ATRIUM COMPANIES INC
S-4/A, 1997-03-12
METAL DOORS, SASH, FRAMES, MOLDINGS & TRIM
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<PAGE>   1
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 12, 1997
                                                     Registration No. 333-20095
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549
    

                               ---------------
   
                        PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
    

                                    FORM S-4
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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

                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
           and Certain Subsidiaries identified in footnote (1) below
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
   <S>                                   <C>                                       <C>
              DELAWARE                               3442                              75-2642488
   (State or other jurisdiction of       (Primary Standard Industrial               (I.R.S. Employer
   incorporation or organization)         Classification Code Number)              Identification No.)
</TABLE>
   
                            1341 W. MOCKINGBIRD LANE
                                  SUITE 1200W
                              DALLAS, TEXAS  75247
                                 (214) 630-5757
     (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
             code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
    
                               ---------------
    

   
                              RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
                           ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                            1341 W. MOCKINGBIRD LANE
                                  SUITE 1200W
                              DALLAS, TEXAS  75247
                                 (214) 630-5757
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
    
                               ---------------

                                   COPIES TO:

 
   
            DEREK R. MCCLAIN                       JEFF L. HULL
            HAROLD J. HERMAN                  ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
         VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.              1341 W. MOCKINGBIRD LANE
       3700 TRAMMELL CROW CENTER                    SUITE 1200W
            2001 ROSS AVENUE                   DALLAS, TEXAS  75247
       DALLAS, TEXAS  75201-2975                  (214) 630-5757
             (214) 220-7797          
    

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

        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
 As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement

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

       If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
   
    

   
(1)    The following direct and indirect subsidiaries of Atrium Companies, Inc.
       are Co-Registrants, each of which is incorporated in the jurisdiction
       and has the I.R.S. Employer Identification Number indicated:  H-R Window
       Supply, Inc., a Texas corporation (75-2382008); Vinyl Building
       Specialties of Connecticut, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (06-
       0765499); Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc., a Connecticut
       corporation (06-1351269); Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, a
       Connecticut corporation (06-0735384); and Bishop Manufacturing Company
       of New England, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (06-1251035).
    
   
    

       THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
   
                      PROSPECTUS DATED AS OF MARCH 12, 1997
    


                           OFFER FOR ALL OUTSTANDING
                   10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
                                IN EXCHANGE FOR
                   10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
                                       OF
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.

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

                    Interest Payable May 15 and November 15

       Atrium Companies, Inc. (the "Company") is offering upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Prospectus and the accompanying
letter of transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal") (which together constitute
the "Exchange Offer") to exchange $1,000 principal amount of its new 10 1/2%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "New Notes") for each $1,000 principal
amount of its outstanding 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Old
Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000. The form and terms
of the New Notes are identical to the form and terms of the Old Notes except
that the Old Notes were offered and sold in reliance upon certain exemptions
from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), while the offering and sale of the New Notes in exchange for the Old
Notes has been registered under the Securities Act, with the result that the
New Notes will not bear any legends restricting their transfer. The New Notes
will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes and will be issued pursuant to,
and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture (as herein defined) governing
the Old Notes. The Exchange Offer is being made in order to satisfy certain
contractual obligations of the Company. See "The Exchange Offer" and
"Description of New Notes." The New Notes and the Old Notes are sometimes
collectively referred to herein as the "Notes."

       Interest on the New Notes will be payable semiannually on May 15 and
November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 1997. The New Notes will mature
on November 15, 2006. Except as described below, the Company may not redeem the
New Notes prior to November 15, 2001. On or after such date, the Company may
redeem the New Notes, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth
herein, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
redemption. In addition, at any time and from time to time on or prior to
November 15, 2000, the Company may, subject to certain requirements, redeem the
New Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (as
defined) at a price equal to 110 1/2% of the principal amount to be redeemed,
together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption,
provided that at least $65 million of the aggregate principal amount of the
Notes remains outstanding after each such redemption. The New Notes will not be
subject to any sinking fund requirement. Upon the occurrence of a Change of
Control (as defined), (i) the Company will have the option, at any time on or
prior to November 15, 2001 (but in any event within 90 days after the
occurrence of the respective Change of Control), to redeem the New Notes, in
whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium (as defined), together with accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, and (ii) if the New
Notes are not redeemed, the Company will be required to make an offer to
repurchase the Notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof,
together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.
In addition, under certain circumstances the Company will be obligated to make
an offer to repurchase the New Notes at 100% of the principal amount, plus
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase, with the net cash
proceeds of certain sales or other dispositions of assets. See "Description of
New Notes."

   
       The New Notes will be unsecured and will be subordinated to all existing
and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined) of the Company. The New Notes will
rank pari passu with any future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined)
of the Company and will rank senior to all other subordinated indebtedness of
the Company. The New Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the
"Subsidiary Guarantees") on an unsecured, senior subordinated basis, by each of
the Company's subsidiaries on the issue date of the New Notes and by each
subsidiary (excluding foreign subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries) of
the Company acquired thereafter (collectively, the "Subsidiary Guarantors").
The Indenture (as defined) permits the Company to incur additional indebtedness
(including Senior Indebtedness), subject to certain limitations. See
"Description of New Notes." As of February 28, 1997
    





                                             (Cover page continued on next page)
<PAGE>   3
   
the Company had no outstanding Senior Indebtedness, and the Company had no
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness outstanding other than the Notes.  See
"Description of New Notes -- Ranking and Subordination."
    

       The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
____________________, 1997, or such later date and time to which it is extended
(the "Expiration Date").

       Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in
exchange for Old Notes, where the Old Notes were acquired by that broker-dealer
as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes
received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities. See "The
Exchange Offer" and "Plan of Distribution."

       The Old Notes are designated for trading in the Private Offerings,
Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages ("PORTAL") market. To the extent
Old Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the principal amount
of outstanding Old Notes will decrease with a resulting decrease in the
liquidity in the market therefor. Following the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, holders of Old Notes who were eligible to participate in the Exchange
Offer but who did not tender their Old Notes will not be entitled to certain
rights under the Registration Rights Agreement (as herein defined) and such Old
Notes will continue to be subject to certain restrictions on transfer.
Accordingly, the liquidity in the market for the Old Notes could be adversely
affected. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market
for either the Old Notes or the New Notes.

       FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH
AN INVESTMENT IN THE NEW NOTES, SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE ___.

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

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
           AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
          NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
               SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
                ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION
                     TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


   
March 12, 1997
    





                                             (Cover page continued on next page)
                                      2
<PAGE>   4
                CERTAIN DEFINITIONS AND MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

   
        On November 8, 1996, Fojtasek Companies, Inc., a Texas corporation
("Fojtasek"), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of FCI Holding Corp., a Delaware
corporation ("FCI Holding"), was merged with and into FCI Holding, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Atrium Corporation ("Holding"). As a result of the
merger, the surviving Delaware corporation was renamed "Atrium Companies,
Inc.," which is the issuer of the Notes and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of
Holding.
    

   
        The definitions set forth below contain, in chronological order,
descriptions of certain business combination and recapitalization transactions
effected during 1995 and 1996 that have resulted in the existing business of
the Company and its corporate structure. For a diagram outlining the Company's
current corporate structure, see "The Transaction." 
    

       As used in this Prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires:

              (i) the "Company" refers to Atrium Companies, Inc., the surviving
       corporation following the merger of Fojtasek with and into FCI Holding,
       and its consolidated subsidiaries;

   
              (ii) the "Heritage Transaction" refers to a recapitalization
       transaction effected on July 3, 1995 pursuant to which Fojtasek became a
       wholly-owned subsidiary of newly-formed FCI Holding. Heritage Fund I,
       L.P., an equity investment fund ("Heritage"), purchased 67.9% of FCI
       Holding's outstanding common stock (including 49.8% of its outstanding
       voting common stock). FCI Holding was formed to achieve certain business
       and tax objectives. Concurrently with the acquisition of Bishop, the 
       then-existing common and preferred stock of FCI Holding (including such 
       stock owned by Heritage) was exchanged by the holders thereof for the 
       same number of securities, with the same rights, in Holding, with the 
       result that FCI Holding became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holding;
    

       (iii) the "acquisition of Keller" or the "Keller acquisition" refers to
       the acquisition by the Company of certain assets in June 1996 and
       inventory in September 1996 of Keller Aluminum Products of Texas
       ("Keller"), a division of Keller Building Products, which was owned by
       Keller Industries, Inc.;

   
              (iv)   the "acquisition of Bishop" or the "Bishop acquisition"
       refers to a transaction, effective as of September 30, 1996, pursuant to
       which FCI Holding became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holding (which was
       formed on August 2, 1996 to achieve certain business and tax objectives) 
       and the Company acquired all the outstanding capital stock of Vinyl 
       Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc. and Bishop Manufacturing Co. 
       of New York, Inc. (collectively with their consolidated subsidiaries, 
       "Bishop"); and
    

   
              (v) the "Transaction" refers to a recapitalization transaction
       that closed concurrent with the closing of the Offering of Old Notes
       (the "Offering") Offering pursuant to which (A) affiliates of Hicks, 
       Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated ("Hicks Muse") purchased a number of 
       newly issued shares of Common Stock of Holding representing 
       approximately 82% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding and (B) 
       certain outstanding shares, and certain options and warrants to acquire 
       shares, of Common Stock of Holding and all outstanding shares of 
       preferred stock of Holding were redeemed (the "Redemption").
    

   
       Unless the context otherwise required, references herein to the capital
stock of Holding give effect to a recapitalization of Holding's three classes
of common stock into a single class of Common Stock, which was effected in
connection with the Transaction.
    

       Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Prospectus to window
market unit data and housing starts are derived from the September 1996 Summary
Reports on Window Frame Materials prepared by F.W. Dodge and all references to
other industry data are derived from sources believed by the Company to be
reliable.





                                       3
<PAGE>   5
                                    SUMMARY

       The following summary is qualified in its entirety by, and should be
read in conjunction with, the more detailed information and financial
statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. Certain of the statements contained in this summary and elsewhere
in this Prospectus, including information with respect to the Company's
business strategy, are forward-looking statements. See "Risk Factors" for a
discussion of important factors that could affect such matters.

                                  THE COMPANY

   
       The Company, founded in 1953, is a leading manufacturer and distributor
of residential windows and doors in the Southwest, South and Southeast regions
of the United States. The Company's primary market, which in 1995
represented 75.1% of the Company's revenues and 37.2% of total U.S. housing
starts, consists of Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas (collectively, the "Primary Market"). The
Primary Market includes certain of the fastest growing residential housing
markets in the United States with a compound annual growth rate ("CAGR") in
single-family housing starts of 10.3% for the five-year period ended December
31, 1995 compared to 5.9% nationally for the same period. The Company is also
one of a limited number of window and door manufacturers that offers a
diversified product line, consisting of aluminum, vinyl and wood products. The
Company estimates that its market share of aluminum window units sold in its
Primary Market has increased from 11.9% in 1991 to 17.6% in 1995 and that its
share of total window units sold in its Primary Market has increased from 7.6%
to 10.3% during the same period. The Company's revenues and total window unit
shipments in its Primary Market have increased at CAGRs of 19.3% and 19.0%,
respectively, in this period. The Company's pro forma net sales and EBITDA as
adjusted (as defined in the Notes to the "Unaudited Summary Pro Forma Financial
Data") for the year ended December 31, 1996 were $166.7 million and $24.4
million, respectively.
    

       Historically, the Company has emphasized the sale of aluminum windows
and doors, as aluminum windows are the product of choice and regional standard
in the Company's Primary Market. In 1995, aluminum windows accounted for 71.3%
of residential new construction window units and 43.0% of residential
remodel/replacement window units within the Company's Primary Market as
compared to 40.9% and 30.1%, respectively, on a national basis for the same
period. The Company believes that the preference for aluminum windows over
vinyl and wood windows in the Company's Primary Market is attributable to
aluminum's lower cost, greater durability and lower maintenance requirements,
as well as the reduced need for thermal efficiency in homes in moderate
Southern climates.

       The Company believes that, in 1995, United States residential window and
door expenditures were approximately $6.5 billion, of which new construction
and remodel/replacement expenditures represented approximately $2.0 billion and
$4.5 billion, respectively. The Company believes that it is one of the two
largest aluminum window manufacturers in its Primary Market and that it enjoys
purchasing, manufacturing and distribution advantages compared to smaller
regional manufacturers. Excluding wood manufacturers, the Company believes that
the window and door industry is highly fragmented and is characterized
primarily by small regional manufacturers of windows and doors. This industry
fragmentation also presents opportunities for growth through acquisition, a
strategy that the Company has implemented through the recent acquisitions of
Bishop and Keller. Bishop manufactures and sells primarily vinyl windows and
doors to the remodel/replacement market in the Northeast. This acquisition
expands the Company's vinyl window product offering and increases its
penetration of the remodel/replacement market. The Keller acquisition increases
the Company's aluminum extrusion capacity by approximately 35% and provides the
Company with new equipment and tooling for fabricating several types of vinyl
window and door products and a full line of single- and multi-family aluminum
windows and storm doors. The Company intends to continue to pursue strategic
acquisitions to enhance its market share and expand its product offering.

       The Company is vertically integrated with operations that include (i)
the extrusion of aluminum and vinyl, which is utilized internally in the
Company's fabrication operations or sold to third parties ("Extrusion"), (ii)
the assembly of window and door units and sale of such units to wholesalers,
lumberyards, do-it-yourself ("DIY") home centers and homebuilders
("Fabrication") and (iii) the sale of finished products to homebuilders,
remodelers and contractors through four Company-owned distribution centers
located in Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix,





                                       4
<PAGE>   6
Arizona; and Farmingdale, New York (the "Distribution Centers"). The Company
performs these operations at facilities that comprise an aggregate of
approximately 1.4 million square feet.

       The Company currently sells its products under five brand names,
"Atrium," "Skotty," "H-R," "KBP," and "Bishop." The Company believes that
Atrium has significant national brand name recognition at the building trade
and consumer level, while Skotty, H-R, KBP and Bishop each have significant
regional brand name recognition within their primary channels of distribution.
The Company has been effective in utilizing these brand names to establish
relationships with leading wholesalers, lumberyards and builders in each of its
markets and to gain distribution in new markets. The Company distributes its
windows and doors through (i) one-step distribution to major retail DIY home
centers, lumberyards and the Company's Distribution Centers, (ii) two-step
distribution to wholesalers who resell to DIY home centers and lumberyards and
(iii) direct sales to homebuilders (of both single-family and multi-family
housing), remodelers and contractors. See "Business -- Distribution and
Marketing."

   
       The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1341 W.
Mockingbird Lane, Suite 1200W, Dallas, Texas 75247, and the telephone number is
(214) 630-5757. 
    

                                   OPERATIONS

   
       Following is a breakdown of the Company's consolidated pro forma revenue
(including the acquisition of Bishop) by operating component (excluding 
intercompany sales) from 1992 through 1996:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                            ---------------------------------------------------
                              1992      1993       1994      1995        1996       CAGR
                            --------  ---------  --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                    (dollars in thousands)
<S>                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>  
 Extrusion .............   $ 17,673   $ 19,527   $ 26,100   $ 28,052   $ 30,860     15.0%
 Fabrication ...........     65,558     81,074     95,397    104,736    119,111     16.1
 Distribution Centers ..      4,717      8,809     16,080     17,186     16,739     37.3
                           --------   --------   --------   --------   --------     ----
 Net Revenue ...........   $ 87,948   $109,410   $137,577   $149,974   $166,710     17.3%
                           ========   ========   ========   ========   ========     ====
</TABLE>
    


   
       Extrusion. Aluminum extrusion is a process that converts raw aluminum
billet into product components that can be used in the fabrication of windows
and doors. The Company also extrudes vinyl pellets into sub-components used in
the fabrication of aluminum, vinyl and wood windows and doors. During 1996,
55.3% of the Company's extrusion revenue was derived from sales to third
parties, including businesses outside of the window and door industry, with the
remainder sold internally to the Company's fabrication operations. By extruding
aluminum and vinyl in-house as opposed to purchasing components from outside
suppliers, the Company is able to secure a low-cost, reliable source of
extrusions, control product quality and reduce inventory levels. The Company
extrudes aluminum at divisions in Wylie, TX ("Extruders") and Woodville, TX
(near Houston) ("Woodville Extruders"). Vinyl is extruded at Dow-Tech Plastics
("Dow-Tech") in Carrollton, TX.
    

       Fabrication. The Company fabricates and distributes a broad line of
aluminum, vinyl and wood windows and doors at its six fabrication divisions.
Window products include single- and double-hung windows, sliding windows,
casement windows and specialty windows such as half rounds, transoms and
ellipticals. Door products include center-hinge patio doors, French patio doors
and sliding patio doors. The fabrication process includes frame and sash
cutting and welding, glass processing and final assembly of completed windows
and doors. The Company's six fabrication divisions include (i) Skotty Aluminum
(Irving, TX), (ii) H-R Windows (Dallas, TX), (iii) Atrium Vinyl (Dallas, TX),
(iv) Atrium Wood (Dallas, TX), (v) Kel-Star Building Products (Woodville, TX)
and (vi) Bishop (Bridgeport, CT and Clinton, MA). The Company designs,
manufactures and repairs its fabrication equipment at North Texas Die & Tool,
based in Irving, TX.

       Distribution. The Company owns and operates four Distribution Centers,
consisting of Atrium Door & Window Distributors of Arizona, Nevada, New York
and Texas. The Arizona Distribution Center carries Skotty and Atrium products
and sells directly to large homebuilders in the area. The Nevada Distribution
Center markets primarily Skotty products and sells directly to homebuilders in
its region. The New York Distribution Center markets Bishop products primarily
to remodelers and contractors in a seven-state region in the Northeast. The
Texas Distribution Center sells Atrium products and distributes directly to
large homebuilders in Texas.





                                       5
<PAGE>   7
                             COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

       The Company's market leadership and financial performance are
attributable to a number of factors, including the following:

o  LEADING SHARE IN PRIMARY MARKET

       The Company believes that it is one of the two largest manufacturers of
aluminum windows in its Primary Market, with an estimated unit market share in
1995 of approximately 17.6%, compared to 11.9% in 1991. The Company believes
that its market share in 1995 of all window units sold in its Primary Market,
including aluminum, vinyl and wood, was approximately 10.3%, compared to 7.6%
in 1991. The Company's market share position provides competitive advantages in
the areas of purchasing, manufacturing and distribution.

o  ESTABLISHED BRAND NAMES AND REPUTATION

       The Company believes that it has significant brand name recognition
across each of its product lines, with such brand names as "Atrium," "Skotty,"
"H-R," "KBP" and "Bishop." The Company believes that each of these brands has
an established reputation within the building trade for product quality and
that this brand name recognition and reputation have enabled it to establish
relationships with leading wholesalers, builders and DIY home centers in each
of its markets. Further, the Company has been effective in leveraging the
strength of its brand names and reputation to gain distribution in new markets.

o  STRENGTH IN MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

       Each of the Company's fabrication divisions distributes its products
through a combination of wholesalers, lumberyards, DIY home centers and direct
sales to large homebuilders and independent contractors. In addition, more than
one Company division may sell its products into the same geographic market
through the use of different brand names and distribution channels. The Company
believes that this distribution strategy maximizes the Company's market
penetration and reduces reliance upon any one distribution channel for the sale
of its products. As a manufacturer and distributor of windows and doors for the
past 43 years, the Company has developed many long-standing relationships with
key distributors.

o  LOW-COST PRODUCTION PROCESSES

       The Company believes that its low-cost operations are attributable to
its vertical integration and efficient production processes. Extrusion allows
the Company to ensure a low-cost, reliable source of extrusions, control
product quality and reduce inventory levels. The Company has been successful in
improving the efficiency of its operations through the rationalization of
product lines, reduction of overhead, reconfiguration of production processes,
reduction of inventory levels and the implementation of a management
information system. The Company believes that its low-cost operations provide
better margins and increased pricing flexibility in its markets relative to its
competition.

o  EXPERIENCED, ENTREPRENEURIAL MANAGEMENT

       The Company has assembled a strong management team at both the corporate
and operating levels. The Company's general managers have an average of 27
years of experience in the window industry and 13 years with the Company. At
the operating level, each division is managed on a stand-alone basis with a
general manager supported by sales and production managers. Incentives are
created for general managers through a combination of equity ownership and
bonus-based compensation based on divisional financial performance. All
divisional managers own Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock of
Holding.





                                       6
<PAGE>   8
                               BUSINESS STRATEGY

       In order to enhance its leading market share position and to maximize
profitability and cash flow, the Company's principal strategic objectives are
as follows:

o  TARGET FAST-GROWING MARKETS

       The Company intends to further strengthen its market position in its
fast-growing Primary Market and to evaluate opportunities for expansion into
developing high-growth markets in other regions of the United States. The
Company's Primary Market includes some of the fastest growing residential
housing markets in the United States with a CAGR of single-family housing
starts of 10.3% from 1991 to 1995 compared to 5.9% nationally for the same
period. Additionally, in the Company's Primary Market, unit sales of windows
into the new construction and remodel/replacement markets had CAGRs of 11.7%
and 8.8% from 1991 to 1995, respectively, compared to 5.7% and 5.0% for the
same period, respectively, on a national basis.

o  FOCUS ON PRODUCTS OF CHOICE

       The Company's strategy is to manufacture the window products of choice
in its targeted markets. In the Southwest, South and Southeast regions of the
United States, aluminum windows have historically been the product preferred by
homebuilders, remodelers, contractors and homeowners in the residential new
construction and remodel/replacement markets. This strong regional preference
for aluminum windows over vinyl or wood windows is attributable to the lower
cost, lower maintenance requirements and greater durability of aluminum
windows, as well as the reduced need for thermal efficiency in homes in
moderate Southern climates. In the Northeast, wood and vinyl windows have been
the products of choice due in part to their superior insulating qualities. The
Company's acquisition of Bishop, a vinyl window and door manufacturer, together
with the Company's existing wood window capabilities, will enable the Company
to provide the preferred products in the Northeast market.

o  EXPAND INTO VINYL

   
       The Company plans to continue to expand its presence in the vinyl window
and door market. In the Company's Primary Market, vinyl windows represented
10.8% and 28.3% of residential new construction and remodel/replacement units,
respectively, during 1995. The Company has significantly increased its vinyl
window and door fabrication capacity through the commencement of operations at
Atrium Vinyl in 1995 and the acquisitions of Bishop and Keller in 1996. The
Company's pro forma sales of vinyl windows and doors (as if the acquisition of
Bishop had occurred January 1, 1996 combined with the actual historical sales
of Atrium Vinyl and Keller during 1996) for the year ended December 31, 1996
were $20.5 million. The Company intends to utilize its nationally recognized
"Atrium" brand name and well-established distribution channels to further
penetrate the highly fragmented vinyl window market.
    

o  EXTEND ATRIUM BRAND NAME

       The Company is seeking to leverage the strength of its nationally
recognized "Atrium" brand name by (i) introducing Atrium-branded vinyl products
into existing distribution channels in the Company's Primary Market and in
Bishop's primary market in the Northeast and (ii) renaming the Las Vegas,
Phoenix, Dallas and Farmingdale distributors as the Atrium Door & Window
Distributors of Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New York, respectively. The Company
believes that the extension of the Atrium brand name to its vinyl products will
accelerate the Company's expansion into the vinyl window and door market.

o  EXPAND THROUGH STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS

       The Company will pursue opportunities to make acquisitions that
complement and expand its core business or enable the Company to enter into new
markets for its products. The Company operates in a highly fragmented industry
in which, with few exceptions, competitors are privately-owned, regional
companies with sales under $100 million. The Company believes that significant
opportunities exist to make selected strategic acquisitions at attractive
valuations. Strategic acquisitions would allow the Company to (i) leverage its
highly recognized brand names,





                                       7
<PAGE>   9
(ii) achieve significant cost reductions through purchasing synergies and the
application of the Company's best practices and (iii) diversify the Company's
geographic, product and market focus. The Bishop and Keller acquisitions are
two recent examples of focused, value-added acquisitions that are consistent
with the Company's overall business strategy.

                              RECENT ACQUISITIONS

       The Company purchased from Keller certain assets in June 1996
and inventory in September 1996. The acquired capital assets include an
aluminum extrusion line, a painting line and vinyl window and door and aluminum
window and storm door fabrication equipment and tooling. The extrusion line
will increase the Company's aluminum extrusion capacity by approximately 35%
and will enable it to extrude in-house virtually all of its anticipated
aluminum extrusion requirements. The vinyl fabrication equipment and tooling
will extend the Company's product offering to include the fabrication of vinyl
sliding patio doors, vinyl casement windows, vinyl horizontal sliding windows
and vinyl double-hung windows and the assembly of vinyl bay and bow windows.
This equipment and tooling has been relocated to the Company's Atrium Vinyl
division in Dallas. Additionally, equipment for the fabrication of a full line
of single- and multi-family aluminum windows and storm doors is being utilized
in the Woodville division near Houston, Texas. The Company has established two
new divisions named Kel-Star Building Products and Woodville Extruders that
will operate the assets acquired pursuant to the Keller acquisition. Kel-Star
Building Products will market its products under the "KBP" brand to take
advantage of existing name recognition of Keller Building Products.

   
    


   
       In September 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of Bishop,
which manufactures and sells primarily vinyl windows and doors to the
remodel/replacement market in the Northeast. The Company acquired Bishop to (i)
increase the Company's presence in the fast-growing vinyl window market, (ii)
diversify geographically and (iii) increase its presence in the
remodel/replacement market. The Bishop acquisition allows the Company to extend
its vinyl product offering to include sliding patio doors, French patio doors,
casement windows, horizontal sliding windows, bay and bow windows, double-hung
windows and storm doors. In addition, a distribution facility owned by Bishop
has been renamed Atrium Door & Window Distributors of New York.
    





                                       8
<PAGE>   10
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

   
       The Exchange Offer applies to 100.0 million aggregate principal amount of
the Old Notes. The form and terms of the New Notes are identical to the form
and terms of the Old Notes except that the Old Notes were offered and sold in
reliance upon certain exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), while the offering and sale of the New
Notes in exchange for the Old Notes has been registered under the Securities
Act, with the result that the New Notes will not bear any legends restricting
their transfer. See "Description of New Notes."
    

   
The Exchange Offer  . . . . . . . . . .     $1,000 principal amount of New
                                            Notes in exchange for each $1,000
                                            principal amount of Old Notes.  As
                                            of the date hereof, Old Notes
                                            representing $100.0 million 
                                            aggregate principal amount were 
                                            outstanding. The terms of the New 
                                            Notes and the Old Notes are 
                                            substantially identical.
    
                                        
                                            Based on an interpretation by the
                                            Commission's staff set forth in
                                            no-action letters issued to third
                                            parties unrelated to the Company,
                                            the Company believes that, with the
                                            exceptions discussed herein, New
                                            Notes issued pursuant to the
                                            Exchange Offer in exchange for Old
                                            Notes may be offered for resale,
                                            resold and otherwise transferred by
                                            any person receiving the New Notes,
                                            whether or not that person is the
                                            holder (other than any such holder
                                            or such other person that is an
                                            "affiliate" of the Company within
                                            the meaning of Rule 405 under the
                                            Securities Act), without compliance
                                            with the registration and
                                            prospectus delivery provisions of
                                            the Securities Act, provided that
                                            (i) the New Notes are acquired in
                                            the ordinary course of business of
                                            that holder or such other person,
                                            (ii) neither the holder nor such
                                            other person is engaging in or
                                            intends to engage in a distribution
                                            of the New Notes, and (iii) neither
                                            the holder nor such other person
                                            has an arrangement or understanding
                                            with any person to participate in
                                            the distribution of the New Notes.
                                            However, the Company has not
                                            sought, and does not intend to
                                            seek, its own no-action letter, and
                                            there can be no assurance that the
                                            Commission's staff would make a
                                            similar determination with respect
                                            to the Exchange Offer. See "The
                                            Exchange Offer -- Purpose and
                                            Effect." Each broker-dealer that
                                            receives New Notes for its own
                                            account in exchange for Old Notes,
                                            where those Old Notes were acquired
                                            by the broker-dealer as a result of
                                            its market-making activities or
                                            other trading activities, must
                                            acknowledge that it will deliver a
                                            prospectus in connection with any
                                            resale of those New Notes. See
                                            "Plan of Distribution."
                                        
   
Exchange and Registration
 Rights Agreement . . . .. . . . . . . . . The Old Notes were sold by the
                                           Company on November 27, 1996 in a
                                           private placement.  In connection
                                           with the sale, the Company entered
                                           into an Exchange and Registration
                                           Rights Agreement with the initial
                                           purchasers of the Old Notes (the
                                           "Registration Rights Agreement")
                                           providing for the Exchange Offer. See
                                           "The Exchange Offer -- Purpose and
                                           Effect."
    
        
Expiration Date . . . . . . . . . . . .    The Exchange Offer will expire at
                                           5:00 P.M., New York City time,
                                           _____________, 1997, or such later
                                           date and time to which it is
                                           extended.
                                         
Withdrawal Rights . . . . . . . . . . .    The tender of Old Notes pursuant to
                                           the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn
                                           at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New
                                           York City time, on the Expiration
                                           Date.  Any Old Notes not accepted
                                           for exchange for any reason will be
                                           returned without expense to the
                                           tendering holder thereof as
                                           promptly as practicable after the
                                           expiration or termination of the
                                           Exchange Offer.
                                         
Interest on the New Notes
 and Old Notes . . . . . . . . . . . .     Interest on each New Note will  
                                           accrue from the date of issuance of
                                           the Old Note for which the New Note
                                           is exchanged or from the date of the
                                           last periodic payment of interest on
                                           such Old Note, whichever is later.
        
Conditions to the Exchange
 Offer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     The Exchange Offer is subject to 
                                           certain customary conditions, certain
                                           of which may be waived by the
                                           Company.  See "The Exchange Offer --
                                           Conditions."

                                       
                                       
                                      9
                                       
<PAGE>   11
   
Procedures for Tendering
 Old Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     Each holder of Old Notes wishing to
                                           accept the Exchange Offer must
                                           complete, sign and date the Letter of
                                           Transmittal, or a copy thereof, in
                                           accordance with the instructions
                                           contained herein and therein, and
                                           mail or otherwise deliver the Letter
                                           of Transmittal, or the copy, together
                                           with the Old Notes and any other
                                           required documentation, to the
                                           Exchange Agent at the address set
                                           forth herein.  Persons holding Old
                                           Notes through the Depository Trust
                                           Company (the "DTC") and wishing to
                                           accept the Exchange Offer must do so
                                           pursuant to the DTC's Automated
                                           Tender Offer Program, by which each
                                           tendering Participant (as defined)
                                           will agree to be bound by the Letter
                                           of Transmittal.  By executing or
                                           agreeing to be bound by the Letter of
                                           Transmittal, each holder will
                                           represent to the Company that, among
                                           other things, (i) any Exchange Notes
                                           to be received by it will be acquired
                                           in the ordinary course of its
                                           business, (ii) it has no arrangement
                                           with any person to participate in the
                                           distribution of the Exchange Notes
                                           and (iii) it is not an "affiliate,"
                                           as defined in Rule 405 of the
                                           Securities Act, of the Company or any
                                           of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or if
                                           it is an affiliate, it will comply
                                           with the registration and prospectus
                                           delivery requirements of the
                                           Securities Act to the extent
                                           applicable.  If the holder is not a
                                           broker-dealer, it will be required to
                                           represent that it is not engaged in,
                                           and does not intend to engage in, the
                                           distribution of the Exchange Notes. 
                                           If the holder is a broker-dealer that
                                           will receive Exchange Notes for its
                                           own account in exchange for Notes
                                           that were acquired as a result of
                                           market-making activities or other
                                           trading activities, it will be
                                           required to acknowledge that it will
                                           deliver a prospectus in connection
                                           with any resale of such Exchange
                                           Notes.
        
                                           Pursuant to the Registration Rights
                                           Agreement, the Company is required to
                                           file a registration statement for a
                                           continuous offering pursuant to Rule
                                           415 under the Securities Act in
                                           respect of the Old Notes if existing
                                           Commission interpretations are
                                           changed such that the New Notes
                                           received by holders in the Exchange
                                           Offer are not or would not be, upon
                                           receipt, transferable by each such
                                           holder (other than an affiliate of
                                           the Company or any of the Subsidiary
                                           Guarantors) without restriction under
                                           the Securities Act. See "The Exchange
                                           Offer -- Purpose and Effect."
        
Acceptance of Old Notes and
 Delivery of New Notes . . . . . . . .     The Company will accept for exchange
                                           any and all Old Notes which are
                                           properly tendered in the Exchange
                                           Offer prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
                                           City time, on the Expiration Date. 
                                           The New Notes issued pursuant to the
                                           Exchange Offer will be delivered
                                           promptly following the Expiration
                                           Date.  See "The Exchange Offer --
                                           Terms on the Exchange Offer."
                                           
Exchange Agent  . . . . . . . . . . . .    United States Trust Company of New
                                           York is serving as Exchange Agent
                                           in connection with the Exchange
                                           Offer and is also serving as
                                           Trustee under the Indenture.

Federal Income Tax                         
 Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . .  The exchange pursuant to the
                                           Exchange Offer will not be a
                                           taxable event for federal income
                                           tax purposes.  See "Certain United
                                           States Federal Income Tax
                                           Considerations." 

Effect of Not Tendering . . . . . . . .    Old Notes that are not tendered or
                                           that are tendered but not accepted
                                           will, following the completion of
                                           the Exchange Offer, continue to be
                                           subject to the existing
                                           restrictions upon transfer thereof.
                                           The Company will have no further
                                           obligation to provide for the
                                           registration under the Securities
                                           Act of such Old Notes.

Global Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    The New Notes will generally only
                                           be issued in registered form.
                                           Holders of a beneficial interests
                                           in the Global Notes will not be
                                           considered the owners or holders of
                                           any New Notes under the Global
                                           Notes or the Indenture for any
                                           purpose.  Holders of beneficial
                                           interests in the Global Notes may
                                           be unable to transfer or pledge
                                           their interest in the Global Notes
                                           if physical delivery is required.
                                           Payments by the Participants and
                                           the Indirect Participants to the
                                           beneficial owners of New Notes will
                                           be governed by standing
                                           instructions and customary practice
                                           and will be the responsibility of
                                           the Participants or Indirect
                                           Participants and not the Company or
                                           Trustee.  See "Book Entry; Delivery
                                           and Form."
                                        





                                       10
<PAGE>   12
                             TERMS OF THE NEW NOTES

Issuer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Atrium Companies, Inc.

Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  100,000,000 aggregate principal
                                           amount of 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated
                                           Notes due 2006.

Maturity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  November 15, 2006

   
Interest Payment Dates  . . . . . . . . .  Interest will accrue from the date of
                                           original issuance of the Old Notes,
                                           or from the most recent date to which
                                           interest has been paid or provided
                                           for, whichever is later, and will be
                                           payable semiannually in arrears on
                                           May 15 and November 15 of each year,
                                           commencing May 15, 1997.
                                                  

Sinking Fund  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  None.

   
Optional Redemption . . . . . . . . . . .  New Notes are redeemable, in whole
                                           or in part, at the option of the
                                           Company on or after November 15,
                                           2001, at the redemption prices set
                                           forth herein plus accrued and unpaid
                                           interest to the date of redemption.
                                           In addition, at any time or from time
                                           to time on or prior to November 15,
                                           2000, the Company, at its option, may
                                           redeem the Notes with the net cash
                                           proceeds of one or more Equity
                                           Offerings at a redemption price equal
                                           to 110 1/2% of the principal amount
                                           thereof plus accrued and unpaid
                                           interest to the date of redemption;
                                           provided, that at least $65.0 million
                                           of the aggregate principal amount of
                                           the Notes remains outstanding after
                                           any such redemption. See "Description
                                           of New Notes -- Redemption." 
    
             
   
Ranking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  The New Notes will be unsecured and
                                           will be subordinated in right of
                                           payment to all existing and future
                                           Senior Indebtedness of the Company. 
                                           The New Notes will rank pari passu
                                           with any future Senior Subordinated
                                           Indebtedness of the Company and will
                                           rank senior to all other subordinated
                                           indebtedness of the Company. The
                                           Subsidiary Guarantees will be
                                           general, unsecured obligations of the
                                           Subsidiary Guarantors, subordinated
                                           in right of payment to all existing
                                           and future Guarantor Senior
                                           Indebtedness (as defined) of the
                                           Subsidiary Guarantors.  As of
                                           February 28, 1997, the Company had no
                                           outstanding Senior Indebtedness and
                                           the Company had no Senior
                                           Subordinated Indebtedness outstanding
                                           other than the Notes and no
                                           Subordinated Obligations 
                                           outstanding.  As of the same date,
                                           the Subsidiary Guarantors had no
                                           Guarantor Senior Indebtedness
                                           outstanding.  See "Description of
                                           New Notes -- Ranking and
                                           Subordination."      
    

