       Purchase Option Agreement, the Anderson Purchase Agreement, the Anderson
       Side Letter, the Stockholders Agreement, the Registration Agreement and
       each of the other agreements contemplated hereby or thereby to which the
       Company is a party, the reservation of 1,197,194 shares of Common Stock
       for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants, and the filing of the
       Certificates of Designation contemplated by SECTION 2E above accompanied
       by an Officer's Certificate of the Company certifying that the same are
       in full force and effect without modification or amendment, accompanied
       by a certification of the incumbency of each individual executing any
       agreement or document contemplated hereby in the name of the Company; 

                     (c)    copies of the Articles of Incorporation and bylaws
       of the Company as in effect as of the Closing, certified by an officer of
       the Company together with a certificate of status or similar evidence
       from the State of Texas and each jurisdiction in which the Company is
       then qualified to do business as a foreign corporation or in which the
       ownership of its assets or the conduct of its business would reasonably
       require it to so qualify, in each case dated a recent date prior to the
       Closing Date;

                     (d)    copies of all third party and governmental consents,
       approvals and filings required in connection with the consummation of the
       transactions contemplated hereunder (including all environmental
       disclosures, blue sky filings and waivers of preemptive rights and rights
       of first refusal);

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                     (e)    copies of the Loan Agreement and the Share Purchase
       Option Agreements, each as in effect at the Closing, in each case
       certified by an officer of the Company;

                     (f)    the Stockholders Agreement and the Registration
       Agreement, executed by the Company;

                     (g)    evidence satisfactory to the Purchasers of the
       payment in full of all Indebtedness and related obligations owing or owed
       by the Company (other than pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the Notes),
       the entire amount of which will be paid contemporaneously with the
       Closing;

                     (h)    evidence of insurance coverage regarding the Company
       reasonably satisfactory in terms, amount and scope and provided by
       insurers all reasonably satisfactory to the Purchasers;

                     (i)    the audited consolidated balance sheet of the
       Company as of December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996 and the related
       consolidated and consolidating statements of earnings and cash flows as
       of and for the Fiscal Years then ended;

                     (j)    for each Purchaser which is an SBIC, duly completed
       and executed SBA Forms 480, 652, and 1031 (Part A) together with a 
       five-year business plan showing the Company's financial projections 
       (including balance sheets and income and cash flows statements) for 
       each five-year period and a written statement from the Company regarding 
       its intended use of the proceeds from the financing;

                     (k)    the STOCKHOLDERS SCHEDULE, which shall include a
       list of each of the following after giving effect to the transactions
       contemplated by this Agreement:  (a) the name of each of the Company's
       directors, (b) the name and title of each of the Company's officers,
       (c) a list from the Company's transfer agent setting forth the name of
       each record holder of the Company's Common Stock and the number of shares
       held by such holder as of the record date of the May 23, 1998
       shareholders meeting and (d) the name of each of the Company's other
       stockholders setting forth the number and class of shares held; and

                     (l)    such other documents relating to the transactions
       contemplated by this Agreement as either the BA Purchasers or Kirkland &
       Ellis, as special counsel to the Purchasers, may reasonably request.

              2Q.    THE PURCHASERS' FEES AND EXPENSES.  The Company shall 
have paid the Closing Fee to the BA Purchasers as contemplated by SECTION 1D 
above and shall have reimbursed them for expenses incurred in connection with 
the transactions contemplated herein, as contemplated by SECTION 11A below.

              2R.    TOTAL TRANSACTION FEES.  The total amount of transaction 
fees and expenses 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

payable by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated 
hereby shall in no event exceed the fees set forth on the TRANSACTION FEES 
SCHEDULE attached hereto.

              2S.    LEGAL INVESTMENT.  Each Purchaser shall be satisfied 
that this Agreement and the Securities shall be in full compliance with all 
Laws, and all necessary governmental and third-party approvals will have been 
obtained which are applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby.  The 
issuance by the Company and the purchase by the Purchasers, of the Securities 
shall not be prohibited by any applicable Laws and shall not adversely impact 
or subject the Company or any BA Purchaser to any penalty or liability 
pursuant to any applicable Laws.  

              2T.    PROCEEDINGS.  All corporate and other proceedings taken 
or required to be taken by the Company in connection with the transactions 
contemplated hereby to be consummated at or prior to the Closing and all 
documents incident thereto shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the 
Purchasers and Kirkland & Ellis, as special counsel to the BA Purchasers.

              2U.    WAIVER.  Any condition specified in this SECTION 2 may 
be waived by the Purchasers if consented to by the Purchasers; PROVIDED that 
no such waiver shall be effective against the Purchasers unless it is set 
forth in a writing executed by each Purchaser.

              Section 3.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.  For so long as any Notes or 
Series A Preferred are outstanding, unless otherwise indicated in this 
SECTION 3, the Company will comply at all times with the following 
affirmative covenants and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply at 
all times with the following affirmative covenants:

              3A.    BUSINESS MAINTENANCE.

                     (a)    at all times cause to be done all things necessary
       to maintain, preserve and renew its corporate existence and good standing
       in the jurisdiction of its incorporation, to qualify and to remain
       qualified as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which such
       qualification is required, except where the failure to be so qualified
       would not have a Materially Adverse Effect, and use its reasonable
       efforts to maintain, preserve and renew all material contracts, licenses,
       authorizations and permits necessary to the conduct of its businesses;

                     (b)    maintain and keep its properties that are used in,
       or that are useful to and material to, its businesses in good repair,
       working order and condition, and from time to time make all such repairs,
       renewals and replacements, so that its businesses may be properly and
       advantageously conducted in all respects at all times in a manner
       consistent with the Company's past practices;

                     (c)    continue in force insurance policies (including
       self-insurance retention plans consistent with past practices) with
       financially sound and reputable insurance companies covering risks of
       such types and covering casualties, risks and 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

       contingencies of such types and in amounts not less than as are 
       customary for prudent corporations of similar size engaged in similar 
       lines of business under similar circumstances;

                     (d)    pay and discharge when payable all Taxes,
       assessments and governmental charges imposed upon its properties or upon
       the income or profits therefrom (in each case before the same becomes
       delinquent and before penalties accrue thereon) and all material claims
       for labor, materials or supplies that if unpaid might by law become a
       lien upon any of its property, unless and to the extent that the same are
       being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and adequate
       reserves (as determined in accordance with GAAP) have been established on
       its books with respect thereto; 

                     (e)    comply with all other obligations that it incurs
       pursuant to any material contract or agreement, whether oral or written,
       express or implied, as such obligations become due, unless and to the
       extent that the same are being contested in good faith and by appropriate
       proceedings and adequate reserves (as determined in accordance with GAAP)
       have been established on its books with respect thereto;

                     (f)    comply in all material respects with all applicable
       Laws; and

                     (g)    maintain true and proper books of record and account
       that fairly present its financial condition and results of operations and
       make provisions on its financial statements for all such proper reserves
       as in each case are required in accordance with GAAP.

              3B.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION.  Deliver to 
a representative or representatives designated by the Majority Holders (or, 
in the absence of any such designation, the BA Purchasers):

                     (a)    as soon as available, but in any event within 30
       days after the end of each fiscal month (except for months which end a
       fiscal quarter, in which case within 45 days of such quarter end and
       except for months which end the fiscal year, in which case within 90 days
       of such year end), (i) a copy of the unaudited consolidated and
       consolidating balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of
       the end of such month and the related consolidated and consolidating
       statements of earnings, retained earnings and cash flows for such month
       and for the portion of the Fiscal Year ending as of the end of such
       month, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP
       (subject to normal year-end adjustments and the exclusion of such
       footnotes as may be required in accordance with GAAP) accompanied in each
       case by comparisons to the corresponding periods in the preceding Fiscal
       Year (other than for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 1998) and (ii)
       so long as any Notes or Series A Preferred are outstanding, an Officer's
       Certificate executed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company
       certifying 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

       that to such officer's knowledge no Default or Event of Default, or 
       default or event of default with respect to the Loan Agreement or any 
       other material Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries 
       is subject has occurred during the period in question or is continuing 
       or, if a Default or Event of Default or any such default or event of 
       default under the Loan Agreement has so occurred or is continuing, a 
       statement as to the nature thereof and any action which has been taken 
       or is proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

                     (b)    as soon as available, but in any event within 90
       days after the close of each Fiscal Year, a copy of the audited
       consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Company and
       its Subsidiaries, consisting of an audited consolidated and consolidating
       balance sheet as at the end of such Fiscal Year and audited consolidated
       and consolidating statements of earnings, retained earnings and cash
       flows for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in comparative form in each
       case the audited consolidated and consolidating figures for the previous
       Fiscal Year, which financial statements shall be prepared in accordance
       with GAAP, certified without qualification by a nationally recognized
       firm of independent certified public accountants;
 
                     (c)    simultaneously with the delivery of the financial
       statements referred to in SECTION 3B(a) prepared with respect to or as of
       the end of any month included in any Fiscal Year, an Officer's
       Certificate executed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (a)
       setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying to such officer's
       knowledge the accuracy of, computations demonstrating compliance with the
       covenants set forth in SECTION 4 or SECTION 5E, and (b) certifying that
       all such financial statements are complete and correct in all material
       respects and present fairly in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal
       year-end adjustments and the exclusion of such footnotes as may be
       required in accordance with GAAP) the consolidated and consolidating
       financial position, the consolidated and consolidating results of
       operations and cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity of the
       Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such period and for the
       period then ended;

                     (d)    as soon as practicable, but in any event within (a)
       two Business Days after the Company becomes aware of the existence of any
       Event of Default or any Default, or default or event of default under the
       Loan Agreement, or any development (including litigation) or other
       information which could reasonably be expected to have a Materially
       Adverse Effect or (b) two Business Days after the Company receives notice
       of the existence of any default or event of default with respect to any
       other material agreement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
       is subject,  telephonic notice specifying the nature of such condition,
       event, development or information, including the anticipated effect
       thereof, which notice shall be promptly confirmed in writing within two
       days, which writing shall set forth the details of such condition, event,
       development or information and the action which is proposed to be taken
       by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect thereto;

                     (e)    promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of any reports
       submitted to 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

       the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by its independent auditor in 
       connection with the examination of the financial statements of the 
       Company or any of its Subsidiaries made by such auditor, including
       reports arising out of any separate audit or other accounting or
       financial review of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company;

                     (f)    promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of
       all actions, suits, and proceedings before any Government Entity
       affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which the Company
       believes, if adversely determined, could have a Materially Adverse
       Effect;

                     (g)    promptly after the commencement thereof or promptly
       after the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company becomes aware of the
       commencement or threat thereof, notice of any Forfeiture Proceeding;

                     (h)    promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies
       of all proxy statements, financial statements and reports which the
       Company sends to its stockholders, and copies of all regular, periodic or
       special reports, and all registration statements, which the Company files
       with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other securities
       exchange or securities market;

                     (i)    promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any
       statement or report furnished to any holder of Senior Indebtedness
       pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement (or any refining of or
       substitution thereof), and not otherwise required to be furnished to the
       Majority Holders pursuant to any other paragraph of this SECTION 3B;

                     (j)    promptly after the receipt thereof, a copy of any
       notice, summons, or citation concerning any liabilities or investigatory,
       remedial or corrective obligations arising under Environmental and Safety
       Requirements and any subsequent material correspondence or other document
       relating thereto which could have a Materially Adverse Effect; and

                     (k)    such other information respecting the Company's or
       its Subsidiaries' business or financial condition as any Majority Holder
       may, from time to time, request in writing.

Each of the financial statements referred to in SECTIONS 3B(a) or 3B(b) 
(including the notes thereto, if any) shall be accurate and complete in all 
material respects, consistent with the books and records of the Company and 
its Subsidiaries (which, in turn, are accurate and complete in all material 
respects), present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of 
operations and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and prepared 
in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, as of the dates and for the 
periods set forth therein, subject in the case of the unaudited financial 
statements to the lack of footnote disclosure and changes resulting from 
normal year-end audit adjustments (none of which would, alone or in the 
aggregate, have a Materially Adverse Effect), and except as disclosed on the 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULE, such financial statements shall be complete 
and correct in all material respects and shall be prepared 

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

on a basis consistent with the basis on which the financial statements 
referenced in SECTION 6E were prepared.

              3C.    INSPECTION OF PROPERTY.  Permit any Majority Holder or 
any of their representatives, upon reasonable prior notice, during normal 
business hours and at such party's expense to (i) visit and inspect any of 
the properties of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) examine 
the corporate and financial records of the Company and any of its 
Subsidiaries and make copies thereof or extracts therefrom.

              3D.    COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.  (i) Perform and 
observe all of its obligations to each Securityholder and each holder of 
Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Agreement) pursuant to 
this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the Registration Agreement, the 
Stockholders Agreement, the Company's Articles of Incorporation and each 
other agreement or document executed and delivered to the Purchasers or any 
Securityholder pursuant hereto and (ii) subject to the terms and conditions 
set forth therein, perform and observe all of its rights and obligations 
under the Share Option Purchase Agreement, including without limitation, the 
exercise of each of the options to purchase the shares pursuant to the terms 
thereof, and perform and observe all of its rights and obligations under the 
Anderson Purchase Agreement.
 
              3E.    PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.  Possess and maintain all material 
Proprietary Rights necessary to the conduct of its business and own all 
right, title and interest in and to, or have a valid license for, all 
material Proprietary Rights used by the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, in 
the conduct of their respective businesses.  None of the Company or any of 
its Subsidiaries shall take any action, or fail to take any action, which 
would result in the invalidity, abuse, misuse or unenforceability of any of 
such material Proprietary Rights.

              3F.    ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.  Comply in all material respects 
with all Environmental and Safety Requirements and all material permits, 
licenses or other authorizations issued thereunder; respond immediately to 
any Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Material at any of the 
properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or related to the 
operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in a manner which 
complies in all material respects with all Environmental and Safety 
Requirements and reasonably mitigates any risk to human health or the 
environment; and provide such documents or information relating to matters 
arising under the Environmental and Safety Requirements as any Purchaser may 
reasonably request.

              3G.    ERISA NOTICES AND REQUESTS.

                     (a)    Provide written notice to the Securityholders as
       soon as practicable, and in any event within five Business Days, in the
       event that (i) the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates discovers that
       any of them fails to comply in all material respects with any applicable
       Laws with respect to any Plan which could reasonably be expected to
       result in liability to the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates in
       excess of 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

       $250,000, (ii) the Company or any member of its Controlled Group 
       receives notice from the IRS or the DOL that the Company or any ERISA 
       Affiliate failed to meet the minimum funding requirements of any Plan, 
       and include therewith a copy of such notice, (iii) the Company or any 
       member of its Controlled Group gives or is required to give notice to
       the PBGC of any "reportable event" (as defined in Title IV of ERISA) in
       respect of any Plan or Multiemployer Plan which might constitute grounds
       for a partial or complete termination of such Plan or Multiemployer Plan
       under Title IV of ERISA, or knows that the plan administrator of any Plan
       or Multiemployer Plan has given or is required to give notice of any such
       reportable event, (iv) a notice of intent to terminate any Plan is filed
       with the PBGC, (v) proceedings are instituted by the PBGC under Section
       4042 of ERISA to terminate or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan
       or the Company or any member of its Controlled Group receives a notice
       from a Multiemployer Plan that such action has been taken by the PBGC
       with respect to such Multiemployer Plan, (vi) the Company or any member
       of its Controlled Group withdraws in a complete or partial withdrawal
       from any Multiemployer Plan or any Plan which is a "multiple employer
       plan" within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA, or incurs any
       withdrawal liability under Section 4204 of ERISA, (vii) any prohibited
       transaction occurs to the knowledge of the Company after due inquiry
       involving the assets of any Plan for which the Company could reasonably
       be expected to incur liability in excess of $250,000, (viii) the Company
       or any member of its Controlled Group receives a notice from a
       Multiemployer Plan that such Plan is in reorganization or insolvent
       pursuant to Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA or that such Plan intends to
       terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A of ERISA, (ix) the
       Company or any member of its Controlled Group receives a notice from a
       Multiemployer Plan of the institution of a proceeding by a fiduciary of a
       Multiemployer Plan against the Company or any member of its Controlled
       Group to enforce Section 515 of ERISA, (x) the adoption of an amendment
       to any Plan of the Company or any member of its Controlled Group that
       could result in the termination of such Plan pursuant to Section 4041(e)
       of ERISA or require the Company or any member of its Controlled Group to
       provide security to such Plan pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the IRC
       or Section 307 of ERISA, (xi) the Company or any member of its Controlled
       Group fails to make a required installment or other payment to any Plan
       if such failure would result in the imposition of a Lien upon the
       property of the Company pursuant to Section 412(n) of the IRC, or (xii)
       the incurrence of any increase in the contingent liability of the Company
       or a member of its Controlled Group with respect to any Plan determined
       in accordance with GAAP.

                     (b)    Deliver to each Securityholder copies of any request
       for a waiver of the funding standards or any extension of the
       amortization periods required by Sections 303 and 304 of ERISA or
       Section 412 of the IRC with respect to any Plan as soon as practicable
       but in any event within five Business Days after the submission of such
       request with the DOL and/or IRS in the case of a Plan of the Company and
       within five Business Days after the Company knows or has reason to know
       that such request has been submitted to the DOL and/or IRS in the case of
       a Plan of the Company's ERISA Affiliates.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

              3H.    SBIC REGULATORY PROVISIONS.

              (a)    NUMBER OF STOCKHOLDERS.  As long as an SBIC Holder holds 
in excess of 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock on a fully-diluted 
basis, the Company shall notify each SBIC Holder (i) at least 15 days prior 
to taking any action after which members of the Company's management would 
cease to own at least 25% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company 
and (ii) of any other action or occurrence after which members of the 
Company's management would cease to own at least 25% of the outstanding 
voting securities of the Company, as soon as practicable after the Company 
becomes aware that such other action or occurrence has occurred or is 
proposed to occur. 

              (b)    USE OF PROCEEDS.  At such time as any SBIC Holder 
reasonably requests, the Company shall deliver to each SBIC Holder a written 
statement certified by the Company's president or Chief Financial Officer 
describing in reasonable detail the use of the proceeds of the Financing 
hereunder by the Company and its Subsidiaries.  In addition to any other 
rights granted hereunder, the Company shall grant each SBIC Holder and the 
SBA access to the Company's books and records upon reasonable notice during 
normal business hours for the purposes of (i) verifying the use of such 
proceeds from the Financing, (ii) verifying the certifications made by the 
Company in SBA Forms 480 and 652 delivered pursuant to SECTION 2O(j) herein 
and (iii) determining whether the Company has become "ineligible by reason of 
a change in its business activity" as set forth in Section 107.760(b)(i) of 
the SBIC Regulations.

              (c)    REGULATORY VIOLATION.  

                     (1)    Upon the occurrence of a Regulatory Violation (as
       defined below), in addition to any other rights and remedies to which it
       may be entitled (whether under this Agreement or any other agreement, the
       Articles of Incorporation or otherwise), such SBIC Holder shall have the
       right, to the extent required under Section 107.760(b) of the SBIC
       Regulations, to demand the immediate repurchase of all of the outstanding
       Securities owned by such SBIC Holder at a price equal to, with respect to
       the Notes, the aggregate unpaid principal amount (plus all accrued and
       unpaid interest thereon), with respect to the Series A Preferred, the
       aggregate liquidation preference thereon (plus all accrued and unpaid
       dividends thereon, whether or not declared) and with respect to the
       Warrants and the Warrant Stock, the purchase price paid by such SBIC
       Holder for such Warrants and Warrant Stock, by delivering written notice
       of such demand to the Company.  The Company shall pay the purchase price
       for such Securities by a cashier's or certified check or by wire transfer
       of immediately available funds to such SBIC Holder within 30 days after
       the Company's receipt of the demand notice, and, upon such payment, such
       SBIC Holder shall deliver the certificates evidencing the Securities
       being repurchased duly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by duly
       executed forms of assignment.  

                     (2)    In addition to the foregoing, upon the occurrence of
       a Regulatory Violation of the type described in clause (iii) of the
       definition thereof, the SBIC Holder shall have the right to transfer all
       (or any portion of) the outstanding Equity Interests 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

       owned by such SBIC Holder to a transferee without regard to any 
       restriction on transfer set forth in this Agreement or any other 
       agreement executed pursuant to this Agreement or in the Stockholders 
       Agreement or any other agreements delivered pursuant hereto or thereto 
       (provided that the transferee agrees to become a party to this Agreement,
       the Stockholders Agreement and the Registration Agreement), and the 
       Company shall take all such actions as are reasonably requested by the 
       SBIC Holder in order to (i) effectuate and facilitate any transfer by the
       SBIC Holder of any Equity Interests then held by the SBIC Holder to any 
       Person designated by the SBIC Holder, (ii) permit the SBIC Holder (or any
       of its Affiliates) to exchange all or any portion of any Equity Interests
       that are voting securities then held by it on a share-for-share basis 
       for shares of a nonvoting security of the Company, which nonvoting 
       security shall be identical in all respects to the voting security 
       exchanged for it, except that it shall be nonvoting and shall be 
       convertible into a voting security on such terms as are requested by the 
       SBIC Holder in light of regulatory considerations then prevailing,  
       (iii) continue and preserve the respective allocations of the voting 
       interests with respect to the Company arising out of the SBIC's 
       ownership of voting securities and provided in the Stockholders
       Agreement before the transfers and amendments referred to above
       (including entering into such additional agreements as are requested by
       the SBIC Holder to permit any Person(s) designated by the SBIC Holder to
       exercise any voting power which is relinquished by the SBIC Holder) and
       (iv) amend this Agreement, the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws and
       related agreements and instruments to effectuate and reflect the
       foregoing.  The Company will obtain the written agreement of each of its
       stockholders to vote their shares of Company voting stock in favor of
       such amendments and actions.

                     (3)    For purposes of this Agreement, "REGULATORY
       VIOLATION" means (i) a diversion of the proceeds of such Financing from
       the reported use thereof on the use of proceeds statement delivered by
       the Company, (ii) a change in the "business activity" of the Company and
       its Subsidiaries as described in Section 107.760(b) of the SBIC
       Regulations, such that the Company and its Subsidiaries become
       "ineligible for financing" as such term is used in Section 107.720 of the
       SBIC Regulations, if such change occurs within one year after the date of
       the initial Financing hereunder, or (iii) any set of facts or
       circumstances wherein it has been asserted by any governmental regulatory
       agency that the SBIC Holder is not entitled to hold, or exercise any
       significant right with respect to, the Notes, the Warrants, Series A
       Preferred or the Warrant Stock; and "FINANCING" shall have the meaning
       set forth in Section 107.50 of the SBIC Regulations.

              (d)    ECONOMIC IMPACT INFORMATION.  At such time as any SBIC 
Holder reasonably requests, the Company shall deliver to each SBIC Holder a 
written assessment of the economic impact of such SBIC Holder's investment in 
the Company, specifying the full-time equivalent jobs created or retained in 
connection with the investment, the impact of such SBIC Holder's Financing on 
the revenues and profits of the Company and its Subsidiaries and on taxes 
paid by the Company and its employees.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

              3I.    CURRENT PUBLIC INFORMATION.  The Company shall file all 
reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange 
Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange 
Commission thereunder and shall take such further action as any holder or 
holders of Common Stock may reasonably request, all to the extent required to 
enable such holders to sell Common Stock pursuant to (i) Rule 144 or Rule 
144A adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities 
Act (as such rule may be amended from time to time) or any similar rule or 
regulation hereafter adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission or 
(ii) a registration statement on Form S-2 or S-3 or any similar registration 
form hereafter adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Upon 
request,  the Company shall deliver to any holder of Common Stock a written 
statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

              Section 4.  FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

              4A.    FINANCIAL COVENANTS WHEN NOTES OUTSTANDING. So long as 
any Notes are outstanding, or any Obligations with respect to the Notes have 
not been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, the Company will comply with all 
of the provisions of this SECTION 4A:
  
                     (a)    MAXIMUM CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND LEASES.  The
       Company shall ensure that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
       shall make or commit to make any Capital Expenditure, or commit to any
       obligation under any Operating Lease, with respect to any Fiscal Year if
       the sum (without duplication) of (i) the aggregate amount of all Capital
       Expenditures for such Fiscal Year, plus (ii) the aggregate value (as
       evidenced by an invoice or other evidence satisfactory to the Purchasers)
       of any assets delivered to, or made available for use by, any of the
       Company and its Subsidiaries under any Operating Leases with respect to
       such Fiscal Year (such sum of (i) and (ii), the "Expended Amount"), shall
       exceed the amount set forth below for such period:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Fiscal Year Ending                 Maximum Permissible Amount
              ------------------                 --------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
              December 31, 1998                         $1,000,000
              December 31, 1999                         $1,800,000
              December 31, 2000                         $2,400,000
              December 31, 2001 and thereafter          $1,200,000
</TABLE>

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Expended Amount for any Fiscal Year is less 
than the amount set forth above as permitted pursuant to this SECTION 4A for 
such Fiscal Year (the "SCHEDULED AMOUNT"), then in addition to the amounts 
authorized for the next Fiscal Year, the Company may make Capital 
Expenditures or commit to obligations under Operating Leases during the first 
six months of the next Fiscal Year, to the extent the Scheduled Amount for 
such prior Fiscal Year exceeded the Expended Amount in such prior Fiscal 
Year. 

                     (b)    INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO.  The Company's Interest
       Coverage Ratio, calculated as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, for
       the Measurement Period ending on that date, shall not be less than:

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

                     (i)    1.75 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 1998 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 1999;

                     (ii)   2.00 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 1999 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2000;

                     (iii)  2.25 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2000 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2001;

                     (iv)   2.50 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2001 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2002; and

                     (v)    2.75 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2002 and thereafter.

                     (c)    MAXIMUM CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO.  The Company's 
       Cash Flow Leverage Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter for the
       Measurement Period ending on that date will not be greater than:

                     (i)    5.50 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 1998;

                     (ii)   5.0 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     March 31, 1999 or any date thereafter through September 30,
                     1999;

                     (iii)  4.50 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 1999 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2000;

                     (iv)   4.00 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2000 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2001;

                     (v)    3.25 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2001 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2002;

                     (vi)   2.75 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2002 and thereafter.

                     (d)    NET WORTH.  The Company shall maintain a Net Worth
       not less than: 

                     (i)    negative $5,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending
                     on December 31, 1998 and on each date thereafter through
                     September 30, 1999;

                     (ii)   negative $4,500,000 during the fiscal quarter ending
                     on December 31, 1999 and on each date thereafter through
                     September 30, 2000;

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

                     (iii)  negative $2,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending
                     on December 31, 2000 and on each date thereafter through
                     September 30, 2001;

                     (iv)   $1,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending on
                     December 31, 2001 and on each date thereafter through
                     September 30, 2002;

                     (v)    $4,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending on
                     December 31, 2002; and 

                     (vi)   on each date after December 31, 2002, $4,000,000
                     plus 50% of the cumulative amount of the Company's
                     consolidated net income computed in accordance with GAAP,
                     determined without taking into account any net losses for
                     any period.

              4B.    FINANCIAL COVENANTS WHEN SERIES A PREFERRED OUTSTANDING. 
So long as any  Series A Preferred is outstanding, or any Obligations with 
respect to the Series A Preferred have not been indefeasibly paid in full in 
cash, the Company will comply with all of the provisions of this SECTION 4B.

                     (a)    MAXIMUM CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND LEASES.  The
       Company shall ensure that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
       shall make or commit to make any Capital Expenditure, or commit to any
       obligation under any Operating Lease, with respect to any Fiscal Year if
       the sum (without duplication) of (i) the aggregate amount of all Capital
       Expenditures for such Fiscal Year, plus (ii) the aggregate value (as
       evidenced by an invoice or other evidence satisfactory to the Purchasers)
       of any assets delivered to, or made available for use by, any of the
       Company and its Subsidiaries under any Operating Leases with respect to
       such Fiscal Year (such sum of (i) and (ii), the "Expended Amount"), shall
       exceed the amount set forth below for such period:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Fiscal Year Ending                 Maximum Permissible Amount
              ------------------                 --------------------------
<S>                                              <C>
              December 31, 1998 (partial)               $1,200,000
              December 31, 1999                         $2,000,000
              December 31, 2000                         $2,700,000
              December 31, 2001 and thereafter          $1,400,000
</TABLE>
              
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Expended Amount for any Fiscal Year is less 
than the amount set forth above as permitted pursuant to this SECTION 4B for 
such Fiscal Year (the "SCHEDULED AMOUNT"), then in addition to the amounts 
authorized for the next Fiscal Year, the Company may make Capital 
Expenditures or commit to obligations under Operating Leases during the first 
six months of the next Fiscal Year, to the extent the Scheduled Amount for 
such prior Fiscal Year exceeded the Expended Amount in such prior Fiscal 
Year. 

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

                     (b)    INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO.  The Company's Interest
       Coverage Ratio, calculated as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, for
       the Measurement Period ending on that date, shall not be less than:

                     (i)    1.50 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 1998 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 1999;

                     (ii)   1.75 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 1999 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2000;

                     (iii)  2.00 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2000 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2001;

                     (iv)   2.25 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2001 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2002; and

                     (v)    2.50 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2002 and thereafter.

                     (c)    MAXIMUM CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO.  The Company's
       Cash Flow Leverage Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter for the
       Measurement Period ending on that date will not be greater than:

                     (i)    6.50 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 1998;

                     (ii)   6.0 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     March 31, 1999 or any date thereafter through September 30,
                     1999;

                     (iii)  5.50 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 1999 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2000;

                     (iv)   4.50 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2000 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2001;

                     (v)    3.75 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2001 or any date thereafter through September
                     30, 2002;

                     (vi)   3.25 to 1.0 for the Measurement Period ending on
                     December 31, 2002 and thereafter.

                     (d)    NET WORTH. The Company shall maintain a Net Worth
       not less than: 

                     (i)    negative $7,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending
                     on December 

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

                     31, 1998 and on each date thereafter through September 30, 
                     1999;

                     (ii)   negative $6,500,000 during the fiscal quarter ending
                     on December 31, 1999 and on each date thereafter through
                     September 30, 2000;

                     (iii)  negative $4,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending
                     on December 31, 2000 and on each date thereafter through
                     September 30, 2001;

                     (iv)   negative $1,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending
                     on December 31, 2001 and on each date thereafter through
                     September 30, 2002; 

                     (v)    $2,000,000 during the fiscal quarter ending on
                     December 31, 2002; and

                     (vi)   on each date after December 31, 2002, $2,000,000
                     plus 50% of the cumulative consolidated net income computed
                     in accordance with GAAP, determined without taking into
                     account any net loss for any period.

              Section 5.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  Until such time as all 
Obligations with respect to the Notes and the Series A Preferred have been 
indefeasibly paid in full in cash without the prior consent of the Majority 
Holders the Company shall not, and shall ensure that each of its Subsidiaries 
shall not:

              5A.    ACQUISITION; CONSOLIDATION; REORGANIZATION.  (i)  Merge 
or consolidate with any Person (except for the merger of  any Wholly-Owned 
Subsidiary of the Company with the Company, with the Company surviving, or 
with another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company, so long as after giving 
effect to such merger or consolidation, no Default or Event of Default would 
exist), (ii) subject to the proviso following clause (iv) of this SECTION 5A, 
acquire, directly or indirectly, in any transaction or series of 
transactions, all or substantially all of the stock, equity interests, or 
(other than as permitted pursuant to SECTIONS 4A and 4B) assets or business 
of any Person; (iii) subject to the proviso following clause (iv) of this 
SECTION 5A, except as permitted pursuant to SECTIONS 4A and 4B, acquire, 
directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, assets (other than current 
assets in the ordinary course of business); or (iv) liquidate, dissolve or 
effect a reorganization in any form of transaction (including, without 
limitation, any reorganization into partnership form), except for a 
liquidation of a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company; PROVIDED HOWEVER, 
that subject to the limitations set forth in SECTION 4, the Company may 
acquire assets and may make Investments so long as the aggregate purchase 
price amount thereof does not exceed $250,000 in cash in any twelve-month 
period or $500,000 in cash in total from and after the Closing.

              5B.    SALE, LEASE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS.  Sell, lease, 
transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets, except (i) 
sales of inventory and accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business 
consistent with past practice, (ii) sales of other assets so long as (a) 

                                      -24-
<PAGE>

the proceeds from such sales by any of the Company and its Subsidiaries of 
the assets sold in each period of 12 consecutive months is less than 
$200,000, and (b) within 90 days of the receipt of the proceeds of such 
sales, (x) it has used or entered into a binding commitment to use such 
proceeds to purchase replacement assets or (y) such proceeds are used to 
repay Senior Indebtedness or (iii) any transactions contemplated by the Net 
Lease between the Company and Penn Silver Fund related to the Kodak Road 
property; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, if any such proceeds are not used to 
purchase replacement assets, then if and to the extent that the Senior 
Indebtedness has been paid in full, the Company shall offer to apply such 
proceeds to repay the Obligations with respect to the Notes and, unless the 
Majority Note Holders shall decline such repayment by written notice, shall 
pay such proceeds to holders of the Notes pro rata according to the principal 
amount of Notes held.