Subsidiary Guarantees . . . . . . . . . .  The New Notes will be unconditionally
                                           guaranteed (the "Subsidiary
                                           Guarantees") on an unsecured, senior
                                           subordinated basis by each of the
                                           Company's Subsidiaries (as defined)
                                           existing on the issue date of the
                                           Notes and by each Subsidiary of the
                                           Company (other than foreign
                                           Subsidiaries and Unrestricted
                                           Subsidiaries) created or acquired
                                           thereafter (collectively, the
                                           "Subsidiary Guarantors"). See
                                           "Description of New Notes --
                                           Subsidiary Guarantees."



   
Change of Control . . . . . . . . . . . .  Upon the occurrence of a Change of
                                           Control, (i) the Company will have
                                           the option, at any time on or prior
                                           to November 15, 2001 (but in any
                                           event within 90 days after the
                                           occurrence of the respective Change
                                           of Control), to redeem the New Notes
                                           in whole but not in part at a
                                           redemption price equal to 100% of the
                                           principal amount thereof plus the
                                           Applicable Premium (as defined)
                                           together with accrued and unpaid
                                           interest, if any, to the date of
                                           redemption, and (ii) if the New Notes
                                           are not redeemed, the Company will be
                                           required to make an offer to
                                           repurchase the New Notes at a price
                                           equal to 101% of the principal amount
                                           thereof, together with accrued and
                                           unpaid interest, if any, to the date
                                           of repurchase.  See "Description of
                                           New Notes -- Change of Control."
    


Restrictive Covenants . . . . . . . . . .  The Indenture imposes certain
                                           limitations on the ability of the
                                           Company and its Restricted
                                           Subsidiaries to, among other things,
                                           incur additional indebtedness, pay
                                           dividends or make certain other
                                           restricted payments, consummate
                                           certain asset sales, enter into
                                           certain transactions with affiliates,
                                           merge or consolidate with any other
                                           person or sell, assign, transfer,
                                           lease, convey or otherwise dispose of
                                           all or substantially all of the
                                           assets of the Company and its
                                           Restricted Subsidiaries.

                                           For additional information regarding
                                           the Notes, see "Description of New
                                           Notes."

                                  RISK FACTORS

       Holders of Old Notes should carefully consider all of the information
set forth in this Prospectus and, in particular, should evaluate the specific
factors set forth under "Risk Factors" for risks involved with an investment in
the New Notes.





                                       11
<PAGE>   13
                                THE TRANSACTION

   
       The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holding. The Old Notes were
offered in connection with the purchase by affiliates of Hicks Muse of newly
issued shares of Common Stock of Holding for $32.0 million. Such shares, after
giving effect to the other elements of the Transaction, represent approximately
82% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Hicks Muse is a private
investment firm based in Dallas, New York, St. Louis and Mexico City that
specializes in acquisitions, recapitalizations and other principal investing
activities. Since the firm's inception in 1989, Hicks Muse has completed or has
pending more than 60 transactions having a combined transaction value exceeding
$19.0 billion.
    

       In connection with the offering of Old Notes, Holding effected the
Redemption of certain shares of its Common Stock and all of its preferred
stock, as well as certain options and warrants to purchase shares of its
capital stock. As a result of the Transaction, on the closing date, certain
stockholders of Holding and Company managers (the "Other Stockholders") own the
remaining outstanding shares of Common Stock. The parties whose Common Stock
and options and warrants in Holding were redeemed (the "Selling
Securityholders") received approximately $59.4 million (subject to adjustment)
in the Transaction. See "The Transaction" and "Beneficial Ownership and Certain
Transactions."

   
       Holding required approximately $134.2 million in cash to consummate the
Transaction, consisting of $59.4 million in Redemption payments to the Selling
Securityholders, $54.3 million, representing all outstanding indebtedness under
the Old Credit Facility (as defined) and debt assumed in connection with its
acquisition of Bishop, $12.5 million in Redemption payments to preferred
stockholders of Holding (including cumulative dividends in arrears) and $8.0
million of fees and expenses. The funds required to consummate the Transaction
were provided by (i) the proceeds of the Offering, (ii) $32.0 million in equity
financing from the issuance by Holding of new Common Stock to affiliates of
Hicks Muse and (iii) drawings of $2.2 million under the Company's new senior
secured credit facility (the "New Credit Facility") (see "Description of New
Credit Facility").
    

       For financial reporting purposes, the Transaction has been accounted for
as a recapitalization and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the
Company were not revalued.

       The following table sets forth the actual sources and uses of funds in
connection with the Transaction, as completed on November 27, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Amount
                                                                                    ------
                                                                                  (dollars in
                                                                                    millions)
 <S>                                                                                <C>
SOURCES OF FUNDS:
      New Credit Facility(1) ..................................................   $    2.2
      Old Notes ...............................................................      100.0
      Issuance of Common Stock to Hicks Muse affiliates .......................       32.0
                                                                                    ------
             Total Sources ....................................................   $  134.2
                                                                                    ======
USES OF FUNDS:
      Redemption payments to Selling Securityholders ..........................   $   59.4
      Repayment of old debt(2) ................................................       54.3
      Redemption of preferred stock (including cumulative dividends in arrears)       12.5
      Fees and expenses(3) ....................................................        8.0
                                                                                    ------
             Total Uses .......................................................   $  134.2
                                                                                    ======
</TABLE>
- -------------------------

(1)    The New Credit Facility provides the Company with a revolving loan
       facility of up to $20.0 million.

(2)    Represents all amounts outstanding as of November 27, 1996 (the "Closing
       Date") under the Company's revolving credit facility and term loan
       facility (collectively, the "Old Credit Facility") and $0.2 million of
       indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of Bishop.

   
(3)    Includes the underwriting discount to BT Securities Corporation of $3.0
       million and $5.0 million of other expenses related to legal fees,
       financial advisory fees, accounting fees and printing expenses incurred
       in connection with the Offering, the Transaction and the establishment
       of the New Credit Facility.  See "Use of Proceeds" and "Beneficial
       Ownership and Certain Transactions -- Certain Transactions -- The
       Transaction."
    





                                       12
<PAGE>   14
                   UNAUDITED SUMMARY PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

   
       The unaudited pro forma income statement and other financial data for 
the year ended December 31, 1996, give effect to (i) the acquisition of Bishop,
(ii) the Transaction and the Offering (collectively, the "Financing") and (iii)
the Exchange Offer as if  they had occurred on January 1, 1996. The balance
sheet data as of December 31, 1996 represents the actual historical account 
balances of the Company as of December 31, 1996. The summary pro forma
financial data are not necessarily indicative of either future results of
operations or the results that would have occurred if those events had been
consummated on the indicated date. The following information should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, the
Combined Consolidated Financial Statements of Bishop and the Unaudited Pro
Forma Financial Statement and, in each case, the related notes thereto,
included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             YEAR ENDED
                                                          DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                          ----------------
                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
 <S>                                                        <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
      Net sales .......................................      $166,710
      Cost of goods sold ..............................       107,730
      Gross profit ....................................        58,980
      Selling, delivery, general and administrative 
        expenses ......................................        37,900
      Stock option compensation expense ...............           444
      Income from operations ..........................      $ 20,636

OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
      EBITDA as adjusted (1) ..........................      $ 24,350
      Depreciation and amortization ...................         2,995
      Capital expenditures (2) ........................         3,600
      Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (3) ..........           1.8x

BALANCE SHEET DATA (END OF PERIOD):
      Working capital .................................      $ 25,278
      Total assets ....................................        74,750
      Total debt ......................................       100,000
</TABLE>
    


   
(1)    EBITDA as adjusted represents income before interest, income taxes, 
       extraordinary charge, depreciation and amortization, stock option
       compensation expense, and certain non-recurring expenses related to
       professional fees of $350.  
    

   
(2)    Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 1996 include the
       capital assets purchased from Keller for $1,150 as part of the Keller
       acquisition.
    

   
(3)    For purposes of calculating the pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed
       charges, earnings represent income (loss) before income taxes,
       extraordinary charge and fixed charges.  Fixed charges consist of the
       total of (i) interest, whether expensed or capitalized; (ii)
       amortization of debt expense and discount or premium relating to any
       indebtedness, whether expensed or capitalized; and (iii) that portion of
       rental expense considered to represent interest cost (assumed to be one-
       third).
    





                                       13
<PAGE>   15
   
    


                                  RISK FACTORS

       Prospective investors should carefully consider the following factors in
addition to the other information included in this Prospectus before exchanging
any of the Old Notes for New Notes.

SUBSTANTIAL LEVERAGE AND NEGATIVE NET WORTH

   
       The Company is highly leveraged and has substantial indebtedness. As of
February 28, 1997 the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries had an
aggregate of $100.0 million of outstanding indebtedness consisting entirely of
the Old Notes. In addition, the Company had a stockholder's deficit of $41.2
million at December 31, 1996. The Indenture permits the Company to incur
additional indebtedness, including Senior Indebtedness, subject to certain
limitations. As of December 31, 1996, the maximum amount of Senior Indebtedness
the Company and its Subsidiary Guarantors, collectively and in the aggregate,
could incur was $45.0 million under the current provisions of the Indenture.  
See "Capitalization" and "Description of New Notes."
    

       The Company's high degree of leverage could have important consequences
to the holders of the New Notes, including the following: (i) the Company's
ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital
expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes may be
impaired in the future; (ii) a substantial portion of the Company's cash flow
from operations must be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on
its indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available to the Company for other
purposes; (iii) certain of the Company's borrowings will be at variable rates
of interest (including borrowings under the New Credit Facility), which expose
the Company to the risk of increased interest rates; (iv) the indebtedness
outstanding under the New Credit Facility is secured and matures prior to the
maturity of the New Notes; (v) the Company may be substantially more leveraged
than certain of its competitors, which may place the Company at a competitive
disadvantage; and (vi) the Company's substantial degree of leverage may limit
its flexibility to adjust to changing market conditions, reduce its ability to
withstand competitive pressures and make it more vulnerable to a downturn in
general economic conditions or its business. See "Description of New Credit
Facility" and "Description of New Notes."

ABILITY TO SERVICE DEBT

       The Company's ability to make scheduled payments or to refinance its
obligations with respect to its Indebtedness will depend on its financial and
operating performance, which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic
conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond its
control. If the Company's cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to
fund its debt service obligations, the Company may be forced to reduce or delay
planned expansion and capital expenditures, sell assets, obtain additional
equity capital or restructure its debt. There can be no assurance that the
Company's operating results, cash flow and capital resources will be sufficient
for payment of its Indebtedness in the future. In the absence of such operating
results and resources, the Company could face substantial liquidity problems
and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet its
debt service and other obligations, and there can be no assurance as to the
timing of such sales or the proceeds that the Company could realize therefrom.
In addition, because the Company's obligations under the New Credit Facility
bears interest at floating rates, an increase in interest rates could adversely
affect, among other things, the Company's ability to meet its debt service
obligations. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Description
of New Credit Facility."

       The ability of the Company to service its indebtedness is dependent upon
the future performance of the Company. In addition, the Company believes that
its ability to repay portions of its long-term indebtedness (including the New
Notes) is dependent on the availability of refinancing indebtedness. The future
performance of the Company and the availability of refinancing indebtedness
each is subject to general economic and market conditions and to financial,
competitive, business and other factors, including factors beyond the Company's
control.

SUBORDINATION OF THE NEW NOTES

   
       The New Notes are unsecured, senior subordinated obligations of the
Company and are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including without limitation any amounts
outstanding under the New Credit Facility. As of February 28, 1997, the Company
had no Senior Indebtedness
    





                                       14
<PAGE>   16
   
outstanding, but the Company can incur Senior Indebtedness under the terms of 
the Indenture. As of December 31, 1996, the maximum amount of Senior
Indebtedness the Company and its Subsidiary Guarantors, collectively and in the
aggregate, could incur was $45.0 million, under the current provisions of the
Indenture. Consequently, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation,
dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Company,
assets of the Company will be available to pay obligations on the New Notes,
only after all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, and there can be no
assurance that there will be sufficient assets to pay amounts due on all or any
of the New Notes. See "Description of New Notes -- Ranking and Subordination."
    

   
       Similarly, the Indebtedness evidenced by the Subsidiary Guarantees of
the New Notes by the Subsidiary Guarantors will be subordinated to the prior
payment in full of all existing and future Guarantor Senior Indebtedness (as
defined under "Description of New Notes"), including all amounts owing pursuant
to their guarantees of the New Credit Facility. As of December 31, 1996, the
liabilities of the Company's subsidiaries (including trade credit but excluding
the Subsidiary Guarantees and the subsidiary guarantees of, and borrowings
backed by letters of credit issued pursuant to, the New Credit Facility)
totaled approximately $1.1 million (none of which would have been Guarantor
Senior Indebtedness). See "Description of New Notes -- Ranking and
Subordination" and "-- Subsidiary Guarantees."
    

FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE CONSIDERATIONS

       The incurrence by the Company of a portion of the indebtedness evidenced
by the Notes to finance the Redemption as described under "Summary -- The
Transaction" is subject to review under relevant federal and state fraudulent
conveyance statutes in a bankruptcy or reorganization case or a lawsuit by or
on behalf of creditors of the Company. Under these statutes, if a court were to
find that obligations (such as the Notes) were incurred with the intent of
hindering, delaying or defrauding present or future creditors, that the Company
received less than a reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for
those obligations or that the Company contemplated insolvency with a design to
prefer one or more creditors to the exclusion, in whole or in part, of other
creditors and, at the time of the occurrence of the obligations, the obligor
either (i) was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason thereof, (ii) was
engaged or was about to engage in a business or transaction for which its
remaining unencumbered assets constituted unreasonably small capital or (iii)
intended to or believed that it would incur debts beyond its ability to pay
such debts as they matured or became due, such court could void the Company's
obligations under the Notes, subordinate the Notes to other indebtedness of the
Company or take other action detrimental to the holders of the Notes. Some
courts have held that an obligor's purchase of its own capital stock does not
constitute reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for indebtedness
incurred to finance that purchase.

       The measure of insolvency for purposes of a fraudulent conveyance claim
will vary depending upon the law of the jurisdiction being applied. Generally,
however, a company will be considered insolvent at a particular time if the sum
of its debts at that time is greater than the then fair value of its assets or
if the fair salable value of its assets at that time is less than the amount
that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts as
they become absolute and mature. The Company believes that, after giving effect
to the Transaction and the Offering, the Company will be (i) neither insolvent
nor rendered insolvent by the incurrence of indebtedness in connection with the
Transaction and the Offering, (ii) in possession of sufficient capital to run
its business effectively and (iii) incurring debts within its ability to pay as
the same mature or become due.

       There can be no assurance, however, as to what standard a court would
apply in order to evaluate the parties' intent or to determine whether the
Company was insolvent at the time of, or rendered insolvent upon consummation
of, the Transaction or the sale of the Notes or that, regardless of the method
of valuation, a court would not determine that the Company was insolvent at the
time of, or rendered insolvent upon consummation of, the Transaction.

       In addition, the Subsidiary Guarantees may be subject to review under
relevant federal and state fraudulent conveyance and similar statutes in a
bankruptcy or reorganization case or a lawsuit by or on behalf of creditors of
any of the Subsidiary Guarantors. In such a case, the analysis set forth above
would generally apply, except that the Subsidiary Guarantees could also be
subject to the claim that, since the Subsidiary Guarantees were incurred for
the benefit of the Company (and only indirectly for the benefit of the
Subsidiary Guarantors), the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors thereunder
were incurred for less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration.
A court could avoid a Subsidiary Guarantor's obligation under the Subsidiary
Guarantee, subordinate the Subsidiary Guarantee to other indebtedness of a
Subsidiary Guarantor or take other action detrimental to the holders of the
Notes.





                                       15
<PAGE>   17
       To the extent any Subsidiary Guarantee was avoided as a fraudulent
conveyance, limited as described above, or held unenforceable for any other
reason, holders of the Notes would, to such extent, cease to have a claim in
respect of such Subsidiary Guarantee and, to such extent, would be creditors
solely of the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantor whose Subsidiary Guarantee
was not avoided, limited or held unenforceable. In such event, the claims of
the holders of the Notes against the issuer of an avoided, limited or
unenforceable Subsidiary Guarantee would be subject to the prior payment of all
liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor. There can be no assurance that, after
providing for all prior claims, there would be sufficient assets to satisfy the
claims of the holders of Notes.

RESTRICTIVE DEBT COVENANTS

       The New Credit Facility contains a number of significant covenants that,
among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to
dispose of assets, incur additional indebtedness, incur guarantee obligations,
repay other indebtedness or amend other debt instruments, pay dividends, create
liens on assets, enter into leases, make investments, loans or advances, make
acquisitions, engage in mergers or consolidations, make capital expenditures,
engage in certain transactions with subsidiaries and affiliates and otherwise
restrict corporate activities. In addition, under the New Credit Facility, the
Company is required to comply with specified financial ratios and tests,
including a minimum interest coverage ratio and a trailing four quarter minimum
EBITDA test. See "Description of New Credit Facility."

       Since consummation of the Financing, the Company has been in compliance
with the covenants and restrictions contained in the New Credit Facility and in
the Indenture. However, its ability to continue to comply may be affected by
events beyond its control, including prevailing economic, financial and
industry conditions. The breach of any of such covenants or restrictions could
result in a default under the New Credit Facility and the Indenture, which
would permit the senior lenders or the holders of the Notes, as the case may
be, to declare all amounts borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together
with accrued and unpaid interest, and the commitments of the senior lenders to
make further extensions of credit under the New Credit Facility could be
terminated. If the Company were unable to repay its indebtedness to its senior
lenders, such lenders could proceed against the collateral securing such
indebtedness as described under "Description of New Credit Facility."

LIMITATION ON CHANGE OF CONTROL

   
       Upon a Change of Control (as defined under "Description of New Notes")
the Company will be required to offer to purchase all of the outstanding Notes
at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof to the date of
repurchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase.
The Change of Control purchase feature of the Notes may in certain
circumstances discourage or make more difficult a sale or takeover of the
Company. In particular, a Change of Control may cause an acceleration of, or
require an offer to repurchase under, the New Credit Facility and certain other
indebtedness, if any, of the Company and its subsidiaries, in which case such
indebtedness would be required to be repaid in full before repurchase of the
Notes. The Company could, subject to limitations on additional Senior
Indebtedness, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including
acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations or highly leveraged
transactions that would not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture,
but could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or
otherwise affect the Company's capital structure or credit rating or otherwise
adversely affect Holders of the Notes. See "Description of New Notes -- Change
of Control" and "Description of New Credit Facility." The inability to repay
such indebtedness, if accelerated, and to purchase all of the tendered Notes
would constitute an event of default under the Indenture. Finally, there can be
no assurance that the Company will have funds available to repurchase the Notes
upon the occurrence of a Change of Control.
    

FLUCTUATIONS IN RAW MATERIALS COST AND SUPPLY

       The Company purchases aluminum, vinyl, wood, glass and other raw
materials from various suppliers. While all such materials are available from
numerous independent suppliers, commodity raw materials are subject to
fluctuations in price. Because such materials in the aggregate constitute
significant components of the Company's cost of goods sold, such fluctuations
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
Although the Company believes that it can pass on gradual increases in raw
material prices, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be
able to do so in the future. In addition, sharp increases in material prices
are more difficult





                                       16
<PAGE>   18
to pass through to the customer in a short period of time and may negatively
impact the short-term financial performance of the Company.  See "Business --
Raw Materials."

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

       The past and present business operations of the Company and the past and
present ownership and operation of real property by the Company are subject to
extensive and changing federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and
regulations pertaining to the discharge of materials into the environment, the
handling and disposal of wastes (including solid and hazardous wastes) or
otherwise relating to health, safety and protection of the environment. As
such, the nature of the Company's operations and previous operations by others
at real property owned by the Company expose the Company to the risk of claims
under environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and there can be
no assurance that material costs or liabilities will not be incurred in
connection with such claims. Based on its experience to date, the Company does
not expect such claims or the costs of compliance with federal, state, local
and foreign environmental, health and safety laws and regulations to have a
material impact on its capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.
No assurance can be given, however, that the discovery of presently unknown
environmental conditions, changes in environmental, health and safety laws and
regulations or their interpretation, or other unanticipated events will not
give rise to expenditures or liabilities that may have such an effect. The
Company has been named as a potentially responsible party at two superfund
sites pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 or comparable state statutes. Based on currently
available information, the Company believes that its liability, if any,
associated with remediation of these sites or facilities will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations. See "Business -- Government Regulation and Environmental Matters."

SEASONALITY

       Markets for the Company's building-related products are seasonal, with
peak activity in the second and third quarters of the year due to increased
construction during those periods. The Company expects to use the New Credit
Facility to meet seasonal variations in its working capital requirements.

CYCLICALITY

   
       Demand in the window and door manufacturing industry is influenced by
new home construction activity and the demand for replacement products. For
1996, the Company believes that approximately 65% of its pro forma revenue was
related to new home construction. Although the Company is targeting a more
balanced mix of new home construction and remodel/replacement revenue to reduce
cyclicality, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve such mix.
Even if such mix were achieved, it would not insulate the Company from the
effects of cyclicality. Trends in the housing sector (the most important of
which to the Company is new housing starts in the Company's Primary Market)
directly impact the financial performance of the Company. Accordingly, the
strength of the U.S. economy, the age of existing home stock, job growth,
interest rates and migration of the inter/intra U.S. population have a direct
impact on the Company. Any declines in new housing starts and/or demand for
replacement products may adversely impact the Company and there can be no
assurance that any such adverse effects would not be material.
    

GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION

   
       The Company sells its products primarily in the Southwest, South and
Southeast United States. Although the Company intends to expand its operations
into new geographic areas, 37.2% of the Company's pro forma revenue for the
year ended December 31, 1996 was derived from customers in the state of Texas.
No other state accounted for more than 7.5% of pro forma revenue for the year
ended December 31, 1996. As a result of this geographic concentration,
unfavorable changes in economic conditions affecting the Southwest, South and
Southeast United States, and particularly the state of Texas, could have a
materially adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
results of operations. See "Business."
    






                                       17
<PAGE>   19
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL

       The success of the Company's business is materially dependent upon the
continued services of its President and Chief Executive Officer, Randall S.
Fojtasek, and other key officers and employees. The loss of Mr. Fojtasek or
such other key personnel due to death, disability or termination of employment
could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial
condition, or both, of the Company. While the Company has non-competition
agreements with Mr. Fojtasek and certain other key officers and employees,
there can be no guarantee that a court will find such agreements fully
enforceable under relevant state law.

CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDER

       Affiliates of Hicks Muse own approximately 82% of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock of Holding. As a result of this ownership and the provisions of
the Stockholders Agreement executed by the stockholders of Holding in
connection with the Transaction, Hicks Muse is able to direct the election of
four of the six members of the Board of Directors of Holding and therefore
direct the management and policies of the Company. The interests of Hicks Muse
and its affiliates may differ from the interests of holders of the Notes. See
"Beneficial Ownership and Certain Transactions."

COMPETITION

       The Company competes with other national and regional manufacturers in
many product segments. Certain of the Company's principal competitors are less
highly-leveraged than the Company and have greater financial resources than the
Company. Accordingly, such competitors may be better able to withstand changes
in conditions within the industries in which the Company operates and have
significantly greater operating and financial flexibility than the Company. As
a result of the competitive environment in the markets in which the Company
operates, the Company faces (and will continue to face) pressure on sales
prices of its products from competitors, as well as from large customers. As a
result of such pricing pressures, the Company may in the future experience
reductions in the profit margins on its sales, or may be unable to pass future
raw material price or labor cost increases on to its customers (which would
also reduce profit margins).

       There can be no assurance that the Company will not encounter increased
competition in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business.  See "Business -- Competition."





                                       18
<PAGE>   20
POTENTIAL LABOR DISPUTES

       Approximately 1,000 of the Company's hourly employees are covered by
collective bargaining agreements which expire in 1998, and approximately 100
additional hourly employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements
which expire in 2001. Although the Company has experienced union-organizing
activities and as a result has entered into collective bargaining agreements,
the Company believes that its relations with its employees are satisfactory.
There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will not experience work
stoppages or slowdowns in the future. In addition, there can be no assurance
that the Company's non-union facilities will not become subject to labor union
organizational efforts or that labor costs will not materially increase. See
"Business -- Employees."

LACK OF PUBLIC MARKET; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY

       The Old Notes are designated for trading in the PORTAL market. There is
no established trading market for the New Notes. The Company does not currently
intend to list the New Notes on any securities exchange or to seek approval for
quotation through any automated quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance as to the development of any market or the liquidity of any market
that may develop for the New Notes. If such a market were to exist, no
assurance can be given as to the trading prices of the New Notes. Future
trading prices of the New Notes will depend on many factors, including, among
other things, prevailing interest rates, the Company's operating results and
the market for similar securities.

       The liquidity of, and trading market for, the New Notes may be adversely
affected by general declines in the market for similar securities. Such a
decline may adversely affect such liquidity and trading markets independent of
the financial performance of, and prospects for, the Company.





                                       19
<PAGE>   21
                                THE TRANSACTION

GENERAL

   
       The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holding. The Old Notes were
offered in connection with the purchase by affiliates of Hicks Muse of newly
issued shares of Common Stock of Holding for $32.0 million. Such shares, after
giving effect to the other elements of the Transaction, represented
approximately 82% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Hicks Muse is a
private investment firm based in Dallas, New York, St. Louis and Mexico City
that specializes in acquisitions, recapitalizations and other principal
investing activities. Since the firm's inception in 1989, Hicks Muse has
completed or has pending more then 60 transactions having a combined
transaction value exceeding $19.0 billion.
    

       Concurrently with the closing of the Offering and as part of the
Transaction, Holding effected the Redemption of certain shares of its Common
Stock and all of its preferred stock, as well as certain options and warrants
to purchase shares of its capital stock. As a result of the Transaction, on the
Closing Date, the Other Stockholders own the remaining outstanding shares of
Common Stock. The Selling Securityholders received through the Redemption
approximately $59.4 million (subject to adjustment) in the Transaction. See
"Summary -- The Transaction" and "Beneficial Ownership and Certain
Transactions."

       The Company is the primary operating company of the companies
illustrated in the following chart.


   
[Organizational chart showing the organizational structure of the Holding, the
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.]
    

   
*The identified divisions represent unincorporated operating entities of the
Company.
    





                                       20
<PAGE>   22
   
       Holding required approximately $134.2 million in cash to consummate the
Transaction, consisting of $59.4 million in Redemption payments to the Selling
Securityholders, $54.3 million, representing all outstanding indebtedness under
the Old Credit Facility and debt assumed in connection with its acquisition of
Bishop, $12.5 million in Redemption payments to preferred stockholders of
Holding (including cumulative dividends in arrears) and $8.0 million in fees
and expenses. The funds required to consummate the Transaction were provided by
(i) the proceeds of the Offering, (ii) $32.0 million in equity financing from
the issuance by Holding of new Common Stock to affiliates of Hicks Muse and
(iii) drawings of $2.2 million under the New Credit Facility.
    

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

       There will be no cash proceeds to the Company from the Exchange Offer.


       The Company used the $100.0 million of gross proceeds from the Offering,
together with borrowings of approximately $2.2 million under the New Credit
Facility and $32.0 million in equity financing from the issuance by Holding of
Common Stock to affiliates of Hicks Muse as follows: (i) $59.4 million in
Redemption payments; (ii) $54.3 million to repay indebtedness; (iii) $12.5
million in Redemption payments to preferred stockholders of Holding and (iv)
$8.0 million in fees and expenses.


                                 CAPITALIZATION

   
       The following table presents the capitalization of the Company at
December 31, 1996, on an actual basis after giving effect to the Transaction,
the issuance of the Old Notes and the application of the proceeds of the
Offering and on a pro forma basis for the Exchange Offer. The table should be
read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company,
the Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Statement, the related notes thereto in each
case and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                        ----------------------------------
                                                         PRO FORMA FOR THE
                                            ACTUAL         EXCHANGE OFFER
                                        --------------   -----------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>      
 New Credit Facility (1) ..............  $     --          $      --
 Old Notes ............................     100,000               --
 New Notes ............................        --            100,000
                                          ---------        ---------
       Total debt .....................     100,000          100,000
                                          ---------        ---------
       Total stockholder's deficit ....     (41,176)         (41,176)
                                          ---------        ---------
       Total capitalization ...........   $  58,824        $  58,824 
                                          =========        =========
</TABLE>
    


(1)    The New Credit Facility provides the Company with a revolving loan
       facility of up to $20.0 million.  See "Description of New Credit
       Facility."





                                       21
<PAGE>   23
                SELECTED CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA

   
       The Company's selected consolidated historical financial data presented
below as of and for each of the years in the five year period ended December
31, 1996, were derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of
the Company. The balance sheet data for the Company as of December 31, 1996
reflect the acquisition of Bishop and the purchase of the assets of Keller, and
the income statement data for the year ended December 31, 1996 reflect the
operations of Bishop from the date of acquisition. The selected combined
consolidated financial data for Bishop were derived from the audited combined
consolidated financial statements of Bishop (for the years ended September 30,
1994, 1995 and 1996), and from unaudited consolidated financial statements for
the year ended September 30, 1993. The data should be read in conjunction with
the consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial
information included elsewhere in this Prospectus. See "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." 
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE COMPANY:                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                             -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               1992          1993        1994        1995           1996
                                                             ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                                               (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>      
 INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
       Net sales .........................................   $  80,580    $  98,752    $ 123,571    $ 135,478    $ 156,269
       Cost of goods sold(1)..............................      54,349       66,465       85,572       93,975      102,341
                                                             ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
       Gross profit ......................................      26,231       32,287       37,999       41,503       53,928
       Selling, delivery, general and administrative 
         expenses ........................................      18,322       22,710       26,895       29,441       35,094
       Special charges(2) ................................        --           --           --          7,188        3,044
       Stock option compensation expense (3) .............        --           --           --            308        3,023
                                                             ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
       Income from operations ............................       7,909        9,577       11,104        4,566       12,767
                                                             ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
       Net income (4) ....................................   $   8,344    $  10,083    $   9,191    $   1,849    $   4,203
                                                             =========    =========    =========    =========    =========
 OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
       EBITDA as adjusted(5) .............................   $   9,899    $  12,030    $  14,576    $  15,860    $  21,136
       EBITDA as adjusted excluding Atrium Wood(6) .......      11,586       14,991       17,418       21,130       24,433
       Cash flows related to:
              Operating activities .......................       8,592        8,215       10,451        7,853        8,767
              Investing activities .......................      (4,865)      (3,118)      (4,371)      (3,367)     (14,967)
              Financing activities .......................      (1,712)      (7,643)      (7,777)      (5,608)       6,732
       Depreciation and amortization .....................         935        1,407        1,678        1,917        2,484
       Capital expenditures(7) ...........................       1,843        3,686        3,389        2,337        3,380
       Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(8) .............        11.0x        14.8x        12.5x         1.9x         2.5x
 BALANCE SHEET DATA (END OF PERIOD) (9):
       Working capital, excluding current portion of                                                                      
            long-term debt ...............................   $  19,792    $  22,517    $  22,867    $  19,979    $  25,278
       Total assets ......................................      48,079       52,517       58,507       48,569       74,750
       Total debt ........................................       9,162        7,614        6,786       49,000      100,000
       Stockholder's equity (deficit)(10) ................      34,150       38,167       40,365      (14,544)     (41,176)
</TABLE>
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BISHOP:                                                              YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                             -------------------------------------------
                                                               1993      1994        1995         1996
                                                             --------   --------    --------    --------
                                                             (UNAUDITED)
                                                                       (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>     
 INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
       Net sales .........................................   $ 10,658   $ 14,006    $ 14,496    $ 14,409
       Cost of goods sold.................................      5,203      7,494       6,425       7,437
                                                             --------   --------    --------    --------
       Gross profit ......................................      5,455      6,512       8,071       6,972
       Selling, general and administrative expenses ......      4,753      5,183       5,945       5,790
                                                             --------   --------    --------    --------
       Income from operations ............................        702      1,329       2,126       1,182
                                                             --------   --------    --------    --------
       Net income ........................................   $    441   $    759    $  1,254    $    385
                                                             ========   ========    ========    ========
 OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
       EBITDA as adjusted(5) .............................   $  2,214   $  3,852    $  4,853    $  4,172
       Cash flows related to:
              Operating activities .......................        N/A        403       2,310      (3,215)
              Investing activities .......................        N/A       (355)       (365)       (230)
              Financing activities .......................        N/A        (14)        (15)        (16)
       Depreciation and amortization .....................        181        312         303         295
       Capital expenditures ..............................        807        355         365         230
       Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (8) ............        5.0x      12.0x       20.8x       11.5x
 BALANCE SHEET DATA (END OF PERIOD):
       Working capital, excluding current portion of
          long-term debt .................................   $  3,326   $  4,105    $  5,845      N/A(8)
       Total assets ......................................      5,535      7,053       8,683      N/A(8)
       Total debt ........................................        453        439         425      N/A(8)
       Stockholders' equity ..............................      4,087      4,845       6,100      N/A(8)
</TABLE>
    

   
(1)    Effective January 1, 1994, the Company elected to change its method of
       accounting for inventory from the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to
       the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.  The LIFO provision in 1994
       increased cost of sales by $2,721.  The change in the LIFO reserve for
       the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1996 of $851 and $491, respectively
       decreased cost of sales.  See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
       Statements of the Company.       
    




   
(2)    Special charges for 1995 included officer and management bonuses,
       restructuring charges for severance, and consulting fees of $6,380, $400
       and $408, respectively, in connection with the Heritage Transaction.
       Special charges for 1996 include management bonuses of $3,044, incurred
       in connection with the Transaction.
    

   
(3)    Stock option compensation expense in 1995 and 1996 of $308 and $3,023,
       respectively, consisted of charges associated with granting new stock 
       options at exercise prices below the fair value of the underlying common
       stock and the expense associated with the cash redemption of certain
       options, both resulting from the Transaction, and amortization of
       deferred compensation charges related to previously issued options.      
    





                                       22
<PAGE>   24
   
(4)    Prior to the Heritage Transaction, the Company was a subchapter S
       corporation and, for federal income tax purposes, all income or loss
       was allocated to the stockholders for inclusion in their respective
       federal income tax returns. The Company made periodic distributions to
       stockholders for their pro rata portion of federal income taxes payable.
       In conjunction with the Heritage Transaction, the Company became a C
       corporation. Pro forma income tax expense prior to July 3, 1995, had the
       Company been subject to corporate federal income taxes, would have been
       as follows:
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      ---------------------------------
                                       1992     1993     1994     1995
                                      ------   ------   ------   ------

     <S>                              <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>   
     Income tax expense ...........   $3,067   $3,750   $4,032   $1,109
                                      ======   ======   ======   ======
</TABLE>
    


   
(5)    EBITDA as adjusted represents income before income taxes, interest,
       depreciation and amortization, extraordinary charge and certain
       non-recurring charges.  The following tables set forth the historical
       EBITDA as adjusted for the Company and Bishop, respectively:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                               ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 1992     1993     1994      1995      1996
                                                               -------  -------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                                                            <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>    
 THE COMPANY:
 Earnings before interest, taxes and                                                                         
        extraordinary charge ..............................   $ 8,964   $10,623   $10,150   $ 6,008   $12,585
 Depreciation and amortization ............................       935     1,407     1,678     1,917     2,484
 Non-recurring charges:
       Special charges (see note 2) .......................      --        --        --       7,188     3,044
       Labor union negotiation and other                                                                   
          professional expenses  ..........................      --        --       1,203       439      --
       Write-down of real estate ..........................      --        --       1,545      --        --
       Stock option compensation expense (see note 3) .....      --        --        --         308     3,023
                                                              -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
              EBITDA as adjusted ..........................   $ 9,899   $12,030   $14,576   $15,860   $21,136
                                                              =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                          -------------------------------------
                                                           1993        1994     1995     1996
                                                          ------      ------   ------   ------
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>   
 BISHOP:
 Earnings before interest, taxes and extraordinary                                            
        charge ........................................   $  844      $1,354   $2,334   $1,201
 Depreciation and amortization ........................      181         312      303      295
 Non-recurring charges:
       Adjustment to compensation expense of former                                           
            owners  ...................................    1,189       2,186    2,216    2,326
       Professional expenses ..........................     --          --       --        350
                                                          ------      ------   ------   ------
              EBITDA as adjusted ......................   $2,214      $3,852   $4,853   $4,172
                                                          ======      ======   ======   ======
</TABLE>
    



   
       While EBITDA as adjusted is not intended to represent cash flow from
       operations as defined by GAAP and should not be considered as an
       indicator of operating performance or an alternative to cash flow or
       operating income (as measured by GAAP) or as a measure of liquidity, it
       is included herein to provide additional information with respect to the
       ability of the Company to meet its future debt service, capital
       expenditures and working capital requirements. See "Management's
       Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
       Operations." EBITDA as adjusted is commonly used by investors and
       analysts in the building materials industry to analyze and compare
       companies on the basis of operating performance, leverage and liquidity.
       Additionally, as EBITDA is not defined
    





                                       23
<PAGE>   25
   
       by GAAP, it may not be calculated or comparable to other similarly
       titled measures within the building materials industry.
    