              5C.    DISTRIBUTIONS.  Directly or indirectly pay, make or set 
apart any Restricted Payment; PROVIDED THAT, notwithstanding the foregoing, 
the Company may (i) repurchase Common Stock from any employee of the Company 
and/or any of its Subsidiaries; PROVIDED THAT (a) no Default or Event of 
Default is in existence immediately prior to or immediately after such 
repurchase or payment, (b) the purchase price paid in such repurchase or the 
amount of such payment does not exceed the fair market value of the stock 
repurchased or is in an amount calculated pursuant to the terms of a 
repurchase or employment agreement between the Company and such employee 
entered into in connection with the commencement of such employee's 
employment, (c) such purchase occurs after the first anniversary of the 
Closing and (d) the aggregate amount paid or payable in any Fiscal Year in 
respect of all such purchases from employees does not exceed $250,000 in cash 
and (ii) after all Obligations with respect to the Notes and the Series A 
Preferred have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, pay cash dividends pro 
rata to the holders of Common Stock of the Company; and provided that 
Subsidiaries may make distributions to the Company.

              5D.    INVESTMENTS.  Make or hold any loans or advances to, 
Guarantees for the benefit of, or any other Investment in, any Person, except 
as provided in SECTION 5A and except for (a) extensions of trade credit made 
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past custom and practice, 
(b) Investments having a stated maturity no greater than one year in (i) 
readily marketable direct obligations of the United States government or any 
agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States government, 
(ii) certificates of deposit of U.S. commercial banks having combined capital 
and surplus of at least $100,000,000 (iii) commercial paper with a rating 
from a nationally recognized credit rating agency in such agency's highest 
rating category, (iv) repurchase agreements relating to securities issued or 
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States of America or 
(v) other readily marketable investments in debt securities which are 
satisfactory to the Majority Holders, and (c) travel and other expense 
advances to management personnel and employees in the ordinary course of 
business.

              5E.    LIMITATIONS ON INDEBTEDNESS.  Create, incur, issue, 
assume, suffer to exist, become liable with respect to or extend the maturity 
of any Indebtedness, except:

                     (a)    the Senior Indebtedness;

                                      -25-
<PAGE>

                     (b)    the Obligations with respect to the Notes;

                     (c)    Capitalized Lease Obligations; provided that the
       principal amount of such Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Company and
       its Subsidiaries does not exceed $200,000 in the aggregate outstanding at
       any time; 
                     
                     (d)    deferred Taxes; and 

                     (e)    other Indebtedness of the Company or its
       Subsidiaries with principal amount not in excess of $500,000 in the
       aggregate outstanding at any time.

              5F.    CONTINGENT LIABILITIES.  Become liable for any 
Guarantees, except for (a) the endorsement of negotiable instruments for 
deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of 
business, (b) Guarantees existing as of the date hereof and described on the 
attached GUARANTEES SCHEDULE, and (c) Guarantees of Indebtedness which is 
permitted under SECTION 5E hereof.

              5G.    LIENS.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any 
Liens (except Permitted Liens) upon or with respect to any of its property or 
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or on any income or profits 
thereof, or assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income or other 
property.

              5H.    AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND 
BYLAWS; STOCK SPLITS.  Make any amendment to the terms of the Company's 
Articles of Incorporation or By-laws in any manner which adversely affects 
the rights, powers or relative priorities of the holders of Series A 
Preferred or Warrant Stock.

              5I.    CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Enter into the ownership, active 
management or operation of any business other than the business conducted by 
the Company on the Closing Date, including without limitation the 
manufacturing of outdoor corporate identification products and reasonable 
extensions thereto, or engage in any activity which could result in a 
Forfeiture Proceeding.

              5J.    AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS.  Except as set forth on the 
AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS SCHEDULE, enter into any agreement or transaction, 
including the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the rendering of any 
service, with any of its, or any Subsidiary's, officers, directors or 
Affiliates or any individual related by blood or marriage to any such Person, 
or any entity in which any such Person or individual owns a material 
beneficial interest, except for transactions entered into after the Closing 
Date upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to the Company or its 
Subsidiaries than the terms the Company or its Subsidiaries would obtain in a 
comparable arm's-length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate and 
approved in advance by the board of directors of the Company.

              5K.    RESTRICTIVE AGREEMENTS; CONFLICTING AGREEMENTS.  Either (a)
create, permit 

                                      -26-
<PAGE>

or otherwise cause or suffer to exist (except pursuant to the Senior 
Indebtedness and any refinancing of the Senior Indebtedness) any encumbrance 
or restriction on the ability of any Subsidiary of the Company (i) (A) to 
make loans or advances to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company 
or (B) to transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company, or (ii) to 
pay dividends or make any other distributions in respect of any of its Stock 
or any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or 
pay any Indebtedness owed to, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the 
Company, in each case other than encumbrances or restrictions existing under 
the Notes or the Loan Agreement and any refinancing thereof, or (b) enter 
into any agreement, or propose or commit to take any action or engage in any 
omission which would constitute a violation of any covenant or agreement in 
any of this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the Registration Agreement, 
the Stockholders Agreement or the Company's Articles of Incorporation or 
bylaws and any of the agreements contemplated hereby or thereby.

              5L.    PUBLIC DISCLOSURES.  Subject to the Company's 
obligations under the federal securities laws, disclose any Purchaser's name 
or identity as an investor in the Company in any press release or other 
public announcement or in any document or material filed with any Government 
Entity, without prior written notice to such Purchaser describing in 
reasonable detail the proposed content of such disclosure and permitting such 
Purchaser to review and comment upon the form and substance of such 
disclosure and make reasonable changes thereto.

              5M.    USE OF PROCEEDS.  Use any proceeds from the sale of any 
Securities hereunder, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to use any of such 
proceeds, directly or indirectly, (a) for the purposes of purchasing or 
carrying any "margin securities" within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X 
promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board, (b) for 
the purpose of arranging for the extension of credit secured, directly or 
indirectly, in whole or in part by collateral that includes any "margin 
securities" or (c) for any other purpose other than to effect the 
Recapitalization.

              5N.    FISCAL YEAR.  Change its fiscal year from the year 
ending on December 31.

              5O.    AMENDMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS. Directly or indirectly amend, 
supplement, extend, terminate, or permit to be amended, supplemented or 
terminated, or waive any of the following terms which are applicable to any 
Senior Indebtedness: (i) the amount or the date of any scheduled or mandatory 
payment of principal or interest thereunder, except that (A) the Company may 
borrow and reborrow from time to time under the Revolver and the Term B Loan 
and the Revolver may be renewed from time to time providing for a new 
maturity date, provided that in connection with any such renewal the Loan 
Agreement shall be amended in a manner so as not to be on terms more 
restrictive in any manner than the terms being renewed; provided further that 
such new maturity date shall not, in the case of the Term B Loan, be after 
the original maturity date of the Term B Loan, (B) any scheduled or mandatory 
principal payment under the Term A Loan or the Term C Loan may be extended so 
long as the weighted average life to maturity of the Term A Loan and the Term 
C Loan, measured from the date of Closing and taking into account all 
repayments of principal previously made in respect thereof as of the time of 
such determination, if any, is not increased by more than six months from 
that in effect at the Closing, and (C) such amendment may increase the 
principal amount of Senior 

                                      -27-
<PAGE>

Indebtedness so long as the aggregate of all such increases pursuant to this 
clause (C) from and after the date of the Closing shall not exceed $2,000,000 
in the aggregate, (ii) the rate or rates at which interest accrues or the 
methods of calculation thereof (including without limitation by amending any 
provisions (including definitions) used in calculating such interest rates 
such that a higher rate or margin may apply), (iii) any fees, indemnities, 
expense reimbursements or other charges payable to the lenders thereunder, or 
(iv) any representation, covenant or default or any other term or provision 
in a manner which is more onerous or more restrictive on the holders of the 
Notes or the Company or change any of the restrictions in the Loan Agreement 
or other agreements delivered in connection therewith or relating to 
performance by the Company of the Note Obligations (including restrictions 
which prohibit or limit the payment or prepayment of any amount with respect 
to the Notes or the Note Obligations).

              5P.    EQUITY ISSUANCES. Except as expressly contemplated by 
this Agreement, authorize, issue or enter into any agreement providing for 
the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, (a) any capital stock or other 
equity securities (or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any 
capital stock or other equity securities) or (b) any notes or debt securities 
containing equity features (including, without limitation, any notes or debt 
securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or other equity 
securities, issued in connection with the issuance of capital stock or other 
equity securities or containing profit participation features); provided that 
this SECTION 5P shall not limit the ability of the Board (or Compensation 
Committee) to authorize the issuance of incentive based equity under the 
Company's 1996 Stock Option Agreement, in effect as of the date hereof.

              5Q.    ERISA COMPLIANCE.  Either (a) incur, or permit any ERISA 
Affiliate to incur, any liability to the IRS, the DOL or PBGC (other than for 
premiums due PBGC which will be paid when due) with respect to any Plan which 
equals or exceeds $250,000 (b) withdraw (either partially or completely) from 
any Multiemployer Plan, if the liabilities exceed the assets under such Plan, 
or upon the complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, 
would equal or exceed $250,000, (c) provide, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to 
provide, medical or life insurance benefits to former employees of the 
Company or its Subsidiaries (other than in accordance with Section 601 of 
ERISA or 4980B of the IRC or as may hereafter be required by law) or (d) with 
respect to any Pension Plan, incur, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to incur, a 
reporting obligation for any Reportable Event which could constitute grounds 
for partial termination of any Pension Plan or termination by the PBGC of any 
Pension Plan or for the appointment by the appropriate United States District 
Court of a trustee to administer any Pension Plan.

              Section 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.  To 
induce the Purchasers to purchase the Securities as herein provided, the 
Company represents and warrants to the Purchasers that each and all of the 
following statements are true, correct and complete as of the date of 
execution and delivery of this Agreement and will be true, correct and 
complete as of the Closing after giving effect to the transactions 
contemplated hereby to occur on or prior to the Closing Date:

              6A.    ORGANIZATION AND CORPORATE POWER.  The Company is a 
corporation duly 

                                      -28-
<PAGE>

organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state 
of Texas, is qualified to do business in every jurisdiction in which its 
ownership of property or conduct of business requires it to qualify except 
where failure to so qualify would not have a Materially Adverse Effect; and 
has the requisite corporate power and authority and the legal right to own, 
pledge, mortgage or otherwise encumber and operate its properties, to lease 
the property it operates under lease, and to conduct its business as now, 
heretofore and proposed to be conducted and to carry out the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement.  The Company possesses all material licenses, 
permits, consents and authorizations necessary to own and operate its 
properties, to carry on its businesses as now conducted and presently 
proposed to be conducted.  The stock certificate books and the stock record 
books of the Company are correct and complete in all material respects.  The 
Company is in compliance with its Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, each 
as amended, and the copies of the Company's Articles of Incorporation and 
bylaws of the Company which have been furnished to Kirkland & Ellis, as 
special counsel to the Purchasers, reflect all amendments made thereto at any 
time prior to the date of this Agreement and are correct and complete and in 
compliance with all applicable provisions of law.

              6B.    CAPITAL STOCK AND RELATED MATTERS.

                     (a)    As of the Closing, the authorized capital stock of
       the Company shall consist of (i) 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock, of
       which 1,854,692 shares shall be issued and outstanding, and 1,197,914
       shares shall be reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants, (ii)
       52,500 shares of Series A Preferred, all of which shall be issued and
       outstanding, (iii) 7,000 shares of Series B Junior Preferred, all of
       which shall be reserved for issuance to David Anderson pursuant to the
       Anderson Purchase Agreement, and (iv) 6,250 shares of Series C Preferred,
       all of which shall be reserved for issuance to GHI, SIC, SMHC, Geneve,
       and FIRC pursuant to the Share Option Purchase Agreement.  As of the
       Closing, all of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock
       shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and upon payment
       for the Series A Preferred and the Closing hereunder, all of the
       outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred shall be validly issued,
       fully paid and nonassessable.

                     (b)    As of the Closing, and except as set forth on the
       attached CAPITALIZATION SCHEDULE, the Company shall not have outstanding
       any Stock or any stock appreciation or phantom stock rights or plans and
       shall not be subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to
       repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its Stock, except
       pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement and the Warrants.

                     (c)    There are no statutory or contractual stockholders'
       preemptive rights or rights of first offer or refusal with respect to the
       issuance of the Notes, Series A Preferred and the Warrants hereunder, the
       issuance of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrants or with respect to
       any other issuance of Stock of the Company or, except as provided in the
       Stockholder Agreement.  The Company has not violated any applicable
       Securities Laws in connection with the offer, sale or issuance of any of
       its Stock; and the offer, sale and issuance of the Notes, Series A
       Preferred and the Warrants hereunder, and the offer, sale and issuance of
       the Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrants do not 

                                      -29-
<PAGE>

       and will not require registration under any applicable Securities Laws.  
       There are no proxies or agreements among the stockholders of the Company 
       with respect to the voting or transfer of the Stock or with respect to 
       any other aspect of Company's affairs, except this Agreement, the 
       Stockholders Agreement and the Registration Agreement.

              6C.    SUBSIDIARIES; PARTNERSHIPS.  Except as described on the 
attached SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE, the Company has no Subsidiaries, is not a 
partner in any partnership and holds no Stock in any other Person. 

              6D.    AUTHORIZATION; NO BREACH.  The Company has duly 
authorized the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the 
Notes, the Warrants, the Share Purchase Option Agreements, the Anderson 
Purchase Agreement, the Anderson Side Letter, the Stockholders Agreement and 
the Registration Agreement, and each other agreement, contemplated hereby or 
thereby to which it is a party.  This Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the 
Share Purchase Option Agreements, the Anderson Purchase Agreement, the 
Anderson Side Letter, the Stockholders Agreement, the Registration Agreement, 
the Company's Articles of Incorporation and each other agreement contemplated 
hereby and thereby to which the Company is a party constitutes a valid and 
binding obligation of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with 
its terms.  Except as set forth on the attached RESTRICTIONS SCHEDULE, the 
execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the Notes, the 
Warrants, Share Option Purchase Agreement, the Anderson Purchase Agreement, 
the Anderson Side Letter, the Stockholders Agreement, the Registration 
Agreement and all other agreements contemplated hereby and thereby to which 
it is a party, the offering, sale and issuance of the Notes, Warrants and 
Series A Preferred hereunder, the issuance of the Common Stock upon exercise 
of the Warrants and the fulfillment of and compliance with the respective 
terms hereof and thereof by the Company does not and will not (a) conflict 
with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, (b) 
constitute a default under, (c) result in the creation of any Lien upon the 
stock or assets of the Company pursuant to, (d) give any third party the 
right to modify, terminate or accelerate any obligation under, (e) result in 
a violation of, or (f) require any authorization, consent, approval, 
exemption or other action by or notice to any Government Entity pursuant to, 
the Articles of Incorporation or bylaws of the Company, or any Law, statute, 
rule or regulation to which the Company is subject, or any material 
agreement, instrument, order, judgment or decree to which the Company is 
subject.

              6E.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

                     (a)    Attached hereto as the FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULE
       are (i) the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as at August 30, 1998
       and the related statement of income for the eight-month period then ended
       (such balance sheet, the "LATEST BALANCE SHEET"); (ii) the audited
       consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 1995,
       December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997 (the balance sheet for December
       31, 1997 being referred to as the "LATEST AUDITED STATEMENT") and the
       related audited consolidated statement of earnings and cash flows for
       each of the Fiscal Years then 

                                      -30-
<PAGE>

       ended, and (iii) the estimated pro forma balance sheet of the Company 
       as of the Closing Date, reflecting the assets, liabilities and 
       stockholders' equity of the Company  as of the Closing Date, adjusted 
       to reflect, as applicable, the effect of the Senior Indebtedness 
       incurred on the Closing Date, the issuance of the Notes and Series A 
       Preferred, and the costs and expenses related to the foregoing.

                     (b)    Except as set forth on the attached FINANCIAL
       STATEMENTS SCHEDULE, each of the foregoing financial statements
       (including the notes thereto, if any), presents fairly the consolidated
       financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company,
       and is prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, as of the
       dates and for the periods set forth therein, subject in the case of the
       unaudited financial statements to the lack of footnote disclosure and
       changes resulting from normal year-end adjustments.  