   
(6)    EBITDA as adjusted excluding Atrium Wood represents EBITDA as adjusted as
       defined in (5) above plus the EBITDA losses that the Atrium Wood
       division had incurred during each of the periods presented.  These
       losses were as follows (in thousands):
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                      ---------------------------------------------------
                                         1992       1993       1994       1995       1996
                                      -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
<S>                                       <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Atrium Wood loss ..................   $(1,687)   $(2,961)   $(2,842)   $(2,770)   $(2,481)
Inventory and other reserves ......      --         --         --       (2,500)      (816)
                                      -------    -------    -------    -------    -------
EBITDA as adjusted excluding Atrium
    Wood ..........................   $(1,687)   $(2,961)   $(2,842)   $(5,270)   $(3,297)
                                      =======    =======    =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
    

   
       EBITDA as adjusted excluding Atrium Wood is presented to provide an
       understanding of the effect on operations if the Atrium Wood losses are
       narrowed or eliminated or if the division is sold or otherwise disposed
       of. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
       Results of Operations" for a discussion of the Company's plans for
       Atrium Wood.
    

   
(7)    Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 1996 included the
       capital assets acquired from Keller for $1,150. Capital expenditures for
       the years ended December 31, 1993 and 1994 included $1,098 and $1,429
       related to expenditures for assets which are no longer a part of the
       Company as a result of the Heritage Transaction and the sale of the
       Company's truck fleet.
    

   
(8)    For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
       earnings represent income (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary
       charge and fixed charges.  Fixed charges consist of the total of (i)
       interest, whether expensed or capitalized; (ii) amortization of debt
       expense and discount or premium relating to any indebtedness, whether
       expensed or capitalized; and (iii) that portion of rental expense
       considered to represent interest cost (assumed to be one-third).
    

   
(9)    The Company's consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 1996 reflects
       the acquisition of Bishop and the purchase of the assets of Keller.  All
       significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated
       in consolidation.  Additionally, the historical results of operations
       for the year ended December 31, 1996 for the Company include the results
       of Bishop since the date of acquisition on September 30, 1996 and the
       results of Keller from the commencement of operations in September 1996.
    

   
(10)   In 1996, the stockholder's deficit was increased by $39.3 million due to
       the effect of the Transaction. In 1995, stockholder's equity was
       decreased by $57.0 million due to the effect of the Heritage
       Transaction. See "Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements" of the
       Company.
    





                                       24
<PAGE>   26
   
                   UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENT
    

   
       The following unaudited pro forma statement of income (the "Pro
Forma Financial Statement") of the Company is based on the audited consolidated
financial statements of the Company and Bishop included elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
    

   
       The Pro Forma Financial Statement of the Company has been prepared to
give effect to the acquisition of Bishop, the Financing (and the application of
the net proceeds therefrom) and the Exchange Offer as though such transactions
had occurred as of January 1, 1996. The pro forma adjustments are based upon
available information and certain assumptions that the Company believes are
reasonable. The Pro Forma Financial Statement should be read in conjunction
with the historical financial statements of the Company and Bishop included
elsewhere herein. Bishop's fiscal year end is September 30. The historical
amounts in the pro forma statement of income for the year ended December 31, 
1996 represent (i) the operations of the Company for the year ended December
31, 1996 which include Bishop's operations from the date of acquisition
(September 30, 1996) to December 31, 1996, and (ii) the operations of Bishop
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. The historical amounts in the pro
forma statement of income for the Company include the results of Keller from
the date the division commenced operations, September 1996.
    

   
       A pro forma balance sheet is not presented, as the acquisition of
Bishop was completed on September 30, 1996, and the Financing was completed on
November 27, 1996 both of which are reflected in the balance sheet of the
Company included in the December 31, 1996 Consolidated Financial Statements of 
the Company included elsewhere herein.
    

   
       The Pro Forma Financial Statement does not purport to be indicative of
what the Company's results of operations would have been had the acquisition of
Bishop, the Financing and the Exchange Offer been completed as of the assumed
date and for the period presented or that may be obtained in the future.
    





                                       25
<PAGE>   27
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.

   
                    UNAUDITED PRO FORMA STATEMENT OF INCOME
    

   
                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               HISTORICAL                                         
                                        -----------------------   PRO FORMA                       
                                        THE COMPANY    BISHOP    ADJUSTMENTS        TOTAL         
                                        -----------  ----------  -----------      ---------       
<S>                                     <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>            
Net sales ............................   $ 156,269    $  10,441   $    --         $ 166,710       
Cost of goods sold....................     102,341        5,389        --           107,730       
                                         ---------    ---------   ---------       ---------       
      Gross profit ...................      53,928        5,052        --            58,980       
Selling, delivery, general and
  administrative expenses ............      35,094        4,288      (1,482)(1)      37,900
Special charges ......................       3,044         --        (3,044)(2)        --
Stock option compensation
  expense ............................       3,023         --        (2,579)(3)         444
                                         ---------    ---------   ---------       ---------                            
      Income from operations..........      12,767          764       7,105          20,636                            
Interest expense .....................       4,507           25       6,432 (4)      10,964                    
Other income (expense), net...........        (182)         107        --               (75)                   
                                         ---------    ---------   ---------       ---------                            
      Income before income                                                                                            
        taxes and extraordinary                                                                                         
        charge .......................       8,078          846         673           9,597                            
Provision for income taxes ...........       2,699          566         327 (5)       3,592                            
                                         ---------    ---------   ---------       ---------                            
        Income before                                                                                                         
          extraordinary charge .......   $   5,379    $     280   $     346       $   6,005                            
                                         =========    =========   =========       =========                            
                                                                                                                      
 SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:                                                                                            
 Depreciation and                                                                                                     
   amortization ......................   $   2,484    $     210   $     301       $   2,995                            
</TABLE>                              
    

   
      See Accompanying Notes to the Pro Forma Statement of Income.
    




                                       26
<PAGE>   28
   
                        NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
                              STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
(1)    SELLING, DELIVERY, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES: To reverse (i) 
       the expense related to compensation which the owners of Bishop received
       in excess of the compensation structure agreed to, pursuant to a
       three-year employment agreement dated September 30, 1996, entered into
       as a result of the Bishop acquisition and (ii) to recognize the
       amortization of goodwill of $12,040 recorded in the Bishop transaction,
       amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years, as follows:    
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                       <C>
       Reduction to compensation expense of former owners  . . . . .      $(1,783)
       Amortization of goodwill  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          301
                                                                          -------
              Net adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $(1,482)
                                                                          =======
</TABLE>                                                              
    

   
(2)    SPECIAL CHARGES: Adjustment reflects the reversal of special charges
       which include officer bonuses of $3,044 incurred in connection with the 
       Transaction.
    

   
(3)    STOCK OPTION COMPENSATION EXPENSE: The adjustment reflects the reversal
       of stock option compensation expense which were charges associated with
       granting new stock options at exercise prices below the fair value of the
       underlying common stock and the expense associated with the cash
       redemption of certain options, both incurred as a result of the
       Transaction as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
       <S>                                                                <C>
       Granting new stock options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $ (1,320)
       Redemption of Substitute Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (516)
       Redemption of Disposition Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          (743)
                                                                          --------
              Net Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $ (2,579)
                                                                         =========
</TABLE>
                                                                      

   
(4)    INTEREST EXPENSE: Adjustment reflects the interest expense (at assumed
       rates as indicated below) associated with the Notes and the borrowings
       under the New Credit Facility, the amortization of deferred financing
       costs of $4,540 associated with the Notes and $683 associated with the
       New Credit Facility (being amortized using the effective interest method
       over 10 years and 5 years, respectively) and the elimination of
       historical interest expense and historical deferred financing costs
       associated with the old debt as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 <S>                                                 <C>
 The Notes at 10 1/2% .............................   $ 10,500 
 New Credit Facility at 8%* .......................        176 
 Amortization of deferred financing costs .........        603 
 Elimination of historical interest expense .......     (4,532)
 Elimination of historical deferred                            
    financing costs ...............................       (315)
                                                      -------- 
              Net adjustment ......................   $  6,432 
                                                      ======== 
</TABLE>                                                       
    

   
       *      Computed using the pro forma borrowings outstanding upon
              consummation of the Financing, which the Company believes is
              representative of average borrowings for purposes of this pro
              forma statement of income.
    

   
(5)    PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES: To recognize the increase in federal and
       state income taxes resulting from the pro forma adjustments at the
       statutory rate of 35%, adjusted for non-deductible goodwill amortization
       of $260.
    

   
    


                                       27
<PAGE>   29
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

  GENERAL

   
       The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with
the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company which appear elsewhere in
this Prospectus and, to the extent the discussion and analysis specifically
relates to Bishop, Bishop's historical financial statements are also included
herein.
    

   
       The Company's results are generally impacted by the level of activity in
residential new construction and remodel/replacement in the Company's Primary
Market and throughout the United States. This activity is influenced by
regional and national economic trends, such as availability of consumer credit,
interest rates, job formation, age of housing stock, inter/intra U.S. migration
and consumer confidence. The Company's operating results reflect significant
sales growth during the five-year period ended December 31, 1996. The Company's
CAGR in sales during this period was 17.3%, which can be attributed to
increased market share and product demand in its markets. The Company
attributes these market share gains to its brand name recognition, strong
customer service, new product offerings, expanded distribution, including the
opening of new Company-owned Distribution Centers, and increased sales to the
DIY home center market.
    

       The Company has implemented measures to enhance manufacturing
efficiencies and reduce operating costs. These initiatives include the
realignment of workflow processes and the reduction of scrap and direct labor
costs. The Company has also outsourced delivery operations and improved
customer service. Further, the Company is implementing an integrated management
information system. This system is expected to provide additional production
efficiencies and optimize inventory management, as well as enhance financial
reporting.

       Atrium Wood

       The Company has also focused on measures to reduce operating losses at
Atrium Wood. Originally, Atrium Wood manufactured primarily premium patio
doors. Through 1988, Atrium Wood sold its wood door products through
wholesalers who also carried wood windows manufactured by Andersen Corporation
("Andersen"). The wholesaler combined the door and window products to offer a
complete package to its customers. In 1988, Andersen introduced its own wood
door line and the wholesalers began packaging the Andersen doors and windows
together. As a result, Atrium Wood in 1988 began experiencing substantial sales
declines. In response, the Company established an internal sales force to
regain distribution with wholesalers, redesigned its wood doors and broadened
its product offering to include windows. These measures proved unsuccessful,
and sales and EBITDA at Atrium Wood continued to decline.

   
       Although Atrium Wood is currently operating at a loss (see Note 6 to
"Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Data"), the Company believes there
are strategic benefits to offering its customers wood products in addition to
its aluminum and vinyl products. As a result, the Company has continued to
restructure Atrium Wood through the elimination of unprofitable products,
changes in management, reduction of inventory, product redesign and the
streamlining of manufacturing operations. In addition, the Company has cut
fixed selling expenses by utilizing primarily commission-based independent
sales representatives rather than salary and commission-based Company sales
representatives. The Company believes that the measures it has implemented,
combined with the Bishop acquisition which provides it with an expanded,
established distribution channel into the Northeast, a major wood door market,
will result in improved results for Atrium Wood. Management expects the
operating losses of Atrium Wood to narrow during 1997. However, there can be no
assurances that the performance of Atrium Wood will actually improve. The
Company continues to review its strategic options with respect to the wood
product line.
    

  RECAPITALIZATIONS AND ACQUISITIONS

       The Transaction

   
       On November 7, 1996, Holding entered into a purchase agreement with an
affiliate of Hicks Muse pursuant to which affiliates of Hicks Muse subsequently
purchased a number of newly issued shares of Common Stock of
    





                                       28
<PAGE>   30
   
Holding that, after giving effect to other elements of the Transaction,
represents approximately 82% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. See
"The Transaction." The Transaction was accounted for as a recapitalization,
and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the Company were not revalued.
The Transaction resulted in cash and non-cash charges of $4.3 million and $3.2
million, respectively, related to management bonuses, compensatory stock
options and the write-off of deferred financing costs. The cash charges were
funded by part of the proceeds of the Offering.
    

       Bishop Acquisition

   
On September 30, 1996, the Company completed the Bishop acquisition at a
purchase price of $19.5 million (including the purchase of $3.3 million of
cash). Included in this amount is $5.0 million of non-cash consideration,
representing the estimated value on the acquisition date of shares of Common
Stock of Holding issued to the former shareholders of Bishop (such shares
representing approximately 9% of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding
after giving effect to such acquisition), and a $1.0 million deferred payment
to be paid to the former shareholders of Bishop if certain financial targets
are met. The acquisition of Bishop was accounted for under the purchase method
of accounting effective September 30, 1996. As such, the assets and liabilities
of Bishop have been recorded at their estimated fair market values. An amount
equal to the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assumed
liabilities was allocated to inventories, property and equipment, identifiable
intangible assets and goodwill. Goodwill is being amortized over 40 years. The
purchase allocation is preliminary and subject to change.
    

   
       Keller Asset Purchase
    

   
       On June 13, 1996, the Company purchased certain assets of Keller at a 
purchase price of $1.2 million in cash. Additionally, inventory was purchased
from Keller for $0.5 million on September 4, 1996. Both purchases have been
recorded at cost.
    

       Heritage Transaction

   
       On July 3, 1995, the stockholders of FCI Holding, the Company's direct
parent and a direct subsidiary of Holding, executed a stock purchase agreement
with Heritage for the purchase by Heritage of 62.0% of FCI Holding's
outstanding common stock (including 49.5% of its outstanding voting common
stock). This transaction has been accounted for as a recapitalization.
Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the Company were not revalued.
    

   
       FCI Holding contributed the $22.1 million to the Company, and the
Company used such proceeds in addition to proceeds from bank borrowings of
approximately $57.2 million to pay stockholder cash distributions of
approximately $74.3 million and transaction costs. The Company also made
non-cash distributions to the shareholders of $4.9 million, which when combined
with the cash distributions, resulted in a decrease in stockholder's equity of
approximately $79.7 million. See Note 13 to the Company's Consolidated
Financial Statements.
    

  RAW MATERIAL COSTS AND INFLATION

   
       During the past several years, the rate of general inflation has been
relatively low and has not had a significant impact on the Company's results of
operations. The Company purchases raw materials, including aluminum, glass,
wood and vinyl, that are subject to fluctuations in price that may not reflect
the rate of general inflation. These materials fluctuate in price based on
supply and demand. Historically, there have been periods of significant and
rapid aluminum and wood price changes, both upward and downward, with a
concurrent short-term impact on the Company's operating margins. The Company
has historically mitigated the effects of these fluctuations over the long-term
by passing through price increases to its customers. The Company also enters
into forward commitments for aluminum billet to hedge against price changes. As
of December 31, 1996, the Company had forward commitments for delivery through
December 1997 for 12.9 million pounds of aluminum, of which 10.0 million pounds
were at fixed prices.
    





                                       29
<PAGE>   31

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

  THE COMPANY

       The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information
derived from the Company's consolidated statements of income expressed as a
percentage of net sales.

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                             ----------------------------------
                                                1994          1995         1996
                                             -----------   -----------   ------
 <S>                                            <C>           <C>         <C>
Net sales ..................................    100.0%        100.0%      100.0%
Cost of goods sold..........................     69.2          69.4        65.5
                                                -----         -----       -----
Gross profit ...............................     30.8          30.6        34.5
Selling, delivery, general and 
  administrative expenses ..................     21.8          21.7        22.5
Special charges ............................       --           5.3         1.9
Stock option compensation expense ..........       --           0.2         1.9
                                                -----         -----       -----

      Income from operations ...............      9.0           3.4         8.2
Interest expense ...........................     (0.3)         (1.9)       (2.9)
Other income (expense), net.................     (0.8)          1.1        (0.1)
                                                -----         -----       -----
Income before income taxes and                    
  extraordinary charge......................      7.9           2.6         5.2
Provision for income taxes .................      0.5           1.1         1.7
                                                -----         -----       -----

Income before extraordinary charge .........      7.4           1.5         3.5
Extraordinary charge, net of income tax     
  benefit...................................       --            --         0.8
                                                -----         -----       -----

Net income .................................      7.4%          1.5%        2.7%
                                                =====         =====       =====
</TABLE>
    


   
       Accounting Adjustments. Certain accounting adjustments affect the
comparability of the Company's operating results for the periods presented.
Prior to the Heritage Transaction, the Company was a subchapter S corporation
for tax purposes and all federal income taxes were paid by the Company's
stockholders. Had the Company been a C corporation for all periods presented,
additional income tax expense would have been $4.0 million and $1.1 million for
1994 and 1995, respectively. Also, in 1994, the Company changed its inventory
valuation method from FIFO to LIFO resulting in a LIFO provision of $2.7
million in 1994, and a $0.9 and $0.5 million benefit in 1995 and 1996,
respectively.
    

   
  Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1995
    

   
       Net Sales. Net sales increased by $20.8 million from $135.5 million
during 1995 to $156.3 million during 1996. The increase in sales primarily
resulted from favorable price and volume variances of $7.3 million and $6.0
million, respectively, at the Company's Skotty, Extruders and H-R Windows
divisions. Sales at Atrium Vinyl, which was a start-up operation in 1995,
increased $4.1 million. Additionally, the increase included $4.2 million from
Bishop Manufacturing Companies, acquired September 30, 1996, and a combined $1.3
million from Kel-Star Building Products and Woodville Extruders, which resulted
from a June 13, 1996 asset purchase. These increases were partially offset by a
sales decrease of $3.7 million that was experienced at the Atrium Wood and
Atrium Distributors of Arizona divisions.
    

   
       Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold decreased from 69.4% of sales 
during 1995 to 65.5% of sales during 1996. This improvement was due largely to
the reduction from 1995 to 1996 in charges associated with inventory and other
product reserves at Atrium Wood of approximately $1.6 million. The remainder was
due to a decrease in raw material prices, the replacement of a significant low
margin H-R customer with customers at higher margins, sales price increases at
the Skotty division, and three months of operations at Bishop, which has a
significantly lower cost of goods sold percentage (58.5%).  
    





                                       30
<PAGE>   32
   
       Selling, Delivery, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling,
delivery, general and administrative expenses increased $5.7 million from $29.4
million (which represented 21.7% of sales during 1995) to $35.1 million (which
represented 22.5% of sales during 1996). Delivery expense increased $1.6
million from $11.9 million to $13.5 million but decreased slightly as a
percentage of sales from 8.8% to 8.6%. General and administrative expenses
increased $3.4 million from $11.0 million, 8.1% of sales, to $14.4 million,
9.2% of sales. This increase was largely due to an increase in amortization of
$.5 million, which related to certain non-compete agreements and deferred
financing charges, as well as $.4 million in consulting fees. Excluding the
increase in amortization and consulting fees, general and administrative
expenses would have been 8.6% of sales. Selling expenses increased $.4 million
from $6.6 million, 4.9% of sales, to $7.0 million, 4.5% of sales. The increase
was a direct result of an increase in overall sales, however, the decrease as a
percentage of sales was due primarily to a restructuring of sales commission
rates.  
    

   
       Special Charges. Special charges decreased $4.2 million from $7.2
million during 1995 to $3.0 million during 1996. Special charges during 1996
consisted of $3.0 million in management bonuses which were the result of the
Hicks Muse Transaction. Special charges during 1995 included officer and
management bonuses of $6.4 million in connection with the Heritage Transaction,
consulting fees of $0.4 million and a restructuring charge of $0.4 million.
    

   
       Stock Option Compensation Expense. Stock option compensation expense
increased $2.7 million from $0.3 million during 1995 to $3.0 million during
1996. Stock option compensation expense consisted of charges associated with
granting of new stock options at exercise prices below the fair value of the
underlying common stock and the expense associated with the cash redemption of
certain options, both resulting from the Transaction, and amortization of
deferred compensation charges related to previously issued options. Included in
stock option compensation expense is $1.3 million representing the difference
between the fair market value of Holding Common Stock and the exercise price
associated with a Warrant granted to an executive of the Company in connection
with the Transaction.  
    

   
       Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $1.9 million from $2.6
million during 1995 to $4.5 million during the year ended 1996. The increase
was primarily due to the debt incurred in connection with the Heritage
Transaction, which was outstanding for five months of 1995, as compared to
eleven months of 1996. The remainder of the increase was due to interest
related to the $100.0 million of Old Notes, offered in connection with the
Hicks Muse Transaction, which occurred on November 27, 1996. 
    

   
       Other Income (Expense), net. Other income (expense), net decreased $1.6 
million from other income of $1.4 million during 1995 to other expense of $0.2
million for 1996. In 1995, the Company had rental income prior to the
distribution of certain rental property in the Heritage Transaction and a gain
on sale of assets associated with sale of the Company's truck fleet in 1995. 
    

   
       Extraordinary Charge. Extraordinary charge of $1.2 million for 1996 
represents the write-off of certain deferred financing charges incurred in
connection with the Heritage Transaction, as all outstanding debt was retired
with a portion of the proceeds from the $100.0 million of Old Notes. This
amount is net of income tax effect of $0.7 million. 
    

   
  Year Ended December 31, 1995 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1994
    

   
       Net Sales. Net sales increased $11.9 million from $123.6 million in 1994
to $135.5 million in 1995. The increase in sales primarily consisted of 
favorable price and volume variances of $11.9 million and $2.9 million,
respectively, at the Company's Skotty, Atrium Vinyl, H-R Windows and Extruders
divisions.  Sales at Atrium Distributors of Nevada also increased $1.8 million,
largely due to growth in the housing market in Las Vegas. The increase in net
sales was partly offset by a decrease in sales at the Atrium Wood and the
Atrium Distributors of Arizona divisions of $5.1 million. 
    

   
       Cost of Goods Sold. Cost of goods sold increased from 69.2% of net sales
during 1994 to 69.4% of net sales during 1995. This was due largely to
non-recurring 1995 charges of $2.5 million associated with inventory and other
product reserves at Atrium Wood and certain low margin sales to an H-R Windows
customer. These costs were partially offset by a decrease in 
    





                                       31
<PAGE>   33
   
raw material prices and the adoption of LIFO in 1994, which resulted in
a benefit of $0.9 million in 1995 compared to a provision of $2.7 million in
1994. Depreciation included in cost of goods sold was $0.6 million and $0.7 
million during the years ended 1994 and 1995, respectively.
    

   
       Selling, Delivery, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling,
delivery, general and administrative expenses increased $2.5 million from $26.9
million (which represented 21.8% of sales during 1994) to $29.4 million (which
represented 21.7% of sales during 1995). Delivery expense increased $2.3
million from $9.6 million to $11.9 million, however, increased slightly as a
percentage of sales from 7.8% to 8.8%. Amortization and rent expense included
in selling, delivery, general and administrative expenses increased $0.4
million and $0.5 million, respectively, from 1994 to 1995. These increases were
primarily due to amortization of certain non-compete agreements, deferred
financing charges incurred, and certain property distributions, in connection
with the Heritage Transaction. These increases were partially offset by
professional fees related to the negotiation of a union contract which were
$0.4 million in 1995 and $1.2 million in 1994. 
    

       Special Charges. Special charges during 1995 include officer and
management bonuses of $6.4 million, and restructuring charges for severance of
$0.4 million in connection with the Heritage Transaction and consulting fees of
$0.4 million. There were no special charges during 1994.

   
       Stock Option Compensation Expense. The Company incurred $0.3 million in
stock option compensation expense in 1995 due to stock options issued in
connection with the Heritage Transaction. No amounts were applicable in 1994.
    

   
       Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $2.2 million from $0.4
million during 1994 to $2.6 million during 1995. The increase was primarily due
to debt incurred during the Heritage Transaction, which was outstanding for
five months of 1995. 
    

   
       Other Income (Expense), net. Other income (expense), net increased 
$2.4 million from other expense of $1.0 million for 1994 to other income of 
$1.4 million for 1995. In 1994, the Company had a write-down of investments in
rental real estate of $1.5 million and other income of $0.5 million related to
rental real estate. In 1995, the rental income was $0.7 million. Additionally,
an income adjustment to a pension liability of $0.3 million was recorded in
1995 and a gain on the sale of the Company's truck fleet was $0.4 million. 
    

  BISHOP

   
       The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information
derived from the combined consolidated statements of income of Bishop expressed
as a percentage of net sales.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                                    -----------------------------------------
                                                                        1994          1995           1996
                                                                    ------------   -----------   ------------
 <S>                                                                 <C>            <C>           <C>
 Net sales .....................................................     100.0%         100.0%        100.0%
 Cost of goods sold.............................................      53.5           44.3          51.6
                                                                     -----          -----         -----
 Gross profit ..................................................      46.5           55.7          48.4
 Selling, general and administrative expenses ..................      37.0           41.0          40.2
                                                                     -----          -----         -----
       Income from operations ..................................       9.5           14.7           8.2
 Interest income (expense), net.................................      (0.5)          (0.3)         (0.2)
 Other income (expense) ........................................       0.2            1.4           0.1
                                                                     -----          -----         -----
 Income before provision for income taxes.......................       9.2           15.8           8.1
 Provision for income taxes ....................................       3.8            7.1           5.4
                                                                     -----          -----         -----
 Net income ....................................................       5.4%           8.7%          2.7%
                                                                     =====          =====         =====
</TABLE>
    

       Bishop's sales have remained stable since 1994, reflecting the
relatively stable nature of the remodel/replacement construction market and the
general maturity of the housing market in the Northeastern states in which
Bishop operates. Bishop has emphasized high margin customers as opposed to
volume-driven sales. This strategy has resulted in gross margins in excess of
45% in the years ended September 30, 1994, 1995 and 1996, respectively. Cost of
sales of 44.3% in the year ended September 30, 1995 versus 53.5% and 51.6% for
the years ended September 30, 1994 and 1996, respectively, reflects Bishop's
strategy to take advantage of raw material buying opportunities. This included
purchasing annual materials requirements in a single delivery and taking
delivery during


                                       32
<PAGE>   34
winter months, which are non-peak periods for vendors. Significant purchasing
discounts were obtained in late 1994, which benefitted the 1995 operations. The
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net
sales from 1994 to 1995 and 1996 reflects the increased compensation paid to
Bishop's owners in 1995 and 1996. With regard to income taxes, Bishop has not
historically filed a consolidated tax return for its subsidiaries and
affiliates. As a result, the effective tax rates for Bishop on a historical
basis are higher than the statutory rate of 34%. In the future, Bishop will be
included in the Company's consolidated tax return.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

   
Cash generated from operations and cash provided by financing activities are
the Company's principal sources of liquidity. During 1996, cash was primarily
used for the acquisition of the Bishop Manufacturing Companies, capital
expenditures, debt repayments and to fund distributions to the Company's parent
in connection with the Transaction. Operating activities provided cash of $8.8
million in 1996, compared with $7.9 million in 1995. The increase in cash from
operations was attributable primarily to an increase in net income of $2.4
million net of an extraordinary charge associated with the write-off of certain
deferred financing charges of $1.2 million. The increase in net  income was
partially offset by an increase in working capital of $3.2 million associated
with an increase in accounts receivable and decrease in inventory (excluding
Bishop). Cash used provided by financing activities increased from cash used of
$5.6 million to cash provided of $6.7 million primarily due to the issuance of
$100.0 million of Old Notes, which were used to pay-off the Company's
previously outstanding debt and fund certain shareholder distributions made by
Holding. Additionally, the Company borrowed approximately $10.9 million to fund
the acquisition of Bishop. The decrease in cash provided by operations from
1994 to 1995 was primarily attributable to a decrease in net income due to
charges associated with the Heritage Transaction and the change to a C
corporation status for tax purposes in 1995.

    

OTHER CAPITAL RESOURCES

   
       In connection with the Transaction, the Company entered into a Credit
Agreement providing for borrowing of up to 20.0 million under a revolving credit
facility. Annual standby commitment fees are currently 0.5% of the unborrowed
portion of the facility. Borrowing rates are based upon the lender's prime rate
plus a borrowing margin of 1.5% or a LIBOR-based rate plus a borrowing margin
of 2.5%. The revolving credit facility terminates in March 2002. At December
31, 1996, the Company had $20.0 million of availability under the revolving
credit facility. In November 1997, the Company issued $100.0 million of Old 
Notes and used the proceeds for repayment of the Company's debt and 
contributions to the Company's parent. The repayment of the Company's debt
resulted in an extraordinary charge of $1.2 million (net of applicable income
tax benefit of $0.7 million).
    

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AND RESOURCES

   
       The Company had cash capital expenditures (exclusive of the Bishop
acquisition) of $3.4 million, $2.3 million and $3.4 million for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Capital expenditures increased
in 1996 due to the acquisition of the capital assets of Keller for $1.2
million. Capital expenditures in 1994 included $1.4 million of expenditures for
assets which are no longer a part of the Company as a result of the sale of
the Company's truck fleet in 1995. The Company expects capital expenditures
(exclusive of acquisitions) will be approximately $3.0 million in 1997,
however, actual capital requirements may change, particularly as a result of
acquisitions the Company may make. Capital expenditures exclude costs related
to the implementation of the Company's new management information system which
include internally capitalized costs.
    

   
       The ability of the Company to meet its debt service and working capital
obligations and capital expenditure requirements is dependent, however, upon
the future performance of the Company and its subsidiaries which, in turn, will
be subject to general economic conditions and to financial, business and other
factors, including factors beyond the Company's control. As of February 28,
1997, the Company had $20.0 million available for borrowings under the credit
facility. See "Description of New Credit Facility."
    





                                       33
<PAGE>   35

SEASONALITY

       The Company's business is seasonal. The warmer months generally allow
for a higher level of building, generating a higher level of sales for the
Company. Consequently, the second and third calendar quarters have
traditionally represented the highest level of sales during the year.

CYCLICALITY

       Demand in the window and door manufacturing industry is influenced by
new home construction activity and the demand for replacement products. Trends
in the housing sector (the most important of which to the Company is new
housing starts in its Primary Market) directly impact the financial performance
of the Company. Accordingly, the strength of the U.S. economy, the age of
existing home stock, job growth, consumer confidence, consumer credit, interest
rates and migration of the inter/intra U.S. population have a direct impact on
the Company. Any declines in new housing starts and/or demand for replacement
products may adversely impact the Company and there can be no assurance that
any such adverse effects would not be material.

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION

   
     The Company is involved in various stages of investigation and cleanup
relative to environmental protection matters, some of which relate to waste
disposal sites. The potential costs related to such matters and the possible
impact thereof on future operations are uncertain due in part to: the
uncertainty as to the extent of pollution; the complexity of Government laws
and regulations and their interpretations; the varying costs and effectiveness
of alternative cleanup technologies and methods; the uncertain level of
insurance or other types of recovery; and the questionable level of the
Company's involvement. The Company has also been named as a potentially
responsible party at two superfund sites pursuant to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 or comparable
state statutes. Based on currently available information, the Company believes
that its liability, if any, associated with remediation of these sites or
facilities will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition, results of operations or liquidity. 
    





                                       34
<PAGE>   36
                       DESCRIPTION OF NEW CREDIT FACILITY

       The description set forth below does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the underlying agreements of the
Senior Bank Facilities, which have been filed as exhibits to the registration
statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

GENERAL

   
       The Company entered into a Credit Agreement providing for a new
revolving credit facility (the "New Credit Facility") with Bankers Trust
Company ("BTCo"). The New Credit Facility enables the Company to obtain
revolving credit loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of
the Company from time to time for working capital and general corporate
purposes in an aggregate amount outstanding not to exceed $20.0 million. As of
February 28, 1997, no borrowings under the New Credit Facility were
outstanding. The revolving credit loans bear interest at a rate based upon the
lender's prime rate plus a borrowing margin of 1.5% or a LIBOR-based rate plus
a borrowing margin of 2.5%. The Company paid certain fees with respect to the
New Credit Facility, which fees are included in the $8.0 million of expenses
that were incurred by the Company in connection with the Transaction. The New
Credit Facility terminates on the fifth anniversary of the date of the
consummation of the Offering, unless terminated sooner upon an event of default
(defined in the New Credit Facility), and outstanding revolving credit loans
are payable on such date or such earlier date as may be accelerated following
the occurrence of any event of default. The Company had $20.0 million of
availability under the New Credit Facility as of February 28, 1997.
    

       The obligations of the Company and its subsidiaries under the New Credit
Facility will rank senior in right of payment to the Notes. The obligations
under the New Credit Facility, but not the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees,
are secured by a first priority lien on all of Holding's and its subsidiaries'
real and personal property and on all of the capital stock of the Company and
its subsidiaries, and all proceeds thereof. The obligations under the New
Credit Facility are guaranteed by Holding and the Company's subsidiaries. The
Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantee are effectively subordinated to the
obligations under the New Credit Facility and to any other senior debt of the
Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

CERTAIN COVENANTS

       The New Credit Facility contains various covenants that will restrict
the Company from taking various actions and that will require that the Company
achieve and maintain certain financial covenants. The New Credit Facility
includes covenants relating to minimum EBITDA, minimum interest coverage ratio,
and limitations on capital expenditures, investments, indebtedness, liens,
dividends, acquisitions, sales of assets, guarantee obligations, prepayments of
other indebtedness, mergers or consolidations, change in business activities,
affiliate transactions and certain corporate activities. The New Credit
Facility also prohibits the Company from prepaying the Notes and prohibits
certain changes in control of the Company.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

       The New Credit Facility contains customary events of default, including
nonpayment of principal, interest or fees, violation of covenants, inaccuracy
of representations or warranties in any material respect, cross default and
cross acceleration to certain other indebtedness, bankruptcy, ERISA,
environmental matters, material judgments and liabilities and change of
control.





                                       35
<PAGE>   37
                                    BUSINESS

COMPANY HISTORY

       The Company was founded in 1953 as Lumberman Sash & Door Co. by Joe
Fojtasek and operated as Fojtasek Companies, Inc. from 1988 to November 1996.
Early Company divisions included Skotty Aluminum, Extruders and Atrium Wood.
Over time, the Company started new business divisions such as Atrium Door &
Window Distributors of Arizona (1979), North Texas Die & Tool (1989) and Atrium
Vinyl (1995). The Company added various businesses to its portfolio through
acquisitions, including H-R Windows (1988), Dow-Tech (1990) and the Atrium Door
& Window Distributors of Nevada (1993). Until 1993, the operations were
principally managed by Joe Fojtasek. In 1993, Randall S. Fojtasek, Joe
Fojtasek's son, became Chief Executive Officer and President. He and Executive
Vice President Louis W. Simi, Jr., who has been with the Company for the past
30 years, are responsible for day-to-day operations. In July 1995, the Company
completed an equity recapitalization transaction with Heritage, an equity
investment fund. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Recapitalizations and Acquisitions."