              6F.    ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES.  Except as set forth 
on the attached LIABILITIES SCHEDULE, the Company has no obligation or 
liability (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise, 
whether due or to become due and regardless of when asserted) arising out of 
transactions entered into at or prior to the Closing, or any action or 
inaction at or prior to the Closing, or any state of facts existing at or 
prior to the Closing other than:  (a) liabilities fully disclosed and 
adequately provided for in the Latest Balance Sheet, and (b) current 
liabilities which have arisen, and obligations under agreements entered into, 
after the date of the Latest Balance Sheet in the ordinary course of business 
(none of which is a liability resulting from breach of contract, breach of 
warranty, tort, infringement, claim or lawsuit).

              6G.    NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE.  There has been no material 
adverse change in the business, assets, operations, financial condition, 
operating results, earnings, customer and supplier relations or employee and 
sales representative relations of the Company since the date of the Latest 
Audited Statement.

              6H.    ASSETS.  Except as set forth on the attached ASSETS 
SCHEDULE, the Company has good and indefeasible title to, or a valid 
leasehold interest in, the properties and assets it uses, the properties and 
assets shown on the Latest Balance Sheet or acquired thereafter and all 
assets necessary for the conduct of its businesses as presently conducted and 
as presently proposed to be conducted, free and clear of all Liens, except 
for properties and assets disposed of in the ordinary course of business 
since the date of the Latest Balance Sheet and except for Liens disclosed on 
the Latest Balance Sheet (including any notes thereto).  Except as described 
on the attached ASSETS SCHEDULE, buildings, equipment and other tangible 
assets of the Company are in good operating condition other than ordinary 
wear and tear and are fit for use in the ordinary course of business. 

              6I.    INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT.  Neither the Company nor the 
Company is an "investment company" or an "Affiliated person" of, or 
"promoter" or "principal underwriter" for, an "investment company" as such 
terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

              6J.    MARGIN REGULATIONS.  The Company does not own any 
"margin security" as such term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD"), and 
none of the proceeds of the Notes or Warrants 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 purchased under this Agreement to be 
considered "purpose credit" within the meaning of Regulations T, U or X of 
the Federal Reserve Board.  The Company has not taken or permitted, and will 
not permit any agent acting on its behalf to take, any action which might 
cause this Agreement or any document or instrument delivered hereunder to 
violate such Regulation T, U or X, any other regulation of the Federal 
Reserve Board, or Section 8 of the Exchange Act or any rule or regulation 
thereunder.  No proceeds of the issuance of Restricted Securities will be 
used to acquire any security in any transaction which is subject to Section 
13 or 14 of the Exchange Act, including Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof.  
The purchase of the Notes will not constitute a violation of such Regulations 
T, U or X.

              6K.    TAX MATTERS.  Except as set forth on the TAX SCHEDULE 
attached hereto, the Company has filed all Tax returns and other reports 
which it is required to file under applicable Laws and regulations; all such 
returns and reports are complete and correct in all material respects; the 
Company has paid all Taxes due and owing by it and has withheld and paid over 
all Taxes which it is obligated to withhold from amounts paid or owing to any 
employee, stockholder, creditor or other third party, and has not waived any 
statute of limitations with respect to Taxes or agreed to any extension of 
time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency; no foreign, federal, 
state, provincial or local Tax audits are pending or being conducted with 
respect to the Company, no information related to Tax matters has been 
requested by any foreign, federal, state, provincial or local Tax authority 
and no notice indicating an intent to open an audit or other review has been 
received by the Company from any foreign, federal, state, provincial or local 
Tax authority; and there are no unresolved questions or claims concerning Tax 
liability of the Company.  Except as set forth on the TAX SCHEDULE, The 
Company has not made an election under Section 341(f) of the IRC, is not a 
party to any Tax sharing or allocation agreement, and has no liability for 
the Taxes of any Person under Section 1.1502-6 of the Treasury Regulations 
(or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or 
successor, by contract, or otherwise. The accrual for current Taxes on the 
Latest Balance Sheet would be adequate to pay all of the current Tax 
liabilities of the Company, if the current Tax year were treated as having 
ended on the date of the Latest Balance Sheet consistent with past practices.

              6L.    CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS. Except as expressly 
contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth on the attached CONTRACTS 
SCHEDULE, the Company is not a party (including after giving effect to the 
Company) to any written or oral:

                     (a)    pension, profit sharing, stock option, employee
       stock purchase or other plan or arrangement providing for deferred or
       other compensation to employees or any other employee benefit plan or
       arrangement, or any contract with any labor union, or any severance
       agreements;

                                      -32-
<PAGE>

                     (b)    contract for the employment of any officer,
       individual employee or other Person on a full-time, part-time, consulting
       or other basis providing annual compensation in excess of $25,000 or
       contract relating to loans to officers, directors or affiliates;

                     (c)    contract under which the Company has advanced or
       loaned any other Persons amounts in the aggregate exceeding $25,000; 

                     (d)    agreement or indenture relating to the borrowing of
       money or the mortgaging, pledging or otherwise placing a Lien on any
       material asset or group of assets of the Company;

                     (e)    Guarantee of any obligation (other than by the
       Company of a wholly-owned Subsidiary's debts or a guarantee by a
       Subsidiary of the Company's debts or another Subsidiary's debts);

                     (f)    lease or agreement under which the Company or any
       Subsidiary is lessee of or holds or operates any property, real or
       personal, owned by any other party, except for any lease of real or
       personal property under which the aggregate annual rental payments do not
       exceed $25,000;

                     (g)    lease or agreement under which the Company or any
       Subsidiary is lessor of or permits any third party to hold or operate any
       property, real or personal, owned or controlled by the Company or any
       Subsidiary;

                     (h)    contract or group of related contracts with the same
       party or group of affiliated parties the performance of which involves
       aggregate annual consideration in excess of $25,000 except purchase
       orders from existing customers or to existing vendors, in either case in
       the ordinary course of business;

                     (i)    assignment, license, indemnification or agreement
       with respect to any intangible property (including, without limitation,
       any patent, trademark, trade name, copyright, know-how, trade secret or
       confidential information);

                     (j)    warranty agreement with respect to its services
       rendered or its products sold or leased;

                     (k)    agreement under which it has granted any Person any
       registration rights (including piggyback rights);

                     (l)    contract, agreement or other arrangement with any
       officer, director, employee or Affiliate, or any Affiliate of any
       officer, director or employee;

                     (m)    contract or agreement prohibiting it from freely
       engaging in any 

                                      -33-
<PAGE>

       business or competing anywhere in the world; or

                     (n)    any other agreement which is material to its
       operations and business prospects or which involves a consideration in
       excess of $25,000 annually.

              Except as set forth on the CONTRACTS SCHEDULE, all of the
       contracts, agreements and instruments required to be listed thereon are
       valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.
       Except as set forth on the CONTRACTS SCHEDULE, the Company and its
       Subsidiaries are not in default or breach under any such contract,
       agreement or instrument; no event has occurred which with the passage of
       time or the giving of notice or both would result in a default, breach or
       event of noncompliance under any such contract, agreement or instrument
       listed on the CONTRACTS SCHEDULE; none of the Company and its
       Subsidiaries has any present expectation or intention of not fully
       performing all such obligations; none of the Company and its Subsidiaries
       has any knowledge of any breach or anticipated breach by the other
       parties to any such contract or commitment; and none of the Company and
       its Subsidiaries is a party to any contract or commitment the performance
       of which would have a Materially Adverse Effect.

              6M.    TRADEMARKS, PATENTS.  Except as set forth on the 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SCHEDULE attached hereto the Company possesses or has 
the right to use all of the patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks 
and copyrights, and applications therefor, and all technology, know-how, 
processes, methods and designs used in or necessary for the conduct of its 
business, without known conflict with the rights of others; there have been 
no written claims made upon the Company against the Company asserting the 
invalidity, misuse or unenforceability of any Proprietary Right, and there 
are no grounds for the same; the Company has not received a notice of 
conflict with the asserted rights of others within the last five years; and 
to the knowledge of the Company the conduct of the business of the Company 
has not infringed or misappropriated nor infringes or misappropriates any 
Proprietary Right of other Persons, nor would any future conduct as presently 
contemplated infringe any Proprietary Right of other Persons and, to the 
Company's knowledge, the Proprietary Rights owned by the Company have not 
been infringed or misappropriated by other Persons.

              6N.    LITIGATION, ETC.  Except as set forth on the attached 
LITIGATION SCHEDULE, (i) there are no actions, suits, proceedings, orders, 
investigations or claims pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened 
against or affecting the Company or pending or threatened against or 
affecting any of the officers, directors or employees of the Company with 
respect to any of the Company's businesses or proposed business activities, 
at law or in equity, or before or by any Government Entity which if adversely 
determined, could have a Materially Adverse Effect, including any Litigation 
with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Recapitalization, the 
Loan Agreement or this Agreement; (ii) the Company is not subject to any 
arbitration proceedings under collective bargaining agreements or otherwise 
or, to the Company's knowledge, any governmental investigations or inquiries; 
and (iii) to the best of the Company's knowledge, there is no reasonable 
basis for any of the foregoing.  The Company is not subject to 

                                      -34-
<PAGE>

any judgment, order or decree of any court or other governmental agency, and 
the Company has not received any opinion or memorandum or legal advice from 
legal counsel to the effect that it is exposed, from a legal standpoint, to 
any liability or disadvantage which in any of such cases may have a 
Materially Adverse Effect (including after giving effect to the 
Recapitalization.

              6O.    NO FORFEITURE.  The Company is not engaged in or 
proposes to be engaged in the conduct of any business or activity which could 
result in a Forfeiture Proceeding, and no Forfeiture Proceeding against any 
of them is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened. 

              6P.    SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS.  The Company, together with its 
"affiliates" (as that term is defined in Section 121.401 of the SBIC 
Regulations), is a "small business concern" within the meaning of the SBIC 
Act and SBIC Regulations, including Section 121.802 of the SBIC Regulations.  
The information regarding the Company and its affiliates set forth in the 
Small Business Administration Form 480, Form 652 and Part A of Form 1031 
delivered at the Closing is accurate and complete.  Copies of such forms 
shall have been completed and executed by the Company and delivered to each 
Purchaser that is an SBIC at the Closing together with a written statement of 
the Company regarding its planned use of the proceeds from the sale of the 
Notes, the Series A Preferred and the Warrants.  Neither the Company nor any 
Subsidiary presently engages in, and it shall not hereafter engage in, any 
activities, nor shall the Company or any Subsidiary use directly or 
indirectly the proceeds from the sale of the Notes, the Series A Preferred 
and the Warrants hereunder for any purpose, for which a SBIC is prohibited 
from providing funds by the SBIC Act and the SBIC Regulations (including 
Section 107.804 and Section 107.901 of the SBIC Regulations).

              6Q.    BROKERAGE.  Except as set forth on the BROKERAGE 
SCHEDULE attached hereto, there are no claims for brokerage commissions, 
finders' fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions 
contemplated by the Recapitalization, the Loan Agreement or this Agreement 
based on any arrangement or agreement binding upon the Company.  The Company 
shall pay, and hold the Purchasers harmless against, any and all liability, 
loss or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees 
and out-of-pocket expenses) arising in connection with any such claims.

              6R.    INSURANCE.  The Company is not in default with respect 
to its obligations under any insurance policy maintained by it.  The 
insurance coverage of the Company is of customary type and covers casualties, 
risks and contingencies of such types and in amounts not less than as are 
customary for prudent corporations of similar size engaged in similar lines 
of business under similar circumstances.

              6S.    EMPLOYEES.  Except as set forth on the attached 
EMPLOYEES SCHEDULE, (i) the Company is not aware that any executive or key 
employee of the Company or any group of employees of the Company has any 
plans to terminate employment with the Company; (ii) the Company has complied 
and is compliance in all material respects with all Laws relating to the 
employment of labor, including provisions thereof relating to wages, hours, 
equal opportunity, collective bargaining and the payment of any Taxes, and 
the Company does not have any labor relations problems (including, without 
limitation, any union organization activities, threatened or 

                                      -35-
<PAGE>

actual strikes or work stoppages or material grievances); and (iii) the 
Company is not, and none of the employees of the Company is, subject to any 
noncompete, nondisclosure, confidentiality, employment, consulting or similar 
agreement relating to, affecting or in conflict with, the present or proposed 
business activities of the Company.

              6T.    COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.  The Company has not violated any 
Laws which violation has had or would reasonably be expected to have a 
Materially Adverse Effect, and the Company has not received notice of any 
such violation.  No payments for political contributions or bribes, kickback 
payments or other illegal payments have been made by the Company at any time.

              6U.    AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS.  Except as set forth on the 
attached AFFILIATED TRANSACTIONS SCHEDULE, no Affiliate of the Company or any 
officer, director, stockholder or employee of any such Affiliate (other than 
any such as are also officers, directors or employees of the Company), any 
individual related by blood or marriage to any such Person, or any entity in 
which any such Person, directly or indirectly, owns any beneficial interest, 
is a party to any agreement, contract, commitment, transaction or proposed 
transaction with the Company or has any interest in any property used by the 
Company.

              6V.    INDEBTEDNESS.  The attached INDEBTEDNESS SCHEDULE sets 
forth all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company owing to any Person or 
group of affiliated Persons, or issued in any one transaction or series of 
related transactions.  The Company has no outstanding Indebtedness or is a 
guarantor or otherwise contingently liable for any Indebtedness except as 
disclosed on the attached INDEBTEDNESS SCHEDULE.  There exists no default 
under the provisions of any instrument evidencing such Indebtedness or of any 
agreement relating thereto.

              6W.    LOAN AGREEMENT.  No "default" or "event of default" 
under the Loan Agreement is in existence or will result from the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement.

              6X.    ERISA.  Except as set forth on the EMPLOYEE BENEFITS 
SCHEDULE:

                     (a)    MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS.  The Company has no obligation
       to contribute to (or any other liability, including current or potential
       Withdrawal Liability, with respect to) any Multiemployer Plan.  To the
       extent that any Multiemployer Plan is set forth on the Employee Benefits
       Schedule, the Company has no current or potential withdrawal liability
       under such Multiemployer Plan.

                     (b)    RETIREE WELFARE PLANS.   The Company does not
       maintain or have any obligation to contribute to (or any other liability
       with respect to) any plan or arrangement whether or not terminated, which
       provides medical, health, life insurance or other welfare-type benefits
       for current or future retired or terminated employees, their spouses or
       dependents (except for continued medical benefit coverage required to be
       provided under Section 4980B of the IRC or as required under applicable
       state Laws).

                                      -36-
<PAGE>

                     (c)    DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS.  The Company does not
       maintain, contribute to or have any liability under (or with respect to)
       any employee plan which is a "defined benefit plan" (as defined in
       Section 3(35) of ERISA), whether or not terminated.

                     (d)    DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS.  The Company does not
       maintain, contribute to or have any liability under (or with respect to)
       any employee plan which is a "defined contribution plan" (as defined in
       Section 3(34) of ERISA), whether or not terminated.

                     (e)    OTHER PLANS.  The Company does not maintain,
       contribute to or have any liability under (or with respect to) any plan
       or arrangement providing benefits to current or former employees,
       including, without limitation, any bonus plan, plan for deferred
       compensation, severance, employee health or other welfare benefit plan or
       other arrangement, whether or not terminated and whether or not subject
       to ERISA including, but not limited to "employee welfare benefit plans"
       as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA.

                     (f)    THE COMPANY.  For purposes of this SECTION 6X (other
       than subsection (e) or (h), the terms "the Company" includes all
       organizations under common control with the Company pursuant to Section
       414 of the IRC.  For purposes of liability under Title IV of ERISA, the
       terms "the Company" shall include any member of its Controlled Group.

                     (g)    UNFUNDED LIABILITY.  No plan maintained by the
       Company or to which the Company has an obligation to contribute, or with
       respect to which the Company has any other liability, has unfunded
       benefit obligations or any unfunded liability.  All contributions,
       premiums or payments under or with respect to a each plan which is set
       forth on the attached Employee Benefits Schedule which are due on or
       before the Closing Date have been paid.

                     (h)    PLAN QUALIFICATION AND COMPLIANCE.  Each employee
       benefit plan set forth on the attached EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SCHEDULE that is
       or has been maintained for the benefit of employees of the Company that
       is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the IRC has received
       a favorable determination letter from the IRS as to the qualification of
       such plan and, to the best knowledge of the Company after due inquiry,
       nothing has occurred since the date of such determination letter that
       could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualification of
       such plan.  Each employee benefit plan set forth on the attached EMPLOYEE
       BENEFITS SCHEDULE that is or has been maintained for the benefit of
       employees of the Company and all related trusts, insurance contracts and
       funds have been maintained, funded and administered in compliance in all
       material respects with their respective terms and with all applicable
       Laws.