       The Company purchased from Keller certain capital assets in June 1996
and inventory in September 1996. The acquired capital assets include an
aluminum extrusion line, a painting line and vinyl window and door and aluminum
window and storm door fabrication equipment and tooling. The extrusion line
will increase the Company's aluminum extrusion capacity by approximately 35%
and will enable it to extrude in-house virtually all of its anticipated
aluminum extrusion requirements. The vinyl fabrication equipment and tooling
will extend the Company's product offering to include the fabrication of vinyl
sliding patio doors, vinyl casement windows, vinyl horizontal sliding windows
and vinyl double-hung windows and the assembly of vinyl bay and bow windows.
This equipment and tooling has been relocated to the Company's Atrium Vinyl
division in Dallas. Additionally, equipment for the fabrication of a full line
of single- and multi-family aluminum windows and storm doors is being utilized
in the Woodville division near Houston, Texas. The Company has established two
new divisions named Kel-Star Building Products and Woodville Extruders that
will operate the assets acquired pursuant to the Keller acquisition. Kel-Star
Building Products will market its products under the "KBP" brand to take
advantage of existing name recognition of Keller Building Products.

   
In September 1996, the Company completed the acquisition of Bishop, which
manufactures and sells primarily vinyl windows and doors to the
remodel/replacement market in the Northeast. The Company acquired Bishop to (i)
increase the Company's presence in the fast-growing vinyl window market, (ii)
diversify geographically and (iii) increase its presence in the
remodel/replacement market. The Bishop acquisition allows the Company to extend
its vinyl product offerings to include sliding patio doors, French patio doors,
casement windows, horizontal sliding windows, bay and bow windows, double-hung
windows and storm doors. As part of the Bishop acquisition, the Company also
acquired a distribution facility which has been renamed Atrium Door & Window
Distributors of New York. See the Combined Consolidated Financial Statements of
Bishop included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
    

   
    


       In November 1996, the Company completed an equity recapitalization
transaction with Hicks Muse.  See "Summary -- The Transaction."

COMPANY OVERVIEW

       The Company is a leading manufacturer and distributor of residential
windows and doors in the Southwest, South and Southeast regions of the United
States. The Company's Primary Market, which in 1995 represented 75.1% of the
Company's revenues and 38.3% of total U.S. housing starts, consists of Arizona,
Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee
and Texas. The Primary Market includes certain of the fastest growing
residential housing markets in the United States with a CAGR in single-family
housing starts of 10.3% for the five-year period ended December 31, 1995
compared to 5.9% nationally for the same period. The Company is also one of a
limited number of window and door manufacturers that offers a diversified
product line, consisting of aluminum, vinyl and wood products. The Company
estimates that its market share of aluminum window units sold in its Primary
Market has increased from 11.9% in 1991 to 17.6% in 1995 and that its share of
total window units sold in its Primary Market has increased from 7.6% to 10.3%
during the same period. The Company's revenues and total window unit shipments
in the Primary Market have increased at CAGRs of 19.3% and 19.0%, respectively,
in this period. The





                                       36
<PAGE>   38
   
Company's pro forma net sales and EBITDA as adjusted (as defined in the Notes
to the "Unaudited Summary Pro Forma Financial Data") for the year ended 
December 31, 1996 were $166.7 million and $24.4 million.
    

       Historically, the Company has emphasized the sale of aluminum windows
and doors, as aluminum windows are the product of choice and regional standard
in the Company's Primary Market. In 1995, aluminum windows accounted for 71.3%
of residential new construction window units and 43.0% of residential
remodel/replacement window units within the Company's Primary Market as
compared to 40.9% and 30.1%, respectively, on a national basis for the same
period. The Company believes that the preference for aluminum windows over
vinyl and wood windows in the Company's Primary Market is attributable to
aluminum's lower cost, greater durability and lower maintenance requirements,
as well as the reduced need for thermal efficiency in homes in moderate
Southern climates.

       The Company believes that, in 1995, United States residential window and
door expenditures were approximately $6.5 billion, of which new construction
and remodel/replacement expenditures represented approximately $2.0 billion and
$4.5 billion, respectively. The Company believes that it is one of the two
largest aluminum window manufacturers in its Primary Market and that it enjoys
purchasing, manufacturing and distribution advantages compared to smaller
regional manufacturers. Excluding wood manufacturers, the Company believes that
the window and door industry is highly fragmented and is characterized
primarily by small regional manufacturers of windows and doors. This industry
fragmentation also presents opportunities for growth through acquisition, a
strategy that the Company has implemented through the recent acquisitions of
Bishop and Keller. Bishop manufactures and sells primarily vinyl windows and
doors to the remodel/replacement market in the Northeast. This acquisition
expands the Company's vinyl window product offering and increases its
penetration of the remodel/replacement market. The Keller acquisition increases
the Company's aluminum extrusion capacity by approximately 35% and provides the
Company with new equipment and tooling for fabricating several types of vinyl
window and door products and a full line of single- and multi-family aluminum
windows and storm doors. The Company intends to continue to pursue strategic
acquisitions to enhance its market share and expand its product offering.

       The Company is vertically integrated with operations that include (i)
Extrusion, the extrusion of aluminum and vinyl, which is utilized internally in
the Company's fabrication operations or sold to third parties, (ii)
Fabrication, the assembly of window and door units and sale of such units to
wholesalers, lumberyards, DIY home centers and homebuilders and (iii)
Distribution Centers, the sale of finished products to homebuilders, remodelers
and contractors through four Company-owned Distribution Centers located in
Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix, Arizona; and Farmingdale, New York.
The Company performs these operations at facilities that comprise an aggregate
of approximately 1.4 million square feet.

       The Company currently sells its products under five brand names,
"Atrium," "Skotty," "H-R," "KBP," and "Bishop." The Company believes that
Atrium has significant national brand name recognition at the building trade
and consumer level, while Skotty, H-R, KBP and Bishop each have significant
regional brand name recognition within their primary channels of distribution.
The Company has been effective in utilizing these brand names to establish
relationships with leading wholesalers, lumberyards and builders in each of its
markets and to gain distribution in new markets. The Company distributes its
windows and doors through (i) one-step distribution to major retail DIY home
centers, lumberyards and the Company's Distribution Centers, (ii) two-step
distribution to wholesalers who resell to DIY home centers and lumberyards and
(iii) direct sales to homebuilders (of both single-family and multi-family
housing), remodelers and contractors. See "Business -- Distribution and
Marketing."





                                       37
<PAGE>   39
OPERATIONS

   
       Following is a breakdown of the Company's consolidated pro forma revenue
by operating component (excluding intercompany sales) from 1992 through 1996:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1992         1993          1994        1995         1996         CAGR
                                   ----------   ----------   -----------   ---------   ----------   ---------
 <S>                               <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>            <C>
 Extrusion . . . . . . . . . .     $17,673     $ 19,527      $ 26,100    $ 28,052     $ 30,860        15.0%
 Fabrication . . . . . . . . .      65,558       81,074        95,397     104,736      119,111        16.1
 Distribution Centers  . . . .       4,717        8,809        16,080      17,186       16,739        37.3
                                   -------     --------      --------    --------     --------        ----
 Net Revenue . . . . . . . . .     $87,948     $109,410      $137,577    $149,974     $166,710        17.3%
                                   =======     ========      ========    ========     ========        ====
</TABLE>
    


  EXTRUSION

       Aluminum extrusion is performed by two divisions: Extruders and
Woodville Extruders. In the aluminum extrusion process, aluminum billet is
heated in an oven and hydraulically pressed through a die to form a shaped
lineal, or rail. The lineal is then air-cooled, straightened, cut into the
finished product length and tempered in an aging oven. The extrusion may then
be painted at the Company's painting operations or anodized by a third party.
In addition to producing aluminum extrusions for the Company's fabrication of
windows and doors, Extruders also provides aluminum extrusions to other window
and door manufacturers, as well as for customers outside of the window and door
industry. Extruders operates two extrusion presses on two 10-hour shifts, five
to six days a week. In connection with the Keller acquisition, the Company
acquired a third extrusion press that will eliminate the need for the
outsourcing of extrusion during peak production periods, as well as provide
capacity for future growth.

       Extrusion of vinyl is performed at Dow-Tech. In the vinyl extrusion
process, vinyl pellets are vacuum-loaded into hoppers feeding each of
Dow-Tech's nine extrusion lines. The material is heated and extruded through a
die by an extrusion screw. The extrusion is water-cooled as it is pulled from
the die at varying rates depending on the profile being extruded. Flexible
vinyl is typically rolled onto reels and rigid vinyl is cut to the stock length
of 12 feet or to other lengths according to the customer's order. Dow-Tech
provides vinyl extrusions used by the Company's window fabrication divisions
and by outside customers. The Company intends to expand its vinyl extrusion
capabilities as the volume of its sales of vinyl products increases.

   
       During 1996, approximately 55.3% of the Company's extrusion revenue was
derived from sales to third parties, including businesses outside of the window
and door industry, with the remainder sold internally to the Company's
fabrication operation. By extruding aluminum and vinyl in-house rather than
purchasing from outside suppliers, the Company is able to secure a low-cost,
reliable source of extrusions, control product quality and reduce inventory
levels. The table set forth below provides the Company's estimate of the
capacity of its three extrusion facilities and of such facilities' percentage
utilization during 1996.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         CAPACITY                1996
                                                                         --------                ----  
                  FACILITY                         PRODUCT           (MILLION POUNDS)        UTILIZATION%
 -----------------------------------------   -------------------   --------------------   -------------------
 <S>                                         <C>                            <C>                  <C>
 Extruders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     Aluminum extrusion             43                    94%
 Woodville Extruders . . . . . . . . . .     Aluminum extrusion             15                   N/A*
 Dow-Tech  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     Vinyl extrusion                10                    43%
</TABLE>
    


   
*Began operations in September 1996.
    

  o  Extruders

       Extruders, founded in 1974, extrudes aluminum product components used in
the fabrication of the Company's products. Extruders provides extrusions for
other window and door manufacturers, as well as non-window extrusions such as
trailer rails, hand rails and products for the heating, ventilation and air
conditioning markets.





                                       38
<PAGE>   40
  o  Woodville Extruders

       Woodville Extruders, purchased as part of the recent Keller acquisition,
provides the Company and third party customers with aluminum extrusions.
Woodville Extruders operates one extrusion line consisting of an extrusion
press, a billet oven and a paint line. The Company believes that the addition
of Woodville Extruders increases its extrusion capacity by approximately 35%
and will enable it to extrude in-house all of its anticipated aluminum
extrusion requirements. In addition, Woodville Extruders has sufficient plant
capacity to install another extrusion press.

  o  Dow-Tech

       Dow-Tech, acquired in 1990, extrudes vinyl sub-components used in the
fabrication of aluminum, vinyl and wood windows and doors. A majority of
Dow-Tech's volume in 1995 was sold to third party customers with the remainder
used in the fabrication of the Company's products. In addition, Dow-Tech will
provide Bishop with vinyl sub-components, thereby reducing Bishop's raw
material costs.

  FABRICATION

   
       The Company fabricates and distributes a broad line of aluminum, vinyl
and wood windows and doors at its six fabrication divisions. Windows include
single- and double-hung windows, sliding windows, casement windows and
specialty windows such as half rounds, transoms and ellipticals. Doors include
center-hinge patio doors, French patio doors and sliding patio doors. These
products can be manufactured as single- or double-pane (insulated) windows with
different levels of thermal efficiency. In 1996, more than 90% of the Company's
net revenues were derived from sales of windows. The Company's six fabrication
divisions include (i) Skotty Aluminum (Irving, TX), (ii) H-R Windows (Dallas,
TX), (iii) Atrium Vinyl (Dallas, TX), (iv) Atrium Wood (Dallas, TX), (v)
Kel-Star Building Products (Woodville, TX) and (vi) Bishop (Bridgeport, CT and
Clinton, MA). The Company designs, manufactures and repairs its fabrication
equipment at North Texas Die & Tool, based in Irving, TX.
    

       In the aluminum window fabrication process, extrusions are cut to size
and notched and mechanically fastened to form frames, comprised of sills and
jambs, and sashes, comprised of center bars, lock rails, lift rails and sash
rails. Raw glass, purchased cut-to-size or sized in-house with a
computer-numerically-controlled glass optimizer, is insulated and finished.
Along assembly lines set up according to product type, prepared glass and
component parts are assembled and transferred to a staged shipping area.

       In the vinyl fabrication process, vinyl frame extrusions are cut,
notched and welded. The frame is then placed on assembly lines on which
insulated glass and sashes are installed. In the fabrication of wood window and
door products, pre-cut, precision-milled wood components are glued and screwed
together, sanded and affixed with appropriate hardware. These units are then
glazed and packaged for final shipment.





                                       39
<PAGE>   41
       Following is a description of the fabrication divisions:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     DIVISION             PRODUCTS           TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION           CUSTOMER BASE            GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS
 ---------------   -----------------------   --------------------   -----------------------------   ------------------
 <S>               <C>                       <C>                    <C>                             <C>
 Skotty            Aluminum windows and      One-step               Lumberyards/DIY home            Arizona, Georgia,
 Aluminum          doors                     distribution           centers/Company Distribution    Nevada, Texas
                                                                    Centers
                                             Two-step               Wholesalers
                                             distribution
                                             Direct                 Homebuilders

 H-R Windows       Aluminum windows and      One-step               Lumberyards/DIY home centers    Florida, New
                   doors                     distribution                                           Mexico, Oklahoma,
                                                                                                    Tennessee, Texas
                                             Direct                 Homebuilders
                                             Two-step               Wholesalers
                                             distribution

 Atrium Vinyl      Vinyl windows and doors   One-step               Lumberyards/DIY home            Georgia, North
                                             distribution           centers/Company Distribution    Carolina, South
                                                                    Centers                         Carolina,
                                                                                                    Tennessee
                                             Two-step               Wholesalers
                                             distribution

 Atrium Wood       Wood doors and wood and   One-step               Lumberyards                     California,
                   aluminum-clad wood        distribution                                           Nevada, Oregon,
                   windows                                                                          Texas, Washington
                                             Two-step               Wholesalers
                                             distribution
                                             Direct                 Homebuilders

 Kel-Star          Vinyl and aluminum        One-step               Lumberyards                     Arkansas,
 Building          windows and aluminum      distribution                                           Louisiana,
 Products          storm doors                                                                      Mississippi,
                                                                                                    Oklahoma, Texas
                                             Two-step               Wholesalers
                                             distribution
                                             Direct                 Homebuilders

 Bishop            Vinyl and aluminum        One-step               Company Distribution Centers    Connecticut,
                   windows and doors         distribution           Remodeler/Contractor            Maine,
                                             Direct                                                 Massachusetts,
                                                                                                    New Hampshire,
                                                                                                    New Jersey, New
                                                                                                    York, Rhode
                                                                                                    Island
</TABLE>

  o  Skotty Aluminum

       Skotty Aluminum, founded in 1960, manufactures a broad product line of
aluminum windows and doors under the "Skotty" brand name. Skotty Aluminum
distributes primarily through one-step distribution to DIY home centers,
lumberyards and Company Distribution Centers, as well as through two-step and
direct distribution. Skotty Aluminum sells its products primarily in the South
and Southeast regions of the United States.

  o  H-R Windows

       H-R Windows, acquired in 1988, manufactures aluminum windows and doors
under the "H-R" brand name. The Company believes that approximately 30% of H-R
Windows' sales are direct to homebuilders, with the remainder of sales
primarily through the one-step distribution channel, including DIY home centers
and regional lumberyards. Although the "Skotty" and "H-R" product lines are
substantially similar, H-R's direct distribution to homebuilders offers the
Company an opportunity to penetrate a segment of the market typically not
captured by Skotty products sold through wholesalers. H-R Windows sells its
products primarily in Texas and the Southeast region of the United States.

  o  Atrium Vinyl

       In order to expand its presence in the vinyl window and door market in
the South, the Company opened the Atrium Vinyl division in 1995. Atrium Vinyl
manufactures and sells vinyl windows under the "Atrium" brand name. Atrium
brand products are distributed primarily through one-step distribution. In
connection with the Keller acquisition, equipment and tooling was acquired
which will expand Atrium Vinyl's product offering to include vinyl sliding
patio doors, vinyl casement windows, vinyl horizontal sliding windows, vinyl
bay and bow windows and vinyl double-hung windows, primarily in the South and
Southeast regions of the United States. In addition, the Company plans to
extend





                                       40
<PAGE>   42
the "Atrium" brand name to selected Bishop vinyl window units. The Company
believes that Atrium Vinyl will benefit from Bishop's expertise in
manufacturing vinyl windows and doors and from purchasing synergies. Atrium
Vinyl sells its products primarily in the Southeast region of the United
States.

  o  Atrium Wood

   
       Through the Atrium Wood division, founded in 1965, the Company
manufactures and sells wood doors and wood and aluminum-clad wood windows under
the "Atrium" brand name. The division's products are distributed primarily
through one-step distribution to lumberyards and through wholesalers.
Approximately 80% of Atrium Wood's sales in 1996 were door products. Atrium
Wood sells its products primarily in the Western region of the United States
and in Texas.
    

  o  Kel-Star Building Products

       Kel-Star Building Products, whose assets were purchased as part of the
Keller acquisition, manufactures and sells a full line of vinyl and aluminum
windows and aluminum storm doors under the "KBP" brand. While part of Keller
Industries, Inc., this division enjoyed significant brand recognition as "KBP"
("Keller Building Products"). The Company has renamed this division "Kel-Star
Building Products" and its products will be branded "KBP" to leverage Keller's
name recognition. Kel-Star Building Products markets its products primarily
through one-step distribution in the Southern region of the United States.

  o  Bishop

   
       Bishop, founded in 1958, manufactures vinyl windows and doors under the
"Bishop" brand in the Northeast. The Company believes that approximately 90% of
Bishop's sales in 1996 were to remodel/replacement contractors which resulted
in higher profit margins than sales to one- or two-step distributors. The
Company plans to extend the "Atrium" name to certain of Bishop's vinyl
products, as well as aluminum storm doors. Bishop's geographic focus is the
Northeast, primarily Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.
    

  o  North Texas Die & Tool

       North Texas Die & Tool designs, manufactures and repairs fabrication
saws and dies. Fabrication saws are used to cut aluminum extrusions to the
proper length, while fabrication dies stamp the end of extrusions into shapes
which can be interlocked with other components to form windows.

  DISTRIBUTION

       The Company owns and operates four Distribution Centers, consisting of
Atrium Door & Window Distributors of Arizona, Nevada, New York and Texas. The
Arizona Distribution Center carries Skotty and Atrium products and sells
directly to large homebuilders in the area. The Nevada Distribution Center
markets primarily Skotty products and sells directly to homebuilders in its
region. The New York Distribution Center markets Bishop products primarily to
remodelers and contractors in a seven-state region in the Northeast. The Texas
Distribution Center sells Atrium products and distributes directly to large
homebuilders in Texas.





                                       41
<PAGE>   43
COMPETITIVE STRENGTHS

       The Company's market leadership and financial performance are
attributable to a number of factors, including the following:

 o  LEADING SHARE IN PRIMARY MARKET

       The Company believes that it is one of the two largest manufacturers of
aluminum windows in its Primary Market, with an estimated unit market share in
1995 of approximately 17.6%, compared to 11.9% in 1991. The Company believes
that its market share in 1995 of all window units sold in its Primary Market,
including aluminum, vinyl and wood, was approximately 10.3%, compared to 7.6%
in 1991. The Company's market share position provides competitive advantages in
the areas of purchasing, manufacturing and distribution.

o  ESTABLISHED BRAND NAMES AND REPUTATION

       The Company believes that it has significant brand name recognition
across each of its product lines, with such brand names as "Atrium," "Skotty,"
"H-R," "KBP" and "Bishop." The Company believes that each of these brands has
an established reputation within the building trade for product quality and
that this brand name recognition and reputation have enabled it to establish
relationships with leading wholesalers, builders and DIY home centers in each
of its markets. Further, the Company has been effective in leveraging the
strength of its brand names and reputation to gain distribution in new markets.

o  STRENGTH IN MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS

       Each of the Company's fabrication divisions distributes its products
through a combination of wholesalers, lumberyards, DIY home centers and direct
sales to large homebuilders and independent contractors. In addition, more than
one Company division may sell its products into the same geographic market
through the use of different brand names and distribution channels. The Company
believes that this distribution strategy maximizes the Company's market
penetration and reduces reliance upon any one distribution channel for the sale
of its products. As a manufacturer and distributor of windows and doors for the
past 43 years, the Company has developed many long-standing relationships with
key distributors.

o  LOW-COST PRODUCTION PROCESSES

       The Company believes that its low-cost operations are attributable to
its vertical integration and efficient production processes. Extrusion allows
the Company to ensure a low-cost, reliable source of extensions, control
product quality and reduce inventory levels. The Company has been successful in
improving the efficiency of its operations through the rationalization of
product lines, reduction of overhead, reconfiguration of production processes,
reduction of inventory levels and the implementation of a management
information system. The Company believes that its low-cost operations provide
better margins and increased pricing flexibility in its markets relative to its
competition.

o  EXPERIENCED, ENTREPRENEURIAL MANAGEMENT

       The Company has assembled a strong management team at both the corporate
and operating levels. The Company's general managers have an average of 27
years of experience in the window industry and 13 years with the Company. At
the operating level, each division is managed on a stand-alone basis with a
general manager supported by sales and production managers. Incentives are
created for general managers through a combination of equity ownership and
bonus-based compensation based on divisional financial performance. All
divisional managers own Common Stock or options to purchase Common Stock of
Holding.





                                       42
<PAGE>   44
BUSINESS STRATEGY

       In order to enhance its leading market share position and to maximize
profitability and cash flow, the Company's principal strategic objectives are
as follows:

o  TARGET FAST-GROWING MARKETS

       The Company intends to further strengthen its market position in its
fast-growing Primary Market and to evaluate opportunities for expansion into
developing high-growth markets in other regions of the United States. The
Company's Primary Market includes some of the fastest growing residential
housing markets in the United States with a CAGR of single-family housing
starts of 10.3% from 1991 to 1995 compared to 5.9% nationally for the same
period. Additionally, in the Company's Primary Market, unit sales of windows
into the new construction and remodel/replacement markets had CAGRs of 11.7%
and 8.8% from 1991 to 1995, respectively, compared to 5.7% and 5.0% for the
same period, respectively, on a national basis.

o  FOCUS ON PRODUCTS OF CHOICE

       The Company's strategy is to manufacture the window products of choice
in its targeted markets. In the Southwest, South and Southeast regions of the
United States, aluminum windows have historically been the product preferred by
homebuilders, remodelers, contractors and homeowners in the residential new
construction and remodel/replacement markets. This strong regional preference
for aluminum windows over vinyl or wood windows is attributable to the lower
cost, lower maintenance requirements and greater durability of aluminum
windows, as well as the reduced need for thermal efficiency in homes in
moderate Southern climates. In the Northeast, wood and vinyl windows have been
the products of choice due in part to their superior insulating qualities. The
Company's acquisition of Bishop, a vinyl window and door manufacturer, together
with the Company's existing wood window capabilities, will enable the Company
to provide the preferred products in the Northeast market.

o  EXPAND INTO VINYL

   
       The Company plans to continue to expand its presence in the vinyl window
and door market. In the Company's Primary Market, vinyl windows represented
10.8% and 28.3% of residential new construction and remodel/replacement units,
respectively, during 1995. The Company has significantly increased its vinyl
window and door fabrication capacity through the commencement of operations at
Atrium Vinyl in 1995 and the acquisitions of Bishop. The Company's
pro forma sales (as if the acquisition of Bishop and Keller had occurred
January 1, 1996, combined with the actual historical sales of Atrium Vinyl and 
Keller during 1996) of vinyl windows and doors for the year ended December 31,
1996 were $20.5 million. The Company intends to utilize its nationally
recognized "Atrium" brand name and well-established distribution channels to
further penetrate the highly fragmented vinyl window market.
    

o  EXTEND ATRIUM BRAND NAME

       The Company is seeking to leverage the strength of its nationally
recognized "Atrium" brand name by (i) introducing Atrium-branded vinyl products
into existing distribution channels in the Company's Primary Market and in
Bishop's primary market in the Northeast and (ii) renaming the Las Vegas,
Phoenix, Dallas and Farmingdale distributors as the Atrium Door & Window
Distributors of Nevada, Arizona, Texas and New York, respectively. The Company
believes that the extension of the Atrium brand name to its vinyl products will
accelerate the Company's expansion into the vinyl window and door market.

o  EXPAND THROUGH STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS

       The Company will pursue opportunities to make acquisitions that
complement and expand its core business or enable the Company to enter into new
markets for its products. The Company operates in a highly fragmented industry
in which, with few exceptions, competitors are privately-owned, regional
companies with sales under $100 million. The Company believes that significant
opportunities exist to make selected strategic acquisitions at attractive
valuations. Strategic acquisitions would allow the Company to (i) leverage its
highly recognized brand names, (ii) achieve significant cost reductions through
purchasing synergies and the application of the Company's best practices and
(iii) diversify the Company's geographic, product and market focus. The Bishop
and Keller acquisitions are two recent examples of focused, value-added
acquisitions that are consistent with the Company's overall business strategy.





                                       43
<PAGE>   45
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

   
       In 1995, new construction spending in the United States totaled $547
billion, of which residential and commercial spending totaled $237 billion and
$310 billion, respectively. Within the residential construction market, new
construction spending and remodel/replacement spending totaled $163 billion and
$74 billion, respectively. The Company believes that, in 1995, United States
residential window and door expenditures were approximately $6.5 billion, of
which new construction and remodel/replacement expenditures represented
approximately $2.0 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively. Total residential
window expenditures in the United States represented $1.5 billion in the new
construction market and $3.0 billion in the remodel/replacement market for the
same period.
    

   
       The residential construction market consists of single-family and
multi-family housing construction. In 1995, housing starts in the United States
totaled approximately 1.2 million, of which 1.0 million were single-family
homes and 0.2 million were multi-family homes. During 1995, approximately 95%
of the Company's window and door sales were to the single-family housing
construction market, and the remaining 5% of sales were to the multi-family
housing construction market.
    

   
       In 1995, residential new construction and remodel/replacement window
sales in the Company's Primary Market totaled approximately $445 million and
$450 million, respectively, representing 30.3% and 14.7% of the total U.S. new
construction and remodel/replacement markets, respectively.
    

       As illustrated in the chart below, window unit growth in the Company's
Primary Market has outpaced unit growth in the United States in both the new
construction and remodel/replacement markets. In the United States window units
for new construction increased from 13.3 million units in 1991 to 16.6 million
units in 1995, representing a CAGR of 5.7%, while window units for the
remodel/replacement market increased from 30.1 million units in 1991 to 36.6
million units in 1995 for a CAGR of 5.0%.

                              WINDOW SALES (UNITS)

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   1991-1995
                                             1991       1992       1993       1994        1995        CAGR
                                           --------   --------   --------   ---------   --------   ----------
                                                                          (units in millions)
 <S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
 UNITED STATES
 New construction  . . . . . . . . . .      13.3       14.4       15.0        17.2       16.6         5.7%
 Remodel/replacement . . . . . . . . .      30.1       29.3       33.3        36.3       36.6         5.0
                                            ----       ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
       Total United States . . . . . .      43.4       43.7       48.3        53.5       53.2         5.2%
                                            ====       ====       ====        ====       ====        ====

 PRIMARY MARKET
 New construction  . . . . . . . . . .       3.9        4.7        5.0         6.1        6.1        11.7%
 Remodel/replacement . . . . . . . . .       4.2        3.9        5.1         5.7        5.9         8.8
                                            ----       ----       ----        ----       ----        ----
       Total Primary Market  . . . . .       8.1        8.6       10.1        11.8       12.0        10.2%
                                            ====       ====       ====        ====       ====        ====
</TABLE>
    


   
Source: F.W. Dodge -- Summary Report on Window Frame Materials, September 1996
    

   
       In 1995, residential housing starts in the Company's Primary Market
totaled 471,778 units, of which 365,670 were single-family homes and 106,108
were multi-family homes. From 1991 to 1995, single-family housing starts in the
Company's Primary Market outpaced growth in the United States, with a CAGR of
10.3% compared to 5.9% for the total United States. In 1995, the Company's
Primary Market comprised 37.2% of total United States single-family housing
starts.
    

                                 HOUSING STARTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   1991-1995
                                         1991        1992        1993         1994        1995        CAGR
                                       ---------   --------   ----------   ----------   --------   ---------
                                                                  (units in millions)
<S>                                   <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
 TOTAL UNITED STATES
 Single family . . . . . . . . . .    781,989    954,144    1,027,445    1,056,201    982,832        5.9%
 % Growth  . . . . . . . . . . . .         --%      22.0%         7.7%         2.8%      (6.9)%

 PRIMARY MARKET
 Single family . . . . . . . . . .    247,310    312,242      363,828      382,909    365,670       10.3%
 % Growth  . . . . . . . . . . . .         --%      26.3%        16.5%         5.2%      (4.5)%
</TABLE>
    





   
Source: F.W. Dodge -- Summary Report on Window Frame Materials, September 1996.
    





                                       44
<PAGE>   46
Window and Door Industry Overview

       As illustrated in the charts below, the percentage of total window units
made of aluminum, wood or vinyl varies by region. In the United States,
aluminum windows comprised 40.9% of the residential new construction market and
30.1% of the residential remodel/replacement market, respectively, in 1995. In
the Company's Primary Market, aluminum windows comprised 71.3% of the
residential new construction market and 43.0% of the residential
remodel/replacement market, respectively.

UNIT MARKET SHARE

   
[Six pie charts comparing the use of vinyl, aluminum, wood and other materials
in the fabrication of window units for the United States and the Company's
Primary Market by new construction, repair and remodel, and total residential
construction.]
    

   
Source: F.W.  Dodge -- Summary Report on Window Frame Materials, September
1996.
    

       A homebuilder's or homeowner's choice of materials generally is based
upon such considerations as cost, thermal efficiency, maintenance,
architectural tastes and customs. The following table outlines the Company's
estimate of the average cost to homebuilders of a standard single-family house
package, consisting of 15 windows (including two specialty windows) and two
patio doors, for a $100,000 home and demonstrates aluminum's cost advantage:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             COST TO      PREMIUM TO ALUMINUM
 MATERIAL                  HOMEBUILDER       WINDOW PACKAGE
 --------                 -------------   --------------------
 <S>                        <C>                  <C>
 Aluminum  . . . . . .      $1,350                N/A
 Vinyl . . . . . . . .      $2,225                 65%
 Wood  . . . . . . . .      $3,900                189%
</TABLE>


  Aluminum

       In the Company's Primary Market, aluminum windows are the products of
choice and regional standard because of their low cost, durability and
suitability to warm climates. Because aluminum is the least expensive window
alternative, homebuilders generally prefer aluminum to control costs, as a home
buyer is not generally willing to pay for the increased cost of vinyl or wood.
Aluminum is not utilized as frequently in homes in the North and the Northeast
regions of the United States due to historical architectural trends and the
superior insulating qualities of wood and vinyl windows. In 1995, sales of
aluminum windows nationwide totaled 17.8 million units, or 33.5% of all window
units, while aluminum windows sales in the Company's Primary Market totaled 6.9
million, or 57.3% of all window units.





                                       45
<PAGE>   47
  Vinyl

       Vinyl windows represent the middle price point of windows. Vinyl windows
have thermal efficiency characteristics that approach those of wood windows,
but some home owners do not consider them as aesthetically pleasing.
Historically, vinyl windows have not been as popular as aluminum windows in
warmer climates such as those found in the Company's Primary Market because of
the increased cost of vinyl and because early vinyl windows suffered from ultra
violet degradation, which caused the vinyl to become brittle after prolonged
exposure to the sun. However, in recent years, advances in plastics have
increased the quality and durability of vinyl windows. In 1995, unit sales of
vinyl windows in the United States totaled 16.2 million units, or 30.4% of all
window units, while vinyl window sales in the Company's Primary Market totaled
2.3 million units, or 19.5% of all window units.

  Wood

       Wood is the most thermally efficient window material, however, it is the
most expensive and requires the greatest amount of maintenance. Since 1991,
unit sales of windows with all-wood frames have declined from 6.2 million to
5.8 million in 1995. Unit sales of aluminum-clad and vinyl-clad wood windows,
which are classified as wood, have grown so that, overall, the wood window
market share has been stable for the last several years. In clad windows,
composite materials such as aluminum, vinyl, fiberglass or industrial coating
are applied to the exterior of the window frame so that the frame inside the
house has the desired aesthetics while the exterior frame has the desired
durability or insulating features. Due to maintenance issues surrounding
all-wood windows, the Company believes that the trend towards aluminum- and
vinyl-clad wood windows and composite frame materials will continue. In 1995,
sales of wood windows, including vinyl- and aluminum-clad wood windows
nationwide totaled 18.3 million units, or 34.5% of all window units sold, while
wood window sales in the Company's Primary Market totaled 2.6 million units, or
21.6% of all window units sold.

COMPETITION

       The residential window and door industry is highly fragmented. With few
exceptions, competitors are privately-owned, regional companies with sales
under $100 million. The Company's major competitors throughout its Primary
Market for the sale of aluminum windows are Alenco, a division of Redman
Building Products, and Caradon Better-Bilt Inc. In addition, the Company
competes with various other companies in specific regions within its Primary
Market.

       In the vinyl window and door segment, there is no large dominant
manufacturer of vinyl windows that operates on a national basis. The segment is
characterized by small regional manufacturers that compete on a local and
regional basis. Historically, demand for vinyl windows and doors has been
concentrated in the cooler regions of the United States. Bishop's major
competitors for the sale of vinyl windows are SilverLine Building Products and
Milgard Manufacturing Inc. In addition, the Company competes with a number of
regional manufacturers that sell directly to vinyl contractors.

       In the wood window and door segment of the industry, two large
manufacturers, Andersen Corporation and Pella Corporation, sell premium
products on a national basis.  The Company's wood windows and doors are sold at
a medium price point primarily in the West and Southwest regions of the United
States.  The Company has many competitors in the wood window and door segment,
including Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc. and Hurd Millwork Co. Inc.





                                       46
<PAGE>   48
DISTRIBUTION

       The Company uses multiple distribution channels and brand names to
maximize market penetration. The Company distributes its windows and doors
through (i) one-step distribution to major retail DIY home centers, lumberyards
and the Company's Distribution Centers, (ii) two-step distribution to
wholesalers who resell to DIY home centers and lumberyards and (iii) direct
sales to homebuilders (of both single-family and multi-family housing),
remodelers and contractors. To enhance its market coverage, the Company markets
its windows and doors under five brand names, "Atrium," "Skotty," "H-R," "KBP"
and "Bishop." Following is a breakdown of the Company's distribution channels:


   
[Chart illustrating the use of the Company's three distribution channels,
direct, one-step and two-step.]
    

       In one-step distribution, the Company distributes to DIY home centers
and lumberyards and through its Distribution Centers. These customers maintain
low levels of inventory and therefore require more frequent deliveries and
generally higher levels of customer service than two-step distributors. In
two-step distribution, the Company sells to wholesalers who resell the products
to lumberyards and DIY home centers. Two-step distributors, who often carry the
Company's products on an exclusive basis, are primarily utilized to service
smaller retailers in rural areas that do not generate enough volume to purchase
directly from the Company. In contrast to one-step distributors, two-step
distributors often carry large inventory positions in order to service the
needs of its retail customers who generally carry limited amounts of inventory.
Two-step distribution is more common in rural areas since urban areas are
serviced by DIY home centers and lumberyards.

   
       During 1996, approximately 10.4% of the Company's sales were made
through three Company-owned Distribution Centers located in Arizona, Nevada and
Texas, primarily through direct distribution channels. The Arizona Distribution
Center carries Skotty and Atrium products and sells directly to large
homebuilders in the area. The Nevada Distribution Center markets primarily
Skotty products and sells directly to homebuilders in its region. The Texas
Distribution Center sells Atrium products and distributes directly to large
homebuilders in Texas. As part of the Bishop acquisition, the Company added a
fourth Distribution Center in New York, which markets Bishop products primarily
to building supply dealers and contractors in a seven-state region in the
Northeast.
    





                                       47
<PAGE>   49
   
       Although in 1996 the Company had sales in the 48 contiguous states,
sales in its Primary Market represented approximately 75% of the Company's net
revenue. The Company believes that substantially all of Bishop's sales in 1996
were in the Bishop primary market, as identified below.
    

   
[A map of the United States identifying the Company's Primary and Secondary
markets and Bishop's Primary Market.  The map also identifies the locations of
fabrication, extrusion and distribution operations.]
    