                     (i)    The Company has not incurred and has no reason to
       expect that it will incur, any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty
       Corporation (other than premium payments) or otherwise under Title IV of
       ERISA (including any withdrawal liability) or 

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

       under the Code with respect to any employee pension benefit plan that 
       the Company or any ERISA Affiliate maintains or ever has maintained or 
       to which any of them contributes, ever has contributed, or ever has been 
       required to contribute.

              6Y.    ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY MATTERS.

                     (a)    Except as set forth in Section (i) of the
       ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEDULE, the Company has complied with and is currently in
       compliance in all material respects with all Environmental and Safety
       Requirements the non-compliance with which will or threatens to impose a
       material liability on the Company, and the Company has not received any
       oral or written notice, report or information regarding any liabilities
       (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise) or any
       corrective, investigatory or remedial obligations arising under
       Environmental and Safety Requirements which relate to the Company or any
       of its properties or facilities.

                     (b)    Except as set forth in Section (ii) of the
       ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEDULE, without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
       the Company has obtained and complied with, and is currently in
       compliance in all material respects with, all material permits, licenses
       and other authorizations that are required pursuant to any Environmental
       and Safety Requirements for the occupancy of its properties or facilities
       or the operation of its businesses.

                     (c)    Except as set forth in Section (iii) of the
       ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEDULE, neither this Agreement nor the consummation of
       the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall impose any
       obligations on the Company for site investigation or cleanup, or
       notification to or consent of any government agencies or third parties
       under any Environmental and Safety Requirements (including, without
       limitation, any so called "transaction-triggered" or "responsible
       property transfer" laws and regulations).

                     (d)    Except as set forth in Section (iv) of the
       ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEDULE, none of the following exists at any property or
       facility owned, occupied or operated by the Company:

                            (1)    underground storage tanks or surface
                                   impoundments;

                            (2)    asbestos-containing materials friable; or

                            (3)    materials or equipment containing friable
                                   polychlorinated biphenyls.

                     (e)    Except as set forth in Section (v) of the
       ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEDULE, the Company has not treated, stored, disposed of,
       arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled or
       Released any Hazardous Materials, or owned, occupied or operated any
       facility or property, so as to give rise to liabilities of the Company
       for response costs, natural resource damages or attorneys fees pursuant
       to CERCLA or any 

                                      -38-
<PAGE>

       other Environmental and Safety Requirements.

                     (f)    Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to
       the knowledge of the Company, no facts, events or conditions relating to
       the past or present properties, facilities or operations of the Company
       shall prevent, hinder or limit in any material respect continued
       compliance with Environmental and Safety Requirements, give rise to any
       corrective, investigatory or remedial obligations pursuant to
       Environmental and Safety Requirements or give rise to any other
       liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent, unliquidated or
       otherwise) pursuant to Environmental and Safety Requirements (including,
       without limitation, those liabilities relating to onsite or offsite
       Releases or threatened Releases of Hazardous Materials, substances or
       wastes, personal injury, property damage or natural resources damage).

                     (g)    Except as set forth in Section (vii) of the
       ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEDULE, the Company has not, either expressly or by
       operation of law, assumed or undertaken any liability or corrective,
       investigatory or remedial obligation of any other Person relating to any
       Environmental and Safety Requirements.

                     (h)    No Environmental Lien has attached to any property
       owned, leased or operated by the Company. 

              6Z.    REAL PROPERTY HOLDING CORPORATION STATUS.  Since its 
date of incorporation, the Company has not been, and as of the date of the 
Closing shall not be, a "United States Real Property Holding Corporation," as 
defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the IRC and in Section 1.897-2(b) of the 
Treasury Regulations issued thereunder.  The Company has no current plans or 
intentions which would cause it to become a "United States Real Property 
Holding Company," and the Company has filed with the IRS all statements, if 
any, with its United States income Tax returns which are required under 
Section 1.897-2(h) of the Treasury Regulations.

              6AA.   CERTAIN GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.  The Company is not 
subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, 
the Federal Power Act, or any other Law which regulates the incurring of 
Indebtedness by any of them, including Laws relating to common contract 
carriers or the sale of electricity, gas, steam, water or other public 
utility services.

              6BB.   CLOSING DATE.  The representations and warranties of the 
Company  contained in this SECTION 6 and elsewhere in this Agreement and all 
information contained in any exhibit, schedule or attachment hereto or in any 
certificate or other writing delivered by, or on behalf of, the Company to 
any of the Purchasers shall be correct and complete on the date of the 
Closing as though made after giving effect to the transactions contemplated 
hereby to occur on the Closing Date.

              Section 7.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BA PURCHASERS.  
Each BA 

                                      -39-
<PAGE>

Purchaser hereby represents and warrants severally, as to itself, to the 
Company that each and all of the following statements are true and correct 
and complete as of the date of execution and delivery of this Agreement and 
will be true, correct and complete as of the Closing after giving effect to 
the transactions contemplated hereby to occur on or prior to the Closing Date.

              7A.    DUE AUTHORIZATION.  Such BA Purchaser has all requisite 
power and authority to enter into this Agreement and the agreements 
contemplated hereby and to consummate the transaction contemplated hereby and 
thereby.  The execution and delivery hereof and of each of the agreements 
contemplated hereby, the performance by such BA Purchaser of its obligations 
hereunder and thereunder and the consummation by such BA Purchaser of the 
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly 
authorized by all necessary action on the part of such BA Purchaser.  No 
other proceeding on the part of such BA Purchaser is necessary to authorize 
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other agreements 
contemplated hereby by such BA Purchaser or the performance by such BA 
Purchaser of its obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation by 
such BA Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  Each 
of this Agreement and the agreements contemplated hereby constitute, or when 
executed and delivered will constitute, a valid and legally binding 
obligation of such BA Purchaser enforceable against such BA Purchaser in 
accordance with its terms.

              7B.    CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. Each BA Purchaser has obtained 
all consents, approvals or authorizations from each Governmental Entity or 
other Persons prescribed by any Law, contract or agreement which may be 
required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and 
the other agreements contemplated hereby by each BA Purchaser or the 
consummation by each BA Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby and 
thereby.

              Section 8.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF ALL 
PURCHASERS. Each of the Purchasers represents and warrants severally, as to 
itself, to the Company that each and all of the following statements are 
true, correct and complete as of the date of execution and delivery of this 
Agreement and will be true, correct and complete as of the Closing after 
giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby to occur on or prior to 
the Closing Date.

              8A.    INVESTMENT INTENT. Such Purchaser represents and 
warrants that acquiring the Securities purchased hereunder or acquired 
pursuant hereto for its own account with the present intention of holding 
such securities for purposes of investment and without a view of making a 
distribution thereof within the meaning if the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), and that such Purchaser has no intention of 
selling such Securities in violation of applicable Securities Laws; PROVIDED 
that (i) the disposition of any Securities held by such Purchaser shall at 
all times be within such Purchaser's control and (ii) nothing contained 
herein shall prevent such Purchaser and subsequent holders of Securities from 
transferring such securities in compliance with the provisions hereof.  Each 
of the Purchasers hereby agrees that none of such Securities, or any shares 
of Common Stock issued upon the exercise of the Warrants shall be sold or 
transferred by such Purchaser in violation in the Securities Laws.  Each of 
the Purchasers is aware that none of the Securities have been registered 
under the Securities Act or any other Securities Laws and that the Company is 
not obligated to register such 

                                      -40-
<PAGE>

Securities except in accordance with the provisions of the Registration 
Agreement, and that such Securities must be held indefinitely unless 
subsequently registered or an exemption from such registration is available.

              8B.    ACCESS: SOPHISTICATION: ETC.  Such Purchaser is an 
"accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D 
promulgated under the Securities Act.  Each Purchaser and its agents and 
representatives have such knowledge and experience in financial and business 
matters as to enable them to utilize the information made available to them 
in connection with the purchases contemplated hereby, to evaluate the merits 
and risks of an investment in the Company and to make an informed decision 
with respect thereto and such an evaluation and informed decision has been 
made. Such Purchaser represents that it has had an opportunity to ask 
questions and receive answers from the Company, and examine such documents, 
agreements and instruments, regarding the terms and conditions of the 
offering of the Securities and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon 
exercise of the Warrants, the Company's business plan and results of 
operation, this Agreement, and the Agreements contemplated hereby, all 
certificates delivered in connection therewith, and the business, properties, 
prospects and financial condition of the Company.  Such Purchaser represents 
that each Purchaser is experienced in evaluating and investing in private 
placement transactions of securities of companies in stages of development 
similar to that of the Company, and that it has not been formed for the 
purpose of acquiring the Securities.  Such Purchaser acknowledges that it can 
bear the economic risk of loss of all of its investment in the Company.  
Notwithstanding the provision of this SECTION 8B, however, such Purchaser is 
relying upon the representations and warranties of the Company contained in 
this Agreement in connection with the decision of such Purchaser to enter 
into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

              Section 9.  DEFINITIONS.

              9A.    DEFINED TERMS.  For the purposes of this Agreement, the 
following terms have the meanings set forth below:

              "AFFILIATE" shall mean, with respect to any Person, (i) each 
Person that, directly or indirectly, owns or controls, whether beneficially, 
or as a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, 10% or more of the Stock having 
ordinary voting power in the election of directors of, or 10% or more of the 
common equity of, such Person, (ii) each Person that controls, is controlled 
by or is under common control with, such Person or any Affiliate of such 
Person, and (iii) each of such Person's officers, directors, joint venturers 
and partners.  For the purpose of this definition, "control" of a Person 
shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or 
cause the direction of its management or policies, whether through the 
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.  

              "AGENT" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION" of any Person means the articles or 
certificate of 

                                      -41-
<PAGE>

incorporation of such Person, as applicable, as in effect at the Closing or 
as amended thereafter as permitted under this Agreement.

              "BA PURCHASERS" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "BANK" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a 
Sunday or a day on which banks are required or permitted by Law or other 
action by a Government Entity to be closed in the State of Illinois.

              "CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" means for any period, the sum of all 
amounts that would, in accordance with GAAP, be included as additions to 
property, plant and equipment on a consolidated statement of cash flows for 
the Company during such period, in respect of (a) the acquisition, 
construction, improvement, replacement or betterment of land, buildings, 
machinery, equipment or of any other fixed assets or leaseholds, (b) to the 
extent related to and not included in (a) above, materials, contract labor 
(excluding expenditures properly chargeable to repairs or maintenance in 
accordance with GAAP), and (c) other capital expenditures (including without 
limitation Capitalized Leases) and other uses recorded as capital 
expenditures or similar terms having substantially the same effect (including 
expenditures for nonrecurrent tangible assets such as software).

              "CAPITALIZED LEASE" means a lease of (or other agreement 
conveying the right to use) real or personal property with respect to which 
at least a portion of the rent or other amounts thereon constitute 
Capitalized Lease Obligations.

              "CAPITALIZED LEASE OBLIGATIONS" of a Person shall mean all 
monetary obligations of such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person under a 
lease or similar arrangement, which obligations would be classified and 
accounted for as capital obligations on a consolidated balance sheet of such 
Person under GAAP taken at the amount thereof accounted for as indebtedness 
(net of interest expense) in accordance with such principles.

              "CASH FLOW LEVERAGE RATIO" means, for any period of 
determination, the ratio of (a) Interest-bearing Indebtedness of the Company 
and its Subsidiaries (including but not limited to the aggregate principal 
amount of all outstanding Capitalized Lease Obligations of the Company and 
its Subsidiaries), all determined as of the last day of that period, to (b) 
EBITDA for that period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP.

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

              "CERTIFICATES OF DESIGNATION" has the meaning set forth in 
SECTION 2E hereof.

              "CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP" means any Management Purchaser ceases to 
hold, beneficially and of record, at least 85% of the issued and issuable 
capital stock of the Corporation 

                                      -42-
<PAGE>

that such Management Purchaser holds at Closing (as adjusted for any 
subsequent stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares or similar 
recapitalizations), other than Tom Boner in respect of sales of capital stock 
to David Anderson.

              "CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER" of any entity means the highest 
ranking officer of such entity who is then in charge of the financial matters 
of such entity.

              "CIVC" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "CLOSING" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 1C hereof.

              "CLOSING DATE" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 1C hereof.

              "CLOSING FEE" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 1D hereof.

              "COMMON STOCK" means, collectively, the Company's common stock, 
and any shares of any class of the Company's capital stock hereafter 
authorized which is not limited to a fixed sum or percentage of par or stated 
value in respect of the rights of the holders thereof to participate in 
dividends or in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution 
or winding up of the Company.

              "COMPANY" means Zimmerman Sign Company, a Texas corporation.

              "CONTROLLED GROUP" of any Person means all members of a 
controlled group of corporations and all members of a controlled group of 
trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) which at the relevant time 
are under common control which, together with such Person, as the case may 
be, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of 
the IRC or Section 4001 of ERISA.

              "DEFAULT" means an event or condition the occurrence of which 
is, or with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an 
Event of Default. 

              "DOL" shall mean the United States Department of Labor, or any 
successor thereof.

              "EBITDA" means, for any period of determination, an amount 
equal to the consolidated net income of the Company before deductions for 
income taxes, Interest Expense, depreciation and amortization.

              "ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS" means all federal, 
state or local Laws, all contractual obligations and all common law, in each 
case concerning public health and safety, pollution or protection of the 
environment (including, without limitation, all those relating to the 
presence, use, production, generation, handling, transportation, treatment, 
storage, disposal, distribution, labeling, testing, processing, discharge, 
Release, threatened Release, control or 

                                      -43-
<PAGE>

cleanup of any Hazardous Materials, noise or radiation).

              "ENVIRONMENTAL LIEN" means any Lien, whether recorded or 
unrecorded, in favor of any Government Entity, relating to any liability of 
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising under any Environmental and 
Safety Requirements.

              "EQUITY INTERESTS" means, collectively, the Series A Preferred, 
the Warrants and Warrant Stock purchased hereunder and any securities issued 
or issuable in respect thereof.

              "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 
1974 (or any successor legislation thereto), as amended from time to time and 
any regulations promulgated thereunder.

              "ERISA AFFILIATE" means, with respect to any Person, any trade 
or business (whether or not incorporated) which at the relevant time is under 
common control with such Person and which, together with such Person, are 
treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) 
or (o) of the IRC.

              "ERISA EVENT" means, with respect to any Person or any member 
of its Controlled Group (except with respect to clause (vi) of this paragraph 
which shall be with respect to such Person or any of its ERISA Affiliates) 
(i) a Reportable Event with respect to a Title IV Plan or a Multiemployer 
Plan, (ii) the withdrawal of such Person, any of its Subsidiaries or any 
Controlled Group member from a Title IV Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA 
during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer, as defined in 
Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (iii) the complete or partial withdrawal of such 
Person, any of its Subsidiaries or any Controlled Group member from any 
Multiemployer Plan, (iv) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a 
Title IV Plan or the treatment of a plan amendment as a termination under 
Section 4041 of ERISA, (v) the institution of proceedings to terminate a 
Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC, (vi) the failure to make 
required contributions to a Title IV Plan or (vii) any other event or 
condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under 
Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee 
to administer, any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or the imposition of 
any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than PBGC premiums due but not 
delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA.

              "EVENT OF DEFAULT" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 10 
hereof.

              "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as 
amended, or any similar federal law then in force. 

              "EXPENDED AMOUNT" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 4A 
hereof.

              "FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 6J 
hereof.

              "FINANCING" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 3H hereof.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>

              "FIRC" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 2B hereof.

              "FISCAL YEAR" means the fiscal year of the Company ending on 
December 31.

              "FORFEITURE PROCEEDING" means any action or proceeding 
affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries before any Government Entity 
which may result in the forced disposition (by the exercise of the power of 
eminent domain, expropriation or otherwise), seizure, expropriation or 
forfeiture of any property necessary for use in its business, or payment of a 
penalty, or revocation, termination or suspension of a license or approval 
necessary for use in its business which action or proceeding, if determined 
adversely to the Company or its Subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to 
have a Materially Adverse Effect.

              "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the 
United States as in effect from time to time.  

              "GENEVE" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 2B hereof.

              "GOVERNMENT ENTITY" means the United States of America or any 
other nation, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof, or 
any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or 
administrative functions of government, including any Tribunal.

              "GSH" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 2B hereof.

              "GUARANTEE" by a Person shall include any guarantee of the 
payment or performance of any Indebtedness or other obligation and any other 
arrangement whereby credit is extended to one obligor on the basis of any 
promise of such Person, whether that promise is expressed in terms of an 
obligation to pay the Indebtedness of such obligor, to provide reimbursement, 
or to purchase an obligation owed by such obligor, or to purchase goods and 
services from such obligor pursuant to a take-or-pay contract, or to maintain 
the capital, working capital, solvency or general financial condition of such 
obligor, whether or not any such arrangement is listed in the balance sheet 
of such Person, or referred to in a footnote thereto, but shall not include 
endorsements of items for collection in the ordinary course of business.