MARKETING

       The Company markets its products through a sales force consisting of
Company salaried and commissioned sales representatives and independent
commissioned sales representatives, as well as customer service
representatives. Each of the Company's divisions, with the exception of
Dow-Tech, is supported by a sales manager, direct sales representatives and
independent representatives. Bishop markets its products exclusively through a
direct sales force. The sales managers coordinate marketing activities among
Company and independent representatives. Company sales representatives focus
primarily on direct sales to homebuilders, remodelers and contractors, while
independent sales representatives sell to DIY home centers, lumberyards and
wholesalers. Independent sales representatives carry the Company's window and
door products on an exclusive basis, although they may carry other related
items from other manufacturers.

       The Company believes that customer service plays a key role in the
marketing process. On-time delivery of products, order fill rate, consistency
of service and flexibility in meeting changing customer requirements have
enabled the Company to build a large and loyal customer base which includes
companies such as Home Depot, Centex Homes and Continental Homes.

RAW MATERIALS

       The primary raw materials used in the production of the Company's
windows and doors are aluminum, glass, wood and vinyl. These materials are
readily available and may be procured from numerous suppliers. Historically,
aluminum billet has been purchased primarily from one source. However, the
Company has recently begun purchasing from several different suppliers. Glass
is purchased from several sources at prices negotiated annually by the Company





                                       48

<PAGE>   50
at the corporate level. This allows the Company's general managers to purchase
glass, as needed, at pre-negotiated prices. Currently, wood is purchased
primarily from a single source, and vinyl is purchased from multiple sources.

EMPLOYEES

       The Company employs approximately 1,675 persons, of whom approximately
1,625 are employed at the Company's manufacturing facilities and distribution
centers and approximately 50 are employed at corporate headquarters. Of these
employees, approximately 1,275 are hourly and approximately 400 are salaried.
Approximately 1,100 of the Company's hourly employees are covered by collective
bargaining agreements. As a result of union organizing activities in 1994, the
Company entered into collective bargaining agreements in 1995 with the United
Needle and Industrial Trade Employee Union, SWRJB, ACTWU, AFL-CIO-CLC, covering
certain employees at the Skotty Aluminum, H-R Windows, Atrium Wood and
Extruders manufacturing facilities, all of which expire on May 20, 1998. The
Company anticipates that all such collective bargaining agreements will be
extended and renegotiated in the ordinary course of business.

       In addition, in connection with the Keller acquisition, the Company has
collective bargaining agreements with The Sheet Metal International Association
Local Union NO. 54, due to expire on September 30, 2001, for its Kel-Star
operations and Local Union 2743, Southern Council of Industrial Workers,
Chartered By United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, AFL/CIO,
due to expire on October 6, 2001, for its Woodville Extruders operations. There
are no union affiliations in connection with the Bishop facilities. The Company
may experience additional union-organizing activities in the future, which may
result in the negotiation of additional collective bargaining agreements. There
is no assurance that any additional negotiations or collective bargaining
agreements would not have an adverse effect on the results of operations of the
Company. The Company believes that its relationship with its employees is
satisfactory.





                                       49
<PAGE>   51
PROPERTIES

       The Company's operations are conducted at the owned or leased facilities
described below:
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                   <C>                                        <C>             <C>    
                                                                 CAPACITY
                                                                  (SQUARE        OWNED/
       LOCATION      PRINCIPAL USE                                  FEET)        LEASED
       --------      -------------                               --------        ------
Dallas, Texas        Fabrication (H-R Windows)                   186,000
                     Fabrication (Atrium Wood)                   266,000
                     Fabrication (Atrium Vinyl)                   90,000
                                                                 -------
                                                                 542,000         Leased*

Irving, Texas        Fabrication (Skotty Aluminum Products)      147,218
                     Extrusion (North Texas Die & Tool)            1,400
                                                                 -------
                                                                 148,618         Owned

Irving, Texas        Distribution (Atrium Door & Window           22,000
                     Distributors of Texas)
                     Fabrication (Skotty Aluminum Products)       98,000
                                                                 -------
                                                                 120,000         Owned

Wylie, Texas         Extrusion (Extruders)                       100,000         Owned

Carrollton, Texas    Extrusion (Dow-Tech)                         25,200        Leased

Phoenix, Arizona     Distribution (Atrium Door & Window
                     Distributors of Arizona)                     44,743        Leased

Las Vegas, Nevada    Distribution (Atrium Door & Window
                     Distributors of Nevada)                      30,400        Leased

Woodville, Texas     Fabrication (Kel-Star Building Products)    180,000
                     Extrusion (Woodville Extruders)             120,000
                                                                 -------
                                                                 300,000        Leased

Clinton,
   Massachusetts     Fabrication (Bishop Manufacturing
                     of New England)                              31,000         Owned

Bridgeport,          Fabrication (Bishop Manufacturing Co.)                     Leased
  Connecticut        Fabrication (Vinyl Building Specialties
                     of Connecticut)                              75,000

Farmingdale,
 New York            Distribution (Atrium Door & Window
                     Distributors of New York)                    6,000        Leased
                                                               ---------

                                       Total                   1,422,961
                                                               =========
</TABLE>
    

    *Leased from an affiliate of certain stockholders.  See "Certain
Transactions -- Other."

    The Company believes that its manufacturing plants are generally in good
operating condition and are adequate to meet anticipated future requirements.

   
    The Company recently moved its corporate headquarters to Dallas, Texas. The
new facilities offer approximately 11,000 square feet and are leased for a 
seven-year term.
    





                                       50
<PAGE>   52
BACKLOG AND MATERIAL CUSTOMERS

   
    The Company has no material long-term contracts. Orders are generally
filled within 7 days of receipt. The Company's backlog is subject to
fluctuation due to various factors, including the size and timing of orders for
the Company's products and is not necessarily indicative of the level of future
revenue. For the year ended December 31, 1996, no customer accounted for more
than 10% or more of the Company's sales.
    

GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

    The Company is subject to numerous federal and state statutes and
regulations relating to, among other things, air and water quality, the
discharge of materials into the environment and safety and health issues. The
Company does not expect compliance with such provisions to have a material
impact on the Company's earnings or competitive position in the foreseeable
future. Additionally, no significant capital expenditures are anticipated
related to compliance with such provisions.

   
    The Company is involved in various stages of investigation and cleanup
relative to environmental protection matters, some of which relate to waste
disposal sites. The potential costs related to such matters and the possible
impact thereof on future operations are uncertain due in part to: the
uncertainty as to the extent of pollution; the complexity of Government laws
and regulations and their interpretations; the varying costs and effectiveness
of alternative cleanup technologies and methods; the uncertain level of
insurance or other types of recovery; and the questionable level of the
Company's involvement. The Company is a named party in several government
enforcement and private actions associated with old waste disposal sites, some
of which are on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund priority
list. These actions seek cleanup cost and, in some cases, damages for alleged
personal injury or property damage. The Company does not believe, based upon
the information available at this time, that the outcome of the matters
discussed above will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition, results of operations or liquidity.
    


LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

    The Company is involved from time to time in litigation arising in the
ordinary course of its business, none of which, after giving effect to the
Company's existing insurance coverage, is expected to have a material adverse
effect on the Company.


                                   MANAGEMENT

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES

   
    The following table provides information concerning the directors and the
executive officers of the Company. The directors of the Company are also the
directors of Holding. All directors hold office until the next annual meeting
of stockholders of Holding and until their successors have been duly elected
and qualified. The parties to the Stock Purchase Agreement have agreed to take
all actions required to cause the Board of Directors of Holding at all times to
consist of at least five directors, of whom one shall be designated by the
Fojtasek shareholder group, one shall be designated by Heritage Fund I, L.P.
and the remainder shall be designated by Hicks Muse and Hicks Muse Affiliates.
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    NAME                             AGE                     POSITION
    ----                             ---                     --------
<S>                                  <C> <C>
Randall S. Fojtasek . . . . . .      33  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Louis W. Simi, Jr.  . . . . . .      56  Executive Vice President and General Manager of Skotty Aluminum
Jeff L. Hull  . . . . . . . . .      31  Corporate Controller and Secretary
Howard S. Saffan  . . . . . . .      37  Vice President and General Manager of Bishop
Russell S. Fojtasek . . . . . .      35  Vice President and Plant Manager of Skotty Aluminum
Horace T. Hicks . . . . . . . .      60  Vice President and General Manager of H-R Windows
Arthur G. Frost . . . . . . . .      64  Vice President and General Manager of Extruders
Michael J. Hillmeyer  . . . . .      57  General Manager of Atrium Wood and Atrium Vinyl
John R. Muse  . . . . . . . . .      45  Director
Michael J. Levitt . . . . . . .      38  Director
Stephen M. Humphrey . . . . . .      52  Director
C. Dean Metropoulos . . . . . .      49  Director
Michel Reichert . . . . . . . .      46  Director
</TABLE>
    

    Randall S. Fojtasek has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since 1993.  From 1990 to 1993, he served as Vice President of
Operations and General Manager of Atrium Door & Window Company.  Mr. Fojtasek
also is a director of Holding.





                                       51
<PAGE>   53
    Louis W. Simi, Jr. has served as General Manager of Skotty Aluminum since
1971 and has served in other capacities with the Company since 1966.  In 1993,
Mr. Simi was promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of the
Company with oversight for the Company's operations.

   
    Jeff L. Hull has served as Corporate Controller since April 1996 and
Secretary since December 1996.  From June 1995, Mr. Hull managed the
asset/liability department of AmVestors Financial Corporation (NYSE:AMV).  From
1990 to 1995, he was an audit manager with the accounting firm of Deloitte &
Touche.  Mr. Hull is a certified public accountant.
    

    Howard S. Saffan has served as Vice President and General Manager of Bishop
since the Bishop acquisition in September 1996. From 1986 to 1996, Mr. Saffan
served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Bishop. Prior to
1986, Mr. Saffan held positions with the law firms of Sullivan and Cromwell,
PC, and Ottenbourg, Seindeler, Houston and Rosen and with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

    Russell S. Fojtasek, Randall S. Fojtasek's brother, has served as Vice
President and Plant Manager of Skotty Aluminum since 1992.  From 1983 to 1992,
Mr. Fojtasek served in various capacities for Skotty Aluminum.

    Horace T. Hicks has served as Vice President and General Manager of H-R
Windows since 1993.  From 1988 to 1993, he was the General Manager of H-R
Windows.  Mr. Hicks has worked in the window and door fabrication industry
since 1953.

    Arthur G. Frost has served as Vice President and General Manager of
Extruders since 1977.  Mr. Frost has approximately 20 years of experience in
the extrusion industry.

    Michael J. Hillmeyer has served as General Manager of Atrium Wood and
Atrium Vinyl since July 1996. From 1991 to 1996, Mr. Hillmeyer was employed by
the Construction Products Group of Aluminum Company of America ("Alcoa"),
serving as Vice President and General Manager of Alcoa Vinyl Window from 1994
to 1996 and as Vice President of Manufacturing and Engineering for Caradco
Window from 1991 to 1994. Prior to joining Alcoa, Mr. Hillmeyer was Vice
President of Manufacturing for Peachtree Doors, Inc.

   
    John R. Muse became a director of the Company in November 1996 concurrently
with the closing of the Transaction.  Mr. Muse is a Managing Director and
Principal of Hicks Muse.  Prior to the formation of Hicks Muse in 1989, Mr.
Muse headed the merchant/investment banking operations of Prudential Securities
in the Southwestern region of the United States.  Mr. Muse also serves as a
director of Hedstrom Corporation, Hat Brands, The Morningstar Group, Inc.
(NASDAQ:MSTR), Crain Holdings Corp., Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and Olympus
Real Estate Corporation.
    

    Michael J. Levitt became a director of the Company in November 1996
concurrently with the closing of the Transaction.  Mr. Levitt is a Managing
Director and Principal of Hicks Muse.  Before joining Hicks Muse, Mr. Levitt
was a Managing Director and Deputy Head of Investment Banking with Smith Barney
Inc. from 1993 through 1995.  From 1986 through 1993, Mr. Levitt was with
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, most recently as a Managing Director
responsible for the New York-based Financial Entrepreneurs Group.  Mr. Levitt
also serves as a director of Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and International
Home Foods, Inc.

   
    Stephen M. Humphrey became a director of the Company in November 1996
concurrently with the closing of the Transaction.  From 1994 to 1996, Mr.
Humphrey served as President and Chief Executive Officer of National Gypsum
Company.  Prior to joining National Gypsum, Mr. Humphrey served as President of
On-Highway Products from 1991 to 1994 and Executive Vice President from 1989 to
1991.  On-Highway Products is a subsidiary of Rockwell International
Corporation (NASDAQ: ROK).
    

    C. Dean Metropoulos became a director of the Company in November 1996
concurrently with the closing of the Transaction.  Mr. Metropoulos is the Chief
Executive Officer of C. Dean Metropoulos & Co., a management services company.
From 1983 through 1993, Mr. Metropoulos served as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Stella Foods, Inc. Before then, Mr. Metropoulos served in a variety
of U.S. and international executive positions with GTE Corporation, including
Vice President and General Manager-Europe and Vice President and Controller,
GTE





                                       52
<PAGE>   54
   
International.  Mr. Metropoulos also serves as a director of The Morningstar
Group Inc. (NASDAQ:MSTR), Ghirardelli Chocolate Company and International Home
Foods, Inc.
    

    Michel Reichert has been a director of the Company since 1995.  Mr.
Reichert is the managing general partner of Heritage Partners, Inc., a
Boston-based principal investment firm.  Prior to founding Heritage Partners,
Inc. in 1993, Mr. Reichert was a Managing Director of BancBoston Capital's
Equity Partners, a direct equity investment unit of Bank of Boston.  In
addition to serving as a director of Holding, Mr. Reichert is a director of
AmerTac Holdings, Inc., Jordan's Foods and Klearfold, Inc.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

    The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation
of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and its four other most highly
compensated executive officers (collectively, the "Named Officers") for
services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996:

                               COMPENSATION TABLE

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                          LONG-TERM
                                                                          ANNUAL COMPENSATION           COMPENSATION
                                                                 ------------------------------------   -------------
                  NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                      SALARY       BONUS      OTHER (2)      OPTIONS #
 -------------------------------------------------------------   ---------   -----------   ----------   -------------
 <S>                                                             <C>         <C>            <C>           <C>
 Randall S. Fojtasek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $303,865    $3,075,000(1)   $221,500(3)  2,195,222
    President and Chief Executive Officer

 Louis W. Simi, Jr.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      125,008       270,681       282,886(3)    161,237
    Executive Vice President and General Manager of Skotty
    Aluminum

 Howard S. Saffan  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      114,010       990,875(4)         --       700,000
    Vice President and General Manager of the
    Bishop Companies

 Arthur G. Frost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      100,006       224,701       716,711(3)    120,707
    Vice President and General Manager of Extruders

 Horace T. Hicks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      100,006       110,938       123,172(3)     60,353
    Vice President and General Manager of H-R Windows
</TABLE>
    


(1) Includes one-time bonus in the amount of $3,000,000 for completion of the
    Transaction.

   
(2) Perquisites related to automobile allowances are excluded since the
    aggregated amounts are the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total annual
    salary.
    

   
(3) In connection with the Heritage Transaction, certain members of management
    were granted options at below fair market prices. Accordingly, compensation
    expense is being recognized for financial statement purposes. Upon
    completion of the Transaction and the exercise of these options, the
    compensatory portion of the options were reflected in the individual's wages
    and in the Company's financial statements. See "Aggregated Option
    Exercises" table for total value realized upon exercise, including the
    non-compensatory portion.
    

(4) Includes $940,875 of bonus received while serving as Chairman of the Board
    and Chief Executive Officer of the Bishop Companies.





                                       53
<PAGE>   55
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                                                     -------------------------
                                                     % OF TOTAL                               POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
                                        NUMBER OF      OPTIONS                                    ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES OF
                                       SECURITIES    GRANTED TO                                 STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                                       UNDERLYING     EMPLOYEES    EXERCISE OR                     FOR OPTION TERM (1)
                                        OPTIONS       IN FISCAL    BASE PRICE   EXPIRATION     ---------------------------
                NAME                   GRANTED(#)       YEAR         ($/SH)         DATE          5%($)          10%($)
                ----                  ------------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                   <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>      
 Randall S. Fojtasek .........        1,333,333(2)     32.5          .01          11/27/2006      2,159,999   3,439,999
                                        861,889(3)     21.0         1.00          11/27/2006        542,990   1,370,404
 Louis W. Simi, Jr ...........          161,237(4)      3.9         1.00          11/27/2006        101,579     256,367
 Howard S. Saffan ............          700,000(3)     17.0         1.00          11/27/2006        441,000   1,113,000
 Arthur G. Frost .............          120,707(5)      2.9         1.00          11/27/2006         76,045     191,924
 Horace T. Hicks .............           60,353(4)      1.5         1.00          11/27/2006         38,022      95,961
</TABLE>
    

(1)      The assumed rates are compounded annually for the full terms of the
         options.

   
(2)      Options vested November 27, 1996 concurrent with the Transaction.
         Compensation expense of $1,320,000, representing the aggregate amount
         by which the fair market value of the shares underlying the options 
         exceed their exercise price, was recognized in the Company's financial
         statements in the fourth quarter of 1996.
    

(3)      Options vest ratably each day during the first three years of the
         option period and may be exercised at such time as the Company's board
         of directors determines in good faith that an 8% internal rate of
         return has been achieved on Hicks Muse's investment in the Company.

(4)      Options vest ratably over five years.

(5)      20% of the Options will vest each year for the first 2 years of the
         option period, with the remaining Options to vest at the end of the
         third year.



              AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                              FY-END OPTION VALUES

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     NUMBER OF
                                                                     SECURITIES               VALUE OF
                                                                     UNDERLYING              UNEXERCISED
                                                                     UNEXERCISED            IN-THE-MONEY
                                                                     OPTIONS AT              OPTIONS AT
                                                                      FY-END(#)               FY-END($)
                             SHARES ACQUIRED        VALUE           EXERCISABLE/            EXERCISABLE/
           NAME               ON EXERCISE(#)     REALIZED($)        UNEXERCISABLE           UNEXERCISABLE
           ----             -----------------   -------------   --------------------   ----------------------
 <S>                                  <C>             <C>          <C>                 <C>         
 Randall S. Fojtasek ........         253,850         253,850      1,333,333/861,889   1,333,333/--
 Louis W. Simi, Jr. .........         286,929         286,926             --/511,237          --/350,000
 Howard S. Saffan ...........              --              --             --/700,000          --/--
 Arthur G. Frost ............         721,919         721,919             --/320,707          --/200,000
 Horace T. Hicks ............         125,329         125,329             --/160,353          --/100,000
</TABLE>
    





                                       54
<PAGE>   56
COMPENSATION AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM

  BONUS PLAN

         The Company maintains a bonus plan providing for annual bonus awards
to certain key general managers. Such bonus amounts are based on the Company
and the divisions meeting certain performance goals established by the
Company's Board of Directors.

  OTHER BENEFIT PROGRAMS

         The executive officers also participate in other employee benefit
programs including health insurance, group life insurance, and a savings and
supplemental retirement plan (the "401(k) Plan") on the same basis as other
employees of the Company.

  EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

   
         On November 27, 1996, the Company entered into an employment agreement
with Randall S. Fojtasek, pursuant to which Mr. Fojtasek serves as President
and Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Fojtasek receives
an annual base salary in the amount of $350,000, subject to increase at the
discretion of the Board of Directors, and such benefits as are customarily
accorded to other executives of the Company and such other benefits as the
Board of Directors may establish. In addition, Mr. Fojtasek shall be eligible
to receive an annual performance bonus in such amount, if any (which amount
shall not exceed $150,000), as determined by the Board of Directors pursuant to
the annual performance bonus plan adopted by the Board. Holding granted to Mr.
Fojtasek a warrant exercisable for 2,195,222 shares of Common Stock. Of such
shares, up to 1,333,333 may be immediately purchased upon exercise of the
warrant at a price of $0.01 per share, and the remaining 861,889 shares may be
purchased upon exercising the warrant at a price of $1.00 per share, with the
right to purchase such shares vesting ratably each day during the first three
years of the term of the warrant, provided that the Board of Directors has
determined in good faith that the affiliates of Hicks Muse have achieved an
internal rate of return of at least 8% on their investment in the shares of
Common Stock purchased pursuant to the Transaction. Mr. Fojtasek's agreement
terminates three years after November 27, 1996. If his employment with the
Company is terminated without cause (as defined), or if Mr. Fojtasek terminates
his employment for good reason (as defined), the Company shall pay to Mr.
Fojtasek (i) in a lump sum cash in the amount of his annual base salary earned
or accrued through the termination date, reimbursement of his reasonable and
necessary expenses, any unpaid accrued vacation pay and any amount arising from
his benefits to be received pursuant to the Company's investment plans, (ii) in
regular installments his annual base salary (plus an amount in reimbursement
for certain expenses equal to $2,000 per month) for a period that ends on the
later of (A) the last day of his employment term or (B) 18 months from the
termination date and (iii) an annual bonus in the amount equal of $50,000 for
each year in the remainder of his employment term. Mr. Fojtasek agreed not to
compete with the Company until the later of the expiration of the term of his
employment agreement and 18 months after the termination of his employment
under the agreement.
    

         In connection with the Heritage Transaction in 1995, the Company
entered into five-year noncompete agreements with Randall S. Fojtasek and
Russell S. Fojtasek, in exchange for which such officers were paid one-time
payments of $2,000,000 and $250,000, respectively.

         Messrs. Simi, Hicks, Frost and Saffan have entered into employment
agreements with the Company. The compensation to be provided to Messrs. Simi,
Hicks, Frost and Saffan under their agreements includes an annual base salary
of $125,000, $100,000, $100,000 and $150,000, respectively, subject to
increases at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and such benefits as are
customarily accorded the executives of the Company. In addition, Messrs. Simi,
Hicks and Frost are eligible for incentive bonuses equal to 3% of the pre-tax
profits of the Company divisions that they manage and Mr. Saffan is eligible
for an incentive bonus equal to 2% of the pre-tax profits of the divisions that
he manages.

         Each of Messrs. Simi's, Hicks' and Frost's employment agreement
terminates on December 31, 1997. If any of Messrs. Simi's, Hicks' or Frost's
employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for any reason other
than for cause (as defined), such individual will continue to be paid his
salary for 12 months, together with the incentive





                                       55
<PAGE>   57
bonus, pro-rated to the date of termination, unless such termination follows a
change of control, in which case he is to be paid the following for the
remaining term of his agreement: his then current salary and the incentive
bonus based on an average of his division's pre-tax profit for the three
preceding fiscal years. If any of Messrs. Simi, Hicks or Frost terminates his
employment prior to the expiration of his agreement's term (and, in Mr. Hicks'
case, for any reason other than a material breach of his agreement by the
Company), and he has not materially breached any provision of his agreement,
such individual will be paid his salary through the date of termination,
together with the incentive bonus, pro-rated to the date of termination.

         The initial term of Mr. Saffan's employment agreement continues
through July 1, 1999, and is renewed automatically for additional 1 year terms
unless terminated by either party. Mr. Saffan's employment agreement may be
terminated immediately by the Company for cause (as defined), by him on 30 days
written notice, or by the Company upon 90 days written notice and the payment
(i) his base salary through remainder of the initial or renewal term as
applicable plus (ii) any incentive bonus pro-rated from the first day of the
then current incentive period to the date of such termination plus (iii) if
coverage under the Company's health plan is elected, coverage on the same basis
as prior to termination for a period of twelve months.

         Each of Messrs. Simi and Frost have agreed not to compete with the
Company in certain geographic areas for so long as the Company pays salary to
him and for a period of one year thereafter. Mr. Saffan has agreed not to
compete with the Company in certain geographic areas, or to divert any
customers to competitors or to solicit other employees to leave the employment
of the Company for a period of one year after the termination of his employment
agreement. Mr. Hicks has agreed not to compete with the Company in certain
geographic areas for so long as the Company pays salary to him and for a period
of one year thereafter, provided that the Company has not materially breached
his employment agreement, and provided that if he completes the full term of
his employment agreement and he and the Company do not agree on mutually
acceptable terms for the continuation of his employment, and if he has not
materially breached his employment agreement, he shall not be restricted from
engaging in competition with the Company.

DIRECTOR LIABILITY

         As authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law ("GCL"), the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") provides that, to
the full extent permitted by the GCL or any other applicable laws as presently
or hereafter in effect, no Director of the Company in his or her capacity shall
be personally liable to the Company in his or her capacity as director of the
Company. The GCL does not permit limitation of liability of any director (i)
for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) in respect of
certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases, or (iv)
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. The Company has entered into certain agreements ("Indemnification
Agreements") with each of its directors and executive officers designed to give
effect to the foregoing provisions of the Certificate and to provide certain
additional assurances against the possibility of uninsured liability. The
effect of these provisions and the Indemnification Agreements will be to
eliminate the rights of the Company and its stockholders (through stockholders'
derivative suits on behalf of the Company) to recover monetary damages against
a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director (including breaches
resulting from negligence or gross negligence) except in the situations
described in clauses (i)-(iv) of the second sentence of this paragraph. These
provisions and the Indemnification Agreements will not alter the liability of
Directors of the Company under federal securities laws.





                                       56
<PAGE>   58
                 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

STOCK OWNERSHIP

         The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atrium Corporation. Atrium
Corporation's address is P.O. Box 226957, Dallas, Texas 75222. The following
table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of
Common Stock of Atrium Corporation, by each person who owns beneficially more
than 5% of the outstanding Common Stock of Atrium Corporation and by the
directors and certain executive officers of Atrium Corporation. Unless
otherwise indicated below, to the knowledge of the Company, all persons listed
below have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares of
Common Stock.

 ATRIUM CORPORATION SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  NUMBER OF      PERCENTAGE
                                                                                   SHARES         OF SHARES
                                                                               --------------   -------------
<S>                                                                            <C>                    <C>  
 5% Stockholders:                                                                                          
 Hicks Muse parties (1) ....................................................   32,000,000             79.0%
         c/o Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated                                                        
         200 Crescent Court, Suite 1600                                                                    
         Dallas, Texas 75201                                                                               
                                                                                                           
 Heritage Fund I, L.P. .....................................................    3,525,000              8.7%
         30 Rowes Wharf                                                                                    
         Suite 300                                                                                         
         Boston, Massachusetts 02110                                                                       
                                                                                                           
 Officers and Directors:                                                                                   
 Randall S. Fojtasek (2) ...................................................    2,333,333              5.8%
 Louis W. Simi, Jr .........................................................           --               -- 
 Horace T. Hicks ...........................................................           --               -- 
 Howard S. Saffan (3) ......................................................      750,000              1.9%
 Arthur G. Frost ...........................................................           --               -- 
 John R. Muse (1) ..........................................................   32,000,000             79.0%
 Michael J. Levitt (1) .....................................................   32,000,000             79.0%
 Stephen M. Humphrey .......................................................      100,000              0.3%
 C. Dean Metropoulos .......................................................      100,000              0.3%
 Michel Reichert (4) .......................................................    3,525,000              8.7%
 All directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons) ..............   39,858,333             99.2%
</TABLE>
    

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

(1)      Includes shares owned of record by HM3 Coinvestors, L.P.
         ("Coinvestors") and Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Equity Fund III, L.P.
         ("Hicks Muse Fund III, L.P.").  The ultimate general partner of each
         of Coinvestors and Hicks Muse Fund III, L.P.  is Hicks, Muse Fund III
         Incorporated.  Thomas O. Hicks, whose address is the same as that for
         Hicks Muse, is a controlling stockholder of Hicks Muse and serves as
         its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
         Officer, President and Secretary.  Accordingly, Mr. Hicks may be
         deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares.  Mr. Hicks
         disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.  Each of Mr. Muse and
         Mr. Levitt is a Managing Director and Principal of Hicks Muse and may
         also be deemed a beneficial owner of these shares.  Each of them
         disclaims such beneficial ownership.

   
(2)      Includes 1,333,333 shares that Mr. Fojtasek has the right to acquire
         within 60 days of the Closing Date upon exercise of certain warrants
         granted to him in connection with the Transaction. Excludes 73,989
         shares subject to another warrant granted to Mr. Fojtasek that will
         vest daily for three years from the Closing Date subject to the
         satisfaction of an internal rate of return condition.
    

   
(3)      Excludes 60,091 shares subject to an option granted to Mr. Saffan will
         vest daily for three years from the Closing Date subject to the
         satisfaction of an internal rate of return condition.
    

(4)      Includes shares owned by Heritage of which Mr. Reichert is managing
         general partner.  Accordingly, Mr. Reichert may be deemed to be the
         beneficial owner of these shares.  Mr. Reichert disclaims beneficial
         ownership of these shares.





                                       57
<PAGE>   59
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

The Acquisition of Bishop

   
         Pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 27, 1996 (the
"Bishop Stock Purchase Agreement"), effective on September 30, 1996, Howard S.
Saffan and the other stockholder of Vinyl Building Specialties of Connecticut,
Inc. ("VBS") and Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc. ("BNY") sold to
Fojtasek certain of the outstanding shares of capital stock of VBS and BNY for
an aggregate of approximately $13.0 million cash and 9% of the shares of Common
Stock of Holding then outstanding. Simultaneously with such sale, pursuant to a
Securities Exchange Agreement dated as of August 22, 1996 (the "Bishop Exchange
Agreement"), Howard S. Saffan and the other stockholder of VBS and BNY
exchanged the remaining outstanding shares of capital stock of such
corporations for newly-issued shares of capital stock of newly-formed Holding.
At such time, the holders of the outstanding shares of capital stock of FCI
Holding, including Heritage, Joe Fojtasek, Randall S. Fojtasek and Russell S.
Fojtasek, also exchanged all of such outstanding shares for shares of capital
stock of Holding, with the result that FCI Holding became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Holding. Holding then contributed the shares of the capital stock
of VBS and BNY acquired by it pursuant to the Bishop Exchange Agreement to
Fojtasek, with the result that VBS and BNY became wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Fojtasek. Howard S. Saffan received approximately $6.0 million and 4.2% of the
outstanding shares of common stock of Holding in connection with the
transaction. In exchange for all of their outstanding shares of common stock of
FCI Holdings, Heritage, Joe Fojtasek, Randall S. Fojtasek and Russell S.
Fojtasek received approximately 55.2%, 19.6%, 9.9% and 3.4%, respectively, of
the outstanding shares of voting and nonvoting common stock of Holding.
Heritage also received in exchange for the Heritage FCI Holding Warrant and the
Heritage FCI Holding Preferred Stock substantially similar securities of
Holding.
    

         Pursuant to the Bishop Stock Purchase Agreement, the former
shareholders of VBS and BNY will receive as deferred payment for the shares of
VBS and BNY sold thereunder (i) $500,000 if the Consolidated EBIT (as defined)
of Bishop for the period from July 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996 is at
least $1.5 million and (ii) $500,000 if the Consolidated EBIT of Bishop for the
year ending December 31, 1997 is at least $2.5 million. Howard S. Saffan will
receive 50% of any amounts so paid. In connection with the acquisition of
Bishop, Howard S. Saffan also entered into a three-year employment agreement
pursuant to which he will receive an annual salary of $150,000 plus an amount
equal to 2% of Bishop's income from operations.

  The Transaction

         The descriptions set forth below do not purport to be complete and are
qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable agreements,
including the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 7, 1996, between
affiliates of Hicks Muse ("Hicks Muse Affiliates"), Holding and certain stock
and option holders of Holding (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"). In connection
with the Transaction, Heritage, Joe Fojtasek, Randall S. Fojtasek, Russell S.
Fojtasek and Howard S. Saffan received Redemption payments relating to their
shares of Common Stock, warrants and options of $33.4 million (net of the $2.0
million reduction described below), $9.7 million, $4.7 million, $1.7 million
and $2.0 million, respectively. In addition, Heritage received Redemption
payments on account of its preferred stock of Holding of approximately $12.5
million (including cumulative dividends in arrears). Upon the closing of the
Transaction, the Company paid Randall S. Fojtasek a bonus of $3.0 million.
Pursuant to an agreement between Heritage and Holding, $2.0 million of
Redemption payments that would otherwise have been payable to Heritage were
withheld by Holding for the purpose of funding a portion of such bonus. See
"The Transaction" and "Management -- Compensation and Incentive Program."

         On the Closing Date, the Company, certain stockholders of the Company,
Hicks Muse and Hicks Muse Affiliates entered into a stockholders agreement (the
"Stockholders Agreement") under which the parties agreed to take all actions
required to cause the Board of Directors of Holding at all times to consist of
at least five directors, of whom one shall be designated by Joe Fojtasek,
Randall S. Fojtasek, Russell S. Fojtasek and Howard S. Saffan, one shall be
designated by Heritage Fund I, L.P. and the remainder shall be designated by
Hicks Muse and Hicks Muse Affiliates.

         The parties to the Stockholders Agreement agreed, until the earlier of
(i) the tenth anniversary of the date of the Stockholders Agreement or (ii) the
consummation of a firm commitment initial public offering, that in connection
with any sale by Hicks Muse Affiliates of more than 50% of their shares of
Holding Common Stock, Hicks Muse





                                       58
<PAGE>   60
Affiliates shall have the right to require each other stockholder who is a
party to the Stockholders Agreement to sell the portion of its Common Stock
that represents the same percentage of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock (as
defined) held by that stockholder as the shares being disposed of by Hicks Muse
Affiliates represent of the Fully-Diluted Common Stock held by Hicks Muse
Affiliates. At least 30 days prior to the closing of any sale by Hicks Muse
Affiliates (including a sale described in the preceding sentence in connection
with which Hicks Muse Affiliates do not exercise their right to require such
other stockholders to participate in the sale), Hicks Muse shall cause Hicks
Muse Affiliates to offer to include in the sale the percentage of each such
other stockholder's Common Stock that represents the same percentage of the
Fully-Diluted Common Stock held by that stockholder as the shares being
disposed of by Hicks Muse Affiliates represent of the Fully-Diluted Common
Stock held by Hicks Muse Affiliates; provided that only stockholders which are
Accredited Investors (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) under the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to participate in sales in which the
consideration for the sale includes securities, unless the transferee consents
otherwise. If any such stockholder accepts the offer, Hicks Muse shall cause
Hicks Muse Affiliates to reduce, to the extent necessary, the number of shares
of Common Stock it otherwise would have sold in the proposed transfer so as to
permit those stockholders who have accepted the offer to sell the number of
shares of Common Stock that they are entitled to sell under the above terms.
The rights described above do not apply to any exchange, reclassification or
other conversion of the shares pursuant to a merger or consolidation of Holding
or any subsidiary or to a sale or transfer by Holding or any subsidiary of
substantially all its assets. In addition, these rights do not apply to any
transfer, sale or disposition of shares of Common Stock solely among the
members of Hicks Muse Affiliates.

         Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, the stockholders who are
parties to the Stockholders Agreement that are not Hicks Muse Affiliates
agreed, until the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of the
Stockholders Agreement or (ii) the consummation of a firm commitment initial
public offering, not to sell any Common Stock or securities that are
exercisable for or convertible into Common Stock without first notifying Hicks
Muse and affording Hicks Muse an opportunity to buy all, but not less than all,
of the offered shares on terms and conditions of the proposed transfer by the
non-Hicks Muse Affiliates stockholders. If Hicks Muse or an assignee of Hicks
Muse rejects the non-Hicks Muse Affiliates stockholder's offer, the stockholder
may transfer within 30 days all, but not less than all, of the offered
securities on terms no more favorable than those proposed to Hicks Muse,
provided that the transfer complies with the Securities Act. If the securities
are not so transferred, and the non-Hicks Muse Affiliates stockholder still
desires to transfer the securities, the securities must be reoffered to Hicks
Muse.

         Until the tenth anniversary of the date of the Stockholders Agreement
and subject to certain exceptions, Holding agreed not to issue or sell or
permit any Affiliated Successor (as defined) to issue or sell, any shares of
Common Stock or securities that are exercisable for or convertible into Common
Stock, without first notifying each stockholder and offering to sell to any
stockholder who is an Accredited Investor, on the same terms, all or part of
that stockholder's pro rata portion of such securities as calculated under the
provisions of the Stockholders Agreement.

         The Stockholders Agreement includes registration rights provisions
under which Hicks Muse, on behalf of Hicks Muse Affiliates, will be entitled to
exercise three demand and an unlimited number of "piggyback" registration
rights, and Randall S. Fojtasek, on behalf of certain non-Hicks Muse
Affiliates, or Heritage, on behalf of certain affiliates of Heritage, will be
entitled to make (in the aggregate) one demand and an unlimited number of
piggyback registrations to require Holding to register under the Securities Act
certain shares of Common Stock held by them. Hicks Muse may exercise its demand
rights if the offering shall be a firm commitment initial underwritten offer of
Holding's Common Stock under the Securities Act where the proceeds to Holding
exceed $10 million and after such offering such shares are listed on the New
York Stock Exchange or quoted or listed on the NASDAQ National Market, and
either Hicks Muse, Randall S. Fojtasek or Heritage may exercise their
respective demand rights for 270 days after the initial underwritten offering.
In addition, the demand rights may be exercised only with respect to a number
of shares that represent, in the aggregate, more than 4.0% of the Fully-Diluted
Common Stock or have an aggregate gross offering price of at least $5.0
million. The exercise of the demand and piggy-back rights are subject to other
limitations and conditions that are customary in registration rights
agreements.

         On the Closing Date, Holding and the Company entered into a ten-year
agreement (the "Monitoring and Oversight Agreement") with an affiliate of Hicks
Muse ("Hicks Muse Partners") pursuant to which Holding and the Company agreed
to pay Hicks Muse Partners an annual fee of $320,000 for oversight and
monitoring services to the Company. The annual fee is adjustable on January 1
of each calendar year to an amount equal to 0.2% of the budgeted consolidated
net sales of the Company and its subsidiaries for the then-current fiscal year,
but in no event may the fee





                                       59
<PAGE>   61
be less than $320,000. Upon the acquisition by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries of another entity or business, the fee shall be adjusted
prospectively in the same manner using the pro forma budgeted consolidated
annual net sales of the Company and its subsidiaries (including the sales of
the acquired entity or business). John R. Muse and Michael J. Levitt, directors
of Holding and the Company, are each principals of Hicks Muse Partners. In
addition, Holding and the Company, jointly and severally, have agreed to
indemnify Hicks Muse Partners, its affiliates, and their respective directors,
officers, controlling persons, agents and employees from and against all
claims, liabilities, losses, damages, expenses and fees related to or arising
out of or in connection with the services rendered by Hicks Muse Partners under
the Monitoring and Oversight Agreement and not resulting primarily from the bad
faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct of Hicks Muse Partners. The
Monitoring and Oversight Agreement makes available to the Company and its
subsidiaries the personnel resources of Hicks Muse Partners concerning a
variety of financial and operational matters. The services that have been and
will continue to be provided to the Company by Hicks Muse Partners could not
otherwise be obtained by the Company without the addition of personnel or the
engagement of outside professional advisors. In the Company's opinion, the fees
provided for under the Monitoring and Oversight Agreement reasonably reflect
the benefits received and to be received by Holding and the Company.

   
         On the Closing Date, Holding and the Company also entered into a
ten-year agreement (the "Financial Advisory Agreement"), pursuant to which
Hicks Muse Partners received a financial advisory fee of $2.0 million on the
Closing Date as compensation for its services as financial advisor to the
Company in connection with the Transaction. Hicks Muse Partners also will be
entitled to receive a fee equal to 1.5% of the "transaction value" (as defined)
for each "add-on transaction" (as defined) in which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is involved. The term "transaction value" means the total value of
the add-on transaction, including without limitation, the aggregate amount of
the funds required to complete the add-on transaction (excluding any fees
payable pursuant to the Financial Advisory Agreement), including the amount of
any indebtedness, preferred stock or similar items assumed (or remaining
outstanding). The term "add-on transaction" means any future proposal for a
tender offer, acquisition, sale, merger, exchange offer, recapitalization,
restructuring or other similar transaction directly involving the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, and any other person or entity. In addition, Holding
and the Company, jointly and severally, will indemnify Hicks Muse Partners, its
affiliates, and their respective directors, officers, controlling persons,
agents and employees from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages,
expenses and fees related to or arising out of or in connection with the
services rendered by Hicks Muse Partners under the Financial Advisory Agreement
and not resulting primarily from the bad faith, gross negligence or willful
misconduct of Hicks Muse Partners. The Financial Advisory Agreement makes
available to the Company and its subsidiaries the personnel resources of Hicks
Muse Partners concerning a variety of financial and operational matters. The
services that have been and will continue to be provided by Hicks Muse Partners
could not otherwise be obtained by the Company without the addition of
personnel or the engagement of outside professional advisors. In the Company's
opinion, the fees provided of under the Financial Advisory Agreement reasonably
reflect the benefits received and to be received by the Company.
    

         On the Closing Date, the Company entered into indemnification
agreements with each of its directors and executive officers under which the
Company will indemnify the director or officer to the fullest extent permitted
by law, and to advance expenses, if the director or officer becomes a party to
or witness or other participant in any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding (a "Claim") by reason of any occurrence related to the fact
that the person is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of
the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or another entity at the Company's
request (an "Indemnifiable Event"), unless a reviewing party (either outside
counsel or a director or directors appointed by the Board of Directors)
determines that the person would not be entitled to indemnification under
applicable law. In addition, if a change in control or a potential change in
control of the Company occurs and if the person indemnified so requests, The
Company will establish a trust for the benefit of the indemnitee and fund the
trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy all expenses reasonably anticipated at
the time of the request to be incurred in connection with any Claim relating to
an Indemnifiable Event. The reviewing party will determine the amount deposited
in the trust. An indemnitee's rights under his or her indemnification agreement
are not exclusive of any other rights under the Company's Articles of
Incorporation or By-Laws or applicable law.

         At the closing of the Transaction, Holding entered into a Replacement
Option Agreement with certain of its option holders under which such option
holders are entitled to acquire upon exercise of such option shares of Common
Stock.





                                       60
<PAGE>   62
         Holding and certain of its option holders entered into Disposition
Option Agreements under which such option holders were granted the right to
acquire, under certain circumstances, shares of Common Stock. On the Closing
Date, all such Disposition Option Agreements were redeemed by Holding in
exchange for an aggregate of $742,500.

         On the Closing Date, a Hicks Muse Affiliate, Holding, Heritage,
Randall S. Fojtasek (on behalf of certain Selling Securityholders) and
Citibank, N.A. entered into an indemnification escrow agreement, funded in the
amount of $2.0 million by the Selling Securityholders, securing the
indemnification obligations of such Selling Securityholders to Hicks Muse and
its affiliates (including, after the closing of the Transaction, Holding) under
the stock purchase agreement related to the Transaction. On the Closing Date, a
Hicks Muse Affiliate, Holding, the Company and Howard Saffan (on behalf of
himself and other former Bishop stockholders) entered into another
indemnification escrow agreement, funded in the amount of $3.0 million by the
former Bishop stockholders, which secured the indemnification obligations of
the former Bishop stockholders to the Company and Hicks Muse and its affiliates
(including Holding) under the agreements related to the acquisition of Bishop
and under the stock purchase agreement related to the Transaction.

Other

   
         On July 3, 1995, Fojtasek Industrial Properties, Ltd., a limited
partnership in which Joe Fojtasek, Randall S. Fojtasek and Russell S. Fojtasek
own equity interests of approximately 49.1%, 10.2% and 10.2% respectively
executed a lease with the Atrium Wood division with respect to Atrium Wood's
and Atrium Vinyl's facility (the "Atrium Lease") and a lease with the H-R
Windows division with respect to its facility (the "H-R Windows Lease"). Both
leases are absolute net leases. The Atrium Lease is for an initial three-year
term with two five-year renewal options. The H-R Windows Lease is for an
initial ten-year term with two five-year renewal options. The amounts paid
under these two leases totaled $605,338 in 1996. The Company believes the terms
of the leases are as favorable as could be obtained from an unaffiliated party.
See Note 9 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements .
    





                                       61
<PAGE>   63
                               THE EXCHANGE OFFER

PURPOSE AND EFFECT

         The Old Notes were sold by the Company on November 27, 1996 in a
private placement pursuant to certain exemptions from registration under the
Securities Act. In connection with that placement, the Company and the
Subsidiary Guarantors entered into the Registration Rights Agreement which
requires that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors file a registration
statement under the Securities Act with respect to the New Notes on or prior to
60 days after the date of issuance of the Old Notes (the "Issue Date") and,
upon the effectiveness of that registration statement, offer to the holders of
the Old Notes the opportunity to exchange their Old Notes for a like principal
amount of New Notes, which will be issued without a restrictive legend and may
be reoffered and resold by the holder without registration under the Securities
Act. The Registration Rights Agreement further provides that the Company and
the Subsidiary Guarantors must use their reasonable best efforts to cause the
registration statement with respect to the Exchange Offer to be declared
effective within 135 days following the Issue Date and use their reasonable
best efforts to consummate the Exchange Offer within 165 days of the Issue
Date. A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit
to the registration statement of which this Prospectus is a part.

   
         In order to participate in the Exchange Offer, a holder must represent
to the Company, among other things, that (i) any New Notes to be received by it
will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) it has no
arrangement with any person to participate in the distribution of the New Notes
and (iii) it is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act, of the Company or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or if it is an
affiliate, it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable. Each broker-dealer
that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer
should acknowledge that it acquired the Old Notes for its own account as the
result of market making activities or other trading activities. Any holder who
is unable to make the appropriate representations to the Company will not be
permitted to tender the Old Notes in the Exchange Offer and will be required to
comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act (or an appropriate exemption therefrom) in connection with any
sale or transfer of the Old Notes.
    

         If the holder is not a broker-dealer, it will be required to represent
that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution
of the New Notes. If the holder is a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes
for its own account in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, it will be required to
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes.

         The Old Notes are designated for trading in the PORTAL market. To the
extent Old Notes are tendered and accepted in the Exchange Offer, the principal
amount of outstanding Old Notes will decrease with a resulting decrease in the
liquidity in the market therefor. Following the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, holders of Old Notes who were eligible to participate in the Exchange
Offer but who did not tender their Old Notes will not be entitled to certain
rights under the Registration Rights Agreement and such Old Notes will continue
to be subject to certain restrictions on transfer. Accordingly, the liquidity
of the market for the Old Notes could be adversely affected. No assurance can
be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for either the Old Notes or
the New Notes.

         Based on an interpretation by the Commission's staff set forth in
no-action letters issued to third parties unrelated to the Company, the Company
believes that, with the exceptions discussed herein, New Notes issued pursuant
to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by any person receiving the New Notes, whether
or not that person is the holder (other than any such holder or such other
person that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that (i) the New
Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of business of that holder or such
other person, (ii) neither the holder nor such other person is engaging in or
intends to engage in a distribution of the New Notes, and (iii) neither the
holder nor such other person has an arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of the New Notes. Each broker-dealer
that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where
those Old Notes were acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of its
market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of those New Notes.
See "Plan of Distribution."





                                       62
<PAGE>   64
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE

         Holders of Old Notes who do not exchange their Old Notes for New Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer will continue to be subject to the restrictions
on transfer of such Old Notes as set forth in the legend thereon. In general,
the Old Notes may not be offered or sold, unless registered under the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, except pursuant to an
exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws. The Company does not intend to register the
Old Notes under the Securities Act and, after consummation of the Exchange
Offer, will not be obligated to do so. Based on an interpretation by the staff
of the Commission set forth in a series of no-action letters issued to third
parties, the Company believes that, except as set forth in the next sentence,
New Notes issued pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Notes may
be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by holders thereof
(other than any such holder that is an "affiliate" of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided
that such Old Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders'
business and such holders have no arrangement with any person to participate in
the distribution of such New Notes. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes
for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such New Notes. See "Plan of Distribution."

TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

         Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Prospectus and in the Letter of Transmittal, the Company will accept any and
all Old Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date. The Company will issue $1,000 principal
amount of New Notes in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding
Old Notes accepted in the Exchange Offer. Holders may tender some or all of
their Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. However, Old Notes may be
tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000 in principal amount.

         The form and terms of the New Notes are identical to the form and
terms of the Old Notes except that the Old Notes were offered and sold in
reliance upon certain exemptions from registration under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), while the offering and sale of the New
Notes in exchange for the Old Notes has been registered under the Securities
Act, with the result that the New Notes will not bear any legends restricting
their transfer. The New Notes will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes and
will be issued pursuant to, and entitled to the benefits of, the Indenture
pursuant to which the Old Notes were, and the New Notes will be, issued.

         As of the date of this Prospectus, $100,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of the Old Notes were outstanding. The Company has fixed the close of
business on _______________ as the record date for the Exchange Offer for
purposes of determining the persons to whom this Prospectus, together with the
Letter of Transmittal, will initially be sent. As of such date, there were
_____ registered holders of the Old Notes. Holders of Old Notes do not have any
appraisal or dissenters' rights under the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware or the Indenture in connection with the Exchange Offer. The Company
intends to conduct the Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission promulgated thereunder.

         The Company shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old
Notes when, as, and if the Company has given oral or written notice thereof to
the Exchange Agent. The Exchange Agent will act as agent for the tendering
holders for the purpose of receiving the New Notes from the Company. If any
tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid tender,
the occurrence of certain other events set forth herein or otherwise,
certificates for any such unaccepted Old Notes will be returned, without
expense, to the tendering holder thereof as promptly as practicable after the
Expiration Date.

         Holders who tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer will not be
required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions
in the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. The Company will pay all charges and
expenses, other than certain applicable taxes, in connection with the Exchange
Offer. See "The Exchange Offer -- Solicitation of Tenders; Fees and Expenses."





                                       63
<PAGE>   65
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS

         The term "Expiration Date" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time,
on _______________, 1997, unless the Company, in its sole discretion, extends
the Exchange Offer, in which case the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the
latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended. In order to
extend the Exchange Offer, the Company will notify the Exchange Agent of any
extension by oral or written notice prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. The
Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, (i) to delay accepting any
Old Notes, to extend the Exchange Offer or, if any of the conditions set forth
under "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions" shall not have been satisfied, to
terminate the Exchange Offer, by giving oral or written notice of such delay,
extension or termination to the Exchange Agent, or (ii) to amend the terms of
the Exchange Offer in any manner.

INTEREST ON THE NEW NOTES

   
         The New Notes will bear interest at the rate of 10 1/2% per annum from
November 27, 1996, the date of original issuance of the Old Notes, or from the
most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for, whichever is
later. No interest will be paid on the Old Notes accepted for exchange.
    

PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING

         Only a holder of Old Notes may tender the Old Notes in the Exchange
Offer. Except as set forth under "The Exchange Offer -- Book Entry Transfer,"
to tender in the Exchange Offer a holder must complete, sign and date the
Letter of Transmittal, or a copy thereof, have the signatures thereon
guaranteed if required by the Letter of Transmittal, and mail or otherwise
deliver the Letter of Transmittal or copy to the Exchange Agent prior to the
Expiration Date. In addition, either (i) certificates for such Old Notes must
be received by the Exchange Agent along with the Letter of Transmittal, (ii) a
timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of
such Old Notes, if that procedure is available, into the Exchange Agent's
account at The Depository Trust Company (the "DTC" or the "Book-Entry Transfer
Facility") pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below,
must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date, or (iii)
the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.
To be tendered effectively, the Old Notes, Letter of Transmittal and other
required documents must be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set
forth under "The Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent" prior to the Expiration
Date.

         The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn before the Expiration
Date will constitute an agreement between that holder and the Company in
accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in
the Letter of Transmittal.

         THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK
OF THE HOLDER. INSTEAD OF DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE
AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE AND
PROPER INSURANCE SHOULD BE OBTAINED. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD NOTES
SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS,
DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES, OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THESE
TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS.

         Any beneficial owner whose Old Notes are registered in the name of a
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee and who wishes
to tender should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct the
registered holder to tender on the beneficial owner's behalf. If the beneficial
owner wishes to tender on the owner's own behalf, the owner must, prior to
completing and executing the Letter of Transmittal and delivering the owner's
Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the
Old Notes in the beneficial owner's name or obtain a properly completed bond
power from the registered holder. The transfer of registered ownership may take
considerable time.





                                       64
<PAGE>   66
         Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as
the case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined
herein) unless Old Notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a
registered holder who has not completed the box titled "Special Registration
Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal
or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. If signatures on a Letter
of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to
be guaranteed, the guarantee must be by any eligible guarantor institution that
is a member of or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion
Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Stock
Exchange Medallion Program, or an "eligible guarantor institution" within the
meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act (an "Eligible Institution").

         If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the
registered holder of any Old Notes listed therein, the Old Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power, signed by the
registered holder as that registered holder's name appears on the Old Notes.

         If the Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or bond powers are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and evidence
satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be submitted with
the Letter of Transmittal unless waived by the Company.

         All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by
the Company in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and
binding. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Old
Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes the Company's acceptance of which
would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be unlawful. The Company also
reserves the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender
as to particular Old Notes. The Company's interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in the Letter of
Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured
within such time as the Company shall determine. Although the Company intends
to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old
Notes, neither the Company, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall incur
any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old Notes will
not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been
cured or waived. Any Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that the Company
determines are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or
irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange
Agent to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in the Letter of
Transmittal, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.

         In addition, the Company reserves the right in its sole discretion to
purchase or make offers for any Old Notes that remain outstanding after the
Expiration Date or, as set forth under "The Exchange Offer -- Conditions," to
terminate the Exchange Offer and, to the extent permitted by applicable law,
purchase Old Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or
otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ from the
terms of the Exchange Offer.

         By tendering, each holder will represent to the Company that, among
other things, (i) the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are
being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such
New Notes, whether or not such person is the holder, (ii) if it is not a
broker-dealer, neither the holder nor any such other person is engaging in or
intends to engage in a distribution of such New Notes, (iii) neither the holder
nor any such other person has an arrangement or understanding with any person
to participate in the distribution of such New Notes, and (iv) neither the
holder nor any such other person is an "affiliate" (as defined in Rule 405 of
the Securities Act) of the Company. Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes
for its own account in exchange for Old Notes, where such Old Notes were
acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities (other than Old Notes acquired directly from the Company),
may participate in the Exchange Offer but may be deemed an "underwriter" under
the Securities Act and, therefore, must acknowledge in the Letter of
Transmittal that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and
by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it
is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. See "Plan of
Distribution."

         In all cases, issuance of New Notes for Old Notes that are accepted
for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after timely
receipt by the Exchange Agent of certificates for such Old Notes or a timely
Book-Entry Confirmation of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's account at
the Book-Entry Transfer Facility, a properly completed and duly executed Letter
of Transmittal (or, with respect to the DTC and its participants, electronic
instructions in which the tendering holder acknowledges its receipt of and
agreement to be bound by the Letter of Transmittal), and all other required
documents. If any tendered Old Notes are submitted for a greater principal
amount than the holder desires to exchange, such unaccepted or non-exchanged
Old Notes will be returned without expense to the tendering holder thereof (or,
in the case of Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange
Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the book-entry
transfer procedures described below, such non-exchanged Old Notes will be
credited to an account maintained with such Book-Entry Transfer Facility) as
promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination of the Exchange
Offer.

BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER

         The Exchange Agent will make a request to establish an account with
respect to the Old Notes at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility for purposes of
the Exchange Offer within two business days after the date of this Prospectus,
and any financial institution that is a participant in the Book-Entry Transfer
Facility system may make book-entry delivery of Old Notes being tendered by
causing the Book-Entry Transfer Facility to transfer such Old Notes into the
Exchange Agent's account at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility in accordance with
such Book-Entry Transfer Facility's procedures for transfer. However, although
delivery of Old Notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility, the Letter of Transmittal or copy thereof, with
any required signature guarantees and any other required documents, must, in
any case other than as set forth in the following paragraph, be transmitted to
and received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth under "The Exchange
Offer -- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the Expiration Date or the guaranteed
delivery procedures described below must be complied with.

         The DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") is the only method
of processing exchange offers through the DTC. To accept the Exchange Offer
through ATOP, participants in the DTC must send electronic instructions to the
DTC through the DTC's communication system in place of sending a signed, hard
copy Letter of Transmittal. The DTC is obligated to communicate those
electronic instructions to the Exchange Agent. To tender Old Notes through
ATOP, the electronic instructions sent to the DTC and transmitted by the DTC to
the Exchange Agent must contain the character by which the participant
acknowledges its receipt of and agrees to be bound by the Letter of
Transmittal.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES

         If a registered holder of the Old Notes desires to tender such Old
Notes and the Old Notes are not immediately available, or time will not permit
such holder's Old Notes or other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent
before the Expiration Date, or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be
completed on a timely basis, a tender may be effected if (i) the tender is made
through an Eligible Institution, (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the
Exchange Agent received from such Eligible Institution a properly completed and
duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof) and Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Company (by
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery), setting forth
the name and address of the holder of Old Notes and the amount of Old Notes
tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that
within three New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") trading days after the date of
execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificates for all
physically tendered Old Notes, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry
Confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the
Exchange Agent, and (iii) the certificates for all physically tendered Old
Notes, in proper form for transfer, or a Book-Entry Confirmation, as the case
may be, and all other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, are
received by the Exchange Agent within five NYSE trading days after the date of
execution of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

         Tenders of Old Notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date.





                                       65
<PAGE>   67
         For a withdrawal of a tender of Old Notes to be effective, a written
or (for DTC participants) electronic ATOP transmission notice of withdrawal
must be received by the Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Any such notice of
withdrawal must (i) specify the name of the person having deposited the Old
Notes to be withdrawn (the "Depositor"), (ii) identify the Old Notes to be
withdrawn (including the certificate number or numbers and principal amount of
such Old Notes), (iii) be signed by the holder in the same manner as the
original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which such Old Notes were
tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by
documents of transfer sufficient to have the Trustee with respect to the Old
Notes register the transfer of such Old Notes into the name of the person
withdrawing the tender, and (iv) specify the name in which any such Old Notes
are to be registered, if different from that of the Depositor. All questions as
to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such
notices will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, whose
determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any Old Notes so
withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for
purposes of the Exchange Offer. Any Old Notes which have been tendered for
exchange but which are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the
holder thereof without cost to such holder as soon as practicable after
withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the Exchange Offer. Properly
withdrawn Old Notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures
described under "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures for Tendering" at any time on
or prior to the Expiration Date.

CONDITIONS

         Notwithstanding any other term of the Exchange Offer, the Company
shall not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange New Notes for, any
Old Notes, and may terminate the Exchange Offer as provided herein before the
acceptance of such Old Notes, if:

         (a) the Exchange Offer shall violate applicable law or any applicable
    interpretation of the staff of the Commission; or

         (b) any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court
    or by any governmental agency that might materially impair the ability of
    the Company to proceed with the Exchange Offer or any material adverse
    development has occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect
    to the Company; or

         (c) any governmental approval has not been obtained, which approval
    the Company shall deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange
    Offer.

    If the Company determines in its sole discretion that any of the conditions
are not satisfied, the Company may (i) refuse to accept any Old Notes and
return all tendered Old Notes to the tendering holders (or, in the case of Old
Notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the
Book-Entry Transfer Facility pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures
described above, such Old Notes will be credited to an account maintained with
such Book-Entry Transfer Facility), (ii) extend the Exchange Offer and retain
all Old Notes tendered prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer, subject,
however, to the rights of holders to withdraw such Old Notes (see "--
Withdrawal Rights") or (iii) waive such unsatisfied conditions with respect to
the Exchange Offer and accept all properly tendered Old Notes which have not
been withdrawn. If such waiver constitutes a material change to the Exchange
Offer, the Company will promptly disclose such waiver by means of a prospectus
supplement that will be distributed to the registered holders, and the Company
will extend the Exchange Offer for a period of five to ten business days,
depending upon the significance of the waiver and the manner of disclosure to
the registered holders, if the Exchange Offer would otherwise expire during
such five-to-ten-business-day period.

EXCHANGE AGENT

    All executed Letters of Transmittal should be directed to the Exchange
Agent. United States Trust Company of New York has been appointed as Exchange
Agent for the Exchange Offer. Questions, requests for assistance and requests
for additional copies of this Prospectus or of the Letter of Transmittal should
be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:

                        By Registered or Certified Mail,
                        by Overnight Courier or by Hand:

   
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  P.O. Box 844
                                 Cooper Station
                        Attn:  Corporate Trust Services
                         New York, New York  10276-0844
    

   
                                    By Hand:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  111 Broadway
                                  Lower Level
                            Corporate Trust Services
                            New York, New York 10006
    

   
                             By Overnight Courier:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                            770 Broadway, 13th Floor
                            New York, New York 10003
                        Attn:  Corporate Trust Services
    

                                 By Facsimile:
                                 (212) 420-6152

                             Confirm by Telephone:
                                 (800) 548-6565


SOLICITATIONS OF TENDERS; FEES AND EXPENSES

    The Company will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others
soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The principal solicitation is
being made by mail; however, additional solicitations may be made in person or
by telephone by officers and employees of the Company.

    The Company has not retained any dealer-manager or similar agent in
connection with the Exchange Offer and will not make any payments to brokers,
dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The Company,
however, will pay the Exchange Agent reasonable and customary fees for its
services and will reimburse it for its reasonable out-of- pocket expenses in
connection therewith.

    The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will
be paid by the Company. Such expenses include fees and expenses of the Exchange
Agent and Trustee, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others.

TRANSFER TAXES

    Holders who tender their Old Notes for exchange will not be obligated to
pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith, except that holders who
instruct the Company to register New Notes in the name of, or request that Old
Notes not tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offer be returned to, a
person other than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the
payment of any applicable transfer tax thereon.





                                       66
<PAGE>   68
                            DESCRIPTION OF NEW NOTES

GENERAL

   
    The Old Notes were and the New Notes will be issued under an Indenture,
dated as of November 27, 1996 (the "Indenture"), among the Company, the
Subsidiary Guarantors and United States Trust Company of New York, as Trustee
(the "Trustee"), a copy of which is available upon request to the Company. The
terms of the New Notes are identical in all material respects to the Old Notes,
except that the New Notes have been registered under the Securities Act and,
therefore, will not bear legends restricting their transfer. Upon the issuance
of the New Notes, the Indenture will be subject to and governed by the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The following
summary of certain provisions of the Indenture and the New Notes does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of the Indenture (including the definitions of
certain terms therein and those terms made a part thereof by the Trust
Indenture Act) and the Notes. The Old Notes and the New Notes are sometimes
collectively referred to herein as the "Notes." See "-- Certain Definitions."
    

    Principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the New Notes will be
payable, and the New Notes may be exchanged or transferred, at the office or
agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (which
initially shall be the corporate trust office of the Trustee in New York, New
York), except that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be
made by check mailed to the address of the holders as such address appears in
the Note Register. Initially, the Trustee will act as Paying Agent and
Registrar for the New Notes. The New Notes may be presented for registration of
transfer and exchange at the offices of the Registrar, which initially will be
the Trustee's corporate trust office. The Company may change any Paying Agent
and Registrar without notice to holders of the New Notes.

    The New Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without
coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. No
service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of New
Notes, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection
therewith.

    Old Notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange
Offer and New Notes issued in connection with the Exchange Offer will be
entitled to vote or consent on all matters as a single class of securities
under the Indenture.

TERMS OF NOTES

   
    The New Notes will be unsecured, senior subordinated obligations of the
Company, limited to $100 million aggregate principal amount, and will mature on
November 15, 2006. Each New Note will bear interest at the rate of 10 1/2% per
annum from November 27, 1996, the date of original issuance of the Old Notes,
or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for,
whichever is later, and will be payable semiannually on and of each year,
commencing on May 15, 1997, to holders of record at the close of business on
the May 1 or November 1 immediately preceding the interest payment date.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve
30-day months. The New Notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any
mandatory sinking fund.
    

OPTIONAL REDEMPTION

    Except as set forth below, the New Notes will not be redeemable at the
option of the Company prior to November 15, 2001. On and after such date, the
New Notes will be redeemable, at the Company's option, in whole or in part, at
any time upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice mailed by
first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at the following
redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), if redeemed
during the 12-month period commencing on November 15 of the years set forth
below, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the
right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due
on the relevant interest payment date):





                                       67
<PAGE>   69
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Period                              REDEMPTION PRICE
                             ------
    <S>                                                             <C>
    2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        105.250%
    2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        103.500%
    2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        101.750%
    2004 and thereafter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        100.000%
</TABLE>

    In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to November 15, 2000,
the Company may, at its option, redeem the New Notes, in part, with net cash
proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by the Company or Holding (to the
extent, in the case of Holding, that net cash proceeds thereof are contributed
to the common or non-redeemable preferred equity capital of the Company) so
long as there is a Public Market at the time of such redemption, at a
redemption price equal to 110 1/2% of the principal amount thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption;
provided, however, that after any such redemption the aggregate principal
amount of the Notes outstanding must equal at least $65 million. In order to
effect the foregoing redemption with the proceeds of any Equity Offering, the
Company shall make such redemption not more than 12 months after the
consummation of any such Equity Offering.

    At any time on or prior to November 15, 2001, the Notes may also be
redeemed as a whole at the option of the Company upon the occurrence of a
Change of Control, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice
(but in no event more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of
Control) mailed by first-class mail to each holder's registered address, at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the
Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, the date
of redemption (the "Redemption Date") (subject to the right of holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date).

    "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to a Note at any Redemption Date,
the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (ii) the
excess of (A) the present value at such time of (1) the redemption price of
such Note at November 15, 2001 (such redemption price being described under "--
Optional Redemption") plus (2) all required interest payments due on such Note
through November 15, 2001, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury
Rate plus 100 basis points, over (B) the principal amount of such Note.

    "Treasury Rate" means the yield to maturity at the time of computation of
United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and
published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519)
which has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the
Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any
publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the
period from the Redemption Date to November 15, 2001; provided, however, that
if the period from the Redemption Date to November 15, 2001 is not equal to the
constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly
average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear
interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly
average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are
given, except that if the period from the Redemption Date to November 15, 2001
is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United
States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be
used.

    Selection. In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes
for redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by
such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair
and appropriate; provided, however, that if a partial redemption is made with
proceeds of an Equity Offering, selection of the Notes or portion thereof for
redemption shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis, unless such
method is otherwise prohibited. Notes may be redeemed in part in multiples of
$1,000 principal amount only. Notice of redemption will be sent, by first class
mail, postage prepaid, at least 45 days (unless a shorter period is acceptable
to the Trustee) prior to the date fixed for redemption to each holder whose
Notes are to be redeemed at the last address for such holder then shown on the
registry books. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal
amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof
upon cancellation of the original Note. On and after any redemption date,
interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or part thereof called for
redemption as long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent funds in
satisfaction of the redemption price pursuant to the Indenture.





                                       68
<PAGE>   70
RANKING AND SUBORDINATION

   
    The payment of the principal of, premium (if any), and interest on the
Notes is subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the Indenture, to
the payment when due of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company. However,
payment from the money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in
any defeasance trust described under "Defeasance" below is not subordinate to
any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions described herein. As of
February 28, 1997, the Company had no outstanding Senior Indebtedness. Although
the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional Indebtedness
that the Company may incur, under certain circumstances the amount of such
Indebtedness could be substantial and, in any case, such Indebtedness may be
Senior Indebtedness. See "Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Indebtedness"
below.
    

    "Senior Indebtedness" is defined, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or
thereafter issued, as all obligations under the New Credit Facility and all
other Indebtedness of the Company, including interest and fees thereon, unless,
in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same
is outstanding, it is provided that the obligations in respect of such
Indebtedness are not superior in right of payment to the Notes; provided,
however, that Senior Indebtedness will not include (1) any obligation of the
Company to any Subsidiary, (2) any liability for Federal, state, foreign, local
or other taxes owed or owing by the Company, (3) any accounts payable or other
liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business
(including Guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities), or
(4) any Indebtedness, Guarantee or obligation of the Company that is expressly
subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness, Guarantee
or obligation of the Company, including any Senior Subordinated Indebtedness
and any Subordinated Obligations.

    Only Indebtedness of the Company that is Senior Indebtedness will rank
senior to the Notes in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture. The
Notes will in all respects rank pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness of the Company. The Company has agreed in the Indenture that it
will not incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness that is subordinate or
junior in ranking in any respect to Senior Indebtedness unless such
Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is contractually
subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. In
addition, no Subsidiary Guarantor shall incur any Indebtedness if such
Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to any
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such
Indebtedness is Guarantor Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary
Guarantor or is contractually subordinated in right of payment to Guarantor
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Unsecured
Indebtedness is not deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness
merely because it is unsecured.

    The Company may not pay principal of, premium (if any), or interest on, the
Notes or make any deposit pursuant to the provisions described under
"Defeasance" below and may not otherwise purchase or retire any Notes
(collectively, "pay the Notes") if (i) any Senior Indebtedness is not paid when
due or (ii) any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of
such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in
either case, the default has been cured or waived and/or any such acceleration
has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full; provided,
however, the Company may pay the Notes without regard to the foregoing if the
Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the
Representative of the Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the
events set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence
has occurred and is continuing. During the continuance of any default (other
than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence) with
respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity
thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such
notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any
applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Notes (except (i) in
Qualified Capital Stock issued by the Company to pay interest on the Notes or
issued in exchange for the Notes, (ii) in securities substantially identical to
the Notes issued by the Company in payment of interest accrued thereon or (iii)
in securities issued by the Company which are subordinated to the Senior Debt
at least to the same extent as the Notes and having an Average Life at least
equal to the remaining Average Life of the Notes) for a period (a "Payment
Blockage Period") commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to
the Company) of written notice (a "Blockage Notice") of such default from the
Representative of the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying
an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter
(or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice
to the Trustee and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such
Blockage Notice, (ii) because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice
is no longer continuing or (iii) because such





                                       69
<PAGE>   71
Designated Senior Indebtedness has been repaid in full). Notwithstanding the
provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence, but subject to the
provisions of the first sentence of this paragraph and the provisions of the
immediately succeeding paragraph, the Company may resume payments on the Notes
after the end of such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage
Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the
number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness during such
period.

    Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company upon a total
or partial liquidation or dissolution or reorganization or bankruptcy of or
similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property, the holders of
Senior Indebtedness will be entitled to receive payment in full of the Senior
Indebtedness before the holders of the Notes are entitled to receive any
payment, and until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, any payment or
distribution to which holders of the Notes would be entitled but for the
subordination provisions of the Indenture will be made to holders of the Senior
Indebtedness as their interests may appear. If a distribution is made to
holders of the Notes that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have
been made to them, such holders are required to hold it in trust for the
holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may
appear.

    If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the
Company or the Trustee shall promptly notify the Representative (if any) of any
issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness which is then outstanding: provided,
however, that the Company and the trustee shall be obligated to notify such a
Representative only if such Representative has delivered or caused to be
delivered an address for the service of such a notice to the Company and the
trustee (and the Company and the trustee shall only be obligated to deliver the
notice to the address so specified). If a notice is required pursuant to the
immediate preceding sentence, the Company may not pay the Notes until five
Business Days after the respective Representative of the Designated Senior
Indebtedness receives notice (at the address specified in the preceding
sentence) of such acceleration and, thereafter, may pay the Notes only if the
subordination provisions of the Indenture otherwise permit payment at that
time.

    By reason of such subordination provisions contained in the Indenture, in
the event of insolvency, creditors of the Company who are holders of Senior
Indebtedness may recover more, ratably, than the Noteholders, and creditors of
the Company who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness (including holders of
the Notes) may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness.

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES

    Each Subsidiary Guarantor unconditionally guarantees, jointly and
severally, to each holder and the Trustee, on a senior subordinated basis, the
full and prompt payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and of all
other obligations of the Company under the Indenture.

   
    The Indebtedness evidenced by each Subsidiary Guarantee (including the
payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes) will be
subordinated to Guarantor Senior Indebtedness on substantially the same basis
as the Notes are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness. As of February 28, 1997,
the Company had no outstanding Guarantor Senior Indebtedness. Although the
Indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional Indebtedness that
the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries may incur, under certain circumstances
the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, in any case, such
Indebtedness may be Guarantor Senior Indebtedness. See "Certain Covenants --
Limitation or Indebtedness" below. See "-- Ranking and Subordination" above.
    

    The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor are limited to the maximum
amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed
liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including, without limitation, any
guarantees under the New Credit Facility) and after giving effect to any
collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary
Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor
under its Subsidiary Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations
under the Indenture, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor
under the Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or
fraudulent transfer under federal or state law. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that
makes a payment or distribution under a Subsidiary Guarantee shall be entitled
to contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in a pro rata amount based
on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor.