              "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means anything that is a "hazardous 
substance" pursuant to CERCLA, anything that is a "hazardous waste" or "solid 
waste" pursuant to RCRA, and any other  pollutant, contaminant, toxic 
chemical, petroleum product or by-product, asbestos or polychlorinated 
biphenyl.

              "INDEBTEDNESS" with respect to any Person shall mean, without 
duplication, (a) all indebtedness of such Person or any Subsidiary of such 
Person in respect of money borrowed (including, without limitation, 
indebtedness which represents the unpaid amount of the purchase price of any 
property) and not constituting an account payable or expense accrual incurred 
or 

                                      -45-
<PAGE>

assumed in the ordinary course of business of such Person or any of its 
Subsidiaries, (b) all indebtedness of such Person or any Subsidiary of such 
Person evidenced by a promissory note, bond or similar written obligation to 
pay money, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are 
customarily paid or accrued, other than trade debt, (d) all such indebtedness 
guaranteed by such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person (including 
pursuant to any Guarantee) or for which such Person or any Subsidiary of such 
Person is otherwise contingently liable, including, without limitation, 
Guarantees in the form of an agreement to repurchase or reimburse, and any 
commitment by which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person assures a 
creditor against loss, including contingent reimbursement obligations with 
respect to letters of credit, (e) all obligations secured by a Lien on 
property of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries (but shall not include 
operating leases), (f) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (g) all obligations of 
such Person in respect of interest rate protection agreements, (h) all 
obligations of such Person, actual or contingent, as an account party in 
respect of letters of credit or bankers' acceptances, (i) all obligations of 
any partnership or joint venture as to which such Person is or may become 
personally liable, and (j) all Contingent Obligations of such Person.

              "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 
11C hereof.

              "INDEMNITEE" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 11C hereof.

              "INTEREST-BEARING INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness with respect 
to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is obliged to make interest 
payments from time to time, irrespective of whether such payments are paid, 
accrued or waived from time to time (including without limitation Capitalized 
Lease Obligations).

              "INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO" means, for any period of 
determination, the ratio of (a) EBITDA to (b) Interest Expense, in each case 
determined for said period in accordance with GAAP.

              "INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any period of determination, that 
aggregate amount, without duplication, of interest paid, accrued or scheduled 
to be paid in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its 
Subsidiaries for such period, including (a) all but the principal component 
of payments in respect of conditional sale contracts, Capitalized Leases and 
other title retention agreements, (b) commissions, discounts and other fees 
and charges with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance 
financings and (c) dividends and distributions paid in respect of the Series 
A Preferred, the Series B Preferred and the Series C Preferred, in each case 
determined in accordance with GAAP.

              "INVESTMENT" as applied to any Person means (i) any direct or 
indirect purchase or other acquisition by such Person of any notes, 
obligations, instruments, Stock, securities or ownership interest (including 
partnership interests, limited liability company interests and joint venture 
interests) of, or any loan by such Person to, any other Person and (ii) any 
capital contribution by such Person to any other Person.  

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

                                      -46-
<PAGE>

              "IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service. 

              "LATEST AUDITED STATEMENT" has the meaning set forth in 
SECTION 6E(A) hereof.

              "LATEST BALANCE SHEET" has the meaning set forth in 
SECTION 6E(A) hereof.

              "LAWS" means all statutes, laws, ordinances, regulations, 
rules, orders, judgments, writs, injunctions, acts or decrees of any 
Government Entity (including Environmental and Safety Requirements). 

              "LIEN" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, 
encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind, including, without limitation, any 
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature 
thereof and including any lien or charge arising by statute or other Laws, 
which secures the payment of a debt (including, without limitation, any Tax) 
or the performance of an obligation.

              "LITIGATION" means any action, proceeding, claim, order, 
lawsuit and/or investigation conducted by or before any Government Entity.

              "LOAN AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "MANAGEMENT PURCHASERS" has the meaning set forth in the 
Recitals.

              "MAJORITY HOLDERS" at any time means the Majority Note Holders 
or, at such time as the Notes are no longer outstanding, the Majority Equity 
Holders.

              "MAJORITY NOTE HOLDERS" at any time means the holders of Notes 
representing a majority of the aggregate principal amount of all Notes then 
outstanding.

              "MAJORITY EQUITY HOLDERS" at any time means the holders of a 
majority of the Equity Interests in existence at such time.

              "MAJORITY WARRANT HOLDERS" at any time means holders of a 
majority of the Warrant Stock in existence at such time.

              "MATERIALLY ADVERSE EFFECT" means an effect, resulting, or 
which could result, from any occurrence or omission of whatever nature 
(including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration or 
governmental investigation or proceeding), materially adverse to the 
business, condition (financial or otherwise) or operations of the Company and 
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

              "MEASUREMENT PERIOD" means, as of the last day of any fiscal 
quarter, the four fiscal quarters ending on such date.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>

              "MIG" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" shall mean a "multiemployer plan" as 
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, and to which any Person or any member 
of such Person's Controlled Group is making, is obligated to make, has made 
or been obligated to make, contributions on behalf of participants who are or 
were employed by any of them.           

              "NET WORTH" means as of any date of determination, the sum of 
the amounts set forth on the balance sheet of the Company and its 
Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with GAAP, for common stock, preferred 
stock, additional paid-in capital and retained earnings of the Company and 
its Subsidiaries (excluding treasury stock)

              "NOTEHOLDER" at any time means the record holder of any Note, 
as reflected on the records of the Company in accordance with the Notes.

              "NOTES" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 1A hereof.

              "OBLIGATION" means any obligation of the Company or its 
Subsidiaries with respect to the repayment or performance of any obligation 
(monetary or otherwise) of such party arising under or in connection with 
this Agreement, the Notes, the Series A Preferred, the Warrants, the Warrant 
Stock or any other document delivered in connection herewith, and 
"OBLIGATIONS" means all of such Obligations collectively.

              "OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE" of any Person means a certificate 
signed on behalf of such Person by the chief executive officer, chief 
operating officer or Chief Financial Officer (without any personal liability) 
of such Person stating that (i) the officer signing such certificate has made 
or has caused to be made such investigations as are reasonably necessary in 
order to permit such officer to verify the accuracy of the information set 
forth in such certificate, and (ii) to the best of such officer's knowledge, 
such certificate does not misstate any material fact and does not omit to 
state any fact necessary to make the certificate not misleading.

              "OPERATING LEASE" means any lease of personal property other 
than a Capitalized Lease.

              "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or 
any successor thereto.

              "PENSION PLAN" means a "pension plan," as such term is defined 
in Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a 
multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA), and to which 
the Company or any corporation, trade or business that is, along with the 
Company, a member of its respective Controlled Group, may have liability, 
including any liability by reason of having been a substantial employer 
within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the preceding 
five years, or by reason of 

                                      -48-

<PAGE>

being deemed to be a contributing sponsor under Section 4069 of ERISA.

              "PERMITTED LIENS" means (i) the security interests held by the 
holders of the Senior Indebtedness under the Loan Agreement to secure the 
repayment of Senior Indebtedness, (ii) Liens for Taxes or assessments and 
similar charges, which either are (A) not delinquent or (B) being contested 
diligently and in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and as to which the 
Company has set aside reserves on its books in accordance with GAAP, (iii) 
carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics', materialmen's or contractors' Liens or 
any similar Liens for amounts not yet due and payable, (iv) Permitted 
Purchase Money Liens, (v) Liens to secure the obligations of the Company 
under the Rate Protection Agreements (as defined in the Note), (vi) Liens 
existing on the date of this Agreement and disclosed on the LIEN SCHEDULE 
attached hereto, (vii) deposits or pledges to secure payment of workers' 
compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions or other social 
security obligations, in the ordinary course of business of the Company and 
its Subsidiaries, (viii) Liens incurred or deposits or pledges made or given 
in connection with, or to secure payment of, indemnity, performance or other 
similar bonds in the ordinary course of business, and (ix) Liens arising 
solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to 
bankers' liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies as to 
deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository 
institution, provided that (A) such deposit account is not a dedicated cash 
collateral account and is not subject to restriction against access by the 
Company in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board 
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and (B) such deposit account is 
not intended by the Company to provide collateral to the depository 
institution. 

              "PERMITTED PURCHASE MONEY LIENS" means any purchase money Lien 
on real property or equipment or other goods acquired (including any 
acquisition pursuant to a Capitalized Lease) by the Company or any of its 
Subsidiaries (a "PURCHASE MONEY LIEN") in the ordinary course of its business 
so long as: (i) the transaction in which such Purchase Money Lien is proposed 
to be created is not prohibited by this Agreement; (ii) such Purchase Money 
Lien attaches only to the asset acquired (and to the extent applicable, any 
insurance thereon) in such transaction and does not extend to or cover any 
other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) the 
Indebtedness secured or covered by such Purchase Money Lien does not exceed 
100% of the cost to the Company and its Subsidiaries of the asset acquired; 
and (iv) such Indebtedness is either (x) incurred on the date of acquisition 
of the asset acquired or (y) incurred for the purpose of refinancing or 
refunding any Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Purchase Money Lien, so 
long as the unpaid balance thereof following such refinancing does not exceed 
the amount thereof prior to such refinancing.

              "PERSON" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a 
limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a 
joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a Government Entity or any 
department, agency or political subdivision thereof.  

              "PLAN" means, with respect to any Person or either any member 
of its Controlled Group or any ERISA Affiliate, as required by the context at 
any time, an employee benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, 
which any Person or any of its Subsidiaries maintains, contributes to or has 
an obligation to contribute to on behalf of participants who are or were 

                                      -49-
<PAGE>

employed by any of them. 

              "PROPRIETARY RIGHTS" means all (i) patents, patent 
applications, patent disclosures and inventions, (ii) trademarks, service 
marks, trade dress, trade names and corporate names and registrations and 
applications for registration thereof, (iii) copyrights and registrations and 
applications for registration thereof, (iv) mask works and registrations and 
applications for registration thereof, (v) computer software, data and 
documentation, (vi) trade secrets and other confidential information 
(including, without limitation, ideas, formulas, compositions, inventions 
(whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), 
know-how, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, research and 
development information, drawings, specifications, designs, plans, proposals, 
technical data, copyrightable works, financial and marketing plans and 
customer and supplier lists and information), (vii) other intellectual 
property rights and (viii) copies and tangible embodiments of any of the 
foregoing (in whatever form or medium).

              "PURCHASER" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "QUALIFIED PLAN" means an employee pension benefit plan, as 
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is intended to be tax-qualified under 
Section 401(a) of the IRC, and which the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or 
any ERISA Affiliate maintains, contributes to or has an obligation to 
contribute to on behalf of participants who are or were employed by any of 
them. 

              "RCRA" means the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery 
Act, as amended.

              "RECAPITALIZATION" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

              "REGISTRATION AGREEMENT" means the Registration Agreement, 
dated as of the date hereof, among the Company and the Purchasers.

              "REGULATORY VIOLATION" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 3H 
hereof.

              "RELEASE" has the meaning set forth in CERCLA.

              "REPORTABLE EVENT" means any of the events listed in Section 
4043 of ERISA.

              "RESTRICTED PAYMENT" means (i) any dividend or other 
distribution, direct or indirect, on account of or with respect to any Stock 
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than dividends and 
distributions on the Series A Preferred, Series B Preferred or Series C 
Preferred), (ii) loans, advances or other payments in respect of or in any 
way related to any such Stock, including, without limitation, any redemption, 
retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition 
for value, direct or indirect, of all or any portion of any such Stock, and 
(iii) any prepayment of principal, optional redemption, purchase, retirement 
prior 

                                      -50-
<PAGE>

to stated maturity, defeasance, or similar optional payment with respect to 
any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than 
payments in respect of Senior Indebtedness or the Notes).

              "RESTRICTED SECURITIES" means (i) the Notes issued hereunder, 
(ii) the Series A Preferred issued hereunder, (iii) the Warrants issued 
hereunder, (iv) the Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of the 
Warrants and (v) any securities issued with respect to the securities 
referred to in clauses (i) through (v) inclusive, above by way of a stock 
dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of stock, 
recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.  As to any 
particular Restricted Securities, such securities shall cease to be 
Restricted Securities when they have (a) been effectively registered under 
the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the registration 
statement covering them, (b) become eligible for sale pursuant to Rule 144(k) 
(or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act or (c) been 
otherwise transferred and new certificates for them not bearing a Securities 
Act legend have been delivered by the Company. Whenever any particular 
securities cease to be Restricted Securities, the holder thereof shall be 
entitled to receive from the Company, without expense, new securities of like 
tenor not bearing a Securities Act legend.

              "REVOLVER" has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.

              "SBA" means the United States Small Business Administration, 
and any successor agency performing the functions thereof.

              "SBIC" means a Small Business Investment Company licensed by an 
SBA under the SBIC Act.

              "SBIC ACT" means the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as 
amended.

              "SBIC HOLDER" means any SBIC holding any securities of the 
Company.

              "SBIC REGULATIONS" means the SBIC Act and the regulations 
issued by the SBA thereunder, codified at Title 13 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations ("13 CFR"), Parts 107 and 121.

              "SCHEDULED AMOUNT" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 4A 
hereof.

              "SECURITIES" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 1A hereof.

              "SECURITIES ACT" means the United States Securities Act of 
1933, as amended.

              "SECURITIES LAWS" at any time means the Securities Act, 
Exchange Act  and any similar securities laws of the United States or any 
state thereof which are then in force.

              "SECURITYHOLDER" means any holder of a Security.

                                      -51-
<PAGE>

              "SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS" has the meaning given to such term in the 
Notes.

              "SERIES A PREFERRED" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 1A 
hereof.

              "SERIES B PREFERRED" means the Company's Series B Preferred 
Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

              "SERIES C PREFERRED" means the Company's Series C Preferred 
Stock, par value $0.01 per share.

              "SHARE PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENTS" has the meaning set forth in 
SECTION 2B hereof.

              "SIC" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 2B hereof.

              "SMHC" has the meaning set forth in SECTION 2B hereof.

              "STOCK" of any Person means any stock, equity or profits 
interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of stock, 
whether voting or nonvoting, including any notes or securities with profit 
participation features, and any rights, warrants, options or other securities 
directly or indirectly convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for 
any such stock, equity or profits interests, participations or other 
equivalents, or such other securities, (or any equivalent ownership 
interests, in the case of a Person which is not a corporation).

              "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, any 
corporation, partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) 
if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of stock entitled 
(irrespective of whether, at the time, shares of any other class or classes 
of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the 
happening 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 that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that 
Person or a combination thereof or (ii) if a partnership, association or 
other business entity, a majority of the partnership or other similar 
ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or 
indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a 
combination thereof.  For purposes hereof, a Person or Persons shall be 
deemed to have a majority ownership interest in a partnership, association or 
other business entity if such Person or Persons shall be allocated a majority 
of partnership, association or other business entity gains or losses or shall 
be or control the managing director or general partner of such partnership, 
association or other business entity.

              "TAX" means any federal, state, local, provincial, or foreign 
income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, stamp, 
occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital 
stock, franchise, profits, withholding, unemployment,  real property, 
personal property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, 
alternative or add-on minimum, or other tax, fee, assessment or charge of any 
kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty, or addition thereto, 
whether disputed or not.

                                      -52-
<PAGE>

              "TERM LOANS" has the meaning given such term in the Recitals.

              "TITLE IV PLAN" means a Pension Plan, other than a 
Multiemployer Plan, which is covered by Title IV of ERISA.

              "TREASURY REGULATIONS" means the United States Treasury 
Regulations promulgated under the IRC, and any reference to any particular 
Treasury Regulation section shall be interpreted to include any final or 
temporary revision of or successor to that section regardless of how numbered 
or classified.

              "TRIBUNAL" means any government, arbitration panel, court or 
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality 
of the United States of America, Canada or any state, province, commonwealth, 
nation, territory, possession, county, parish, town, township, village, 
municipality or other governmental entity, whether now or hereafter 
constituted and/or existing.

              "WARRANTS" has the meaning given such term in SECTION 1A hereof.

              "WARRANT STOCK" means (i) the Common Stock issued or issuable 
upon exercise of or with respect to the Warrants, (ii) any shares of Stock 
issued or issuable with respect to the securities referred to in clause (i) 
above by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a 
combination of stock, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other 
reorganization or otherwise pursuant to the Warrants.  Any Person who holds 
Warrants shall be deemed to be the holder of the Warrant Stock obtainable 
upon exercise of the Warrants in connection with the transfer thereof or 
otherwise regardless of any restriction or limitation on the exercise of the 
Warrants.

              "WITHDRAWAL LIABILITY" means, at any time, the aggregate amount 
of the liabilities, if any, pursuant to Section 4021 of ERISA, and any 
increase in contributions pursuant to Section 4243 of ERISA with respect to 
all Multiemployer Plans.  

              "WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY" of any Person means any corporation, 
partnership, association or other business entity of which (i) if a 
corporation, 100% of the stock and of the total voting power of stock 
entitled (irrespective of whether, 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) to vote in the election of directors, 
managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or 
indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that 
Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability 
company, association or other business entity, 100% of the partnership or 
other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, 
directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that 
Person or a combination thereof.

                                      -53-
<PAGE>

              9B.    ACCOUNTING TERMS.  Any accounting term used in this 
Agreement shall have, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, the 
meaning customarily given such term in accordance with GAAP, and all 
financial computations hereunder shall be computed, unless otherwise 
specifically provided herein, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.  
That certain terms or computations are explicitly modified by the phrase "in 
accordance with GAAP" shall in no way be construed to limit the foregoing.  
Financial statements and other information furnished pursuant to this 
Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the time 
of such preparation.  To the extent any change in GAAP affects any 
computation or determination required to be made pursuant to this Agreement, 
such computation or determination shall be made as if such change in GAAP had 
not occurred unless the Company and the Majority Holders agree in writing on 
an adjustment to such computation or determination to account for such  
change in GAAP. 

              Section 10.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

              10A.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  The term "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall 
mean any of the following events:

                     (a)    NON-PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST.  The Company
       shall (i) fail to pay when due any interest on any Note or any monetary
       Obligation with respect to the Notes other than payment of unpaid
       principal and the same shall continue unremedied for a period of 2 days,
       or (ii) fail to pay when due all or any portion of the unpaid principal
       on any Note.

                     (b)    BREACH OF WARRANTY.  Any representation or warranty
       of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company hereunder or under any
       Security, certificate, report, financial statement or other writing
       furnished by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
       to any of the Purchasers or any other Securityholder for the purposes of
       or in connection with this Agreement or any such other document is or
       shall be incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;
       PROVIDED, that for purposes of this SECTION 8A(b) each such
       representation or warranty shall be deemed to have been amended to delete
       each materiality standard included therein (including without limitation
       to delete the words "material" and all references to "Materially Adverse
       Effect").

                     (c)    NON-PERFORMANCE OF OTHER OBLIGATIONS.

                            (1)    The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall
              default in the due performance and observance of or otherwise
              neglect or fail to perform, keep or observe any agreement
              contained in any of the financial covenants contained in SECTION 4
              or any of the negative covenants of SECTION 5 hereof. 

                            (2)    The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall
              default in the due performance or observance of or otherwise
              neglect or fail to perform, keep or observe any other agreement
              contained herein or in any of the Notes, the 

                                      -54-
<PAGE>

              Warrants, the Stockholders Agreement and the Registration 
              Agreement, and the same shall continue unremedied for a period of 
              20 days (5 days in the case of SECTION 3B(d)) after a senior 
              officer of the Company shall have first become aware thereof.

                     (d)    ACCELERATION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS.  A default shall
       occur in the performance or observance of any obligation or condition
       relating to any Indebtedness in an aggregate amount exceeding $250,000
       (whether under any mortgage, indenture or instrument or agreement
       securing or relating to any such indentures or otherwise) of the Company
       or any of its Subsidiaries and the effect of such default is to
       accelerate the maturity or require the prepayment, redemption, repurchase
       or defeasance of any such Indebtedness or to cause an offer to repay,
       redeem, purchase or defease such Indebtedness to be required to be made,
       or to require the making of any deposits in respect of any such
       Indebtedness, prior to its expressed maturity, or a holder of such
       Indebtedness otherwise applies or sets off assets of the Company or any
       of its Subsidiaries held in such holder's possession, or exercises any
       right to deposit and retain in an account, amounts to satisfy contingent
       or unmatured obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
       such holder.

                     (e)    BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY, ETC.  Any of the Company or
       its Subsidiaries shall:

                            (1)    become insolvent or generally fail to pay, or
              admit in writing its inability to pay, debts as they become due;

                            (2)    apply for, consent to, or acquiesce in, the
              appointment of a trustee, receiver, administrator, or other
              custodian for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
              property thereof or make a general assignment for the benefit of
              creditors;

                            (3)    in the absence of such application, consent
              or acquiescence, permit, or suffer to exist the appointment of a
              trustee, receiver, administrator, liquidator, assignee, custodian,
              or other similar official for the Company or any of its
              Subsidiaries or property of any thereof for a period of 60 days;

                            (4)    permit or suffer to exist the commencement of
              any bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement or other case or
              proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency Laws or any other
              Laws for the benefit of the debtors, or any dissolution, winding
              up or liquidation proceeding, in respect of the Company or any of
              its Subsidiaries and, if such case or proceeding is not commenced
              by the Company or any such Subsidiary, such case or proceeding
              shall be consented to or acquiesced in by the Company or any such
              Subsidiary or shall result in the entry of an order for relief or
              shall remain for 60 days undismissed;

                                      -55-
<PAGE>

                            (5)    have concealed, removed or permitted to be
              concealed or removed, any part of its property, with intent to
              hinder, delay or defraud its creditors or any of them or made or
              suffered a transfer of any of its property or the incurring of an
              obligation which may be fraudulent under any bankruptcy,
              fraudulent conveyance or other similar Laws; or

                            (6)    take any corporate action authorizing, or in
              furtherance of, any of the foregoing.

                     (f)    DISSOLUTION.  Entry, rendering or filing of any
       order, final judgment or decree decreeing the dissolution or split up of
       the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, if such order remains in effect
       for a period of more than 45 days without being vacated, discharged,
       satisfied or stayed or bonded pending appeal.

                     (g)    JUDGMENTS.  A judgment or order, the uninsured
       portion of which is in excess of $250,000, shall be rendered against the
       Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, within 30 days after entry
       thereof, such judgment or order shall not have been discharged or
       execution thereof stayed pending appeal, or, within 30 days after the
       expiration of any such stay, such judgment or order shall not have been
       discharged in full.

                     (h)    PENSION PLANS.  The institution of any steps by the
       Company or any member of its Controlled Group or any other Person to
       terminate a Pension Plan if, as a result of such termination, the Company
       or any such member of its Controlled Group could be required to make a
       contribution to such Pension Plan, or could reasonably expect to incur a
       liability or obligation to such Pension Plan in excess of $250,000.

                     (i)    ERISA.  (i) With respect to any Plan, a prohibited
       transaction within the meaning of Section 4975 of the IRC or Section 406
       of ERISA occurs which in the reasonable determination of the Majority
       Noteholders could result in liability in excess of $50,000 to the Company
       or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) with respect to any Title IV Plan, the
       filing of a notice to voluntarily terminate any such plan in a distress
       termination; (iii) with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the Company or
       any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate shall incur any Withdrawal
       Liability and, in the opinion of the Majority Noteholders, such
       Withdrawal Liability would reasonably be expected to have a Materially
       Adverse Effect; (iv) with respect to any Qualified Plan, the Company or
       any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate shall incur an accumulated
       funding deficiency or request a funding waiver from the IRS; or (v) with
       respect to any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has an ERISA
       Event not described in (ii) - (iv) hereof, in the reasonable
       determination of the Majority Note Holders there is a reasonable
       likelihood for termination of any such plan by the PBGC; PROVIDED,
       HOWEVER, that the events listed in clauses (i) - (v) hereof shall
       constitute Events of Default only if the liability, deficiency or waiver
       request of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate,
       whether or not assessed, exceeds $250,000 in any case set forth in (i) -

                                      -56-
<PAGE>

       (v) above, or exceeds $250,000 in the aggregate for all such cases.

                     (j)    FORFEITURE PROCEEDING.  The commencement of any
       Forfeiture Proceeding, if such Forfeiture Proceeding continues for a
       period of more than 30 days without being vacated, discharged, satisfied
       or stayed or bonded pending appeal or there is an adverse decision in
       such proceeding.

                     (k)    VALIDITY OF AGREEMENTS.  Any material provision of
       this Agreement, the Notes, the Warrants, the Stockholders Agreement and
       the Registration Agreement shall, for any reason, cease to be valid and
       binding on the Company or the Company shall so claim in writing to any
       Securityholder.

                     (l)    CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP.  If prior to repayment in full
       of the Notes, a Change of Ownership shall occur.

              10B.   DEFAULT INTEREST RATE.  Upon any Event of Default, the 
interest rate per annum on the Notes shall increase immediately by an 
increment of three percentage points (3%) to the extent permitted by law.  
Any increase of the interest rate resulting from the operation of this 
section shall terminate as of the close of business on the date on which no 
Event of Default exists (subject to subsequent increases pursuant to this 
section).

              10C.   REMEDY IF BANKRUPTCY.  If any Event of Default described 
in any of clause(s) (1) through (6) of SECTION 10A(e) shall occur, the 
outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Notes and all other 
Obligations to Noteholders or with respect to the Notes shall automatically 
be and become immediately due and payable, without declaration, notice or 
demand.

              10D.   REMEDY IF OTHER EVENT OF DEFAULT.  If any Event of 
Default (other than any Event of Default described in any of clauses (1) 
through (6) of SECTION 10A(e)) shall occur for any reason, whether voluntary 
or involuntary, and be continuing, the Majority Note Holders may, upon notice 
or demand, declare all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of 
the Notes to be due and payable and any or all other Obligations with respect 
to the Notes to be due and payable, whereupon the full unpaid amount of such 
Notes and any and all other Obligations with respect to the Notes which shall 
be so declared due and payable shall be and become immediately due and 
payable, without further notice, demand, protest or presentment (all of which 
are expressly waived by the Company).

              10E.   WAIVERS.  Except as otherwise provided for in this 
Agreement and applicable law, the Company waives (a) presentment, demand and 
protest and notice of presentment, dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate 
and notice of acceleration, (b) all rights to notice and a hearing prior to 
any Noteholder's taking possession or control of, or to Noteholder's replevy, 
attachment or levy upon, any bond or security which might be required by any 
court prior to allowing any Noteholder to exercise any of its remedies and 
(c) the benefit of all valuation, appraisal and exemption laws.  The Company 
acknowledges that it has been advised by counsel of its choice with respect 
to this Agreement, the other documents contemplated 

                                      -57-
<PAGE>

hereby and the transactions evidenced by this Agreement and the other 
documents contemplated hereby.

              10F.   RIGHT OF SETOFF.

                     (a)    In the case that an Event of Default shall occur and
       be continuing or shall exist, each Purchaser shall have the right, in
       addition to all other rights and remedies available to them, upon 3
       business days prior written notice to the Company, to Setoff against and
       to appropriate and apply to the unpaid balance of the Notes, all accrued
       interest thereon and all other obligations of the Company under and with
       respect to the Notes, any debt owing to, and any other funds held in any
       manner for the account of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by such
       Purchaser, including, without limitation, all funds in all deposit
       accounts (general or special) now or hereafter maintained by the Company
       or any of its Subsidiaries for their own accounts with such Purchaser.

                     (b)    Such right shall exist whether or not such Purchaser
       shall have made any demand under this Agreement, the Notes or the
       Warrants and whether or not the Notes, the Warrants and such other
       obligations are matured or unmatured, and shall be in addition to any
       other rights and remedies which the Noteholder possess.

                     (c)    The Company hereby confirms each Purchaser's (and
       such other holder's) right of banker's lien and setoff and nothing in
       this Agreement shall be deemed to be any waiver or prohibition of such
       Purchaser's right of banker's lien and setoff. 

              Section 11.  MISCELLANEOUS.

              11A.   EXPENSES.  The Company shall pay, and hold the BA 
Purchasers and each Noteholder or holder of any Securities harmless against 
liability for the payment of (a) the reasonable fees and expenses of Kirkland 
& Ellis arising in connection with the negotiation and execution of this 
Agreement, any Securities, the Registration Agreement, each of the agreements 
contemplated hereby or thereby and the consummation of the transactions 
contemplated by this Agreement, in the amount set forth in an invoice 
delivered to the Company by Kirkland & Ellis (which amounts shall be payable 
at the Closing), (b) the fees and expenses reasonably incurred with respect 
to any amendments or waivers (whether or not the same become effective) under 
or in respect of any of this Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement, the 
Registration Agreement, the Warrants, the Notes and the other agreements 
contemplated hereby or thereby and the Company's Articles of Incorporation 
(including in connection with any proposed merger, consolidation, sale or 
recapitalization of the Company), and (c) the fees and expenses incurred with 
respect to the enforcement of the rights granted under any of this Agreement, 
the Notes, the Warrants, the Stockholders Agreement,  the Registration 
Agreement, the Company's Articles of Incorporation and the other agreements 
contemplated hereby or thereby.

              11B.   REMEDIES.  Each Noteholder, each holder of Series A 
Preferred and each holder of Warrants and Warrant Stock shall have all rights 
and remedies of Noteholders, holders of Series A Preferred and holders of 
Warrants and Warrant Stock, respectively, set forth in this 

                                      -58-
<PAGE>

Agreement (including, without limitation, SECTIONS 10B and 10C above), the 
Notes, the Warrants, the Stockholders Agreement, the Company's Articles of 
Incorporation and all rights and remedies which such holders have been 
granted at any time under any other agreement or contract and all of the 
rights which such holders have under any Laws.  Any Person having any rights 
under any provision of this Agreement shall be entitled to enforce such 
rights specifically (without posting a bond or other security), to recover 
damages by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to 
exercise all other rights granted by Laws. All such rights and remedies shall 
be cumulative and non-exclusive, and may be exercised singularly or 
concurrently.  One or more successive actions may be brought against the 
Company, either in the same action or in separate actions, as often as any of 
the Securityholders deems advisable, until all of the Obligations are paid 
and performed in full.

              11C.   INDEMNIFICATION. In consideration of the execution and 
delivery of this Agreement by the Purchasers, the Company will indemnify, 
exonerate and hold harmless each of the Purchasers and each other Noteholder, 
holder of Series A Preferred or holder of Warrant Stock, and each of their 
respective officers, directors, employees, partners and agents (collectively, 
the "INDEMNITEES") from and against any and all actions, causes of action, 
suits, losses, costs, liabilities and damages and expenses incurred in 
connection therewith (irrespective of whether such Indemnitee is a party to 
the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), including 
reasonable attorney's fees and disbursements including, without limitation, 
any arising under or relating to Environmental and Safety Requirements or 
relating to Hazardous Materials (collectively, the "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES") 
incurred by any Indemnitee as a result of such Indemnitee's purchase of the 
Notes, Warrants or Series A Preferred hereunder, arising out of or relating 
to the operations of the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' businesses 
(other than on account of or relating to such Indemnitee's service as an 
employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or the entering into and 
performance of this Agreement, any of the Notes, any of the Warrants, the 
Stockholders Agreement or the Registration Agreement.  Notwithstanding the 
foregoing, "Indemnified Liabilities" will not include as to any Indemnitee 
any liabilities to the extent arising by reason of such Indemnitee's gross 
negligence or willful misconduct.  Further, if and to the extent that the 
covenant included in this SECTION 11C may be unenforceable for any reason, 
the Company hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and 
satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible 
under applicable Laws.; provided that no Indemnitee shall be entitled to 
indemnification under this SECTION 11C with respect to any Indemnified 
Liability arising solely with respect breaches of the representations and 
warranties of the Company set forth in SECTION 6 (other than SECTIONS 6A, 6B, 
6D and 6Q) of this Agreement, unless such Indemnified Liability, together 
will all other such Indemnified Liabilities, exceeds $250,0000, in which case 
such Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification only for the amount of 
such excess; it being understood, however, that the foregoing limitation 
applies only to Indemnified Liabilities arising out of breaches of 
representations and warranties contained in SECTION 6 (other than SECTIONS 
6A, 6B, 6D and 6Q) and no other Liability for which indemnification may be 
sought hereunder.

                                      -59-
<PAGE>

              11D.   USURY.  Anything herein, in the Notes or in any 
agreement, certificate, instrument or other documents contemplated by this 
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of the Company 
under this Agreement and the Notes will be subject to the limitation that 
payments of interest will not be required to the extent that receipt thereof 
would be contrary to provisions of law applicable to the Noteholder in 
question limiting rates of interest which may be charged or collected by such 
Noteholder.