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<PAGE>   72
    Each Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell its
assets to the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor without limitation. Each
Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with or merge into or sell all or
substantially all its assets to a corporation, partnership or trust other than
the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor (whether or not affiliated with the
Subsidiary Guarantor). Upon the sale or disposition of a Subsidiary Guarantor
(or all or substantially all of its assets) to a Person (whether or not an
Affiliate of the Subsidiary Guarantor) which is not a Subsidiary of the
Company, which sale or disposition is otherwise in compliance with the
Indenture (including the covenant described under "Certain Covenants --
Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock"), such Subsidiary Guarantor
shall be deemed released from all its obligations under the Indenture and its
Subsidiary Guarantee and such Subsidiary Guarantee shall terminate; provided,
however, that any such termination shall occur only to the extent that all
obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the New Credit Facility and all
of its guarantees of, and under all of its pledges of assets or other security
interests which secure, any other Indebtedness of the Company shall also
terminate upon such release, sale or transfer.

    Subsequent to the Issuance Date, separate financial information for the
Subsidiary Guarantors will not be provided except to the extent required by
Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

CHANGE OF CONTROL

    Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each a "Change of
Control"), each holder will have the right to require the Company to repurchase
all or any part of such holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to
101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment
date): (i) any sale, lease, exchange or other transfer (collectively, a
"Transfer") (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to any
Person or group of related Persons for purposes of Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act (a "Group") (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the
provisions of the Indenture), other than a Transfer to Hicks Muse or any of its
Affiliates, officers and directors (the "Permitted Holders"); or (ii) a
majority of the Board of Directors of Holding or the Company or of any direct
or indirect holding company thereof shall consist of Persons who are not
Continuing Directors of Holding or the Company, as the case may be; or (iii)
the acquisition by any Person or Group (other than the Permitted Holders) of
the power, directly or indirectly, to vote or direct the voting of securities
having more than 50% of the ordinary voting power for the election of directors
of Holding or the Company or of any direct or indirect holding company thereof.

    Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless the Company has
mailed a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes in
connection with such Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to each
holder with a copy to the Trustee stating: (1) that a Change of Control has
occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Company to purchase
such holder's Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive
interest on the relevant interest payment date); (2) the repurchase date (which
shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed); and (3) the procedures determined by the Company, consistent
with the Indenture, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes
purchased.

   
    Alternatively, under a Change of Control, the Company will have the option,
at any time on or prior to November 15, 2001 (but in any event within 90 days
after the occurrence of the respective Change of Control), to redeem the New
Notes in whole but not in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof plus the applicable Premium (as defined) together with
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.
    

    The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of
Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations
in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this covenant. To the
extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with
provisions of the Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations described in the Indenture by virtue thereof.

    The definition of "Change of Control" includes, among other transactions, a
disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries. With respect to the disposition of property or
assets, the phrase "all or substantially all" as used in the Indenture varies
according to the facts and circumstances of the subject transaction, has no
clearly established meaning under New York law (which is the choice of law
under the Indenture) and is subject to judicial interpretation. Accordingly, in
certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining
whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of "all or
substantially all" of the property or assets of a Person, and therefore it may
be unclear as to whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether the
Company is required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as described
above.





                                       71
<PAGE>   73
    The occurrence of certain of the events that would constitute a Change of
Control would constitute a default under the New Credit Facility. Future Senior
Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries may also contain prohibitions
of certain events that would constitute a Change of Control or require such
Senior Indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the
exercise by the holders of their right to require the Company to repurchase the
Notes could cause a default under such Senior Indebtedness, even if the Change
of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase of
the Company. Finally, the Company's ability to pay cash to the holders upon a
repurchase may be limited by the Company's then existing financial resources.
There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when
necessary to make any required repurchases. Even if sufficient funds were
otherwise available, the terms of the New Credit Facility may prohibit the
Company's prepayment of Notes prior to their scheduled maturity. Consequently,
if the Company is not able to prepay the Indebtedness under the New Credit
Facility and any other Senior Indebtedness containing similar restrictions or
obtain requisite consents, as described above, the Company will be unable to
fulfill its repurchase obligations if holders of Notes exercise their
repurchase rights following a Change of Control, thereby resulting in a default
under the Indenture.

CERTAIN COVENANTS

    The Indenture contains certain covenants including, among others, the
following:

  Limitation on Indebtedness.

    (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, Incur any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company
and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur Indebtedness if on the date
thereof the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be greater than 2.00:1.00, if
such Indebtedness is Incurred on or prior to the second anniversary of the
Issue Date, and 2.25:1.00, if such Indebtedness is Incurred thereafter.

    (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness: (i) Indebtedness
Incurred pursuant to (A) the New Credit Facility (including, without
limitation, any renewal, extension, refunding, restructuring, replacement or
refinancing thereof referred to in the definition thereof) or (B) any other
agreements or indentures governing Senior Indebtedness; provided, however, that
the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this
clause (i) does not exceed $20 million at any time outstanding, less the
aggregate principal amount thereof repaid with the net proceeds of Asset
Dispositions (to the extent, in the case of a repayment of revolving credit
indebtedness, the commitment to advance loans has been terminated); (ii)
Indebtedness represented by Capitalized Lease Obligations, mortgage financings
or purchase money obligations, in each case Incurred for the purpose of
financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or
improvement of property used in a Related Business or Incurred to refinance any
such purchase price or cost of construction or improvement, in each case
Incurred no later than 365 days after the date of such acquisition or the date
of completion of such construction or improvement; provided, however, that the
principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (ii)
shall not exceed $10 million at any time outstanding; (iii) Permitted
Indebtedness; and (iv) Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness described in
clauses (i) - (iii)) in a principal amount which, when taken together with the
principal amount of all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause
(iv) and then outstanding, will not exceed $15 million (it being understood
that any Indebtedness Incurred under this clause (iv) shall cease to be deemed
Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (iv) (but shall be deemed
to be Incurred for purposes of paragraph (a)) from and after the first date on
which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries could have Incurred such
Indebtedness under the foregoing paragraph (a) without reliance upon this
clause (iv)).

    (c) Neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall Incur any
Indebtedness under paragraph (b) above if the proceeds thereof are used,
directly or indirectly, to refinance any Subordinated Obligations of the
Company unless such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Notes to at least
the same extent as such Subordinated Obligations. No Restricted Subsidiary
shall Incur any Indebtedness under paragraph (b) above if the proceeds thereof
are used, directly or indirectly, to refinance any Guarantor Subordinated
Obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness shall be
subordinated to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Subsidiary Guaranty to at least the same extent as such Guarantor Subordinated
Obligation.

    (d) In addition, the Company shall not Incur any Secured Indebtedness which
is not Senior Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith effective
provision is made to secure the Notes equally and ratably with such





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<PAGE>   74
Secured Indebtedness for so long as such Secured Indebtedness is secured by a
Lien. No Subsidiary Guarantor shall Incur any Secured Indebtedness which is not
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness unless contemporaneously therewith effective
provision is made to secure such Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations under the
Subsidiary Guaranty equally and ratably with such Secured Indebtedness for so
long as such Secured Indebtedness is secured by a Lien.

    (e) The Company will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to Incur any
Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt.

    Limitation on Layering. The Company shall not Incur any Indebtedness if
such Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to any
Senior Indebtedness unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness or is contractually subordinated in right of payment to all Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness (including the Notes). No Subsidiary Guarantor shall
Incur any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is contractually subordinate or
junior in ranking in any respect to any Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary Guarantor unless such Indebtedness is Guarantor Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor or is contractually subordinated in
right of payment to all Guarantor Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary Guarantor (including its Guarantee of the Notes).

    Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to (i)
declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of its
Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any merger or
consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries)
except (A) dividends or distributions payable in its Capital Stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such
Capital Stock, and (B) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which holds the equity interest in the
paying Restricted Subsidiary (and if the Restricted Subsidiary paying the
dividend or making the distribution is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, to its
other holders of Capital Stock on a pro rata basis), (ii) purchase, redeem,
retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Company held by
Persons other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or any Capital Stock
of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any Affiliate of the Company,
other than another Restricted Subsidiary (in either case, other than in
exchange for its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)), (iii)
purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value,
prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund
payment, any Subordinated Obligations (other than the purchase, repurchase or
other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations purchased in anticipation of
satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity,
in each case due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase or
acquisition) or (iv) make any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in
any Person (any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase,
defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Investment as described in
preceding clauses (i) through (iv) being referred to as a "Restricted
Payment"); if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such
Restricted Payment: (1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or
would result therefrom); or (2) the Company is not able to incur an additional
$1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) under "Limitation on
Indebtedness"; or (3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all
other Restricted Payments declared or made subsequent to the Issue Date would
exceed the sum of: (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the
period (treated as one accounting period) from the first day of the fiscal
quarter beginning on or after the Issue Date to the end of the most recent
fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment as to which
financial results are available (but in no event ending more than 135 days
prior to the date of such Restricted Payment) (or, in case such Consolidated
Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); (B) the aggregate
net proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale of its Capital
Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or other capital contributions subsequent
to the Issue Date (other than net proceeds received from an issuance or sale of
such Capital Stock to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock
ownership plan or similar trust); provided, however, that the value of any
non-cash net proceeds shall be as determined by the Board of Directors in good
faith, except that in the event the value of any non-cash net proceeds shall be
$5 million or more, the value shall be as determined in writing by an
independent investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing; (C) the
aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale of
its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to an employee stock
ownership plan or similar trust subsequent to the Issue Date; provided,
however, that if such plan or trust Incurs any Indebtedness to or Guaranteed by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to finance the acquisition of
such Capital Stock, such aggregate amount shall be limited to such Net Cash
Proceeds less such Indebtedness Incurred or Guaranteed by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries and any increase in the Consolidated Net Worth of
the Company resulting from principal repayments made by such plan or trust





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<PAGE>   75
with respect to Indebtedness Incurred by it to finance the purchase of such
Capital Stock; (D) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company is reduced
on the Company's balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to the Issue Date of any
Indebtedness of the Company convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock of
the Company (less the amount of any cash, or other property, distributed by the
Company upon such conversion or exchange); (E) the amount equal to the net
reduction in Investments (other than Permitted Investments) made after the
Issue Date by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person
resulting from (i) repurchases or redemptions of such Investments by such
Person, proceeds realized upon the sale of such Investment to an unaffiliated
purchaser, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets by such
Person to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) the
redesignation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries as Restricted Subsidiaries (valued
in each case as provided in the definition of "Investment") not to exceed, in
the case of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously
included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; provided,
however, that no amount shall be included under this Clause (E) to the extent
it is already included in Consolidated Net Income; and (F) the aggregate Net
Cash Proceeds received by a Person in consideration for the issuance of such
Person's Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) which are held by such
Person at the time such Person is merged with and into the Company in
accordance with the "Merger and Consolidation" covenant subsequent to the Issue
Date; provided, however, that concurrently with or immediately following such
merger the Company uses an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds to redeem or
repurchase the Company's Capital Stock.

    (b) The provisions of paragraph (a) shall not prohibit: (i) any purchase or
redemption of Capital Stock or Subordinated Obligations of the Company made by
exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of,
Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than
Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership
plan or similar trust); provided, however, that (A) such purchase or redemption
shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and
(B) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale shall be excluded from clause (3)(B)
of paragraph (a); (ii) any purchase or redemption of Subordinated Obligations
of the Company made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale of, Subordinated Obligations of the Company;
provided, however, that such purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (iii) any purchase or
redemption of Subordinated Obligations from Net Available Cash to the extent
permitted under "Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" below;
provided, however, that such purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (iv) dividends paid within 60
days after the date of declaration if at such date of declaration such dividend
would have complied with this provision; provided, however, that such dividend
shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (v)
payments by the Company to fund the payment by any direct or indirect holding
company thereof of audit, accounting, legal or other similar expenses, to pay
franchise or other similar taxes and to pay other corporate overhead expenses,
so long as such dividends are paid as and when needed by its respective direct
or indirect holding company and so long as the aggregate amount of payments
pursuant to this clause (v) does not exceed $500,000 in any calendar year; (vi)
payments by the Company to fund taxes of Holding for a given taxable year in an
amount equal to the lesser of (x) the Company's "separate return liability" and
(y) the portion of the tax liability of the "affiliated group" (within the
meaning of Section 1504(a)(1) of the Code (as defined)) of which the Company is
a member in accordance with the method described in Treasury Regulations
Section 1.1552-1(a)(1) pursuant to (x) or (y) of this clause (vi) to the extent
that the Company files a combined or consolidated income tax return with
Holding under any state or local income tax law for a taxable year, the payment
by the Company to Holding to fund such tax liability for such taxable year
shall be provided for in a manner as similar as possible to that provided for
United States federal income taxes (for purposes of this clause (vi) "separate
return liability" for a given taxable year shall mean the hypothetical United
States tax liability of the Company defined as if the Company had filed its own
U.S. federal tax return for such taxable year); (vii) payments of dividends on
the Company's common stock after an initial public offering of common stock of
the Company or of Holding in an annual amount not to exceed 6.0% of the gross
proceeds (before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other
fees and expenses of the offering) received by the Company (directly or as a
common equity contribution from Holding) from shares of common stock sold for
the account of the Company or of Holding, as the case may be (and not for the
account of any stockholder), in such initial public offering; (viii) payments
by the Company to repurchase, or to enable Holding to repurchase, Capital Stock
or other securities of Holding from members of management of Holding or the
Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2 million; (ix) payments to
enable Holding to redeem or repurchase stock purchase or similar rights granted
by Holding with respect to its Capital Stock in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $1 million; (x) payments, not to exceed $200,000 in the aggregate, to
enable Holding to make cash payments to holders of its Capital Stock in lieu of
the issuance of





                                       74
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fractional shares of its Capital Stock; (xi) payments made pursuant to any
merger, consolidation or sale of assets effected in accordance with the "Merger
and Consolidation" covenant; provided, however, that no such payment may be
made pursuant to this clause (xi) unless, after giving effect to such
transaction (and the incurrence of any Indebtedness in connection therewith and
the use of the proceeds thereof), the Company would be able to incur $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness in compliance with paragraph (a) under the "Limitation
on Indebtedness" covenant and such that, after Incurring that $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness, the Leverage Ratio would be less than 3.50:1.00; (xii)
the redemption payments to be made by the Company on the Issue Date in
connection with the Transaction as described in the Prospectus; and (xiii)
payments to the former Bishop stockholders required pursuant to the Stock
Purchase Agreement dated as of August 22, 1996 relating to the Company's
acquisition of Bishop, which payments shall not exceed $1,000,000 in the
aggregate, provided, however, that in the case of clauses (vii), (viii), (ix),
(x) and (xi) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be
continuing at the time of such payment or as a result thereof.

    (c) For purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing covenant,
Restricted Payments may be made with cash or non-cash assets, provided that any
Restricted Payment made other than in cash shall be valued at the fair market
value (determined, subject to the additional requirements of the immediately
succeeding proviso, in good faith by the Company) of the assets so utilized in
making such Restricted Payment, provided, further that (i) in the case of any
Restricted Payment made with capital stock or indebtedness, such Restricted
Payment shall be deemed to be made in an amount equal to the greater of the
fair market value thereof and the liquidation preference (if any) or principal
amount of the capital stock or indebtedness, as the case may be, so utilized,
and (ii) in the case of any Restricted Payment in an aggregate amount in excess
of $5.0 million, a written opinion as to the fairness of the valuation thereof
(as determined by the Company) for purposes of determining compliance with the
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant in the Indenture shall be issued
by an independent investment banking firm of national standing.

    Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or
restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay
dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any
Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Company, (ii) make any loans or
advances to the Company or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets to the
Company, except: (a) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement in
effect at or entered into on the Issue Date, including the New Credit Facility;
(b) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to such a Restricted Subsidiary
pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness issued by such Restricted
Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was
acquired by the Company and outstanding on such date (other than indebtedness
issued as consideration in, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or
credit support utilized to consummate, the transaction or series of related
transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company or was acquired by the Company); (c) any encumbrance
or restriction with respect to such a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an
agreement evidencing Indebtedness Incurred without violation of the Indenture
or effecting a refinancing of Indebtedness issued pursuant to an agreement
referred to in clauses (a) or (b) or this clause (c) or contained in any
amendment to an agreement referred to in clauses (a) or (b) or this clause (c);
provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such
Restricted Subsidiary contained in any of such agreement, refinancing agreement
or amendment, taken as a whole, are no less favorable to the holders in any
material respect, as determined in good faith by the senior management of the
Company or Board of Directors of the Company, than encumbrances and
restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in agreements
in effect at, or entered into on, the Issue Date; (d) in the case of clause
(iii), any encumbrance or restriction (A) that restricts in a customary manner
the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is a
lease, license, conveyance or contract or similar property or asset, (B) by
virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer, option or right with respect
to, or Lien on, any property or assets of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture, (C) that is included in a
licensing agreement to the extent such restrictions limit the transfer of the
property subject to such licensing agreement or (D) arising or agreed to in the
ordinary course of business and that does not, individually or in the
aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries in any manner material to the Company or any such
Restricted Subsidiary; (e) in the case of clause (iii) above, restrictions
contained in security agreements, mortgages or similar documents securing
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions
restrict the transfer of the property subject to such security agreements; (f)
any restriction with respect to such a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant
to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or
substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary
pending the closing of such sale or disposition; and (g) encumbrances or
restrictions arising or existing by reason of applicable law.





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<PAGE>   77
    Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock. (a) The Company shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any Asset
Disposition unless (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives
consideration at the time of such Asset Disposition at least equal to the fair
market value, as determined in good faith by the Company's senior management or
the Board of Directors (including as to the value of all non-cash
consideration), of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition,
(ii) at least 75% of the consideration thereof received by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or cash equivalents and (iii) an
amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is
applied by the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) (A)
first, to the extent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary elects (or is
required by the terms of any Senior Indebtedness), to prepay, repay or purchase
(x) Senior Indebtedness or (y) Indebtedness (other than Preferred Stock) of a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the
Company) within 180 days from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition
or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; (B) second, within one year from the
receipt of such Net Available Cash, to the extent of the balance of such Net
Available Cash after application in accordance with clause (A), at the
Company's election either (x) to the investment in or acquisition of Additional
Assets or (y) to prepay, repay or purchase (1) Senior Indebtedness or (2)
Indebtedness (other than Preferred Stock) of a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (in each
case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company); (C) third, within 45 days
after the later of the application of Net Available Cash in accordance with
clauses (A) and (B) and the date that is one year from the receipt of such Net
Available Cash, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after
application in accordance with clauses (A) and (B), to make an offer to
purchase Notes at par plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon; and
(D) fourth, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after
application in accordance with clauses (A), (B) and (C), to (w) the investment
in or acquisition of Additional Assets, (x) the making of Temporary Cash
Investments, (y) the prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness of the
Company (other than Indebtedness owing to any Subsidiary of the Company) or
Indebtedness of any Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries) or (z) any other purpose otherwise permitted under the
Indenture, in each case within the later of 45 days after the application of
Net Available Cash in accordance with clauses (A), (B) and (C) or the date that
is one year from the receipt of such Net Available Cash; provided, however,
that, in connection with any prepayment, repayment or purchase of Indebtedness
pursuant to clause (A), (B), (C) or (D) above, the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary shall retire such Indebtedness and shall cause the related loan
commitment (if any) to be permanently reduced in an amount equal to the
principal amount so prepaid, repaid or purchased. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required
to apply any Net Available Cash in accordance herewith except to the extent
that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions which are not
applied in accordance with this covenant at any time exceed $5 million. The
Company shall not be required to make an offer for Notes pursuant to this
covenant if the Net Available Cash available therefor (after application of the
proceeds as provided in clauses (A) and (B)) is less than $5 million for any
particular Asset Disposition (which lesser amounts shall be carried forward for
purposes of determining whether an offer is required with respect to the Net
Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition).

    For the purposes of this covenant, the following will be deemed to be cash:
(x) the assumption by the transferee of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and the release of the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Senior
Indebtedness or Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition (in
which case the Company shall, without further action, be deemed to have applied
such assumed Indebtedness in accordance with clause (A) of the preceding
paragraph) and (y) securities received by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company from the transferee that are promptly (and in any
event within 60 days) converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
into cash.

    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
will be permitted to consummate an Asset Swap if (i) at the time of entering
into such Asset Swap and immediately after giving effect to such Asset Swap, no
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing or would occur
as a consequence thereof, (ii) in the event such Asset Swap involves an
aggregate amount in excess of $1 million, the terms of such Asset Swap have
been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the
Company, and (iii) in the event such Asset Swap involves an aggregate amount in
excess of $5 million, the Company has received a written opinion from an
independent investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing that such
Asset Swap is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, from a financial point of view.

    (b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of
Notes pursuant to clause (a)(iii)(C), the Company will be required to purchase
Notes tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company for the Notes at a





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purchase price of 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the purchase date in accordance with the procedures
(including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in the
Indenture. If the aggregate purchase price of the Notes tendered pursuant to
the offer is less than the Net Available Cash allotted to the purchase of the
Notes, the Company will apply the remaining Net Available Cash in accordance
with clause (a)(iii)(D) above.

    (c) The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the
requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws
or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to the
Indenture. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Company will comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to
have breached its obligations under the Indenture by virtue thereof.

    Limitation on Affiliate Transactions. (a) The Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter
into or conduct any transaction or series of related transactions (including
the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any
service) with or for the benefit of any Affiliate of the Company other than a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (an "Affiliate Transaction") unless: (i) the terms of
such Affiliate Transaction are no less favorable to the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that could be obtained at
the time of such transaction in arm's-length dealings with a Person who is not
such an Affiliate; (ii) in the event such Affiliate Transaction involves an
aggregate amount in excess of $2.5 million, the terms of such transaction have
been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the
Company and by a majority of the disinterested members of such Board, if any
(and such majority or majorities, as the case may be, determines that such
Affiliate Transaction satisfies the criteria in (i) above); and (iii) in the
event such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate amount in excess of $5
million, the Company has received a written opinion from an independent
investment banking firm of nationally recognized standing that such Affiliate
Transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, from a financial point of view.

    (b) The foregoing paragraph (a) shall not apply to (i) any Restricted
Payment permitted to be made pursuant to the covenant described under
"Limitation on Restricted Payments," (ii) any issuance of securities, or other
payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the
funding of, employment arrangements, or any stock options and stock ownership
plans for the benefit of employees, officers and directors, consultants and
advisors approved by the Board of Directors of the Company, (iii) loans or
advances to employees in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (iv) any transaction between Wholly-Owned
Subsidiaries, (v) indemnification agreements with, and the payment of fees and
indemnities to, directors, officers and employees of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case in the ordinary course of business, (vi)
transactions pursuant to agreements in existence on the Issue Date which are
(x) described in the Prospectus or (y) otherwise, in the aggregate, immaterial
to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (vii) any
employment, non-competition or confidentiality agreements entered into by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with its employees in the
ordinary course of business, (viii) payments made in connection with the
Transaction, including fees to Hicks Muse, as described in the Prospectus, (ix)
the issuance of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock)
and (x) any obligations of the Company pursuant to the Monitoring and Oversight
Agreement and the Financial Advisory Agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

    Limitation on Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any Capital Stock (other
than Preferred Stock) to any Person (other than to the Company or a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company) or permit any Person (other than the
Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company) to own any Capital Stock
(other than Preferred Stock) of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, if in
either case as a result thereof such Restricted Subsidiary would no longer be a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that this provision
shall not prohibit (x) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from
selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of all of the Capital Stock of any
Restricted Subsidiary or (y) the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary in compliance with the Indenture.

    SEC Reports. The Company will file with the Trustee and provide to the
holders of the Notes, within 15 days after it files them with the Commission,
copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other
reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission
may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company files with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In the event
that the





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Company is not required to file such reports with the Commission pursuant to
the Exchange Act, the Company will nevertheless deliver such Exchange Act
information to the holders of the Notes within 15 days after it would have been
required to file it with the Commission.

    Merger and Consolidation. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge
with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its
assets to, any Person, unless: (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee
Person (the "Successor Company") shall be a corporation, partnership, trust or
limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the United
States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the
Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by supplemental
indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the
Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture;
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any
Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any
Subsidiary of the Successor Company as a result of such transaction as having
been incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the
time of such transaction), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing; (iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction,
the Successor Company would be able to incur at least an additional $1.00 of
Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of "Limitation on Indebtedness"; and
(iv) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or
transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture.

    The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture, but, in the
case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the Company will not be
released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

    Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), (1) any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or
part of its properties and assets to the Company and (2) the Company may merge
with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the
Company in another jurisdiction to realize tax or other benefits.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

    Each of the following constitutes an Event of Default under the Indenture:
(i) a default in any payment of interest on any Note when due, continued for 30
days, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the provisions described
under "Ranking and Subordination" above, (ii) a default in the payment of
principal of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional
redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise, whether or
not such payment is prohibited by the provisions described under "Ranking and
Subordination" above, (iii) the failure by the Company to comply with its
obligations under the "Merger and Consolidation" covenant described under
"Certain Covenants" above, (iv) the failure by the Company to comply for 30
days after notice with any of its obligations under the covenants described
under "Change of Control" above or under covenants described under "Certain
Covenants" above (in each case, other than a failure to purchase Notes which
shall constitute an Event of Default under clause (ii) above), other than "--
Merger and Consolidation," (v) the failure by the Company or any Subsidiary
Guarantor to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements
contained in the Indenture, (vi) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity
or is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and the total
amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $5 million and such
default shall not have been cured or such acceleration rescinded after a 10-day
period (the "cross acceleration provision"), (vii) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a Significant
Subsidiary (the "bankruptcy provisions"), (viii) any judgment or decree for the
payment of money in excess of $5 million (to the extent not covered by
insurance) is rendered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and such
judgment or decree shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60
days after such judgment becomes final and non-appealable (the "judgment
default provision") or (ix) any Subsidiary Guarantee by a Significant
Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the
terms of the Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a Significant
Subsidiary denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Indenture or its
Subsidiary Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days. However, a default
under clause (iv) or (v) will not constitute an Event of Default until the
Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes
notify the Company of the default and the Company does not cure such default
within the time specified in clause (iv) or (v) hereof after receipt of such
notice.





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<PAGE>   80
    If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders
of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the
Company may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal
and accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an
Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization of the Company occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid
interest on all the Notes will become and be immediately due and payable
without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders.
Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of
the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the
Notes and Its consequences.

    Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be
under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture
at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have
offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss,
liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of
principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any
remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has
previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing,
(ii) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have
requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the
Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or
expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days
after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity and (v)
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not
given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is
inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. Subject to certain
restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting
any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any
trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to
follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the
Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or
that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any
action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification
satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses
caused by taking or not taking such action.

    The Indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder notice of the
Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the
payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee
may withhold notice if and so long as its board of directors, a committee of
its board of directors or a committee of its Trust officers in good faith
determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Noteholders. In
addition, the Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days
after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers
thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company
also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence
thereof, written notice of any events which would constitute certain Defaults.

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

    Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture may be amended with the
consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding and any past default or compliance with any provisions may be
waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an
outstanding New Note affected, no amendment may, among other things, (i) reduce
the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment, (ii) reduce the
stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any New
Note, (iii) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any New
Note, (iv) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase of any
New Note or change the time at which any New Note may be redeemed as described
under "Optional Redemption" above, (v) make any New Note payable in money other
than that stated in the New Note, (vi) impair the right of any holder to
receive payment of principal of and interest on such holder's Notes on or after
the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment
on or with respect to such holder's Notes or (vii) make any change in the
amendment provisions which require each holder's consent or in the waiver
provisions.

    Without the consent of any holder, the Company and the Trustee may amend
the Indenture to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, to
provide for the assumption by a successor corporation, partnership, trust or
limited liability company of the obligations of the Company under the
Indenture, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of
certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in
registered form for





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<PAGE>   81
purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the
uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code), to add
further Guarantees with respect to the Notes, to secure the Notes, to add to
the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any
right or power conferred upon the Company, to make any change that does not
adversely affect the rights of any holder or to comply with any requirement of
the Commission in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act. However, any amendment made to the subordination
provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holder of
Senior Indebtedness then outstanding shall not be effective as to the holders
of such outstanding Senior Indebtedness unless the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness (or any group or representative thereof authorized to give a
consent) consent to such change.

    The consent of the holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve
the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent
approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

    After an amendment under the Indenture becomes effective, the Company is
required to mail to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment.
However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders or any defect
therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

DEFEASANCE

    The Company at any time may terminate all its obligations under the Notes
and the Indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations,
including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the
transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the
Notes. The Company at any time may terminate its obligations under covenants
described under "Certain Covenants" (other than "Merger and Consolidation"),
the operation of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions
with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, the judgment default provision and
the Subsidiary Guaranty provision described under "Events of Default" above and
the limitations contained in clauses (iii) and (iv) under "Certain Covenants --
Merger and Consolidation" above ("covenant defeasance").

    The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its
prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its
legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of
an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant
defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an
Event of Default specified in clause (iv), (vi), (vii) (with respect only to
Significant Subsidiaries), (viii) or (ix) under "Events of Default" above or
because of the failure of the Company to comply with clause (iii) or (iv) under
"Certain Covenants -- Merger and Consolidation" above.

    In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Company must irrevocably
deposit in trust (the "defeasance trust") with the Trustee money or U.S.
Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium (if any) and
interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must
comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that holders of the Notes will not recognize
income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such
deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same
amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case
if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal
defeasance only, such Opinion of Counsel must be based on a ruling of the
Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law.

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

    United States Trust Company of New York is to be the Trustee under the
Indenture and has been appointed by the Company as Registrar and Paying Agent
with regard to the New Notes.

    The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any
such claim a security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in
other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as
defined) it must eliminate such conflict or resign.





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<PAGE>   82
    The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes issued under the Indenture will have the right to direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy
available to the Trustee. The Indenture provides that in case an Event of
Default shall occur (which shall not be cured) the Trustee will be required, in
the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the
conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be
under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture
at the request of any of the holders of the Notes issued thereunder, unless
they shall have offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to
it.

GOVERNING LAW

    The Indenture provides that it and the Notes will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving
effect to applicable principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the
application of the law of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

    "Additional Assets" means (i) any property or assets (other than
Indebtedness and Capital Stock) in a Related Business; (ii) the Capital Stock
of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition
of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;
(iii) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such
time is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or (iv) Permitted Investments
of the type and in the amounts described in clause (viii) of the definition
thereof; provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), such
Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in a Related Business.

    "Adjusted Net Assets" of a Subsidiary Guarantor at any date shall mean the
lesser of the amount by which (x) the fair value of the property of such
Subsidiary Guarantor exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including,
without limitation, the probable liability of such Subsidiary Guarantor with
respect to its contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed
and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date), but excluding
liabilities under the Subsidiary Guarantee, of such Subsidiary Guarantor at
such date and (y) the present fair salable value of the assets of such
Subsidiary Guarantor at such date exceeds the amount that will be required to
pay the probable liability of such Subsidiary Guarantor on its debts (after
giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed
on such date and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary by
such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Subsidiary
under the Subsidiary Guarantee), excluding debt in respect of the Subsidiary
Guarantee, as they become absolute and matured.

    "Affiliate" of any specified person means any other Person, directly or
indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

    "Asset Disposition" means any sale, lease, transfer, issuance or other
disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers, issuances or
dispositions that are part of a common plan) of shares of Capital Stock (or any
other equity interests in) of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors'
qualifying shares) or of any other property or other assets (each referred to
for the purposes of this definition as a "disposition") by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any disposition by means of a merger,
consolidation or similar transaction) other than (i) a disposition by a
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary to a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, (ii) a disposition of inventory in the
ordinary course of business, (iii) a disposition of obsolete or worn out
equipment or equipment that is no longer useful in the conduct of the business
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and that is disposed of in each
case in the ordinary course of business, (iv) dispositions of property for net
proceeds which, when taken collectively with the net proceeds of any other such
dispositions under this clause (iv) that were consummated since the beginning
of the calendar year in which such disposition is consummated, do not exceed $1
million, and (v) transactions permitted under "Certain Covenants -- Merger and
Consolidation" above. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above,
a Restricted Payment made in compliance with the "Limitation on Restricted
Payments" covenant shall not constitute an Asset Disposition except for
purposes of determinations of the Consolidated Coverage Ratio (as defined) and
the Leverage Ratio (as defined).





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<PAGE>   83
    "Asset Swap" means the execution of a definitive agreement, subject only to
customary closing conditions that the Company in good faith believes will be
satisfied, for a substantially concurrent purchase and sale, or exchange, of
Productive Assets between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and
another Person or group of affiliated Persons; provided, however, that any
amendment to or waiver of any closing condition that individually or in the
aggregate is material to the Asset Swap shall be deemed to be a new Asset Swap.

    "Attributable Indebtedness" in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction
means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the
interest rate borne by the Is, compounded annually) of the total obligations of
the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included
in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease
has been extended).

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

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

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

    "Consolidated Cash Flow" for any period means the Consolidated Net Income
for such period, plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such
Consolidated Net Income: (i) income tax expense, (ii) Consolidated Interest
Expense, (iii) depreciation expense, (iv) amortization expense, (v) exchange or
translation losses on foreign currencies, and (vi) all other non-cash items
reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any non-cash item to the extent it
represents an accrual of or reserve for cash disbursements for any subsequent
period prior to the stated maturity of the Notes) and less, to the extent added
in calculating Consolidated Net Income, (x) exchange or translation gains on
foreign currencies and (y) non-cash items (excluding such non-cash items to the
extent they represent an accrual for cash receipts reasonably expected to be
received prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes), in each case for such
period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the income tax expense, depreciation
expense and amortization expense of a Subsidiary of the Company shall be
included in Consolidated Cash Flow only to the extent (and in the same
proportion) that the net income of such Subsidiary was included in calculating
Consolidated Net Income.

    "Consolidated Coverage Ratio" as of any date of determination means the
ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow for the period of
the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of
such determination and as to which financial statements are available to (ii)
Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; provided, however,
that (1) if the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has incurred any
Indebtedness since the beginning of such period and through the date of
determination of the Consolidated Coverage Ratio that remains outstanding or if
the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate Consolidated Coverage
Ratio is an incurrence of Indebtedness, or both, Consolidated Cash Flow and
Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving
effect on a pro forma basis to (A) such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness
had been incurred on the first day of such period (provided that if such
Indebtedness is incurred under a revolving credit facility (or similar
arrangement or under any predecessor revolving credit or similar arrangement)
only that portion of such Indebtedness that constitutes the one year projected
average balance of such Indebtedness (as determined in good faith by senior
management of the Company) shall be deemed outstanding for purposes of this
calculation), and (B) the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid,
repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new
Indebtedness as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period,
(2) if since the beginning of such period any Indebtedness of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has been repaid, repurchased, defeased or
otherwise discharged (other than Indebtedness under a revolving credit or
similar arrangement unless such revolving credit Indebtedness has been
permanently repaid and has not been replaced), Consolidated Interest Expense
for such





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period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such
Indebtedness had been repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged on
the first day of such period, (3) if since the beginning of such period the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall have made any Asset
Disposition or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the
Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Asset Disposition, Consolidated Cash Flow for
such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Cash Flow
(if positive) attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset
Disposition for such period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated
Cash Flow (if negative) attributable thereto for such period, and Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period shall be (i) reduced by an amount equal to the
Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries repaid, repurchased, defeased or
otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted
Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if
the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company is sold, the
Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the
Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its
continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness
after such sale) and (ii) increased by interest income attributable to the
assets which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period, (4) if
since the beginning of such period the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (or any Person which becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company as a result thereof) or an acquisition of assets
occurring in connection with a transaction causing a calculation to be made
hereunder which constitutes all or substantially all of an operating unit of a
business, Consolidated Cash Flow and Consolidated Interest Expense for such
period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the
incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred
on the first day of such period and (5) if since the beginning of such period
any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or
was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition,
Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment
pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company during such period, Consolidated Cash Flow and
Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving
pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment or
acquisition occurred on the first day of such period. For purposes of this
definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition of
assets, the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the amount of
Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness incurred in
connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good
faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company. If any
Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma
effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the
rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for
the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable
to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in
excess of 12 months).