              11E.   CONSENT TO AMENDMENTS.  Except as otherwise expressly 
provided herein, commencing on and after the Closing the provisions of this 
Agreement may be amended or waived, and the Company may take any action 
herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act herein required to be performed 
by it, only if such Person has obtained the written consent of the Majority 
Holders; provided that (x) any provision of the Notes (other than SECTION 2 
of the Notes, the Redemption Premium Amount (as defined in the Notes), rate 
of interest, maturity or principal amount, which may be amended with respect 
to any Note only upon the written consent of the holders of such Note) may be 
amended if and only if the Company has obtained the written consent of the 
Majority Note Holders and only if the provisions of all outstanding Notes are 
amended in the same manner; (y) any provisions of the Warrants (other than 
SECTION 7 or 8 of the Warrants, the number of shares obtainable upon exercise 
thereof and the exercise price thereof or the term thereof, which may be 
amended with respect to any Warrant only with the prior written consent of 
the holders of such Warrant) may be amended if and only if the Company has 
obtained the written consent of the Majority Warrant Holders and only if the 
provisions of all Warrants are amended in the same manner and (z) any 
provision of this Agreement which would continue to apply after the Notes and 
Series A Preferred are paid in full may be amended if and only if the Company 
has obtained the written consent of the Majority Warrant Holders.  No other 
course of dealing between the Company and any Securityholder or any delay in 
exercising any rights hereunder, under any of the Securities, under any other 
agreement contemplated hereby or the Company's Articles of Incorporation 
shall operate as a waiver of any rights of any such holders.  For purposes of 
this Agreement, the Notes and Warrant Stock held by the Company or any of its 
Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be outstanding or in existence.  If the 
Company directly or indirectly pays any consideration to any Securityholder 
for such holder's consent to any amendment, modification or waiver hereunder, 
the Company shall also pay each other holder of the same type of Securities 
granting its consent hereunder equivalent consideration computed on a pro 
rata basis.

              11F.   SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.  Except as otherwise expressly 
provided herein, all covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement by 
or on behalf of any of the parties hereto shall bind and inure to the benefit 
of the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto whether so 
expressed or not.  In addition, and whether or not any express assignment has 
been made, the provisions of this Agreement which are for the benefit of the 
Purchasers as purchasers or  Securityholders are also for the benefit of, and 
enforceable by, any subsequent Securityholder.

              11G.   SEVERABILITY.  Whenever possible, each provision of this 
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid 
under applicable Laws, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be 
prohibited by or invalid under applicable Laws, such 

                                      -60-
<PAGE>

provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or 
invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of this Agreement.  

              11H.   COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, any one of which need not contain the signatures of more than
one party, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the
same Agreement.

              11I.   DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS; INTERPRETATION.  The descriptive
headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not
constitute a substantive part of this Agreement.  Whenever the term "including"
is used in this Agreement, (whether or not that term is followed by the phrase
"without limitation" or words of similar effect) it will be interpreted to be
illustrative only and will not be interpreted as a limitation on, or an
exclusive listing.  The "knowledge" or "awareness" of a Person means the actual
knowledge of such Person (which includes the actual knowledge of all officers,
directors and executive employees of such Person after reasonable inquiry).

              11J.   GOVERNING LAW.  THE CORPORATE LAW OF THE STATE OF TEXAS
SHALL GOVERN ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE RELATIVE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS.  ALL OTHER ISSUES AND QUESTIONS
CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, ENFORCEMENT AND INTERPRETATION OF THIS
AGREEMENT AND THE EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES HERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS (WHETHER OF
THE STATE OF ILLINOIS OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION) THAT WOULD CAUSE THE
APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.

              11K.   NOTICES.  All notices, demands and other communications
given or delivered under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been given upon receipt when delivered personally or by telecopy, one
Business Day after being deposited with a reputable overnight courier service or
three Business Days after being deposited in the U.S. Mail.  Notices, demands
and communications to the Purchasers and the Company, unless another address is
specified in writing, shall be sent to the address or telecopy number indicated
below and to the attention of such other persons indicated below or to such
other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party
has specified by prior written notice to the sending party:

              IF TO THE PURCHASERS:
                     
                            Bank of America National Trust and 
                            Savings Association
                            231 South LaSalle Street
                            Chicago, Illinois 60697
                            Attn: Robert Perille
                                  Andrea P. Joselit
                            Telecopier: 312/828-6298


                                    -61-

<PAGE>

              with a copy to:

                            Kirkland & Ellis
                            200 East Randolph Drive
                            Chicago, Illinois 60601
                            Attn: John A. Weissenbach
                                  Wendy L. Chronister
                            Telecopier: 312/861-2200

              IF TO THE COMPANY:

                            Zimmerman Sign Company
                            9846 Hwy 31 East
                            Tyler, Texas 75705
                            Attn: Chief Executive Officer
                            Telecopier: 903/535-7420

              with a copy to:

                            Jackson Walker L.L.P.
                            901 Main Street
                            Suite 6000
                            Dallas, Texas 75705
                            Attn: Bryan C. Birkeland
                            Telecopier: 214/953-5822

              11L.   SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENT; INDEMNITIES.  All covenants,
agreements, representations and warranties made in this Agreement and in the
certificates delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the Closing hereunder and
the execution and delivery to the Purchasers of this Agreement, the Notes, the
Warrants, the Registration Agreement, the Stockholders Agreement and all other
documents delivered hereunder or contemplated hereby regardless of any
investigation made by any of the Purchasers or on behalf of any of the
Purchasers and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, shall continue in
full force and effect so long as any of the Securities or other Obligations
remain outstanding, unperformed or unpaid, except that the representations and
warranties made herein shall continue only until the first anniversary of the
Closing Date.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
Company and their Subsidiaries to indemnify the Purchasers (and the Indemnitees)
with respect to the expenses, damages, losses, costs and liabilities described
in SECTIONS 11A and 11D shall survive until all applicable statute of
limitations periods with respect to actions which may be brought against the
Purchasers (or Indemnitee) have run.

              11M.   TAXES AND FEES.  Should any recording or filing fees, stamp
Taxes or comparable filings or fees become payable in respect of any of this
Agreement, the Notes, the 


                                    -62-

<PAGE>

Warrants, or any other document delivered hereunder, or any amendment, 
modification or supplement thereof requested by the Company, the Company 
agrees to pay the same on demand, together with any interest or penalties 
thereon attributable to any delay by the Company in meeting the Purchaser's 
demand, and agrees to hold the Purchasers harmless with respect thereto.
 
              11N.   JURISDICTION AND VENUE.  ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT
AGAINST THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT,
ANY NOTE, ANY NOTE WARRANT, ANY SERIES A WARRANT, THE WARRANT STOCK, THE
STOCKHOLDERS AGREEMENT, THE REGISTRATION AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF
THIS AGREEMENT AND THE COMPANY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
OF THE AFORESAID COURTS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT
RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.   THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVES
ANY CLAIM THAT COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR AN IMPROPER
FORUM BASED ON LACK OF VENUE.  THE COMPANY DESIGNATES AND APPOINTS CT
CORPORATION SYSTEM, INC. (AND SUCH OTHER PERSONS AS MAY HEREAFTER BE SELECTED BY
THE COMPANY WITH THE CONSENT OF THE MAJORITY HOLDERS) TO RECEIVE ON ITS BEHALF,
SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDINGS IN ANY SUCH COURT, SUCH SERVICE
BEING HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE COMPANY TO BE EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN
EVERY RESPECT.  A COPY OF SUCH PROCESS SO SERVED SHALL BE MAILED BY REGISTERED
MAIL TO THE COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED HEREIN, EXCEPT THAT UNLESS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY FAILURE TO MAIL SUCH COPY SHALL NOT AFFECT THE
VALIDITY OF SERVICE OF PROCESS.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, IF ANY AGENT
APPOINTED BY THE COMPANY REFUSES TO ACCEPT SERVICE, THE COMPANY HEREBY AGREES
THAT SERVICE UPON IT BY MAIL SHALL CONSTITUTE SUFFICIENT NOTICE.  NOTHING HEREIN
SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR
SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF ANY OF THE PURCHASERS OR NOTEHOLDERS OR HOLDERS OF
WARRANT STOCK TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE COMPANY IN THE COURTS OF ANY
OTHER JURISDICTION.  To the extent provided by law, should the Company, after
being so served, fail to appear or answer to any summons, complaint, process or
papers so served within the number of days prescribed by law after the mailing
thereof, the Company shall be deemed in default and an order and/or judgment may
be entered by the court against the Company as demanded or prayed for in such
summons, complaint, process or papers.  The exclusive choice of forum for the
Company set forth in this SECTION 11N shall not be deemed to preclude the
enforcement by the Purchasers of any judgment obtained in any other forum or the
taking by the Purchasers of any action to enforce the same in any other
appropriate jurisdiction, and the Company each hereby waives the right to
collaterally attack any such judgment or action.


                                    -63-

<PAGE>

              11O.   WAIVER OF RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL.  THE COMPANY AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES EACH ON BEHALF OF ITSELF, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, HEREBY
WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY in any
litigation in any court with respect to, in connection with, or arising out of
this Agreement, any Note, any Warrant, the Warrant Stock, the Stockholders
Agreement, the Registration Agreement, the Company's Articles of Incorporation
or any other agreement contemplated hereby or thereby or the validity,
protection, interpretation, collection or enforcement thereof.  Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, no claim may be made by
the Company against the Purchasers for any lost profits or any special, indirect
or consequential damages in respect of any breach or wrongful conduct (other
than willful misconduct constituting actual fraud) in connection with, arising
out of or in any way related this Agreement, to the transactions contemplated
hereunder, the Notes, the Warrants, the Warrant Stock, the Stockholders
Agreement, the Registration Agreement, the Company's Articles of Incorporation
or any act, omission or event occurring in connection therewith; and the Company
and its Subsidiaries each hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any
such claim for any such damages.  THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES EACH AGREES
THAT THIS SECTION 11O IS A SPECIFIC AND MATERIAL ASPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE PURCHASER WOULD NOT PURCHASE THE NOTES OR WARRANTS
HEREUNDER IF THIS SECTION 11O WERE NOT PART OF THIS AGREEMENT.

              11P.   CONSIDERATION FOR THE WARRANTS AND WARRANT STOCK.  Each of
the Company and the Purchasers acknowledge and agree that the fair market value
of the Notes, Warrants, and Series A Preferred issued hereunder shall be as set
forth on the SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS attached hereto, and that, for all purposes
(including tax and accounting), the consideration for the issuance of the
Warrants shall be allocated as set forth on the SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS attached
hereto.  Each of the Company and the Purchasers agree that all fees payable to
the Purchasers, as provided in SECTION 11A hereof, shall be reported for all tax
purposes as a reduction in the issue price of the debt issued to the Purchasers,
pro rata according to the principal treated by the parties as original issue
discount and reported as interest income and interest expense in accordance with
the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations
promulgated thereunder.  The Company, its Subsidiaries and the Purchasers shall
file their respective federal, state and local tax returns in a manner which is
consistent with such valuation and allocation and shall not take any action or
position (whether in preparation of tax returns, financial statements or
otherwise) which is inconsistent with any of the above. 

              11Q.   NO STRICT CONSTRUCTION.  The parties hereto have
participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the
event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this
Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto, and no
presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by
virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

              11R.   COMPLETE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, those documents
expressly 


                                    -64-

<PAGE>

referred to herein and other documents of even date herewith, embody the 
complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede any 
prior agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, 
which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way. 

              11S.   TIME OF ESSENCE.  Time is of the essence for the
performance by the Company and the Company of the obligations set forth in this
Agreement, the Notes, the Warrant, the Registration Agreement, the Stockholders
Agreement, the Company's Articles of Incorporation or any document delivered
hereunder.

              11T.   NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES.  This Agreement shall not
confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the parties hereto and
their respective successors and assigns, as specified herein and to the extent
explicitly set forth herein, the holders of Senior Indebtedness.

              11U.   CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION.  Each of the Purchasers
shall use reasonable efforts, consistent with such Purchaser's customary
practices, to assure that information about the Company  and its operations,
affairs and financial condition not generally disclosed to the public or to
trade and other creditors, which is furnished to such Purchaser pursuant to the
provisions hereof is used only for the purposes of this Agreement and shall not
be divulged to any Person other than their Affiliates and their respective
officers, directors, employees and agents, except: (a) to their attorneys and
accountants, (b) in connection with the enforcement of the rights of such
Purchaser hereunder and under the Notes, the Warrants, the Stockholders
Agreement or the Registration Agreement or otherwise in connection with
applicable litigation, (c) in connection with the sale of securities so long as
the prospective purchasers thereof have agreed to be bound by the provisions of
this SECTION 11U as if they were a "Purchaser"), (d) as may otherwise be
required or requested by any regulatory authority having jurisdiction over such
Purchaser or by any applicable law, rule, regulation or judicial process,
reasonably believed by such Purchaser to be binding on the Purchaser. 

                              *     *     *     *     *


                                    -65-

<PAGE>

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
Agreement on the date first written above.  

                                       ZIMMERMAN SIGN COMPANY

                                       By:   /s/ David E. Anderson
                                             ---------------------
                                       Name: David E. Anderson
                                       Its:  Chairman


                                       CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS
                                       VENTURE CORPORATION

                                       By:   /s/ Robert Perille
                                             ------------------
                                       Name: Robert Perille
                                       Its:  Managing Director


                                       MIG PARTNERS VIII

                                       By:   /s/ Robert Perille
                                             ------------------
                                       Name: Robert Perille
                                       Its:  General Partner

                                       MANAGEMENT PURCHASERS:
                                       /s/ David Anderson
                                       ------------------
                                       David Anderson

                                       /s/ Tom Boner
                                       -------------
                                       Tom Boner

                                       /s/ Michael Coppinger
                                       ---------------------
                                       Michael Coppinger

                                       /s/ Michael St. Onge
                                       --------------------
                                       Michael St. Onge

                                       /s/ Jeff Johnson
                                       ----------------
                                       Jeff Johnson

                                       /s/ John Griggs
                                       ---------------
                                       John Griggs

                                     -66-


<PAGE>

                             LIST OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit A - Form of Note
Exhibit B - Form of Warrant
Exhibit C - Certificates of Designation, Series A
Exhibit D - Form of Share Purchase Option Agreement
Exhibit E - Form of Anderson Purchase Agreement
Exhibit F - Form of Anderson Side Letter
Exhibit G - Form of Stockholders Agreement
Exhibit H - Form of Registration Agreement
Exhibit I - Certificates of Designation, Series B
Exhibit J - Certificates of Designation, Series C
Exhibit K - Form of Opinion of Company Counsel

                                     -67-


<PAGE>

                        LIST OF DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES

                                 Schedule of Purchasers
                                 Indebtedness Schedule
                                 Stockholders Schedule
                                 Transaction Fees Schedule
                                 Financial Statements Schedule
                                 Guarantees Schedule
                                 Affiliated Transaction Schedule
                                 Capitalization Schedule
                                 Subsidiaries Schedule
                                 Restrictions Schedule
                                 Liabilities Schedule
                                 Assets Schedule
                                 Tax Schedule
                                 Contracts Schedule
                                 Intellectual Property Schedule
                                 Litigation Schedule
                                 Brokerage Schedule
                                 Employees Schedule
                                 Employee Benefits Schedule
                                 Environmental Schedule
                                 Lien Schedule
                                       
                             SCHEDULE OF PURCHASERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       Note                                      Purchase                 Purchase Price
                     Principal      Purchase Price               Price of    Series A       of Series A
Purchasers            Amount          of Notes      Warrants     Warrants    Preferred       Preferred     Closing Fee
- ----------          -------------   --------------  ---------   -----------  ---------    ---------------  -----------
<S>                 <C>             <C>             <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>                <C>
CIVC                $2,898,700      $2,889,995.14     819,310   $ 68,394.71    40,763      $4,016,610.16     $180,000
MIG                 $  322,100      $  319,923.76     204,827   $ 17,096.68     4,529      $  437,977.54     $ 20,000
David Anderson      $  236,133.33   $  235,335.58      75,113   $  6,270.28     3,322      $  326,727.46
Tom Boner           $  166,200      $  165,638.51      52,864   $  4,413.02     2,338      $  229,948.47
Mike Coppinger      $   68,600      $   68,368.24      21,800   $  1,819.81       964      $   94,811.94
Mike St. Onge       $   41,600      $   41,459.46      13,208   $  1,102.60       584      $   57,437.94
Jeff Johnson        $  133,333.33   $  132,882.88       5,396   $    450.45         0      $           0
John Griggs         $  133,333.33   $  132,882.88       5,396   $    450.45         0      $           0
                    -------------   -------------   ---------   -----------   -------      -------------     --------
TOTAL               $4,000,000      $3,986,486.48   1,197,914   $100,000       52,500      $5,163,513.51     $200,000
</TABLE>

                                      -68-




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