    "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total interest
expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to the extent not
included in such interest expense (i) interest expense attributable to capital
leases, (ii) amortization of debt discount, (iii) capitalized interest, (iv)
non-cash interest expense, (v) commissions, discounts and other fees and
charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
financing, (vi) interest actually paid by the Company or any such Restricted
Subsidiary under any Guarantee of Indebtedness or other obligation of any other
Person, (vii) net payments (whether positive or negative) pursuant to Interest
Rate Agreements, (viii) the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership
plan or similar trust to the extent such contributions are used by such plan or
trust to pay interest or fees to any Person (other than the Company) in
connection with Indebtedness Incurred by such plan or trust and (ix) cash and
Disqualified Stock dividends in respect of all Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries
and Disqualified Stock of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or
a Wholly Owned Subsidiary and less (a) to the extent included in such interest
expense, the amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs and (b) interest
income. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Consolidated Interest Expense with
respect to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, that was not a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, shall be included only to the extent (and in the same
proportion) that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in
calculating Consolidated Net Income.

    "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the consolidated net
income (loss) of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries determined in
accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there shall not be included in
such Consolidated Net income: (i) any net income (loss) of any person acquired
by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a pooling of interests
transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition, (ii) any net
income of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company if such Restricted
Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly





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or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by
such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company (other than
restrictions in effect on the Issue Date with respect to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company and other than restrictions that are created or exist
in compliance with the "Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from
Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant), (iii) any gain or loss realized upon the
sale or other disposition of any assets of the Company or its consolidated
Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction)
which are not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business
any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital
Stock of any Person, (iv) any extraordinary gain or loss, (v) the cumulative
effect of a change in accounting principles, (vi) non-cash restructuring
charges or writeoffs recorded within the one year period following the Issue
Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $7.5 million, (vii) the net income of
any Person, other than a Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent of the
lesser of (A) dividends or distributions paid to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries by such Person and (B) the net income of such Person
(but in no event less than zero), and the net loss of such Person (other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary) shall be included only to the extent of the
aggregate Investment of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in
such Person and (viii) any non-cash expenses attributable to grants or
exercises of employee stock options. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A)
Consolidated Net Income for any period shall be reduced by the aggregate amount
of dividends paid during such period pursuant to clause (v) of paragraph (b) of
the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant and (B) for the purpose of the
covenant described under "Certain Covenants -- Limitation on Restricted
Payments" only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any
dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from
Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the
extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of
Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (a)(3)(E)
thereof.

    "Consolidated Net Worth" means the total of the amounts shown on the
balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries,
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of
the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company ending prior to the taking of any
action for the purpose of which the determination is being made and for which
financial statements are available (but in no event ending more than 135 days
prior to the taking of such action), as (i) the par or stated value of all
outstanding Capital Stock of the Company plus (ii) paid in capital or capital
surplus relating to such Capital Stock plus (iii) any retained earnings or
earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts
attributable to Disqualified Stock.

    "Continuing Director" of any Person means, as of the date of determination,
any Person who (i) was a member of the Board of Directors of such Person on the
date of the Indenture, (ii) was nominated for election or elected to the Board
of Directors of such Person with the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Continuing Directors of such Person who were members of such Board of Directors
at the time of such nomination or election, or (iii) is a representative of a
Permitted Holder.

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

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

    "Designated Senior Indebtedness" means (i) all obligations under the New
Credit Facility in the case of the Company, (ii) any Guarantee by a Subsidiary
Guarantor of such obligations under the New Credit Facility in the case of such
Subsidiary Guarantor and (iii) any other Senior Indebtedness in the case of the
Company or Guarantor Senior Indebtedness in the case of such Subsidiary
Guarantor which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal
amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the
holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $5 million and is
specifically designated by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in the
instrument evidencing or governing such Senior Indebtedness or Guarantor Senior
Indebtedness as "Designated Senior Indebtedness" for purposes of the Indenture.

    "Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock which, by its terms (or by the
terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event (other than an event which
would constitute a Change of Control), (i) matures (excluding any maturity as
the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is
redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or
prior to the final stated maturity of the Notes, or (ii) is convertible into





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or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (a) debt
securities or (b) any Capital Stock referred to in (i) above, in each case at
any time prior to the final stated maturity of the Notes.

    "Equity Offering" means an offering for cash by Holding or the Company of
its common stock, or options, warrants or rights with respect to its common
stock.

    "Financial Advisory Agreement" means the Financial Advisory Agreement
between Hicks Muse Partners and the Company as in effect on the Issue Date.

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

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

    "Guarantor Senior Indebtedness" means, with respect to a Subsidiary
Guarantor, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter issued, the
obligations under any Guarantee of the New Credit Facility by such Subsidiary
Guarantor, all other Guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company and all Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor,
including interest and fees thereon, unless, in the instrument creating or
evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is
provided that the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of such
Indebtedness are not superior in right of payment to the obligations of such
Subsidiary Guarantor under the Subsidiary Guaranty; provided, however, that
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness shall not include (1) any obligations of such
Subsidiary Guarantor to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company, (2)
any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such
Subsidiary Guarantor, (3) any accounts payable or other liability to trade
creditors arising in the ordinary course of business (including Guarantees
thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities) or (4) any Indebtedness,
Guarantee or obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor that is expressly
subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness, Guarantee
or obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, including any Guarantor Senior
Subordinated Indebtedness and Guarantor Subordinated Obligations of such
Subsidiary Guarantor.

    "Guarantor Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means, with respect to a
Subsidiary Guarantor, the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Subsidiary Guaranty and any other Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor
that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is to rank pari passu in
right of payment with the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Subsidiary Guaranty and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to
any Indebtedness or other obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor which is not
Guarantor Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

    "Guarantor Subordinated Obligation" means, with respect to a Subsidiary
Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding
on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred) which is subordinate or junior in
right of payment to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the
Subsidiary Guaranty pursuant to a written agreement.

    "Incur" means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable
for; provided, however, that any indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person
existing at the time such person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether





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by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be
incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary.

    "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination (without duplication), (i) the principal of and premium (if any)
in respect of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) the
principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such Person
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) all
obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar
instruments (including reimbursement obligations with respect thereto) (other
than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other
than obligations described in clauses (i), (ii) and (v)) entered into in the
ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent that such letters of
credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is
reimbursed no later than the third business day following receipt by such
Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of
credit), (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid
purchase price of property or services (except trade payables and accrued
expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business), which purchase price is
due more than six months after the date of placing such property in service or
taking delivery and title thereto or the completion of such services, (v) all
Capitalized Lease Obligations and all Attributable Indebtedness of such Person,
(vi) all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such
Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person, (vii) all
Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by such Person, (viii)
the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption,
repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, any Preferred Stock of such Restricted
Subsidiary to the extent such obligation arises on or before the Stated
Maturity of the Notes (but excluding, in each case, accrued dividends) and (ix)
to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, obligations under
Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements. The amount of Indebtedness of
any Person at any date shall be the outstanding principal amount of all
unconditional obligations as described above, as such amount would be reflected
on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the maximum liability
of such Person, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the
obligation, of any contingent obligations described above at such date.

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

    "Investment" in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan
(other than advances to customers in the ordinary course of business that are
recorded as accounts payable on the balance sheet of such Person) or other
extension of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement, but
excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other
than a time deposit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of
cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for
the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock,
Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by such Person. For purposes
of the "Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant, (i) "Investment" shall
include the portion (proportionate to the Company's equity interest in a
Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the
fair market value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an
Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such
Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue
to have a permanent "Investment" in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if
positive) equal to (x) the Company's "Investment" in such Subsidiary at the
time of such redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company's
equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets
of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a
Restricted Subsidiary; and (ii) any property transferred to or from an
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of
such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors and evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors certified in
an Officers' Certificate to the Trustee.

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

    "Leverage Ratio" shall mean, as to any Person, the ratio of (i) the sum of
the aggregate outstanding amount of Indebtedness of such Person and its
Subsidiaries as of the date of calculation on a consolidated basis to (ii) the





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Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for the last four full fiscal quarters
(the "Four Quarter Period") ending on or prior to the date of determination.

    For purposes of this definition, the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of Indebtedness of the Person and its Subsidiaries for which such calculation
is made shall be determined on a pro forma basis as if the Indebtedness giving
rise to the need to perform such calculation had been incurred and the proceeds
therefrom had been applied, and all other transactions in respect of which such
Indebtedness is being incurred had occurred, on the date the respective
calculation is required. In addition to the foregoing, for purposes of this
definition, "Consolidated Cash Flow" shall be calculated on a pro forma basis
after giving effect to (i) the incurrence of the Indebtedness of such Person
and its Subsidiaries (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) giving
rise to the need to make such calculation and any incurrence (and the
application of the proceeds therefrom) or repayment of other Indebtedness,
other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness pursuant to working
capital facilities, at any time subsequent to the beginning of the Four Quarter
Period and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such incurrence (and
the application of the proceeds thereof), or the repayment, as the case may be,
occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period and (ii) any Asset
Disposition at any time on or subsequent to the first day of the Four Quarter
Period and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such Asset
Disposition occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period. Furthermore,
in calculating "Consolidated Interest Expense" for purposes of the calculation
of "Consolidated Cash Flow," (i) interest on Indebtedness determined on a
fluctuating basis as of the date of determination (including Indebtedness
actually incurred on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to
calculate the Leverage Ratio) and which will continue to be so determined
thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to
the rate of interest on such Indebtedness as in effect on the date of
determination and (ii) notwithstanding (i) above, interest determined on a
fluctuating basis, to the extent such interest is covered by Interest Rate
Agreements, shall be deemed to accrue at the rate per annum resulting after
giving effect to the operation of such agreements so long as the respective
Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months.

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

    "Monitoring and Oversight Agreement" means the Monitoring and Oversight
Agreement between Hicks Muse Partners, Holding and the Company as in effect on
the Issue Date.

    "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received
(including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal
pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when
received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of
assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations
relating to the properties or assets subject to such Asset Disposition)
therefrom in each case net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses,
commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state,
foreign and local taxes required to be paid or accrued as a liability under
GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made on any
Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition,
in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or which must by its
terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition or
by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition,
(iii) all distributions and other payments required to be made to any Person
owning a beneficial interest in assets subject to sale or minority interest
holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset
Disposition, (iv) the deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the
seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities
associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition, provided
however, that upon any reduction in such reserves (other than to the extent
resulting from payments of the respective reserved liabilities), Net Available
Cash shall be increased by the amount of such reduction to reserves, and
retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company after such
Asset Disposition and (v) any portion of the purchase price from an Asset
Disposition placed in escrow (whether as a reserve for adjustment of the
purchase price, for satisfaction of indemnities in respect of such Asset
Disposition or otherwise in connection with such Asset Disposition) provided,
however, that upon the termination of such escrow, Net Available Cash shall be
increased by any portion of funds therein released to the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary.

    "Net Cash Proceeds," with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock,
means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys' fees,
accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, discounts or





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commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in
connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a
result of such issuance or sale.

    "New Credit Facility" means the Credit Agreement, to be dated as of
November 27, 1996, among the Company, Holding, Bankers Trust Company, as agent,
and any other financial institutions from time to time party thereto, together
with the related documents thereto (including, without limitation, any
guarantee agreements and security documents), in each case as such agreements
may be amended (including any amendment and restatement thereof), supplemented
or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement extending the
maturity of, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring (including by
way of adding Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors
thereunder) all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any
successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent,
lender or group of lenders.

    "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness (i) as to which neither the Company
nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) provides any guarantee or credit support of
any kind (including any undertaking, guarantee, indemnity, agreement or
instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly
liable (as a guarantor, general partner or otherwise) and (ii) no default with
respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to
take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit (upon
notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a default under such other
Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to
its stated maturity.

    "Permitted Indebtedness" means (i) Indebtedness of the Company owing to and
held by any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary
owing to and held by the Company or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; provided,
however, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any
other event which results in any such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary ceasing to be a
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness
(except to the Company or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each
case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof;
(ii) Indebtedness represented by (x) the Notes, (y) any indebtedness (other
than the Indebtedness described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iv) of paragraph (b)
of the covenant described under "Limitation on Indebtedness" and other than
Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (i) above or clauses (iv), (v) or (vi)
below) outstanding on the Issue Date and (z) any Refinancing Indebtedness
Incurred in respect of any Indebtedness described in this clause (ii) or
Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) of the covenant described under "Limitation
on Indebtedness"; (iii) (A) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred
and outstanding on the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by
the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, or to
provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to
consummate the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which
such Restricted Subsidiary became a Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the
Company); provided, however, that at the time such Restricted Subsidiary is
acquired by the Company, the Company would have been able to incur $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of the covenant described
under "Limitation on Indebtedness" above after giving effect to the Incurrence
of such Indebtedness pursuant to this clause (iii) and (B) Refinancing,
Indebtedness Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness
Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to this clause (iii); (iv)
Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance bonds, bankers' acceptances and
surety or appeal bonds provided by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to their customers in the ordinary course of their business, (B)
in respect of performance bonds or similar obligations of the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries for or in connection with pledges, deposits or
payments made or given in the ordinary course of business in connection with or
to secure statutory, regulatory or similar obligations, including obligations
under health, safety or environmental obligations, (C) arising from Guarantees
to suppliers, lessors, licensees, contractors, franchises or customers of
obligations (other than Indebtedness) incurred in the ordinary course of
business and (D) under Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements;
provided, however, that in the case of Currency Agreements and Interest Rate
Agreements, such Currency Agreements and Interest Rate Agreements are entered
into for bona fide hedging purposes of the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or senior
management of the Company) and correspond in terms of notional amount,
duration, currencies and interest rates as applicable, to Indebtedness of the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred without violation of the
Indenture or to business transactions of the Company or its Restricted
Subsidiaries on customary terms entered into in the ordinary course of
business; (v) Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for
indemnification, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, or from
Guarantees or letters of credits, surety bonds or performance bonds securing
any obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant
to such agreements, in each case incurred in connection with the disposition of
any business assets or Restricted Subsidiary





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of the Company (other Guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations incurred
by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business assets or
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company for the purpose of financing such
acquisition) in a principal amount not to exceed the gross proceeds actually
received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection
with such disposition; provided, however, that the principal amount of any
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (v) when taken together with all
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (v) and then outstanding, shall
not exceed $10 million; (vi) Indebtedness consisting of (A) Guarantees by the
Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness incurred by a Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary without violation of the Indenture and (B) Guarantees by a
Restricted Subsidiary of Senior Indebtedness incurred by the Company without
violation of the Indenture (so long as such Restricted Subsidiary could have
incurred such Indebtedness directly without violation of the Indenture); and
(vii) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial
institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient
funds in the ordinary course of business, provided that such Indebtedness is
extinguished within two business clays of its incurrence.

    "Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in (i) a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company;
provided, however, that the primary business of such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary is
a Related Business; (ii) another Person if as a result of such Investment such
other Person becomes a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company or is merged or
consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its
assets to, the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company; provided,
however, that in each case such Person's primary business is a Related
Business; (iii) Temporary Cash Investments; (iv) receivables owing to the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, created or acquired in the
ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with
customary trade terms; (v) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover
matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated
as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of
business; (vi) loans or advances to employees for purposes of purchasing the
Company's common stock in an aggregate amount outstanding at any one time not
to exceed $500,000 and other loans and advances to employees made in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices of the Company or
such Restricted Subsidiary; (vii) stock, obligations or securities received in
settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or in satisfaction of judgments
or claims; (viii) a Person engaged in a Related Business or a loan or advance
to the Company the proceeds of which are used solely to make an investment in a
Person engaged in a Related Business or a Guarantee by the Company of
Indebtedness of any Person in which such Investment has been made provided,
however, that no Permitted Investments may be made pursuant to this clause
(viii) to the extent the amount thereof would, when taken together with all
other Permitted Investments made pursuant to this clause (viii), exceed $10
million in the aggregate (plus, to the extent not previously reinvested, any
return of capital realized on Permitted Investments made pursuant to this
clause (viii), or any release or other cancellation of any Guarantee
constituting such Permitted Investment); (ix) Persons to the extent such
Investment is received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as
consideration for asset dispositions effected in compliance with the covenant
described under "Limitations on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock"; (x)
prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of
business consistent with the past practices of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and (xi) Investments in connection with pledges, deposits,
payments or performance bonds made or given in the ordinary course of business
in connection with or to secure statutory, regulatory or similar obligations,
including obligations under health, safety or environmental obligations.

    "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization,
government or any agency or political subdivision hereof or any other entity.

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

    "Productive Assets" means assets of a kind used or usable by the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Company's business or any Related
Business.

    A "Public Market" exists at any time with respect to the common stock of
Holding or the Company if (a) the common stock of Holding or the Company is
then registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section
12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act and traded either on a national securities
exchange or in the National





                                       89
<PAGE>   91
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System and (b) at least
15% of the total issued and outstanding common stock of Holding or the Company,
as applicable, has been distributed prior to such time by means of an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933.

    "Qualified Capital Stock" of any Person shall mean any Capital Stock of
such Person which is not Disqualified Stock.

    "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that refunds, refinances,
replaces, renews, repays or extends (including pursuant to any defeasance or
discharge mechanism) (collectively, "refinances," and "refinanced" shall have a
correlative meaning) any Indebtedness existing on the date of the Indenture or
Incurred in compliance with the Indenture (including Indebtedness of the
Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of
another Restricted Subsidiary) including Indebtedness that refinances
Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that (i) the Refinancing
Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the earlier of (A) the first
anniversary of the Stated Maturity of the Notes and (B) Stated Maturity of the
Indebtedness being refinanced, (ii) the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average
Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or
greater than the lesser of (A) the Average Life of the Notes and (B) the
Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced and, (iii) the Refinancing
Indebtedness is in an aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original
issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to (or 101% of, in the
case of a refinancing of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control) or
less than the sum of the aggregate principal amount (or if issued with original
issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding of the
Indebtedness being refinanced.

    "Related Business" means any business which is the same as or related,
ancillary or complementary to any of the businesses of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries on the date of the Indenture, as reasonably determined
by the Company's Board of Directors.

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

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

    "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property now
owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Subsidiary leases it
from such Person.

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

    "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means the Notes and any other
Indebtedness of the Company that specifically provides that such Indebtedness
is to rank pari passu with the Notes in right of payment and is not
subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other
obligation of the Company which is not Senior Indebtedness.

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

    "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date specified
in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such
security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption
provision.

    "Subordinated Obligation" means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether
outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or
junior in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement.

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





                                       90
<PAGE>   92
Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
Unless otherwise specified herein, each reference to a Subsidiary shall refer
to a Subsidiary of the Company.

    "Subsidiary Guarantee" means the Guarantee of the Notes by a Subsidiary
Guarantor.

    "Subsidiary Guarantor" means each Subsidiary of the Company in existence on
the Issue Date and each Subsidiary (other than foreign subsidiaries and
Unrestricted Subsidiaries) created or acquired by the Company after the Issue
Date.

    "Temporary Cash Investments" means any of the following: (i) any Investment
in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or
obligations Guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof,
(ii) Investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money
market deposits maturing within 180 days of the date of acquisition thereof
issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the
United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized
by the United States of America having capital surplus and undivided profits
aggregating in excess of $250 million (or the foreign currency equivalent
thereof) and whose long-term debt, or whose parent holding company's long-term
debt, is rated "A" (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least
one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in Rule
436 under the Securities Act), (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not
more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause
(i) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in
clause (ii) above, (iv) Investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than
180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a corporation (other than an
Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the
United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States
of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made
of "P-1" (or higher) according to Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or "A-1" (or
higher) according to Standard and Poor's Ratings Group, (v) Investments in
securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition
issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the
United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority
thereof, and rated at least "A" by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group or "A" by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and (vi) Investments in mutual funds whose
investment guidelines restrict such funds' investments to those satisfying the
provisions of clauses (i) through (v) above.

    "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that at
the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the
Board of Directors in the manner provided below and (ii) any Subsidiary of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of
the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the
Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its
Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any
Lien on any property of, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated;
provided, however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total
consolidated assets of $10,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has
consolidated assets greater than $10,000, then such designation would be
permitted under "Limitation on Restricted Payments." The Board of Directors may
designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided,
however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (x) the
Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under clause (a) of
"Limitation on Indebtedness" and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be
continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced
to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the Board
Resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

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

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

    "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, at
least 99% of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying
shares) is owned by the Company or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.





                                       91
<PAGE>   93
                         BOOK-ENTRY; DELIVERY AND FORM

    The certificates representing the Old Notes were issued, and the
certificates representing the New Notes will be issued, in fully registered
form, without coupons. The Old Notes are represented by two permanent global
certificates in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons in
the aggregate amount of $100,000,000 (the "Initial Global Notes"). Except as
described in the next paragraph, the New Notes initially will be represented by
one or more permanent global certificates in definitive, fully registered form
(the "Global Notes") and will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the DTC (the
"Depositary"), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as the DTC's nominee
or will remain in the custody of the Trustee pursuant to a FAST Balance
Certificate Agreement between the DTC and the Trustee. If any holder of Old
Notes whose interest in such Old Notes is represented by an Initial Global Note
fails to tender in the Exchange Offer, the Company may issue and deliver to
such holder a separate certificate representing such holder's Old Notes in
registered form without interest coupons.

    New Notes exchanged for Old Notes originally purchased by or transferred to
(i) institutional "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2),
(3) or (7) under the Securities Act) who are not "qualified institutional
buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) ("QIBs") or (ii)
QIBs who elect to take physical delivery of their certificates (collectively,
"Non-Global Purchasers") will be issued in registered form without interest
coupons (the "Certificated Securities"). Upon the transfer to a QIB of
Certificated Securities initially issued to a Non-Global Purchaser, such
Certificated Securities will, unless the transferee requests otherwise or the
Global Note has previously been exchanged in whole for Certificated Securities,
be exchanged for an interest in the Global Note.

    The Depository has advised the Company that it is (i) a limited purpose
trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, (ii) a member
of the Federal Reserve System, (iii) a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended, and (iv) a "Clearing
Agency" registered pursuant to Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The Depository
was created to hold securities for its participants (collectively, the
"Participants") and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between Participants through electronic book entry changes to the
accounts of its Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical
transfer and delivery of certificates. The Depository's Participants include
securities brokers and dealers (including the initial purchasers of the Old
Notes), banks and trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other
organizations. Access to the Depository's system is also available to other
entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies (collectively, the
"Indirect Participants") that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly. QIBs may elect
to hold New Notes purchased by them through the Depository. QIBs who are not
Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of the
Depository only through Participants or Indirect Participants. Persons that are
not QIBs may not hold New Notes through the Depository.

    The Company has been advised by the Depository that upon deposit of the
Global Notes, (i) the Depository will credit the accounts of Participants with
portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes and (ii) ownership of the
New Notes evidenced by the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of
ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the
Depository (with respect to the interests of the Depository's Participants),
the Depository's Participants and the Depository's Indirect Participants. The
laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in
definitive form of securities that they own and that security interests in
negotiable instruments can only be perfected by delivery of certificates
representing the instruments. Consequently, the ability to transfer New Notes
or to pledge the New Notes as collateral will be limited to such extent.

    So long as the Depository or its nominee is the registered owner of the
Global Notes, the Depository or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the New Notes represented by the Global
Notes for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have New Notes
represented by such Global Note registered in their names and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture for any purpose,
including with respect to giving of any directions, instruction or approval to
the Trustee thereunder. As a result, the ability of a person having a
beneficial interest in New Notes represented by a Global Note to pledge such
interest to persons or entities that do not participate in the Depository's
system or to otherwise take action with respect to such interest, may be
affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.





                                       92
<PAGE>   94
    Payments with respect to the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on
any New Notes represented by a Global Note registered in the name of the
Depository or its nominee on the applicable record date will be payable by the
Trustee to or at the direction of the Depository or its nominee in its capacity
as the registered Holder of the Global Note representing such New Notes under
the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, the Company and the Trustee
may treat the persons in whose names the New Notes, including the Global Notes,
are registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving such payment
and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither the
Company nor the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for
the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of New Notes (including
principal, premium, if any, and interest), or to immediately credit the
accounts of the relevant Participants with such payment, in amounts
proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial
interest in the Global Note as shown on the records of the Depository. Payments
by the Participants and the Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of
New Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice and
will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect Participants.

CERTIFICATED SECURITIES

    If (i) the Company notifies the Trustee in writing that the Depository is
no longer willing or able to act as a depository and the Company is unable to
locate a qualified successor within 90 days, (ii) the Company, at its option,
notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of New
Notes in definitive form under the Indenture, or (iii) upon the occurrence of
certain other events, then, upon surrender by the Depository of its Global
Notes, Certificated Securities will be issued to each person that the
Depository identifies as the beneficial owner of the New Notes represented by
the Global Notes. In addition, subject to certain conditions, any person having
a beneficial interest in a Global Note may, upon request to the Trustee,
exchange such beneficial interest for Certificated Securities. Upon any such
issuance, the Trustee is required to register such Certificated Securities in
the name of such person or persons (or the nominee of any thereof) and cause
the same to be delivered thereto.

    Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the
Depository or any Participant or Indirect Participant in identifying the
beneficial owners of the related New Notes and each such person may
conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from
the Depository for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and
delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the New Notes to be issued).





                                       93
<PAGE>   95
            CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

    The following discussion is a summary of certain federal income tax
considerations relevant to the exchange of Old Notes for New Notes, but does
not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The
discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
Treasury regulations, Internal Revenue Service rulings and pronouncements and
judicial decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change at any
time by legislative, judicial or administrative action. Any such changes may be
applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of the
New Notes. The description does not consider the effect of any applicable
foreign, state, local or other tax laws or estate or gift tax considerations.

    EACH HOLDER SHOULD CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF EXCHANGING OLD NOTES FOR NEW NOTES, INCLUDING THE
APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS.

    The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes should not be an exchange or
otherwise a taxable event to a holder for federal income tax purposes.
Accordingly, a holder should have the same adjusted issue price, adjusted basis
and holding period in the New Notes as it had in the Old Notes immediately
before the exchange.





                                       94
<PAGE>   96
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    Based on an interpretation by the Commission's staff set forth in no-action
letters issued to third parties unrelated to the Company, the Company believes
that, with the exceptions set forth below, New Notes issued pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in exchange for Old Notes may be offered for resale, resold and
otherwise transferred by any person receiving such New Notes, whether or not
such person is the holder (other than any such holder or such other person
which is an "affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act), without compliance with the registration and prospectus
delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the New Notes are
acquired in the ordinary course of business of the holder or such other person
and neither the holder nor such other person has an arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such New
Notes. The Company, however, has not sought, and does not intend to seek, its
own no-action letter and there can be no assurance that the Commission's staff
would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer. Any
holder who tenders in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of participating in a
distribution of the New Notes cannot rely on this interpretation by the
Commission's staff and must comply with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary
resale transaction.

    Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange
for Old Notes, where the Old Notes were acquired by that broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such New Notes. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes
received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities. The Company and
the Subsidiary Guarantors have agreed that they will, for a period of 90 days
following the Expiration Date, make this Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any
such resale for such period of time as such persons must comply with such
requirements in order to resell the New Notes.

    Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantors will receive any proceeds
from any sale of New Notes by broker- dealers. New Notes received by
broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold
from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market,
in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the New Notes or
a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the
time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or
negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or
through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of
commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any
such New Notes. Any broker-dealer that resells New Notes that were received by
it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer
that participates in a distribution of such New Notes may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any profit on any
such resale of New Notes and any commissions or concessions received by any
such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities
Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will
deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to
admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

    The Company will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any
amendment or supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests
such documents in the Letter of Transmittal for such period of time as such
persons must comply with such requirements in order to resell the New Notes.
The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer other than commissions or concessions of any
brokers or dealers.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

    The validity of the New Notes offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Dallas, Texas.





                                       95
<PAGE>   97
                              CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANT

   
    The Company, with the approval of the Board of Directors, on December 17,
1996 changed its independent accountants from Arthur Andersen LLP ("Arthur
Andersen") to Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. Arthur Andersen's report on the
financial statements of the Company for fiscal years 1995 and 1994 was
unqualified and did not contain an adverse opinion, disclaimer of opinion or
was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting
principles. Additionally, no reportable conditions or material weaknesses were
identified during Arthur Andersen's audit of the financial statements. During
Arthur Andersen's appointment as independent accountants, there were no
disagreements on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial
statement disclosure or auditing scope of procedure which if not resolved to
Arthur Andersen's satisfaction would have caused Arthur Andersen to make
reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with Arthur
Andersen's reports on the Company's financial statements.
    

                                    EXPERTS

   
    The consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the
consolidated statements of income, stockholder's equity (deficit) and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996,
included in this Prospectus, have been included herein in reliance on the
report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent certified public accountants, 
given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
    

   
    The combined consolidated balance sheets of Bishop as of September 30,
1996 and 1995 and the combined consolidated statements of income, retained
earnings and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
September 30, 1996, included in this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent certified public accountants, as indicated in their
report with respect thereto, and are included herein in reliance upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said
report. 
    





                                       96
<PAGE>   98
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

    The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement under
the Securities Act with respect to the New Notes offered hereby. As permitted
by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this Prospectus does not
contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement. For
further information with respect to the Company and the New Notes offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement, including the exhibits
and schedules filed therewith. Statements contained in this Prospectus
concerning the provisions of any contract, agreement or other document referred
to herein or therein are not necessarily complete, but contain a summary of the
material terms of such contracts, agreements or other documents. With respect
to each contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, reference is made to the exhibit for the complete
contents of the exhibit, and each statement concerning its provisions is
qualified in its entirety by such reference. The Registration Statement may be
inspected, without charge, at the offices of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and at its regional offices at 7 World
Trade Center, New York, New York, 10048 and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2551. Copies of such materials may also be
obtained by mail at prescribed rates from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at its principal office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549. Copies of such materials may also be obtained from the web site that the
Commission maintains at www.sec.gov.





                                       97
<PAGE>   99
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                        PAGE
<S>                                                                                                                       <C>
ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.:
Report of Independent Accountants  . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-2
Consolidated Financial Statements:
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-3
  Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-4
  Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity (Deficit) for the years ended
    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-5
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-6
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-7

BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANIES:
Report of Independent Public Accountants  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  F-25
Combined Consolidated Financial Statements:
  Combined Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1996 and 1995  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  F-26
  Combined Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings
    for the years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  F-27
  Combined Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
    September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  F-28
  Notes to Combined Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  F-29
</TABLE>
    





                                      F-1
<PAGE>   100

   
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
    

   
To the Board of Directors
Atrium Companies, Inc.:
    

   
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Atrium
Companies, Inc., (the "Company") a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atrium
Corporation ("Holding") as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholder's equity (deficit), and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. 
    

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

   
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Atrium Companies,
Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the consolidated results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1996 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
    

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 1994,
the Company changed its method of accounting for inventories.

   
    
   
COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
    

   
Dallas, Texas
March 7, 1997
    





                                      F-2
<PAGE>   101
   
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                            -----------------------
                                                                1996         1995
                                                            ----------   ----------
 <S>                                                        <C>           <C>
                                ASSETS
 CURRENT ASSETS:
    Cash and cash equivalents ............................   $     617    $      85
    Accounts receivable, net .............................      21,975       16,845
    Inventories ..........................................      13,474       13,953
    Prepaid expenses and other............................       1,765          994
    Deferred tax asset ...................................       2,555        1,217
                                                             ---------    ---------
    Total current assets .................................      40,386       33,094

 PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, net .....................      13,970       11,120
 GOODWILL, net............................................      11,963         --
 DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, net............................       5,173        1,989
 OTHER ASSETS ............................................       3,258        2,366
                                                             ---------    ---------
    Total assets .........................................   $  74,750    $  48,569
                                                             =========    =========

            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)

 CURRENT LIABILITIES:
    Accounts payable .....................................       8,528        7,521
    Current portion of notes payable .....................        --          4,500
    Accrued liabilities ..................................       6,580        5,594
                                                             ---------    ---------
    Total current liabilities ............................      15,108       17,615

 LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
    Notes payable ........................................     100,000       44,500
    Deferred tax liability ...............................         818          998
                                                             ---------    ---------
    Total long-term liabilities ..........................     100,818       45,498
                                                             ---------    ---------
    Total liabilities ....................................     115,926       63,113

 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT):
    Common stock $.01 par value, 3,000 shares authorized,
      100 shares issued and outstanding ..................        --           --
    Paid-in capital ......................................      31,936       23,467
    Accumulated deficit ..................................     (73,112)     (38,011)
                                                             ---------    ---------
    Total stockholder's deficit ..........................     (41,176)     (14,544)
                                                             ---------    ---------
          Total liabilities and stockholder's deficit ....   $  74,750    $  48,569
                                                             =========    =========
</TABLE>
    


   
               The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
                      consolidated financial statements.
    





                                      F-3
<PAGE>   102
   
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                  FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1996         1995       1994
                                                                   ---------    ---------   ---------
 <S>                                                                   <C>           <C>          <C>
 NET SALES .....................................................   $ 156,269    $ 135,478   $ 123,571
 COST OF GOODS SOLD ............................................     102,341       93,975      85,572
                                                                   ---------    ---------   ---------
    Gross profit ...............................................      53,928       41,503      37,999

 OPERATING EXPENSES:
    Selling, delivery, general and administrative expenses......      35,094       29,441      26,895
    Special charges ............................................       3,044        7,188        --
    Stock option compensation expense ..........................       3,023          308        --
                                                                   ---------    ---------   ---------
                                                                      41,161       36,937      26,895
                                                                   ---------    ---------   ---------
       Income from operations ..................................      12,767        4,566      11,104

 INTEREST EXPENSE ..............................................       4,507        2,615         355
 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), net ...................................        (182)       1,442        (954)
                                                                   ---------    ---------   ---------

       Income before income taxes and extraordinary charge .....       8,078        3,393       9,795

 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES ....................................       2,699        1,544         604
                                                                   ---------    ---------   ---------

       Income before extraordinary charge ......................       5,379        1,849       9,191

 EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE ON EARLY RETIREMENT OF DEBT              
    (net of income tax benefit of $720)  .......................       1,176         --          --
                                                                   ---------    ---------   ---------
                      


 NET INCOME ....................................................   $   4,203    $   1,849   $   9,191
                                                                   =========    =========   =========
</TABLE>
    


   
                 The accompanying notes are an integral part of
                     the consolidated financial statements.
    





                                      F-4
<PAGE>   103
   
                            ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
                        STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            RETAINED          TOTAL
                                                 COMMON STOCK               EARNINGS      STOCKHOLDER'S
                                             -----------------   PAID IN  (ACCUMULATED       EQUITY
                                              SHARES   AMOUNT    CAPITAL     DEFICIT)       (DEFICIT)
                                             --------  -------  ---------- ------------   -------------
 <S>                                         <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>            <C>
 BALANCE, December 31, 1993 ................        100   $--    $    484   $ 37,683       $ 38,167
    Net distributions to stockholders ......       --      --        --       (6,993)        (6,993)
    Net income .............................       --      --        --        9,191          9,191
                                               --------   ----   --------   --------       --------
 BALANCE, December 31, 1994 ................        100    --         484     39,881         40,365
    Capital contribution ...................       --      --      22,100       --           22,100
    Net distributions to stockholders ......       --      --        --      (79,741)       (79,741)
    Land contribution ......................       --      --         575       --              575
    Stock option compensation expense ......       --      --         308       --              308
    Net income .............................       --      --        --        1,849          1,849
                                               --------   ----   --------   --------       --------
 BALANCE, December 31, 1995 ................        100    --      23,467    (38,011)       (14,544)
    Capital contributions ..................       --      --       5,025       --            5,025
    Net distributions to parent ............       --      --        --      (39,304)       (39,304)
    Stock option compensation expense ......       --      --       3,023       --            3,023
    Income tax benefit of Holding's   
      stock options.........................       --      --         421       --              421
    Net income .............................       --      --        --        4,203          4,203
                                               --------   ----   --------   --------       --------
 BALANCE, December 31, 1996 ................        100   $--    $ 31,936   $(73,112)      $(41,176)
                                               ========   ====   ========   ========       ========
</TABLE>
    


   
                 The accompanying notes are an integral part of
                     the consolidated financial statements.
    



                                      F-5
<PAGE>   104
   
                            ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
             FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                            (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1996          1995        1994
                                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
 <S>                                                                            <C>          <C>          <C>
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
    Net income ..............................................................   $   4,203    $   1,849    $   9,191
    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
         operating activities:
    Extraordinary charge, net of income tax benefit .........................       1,176         --           --
    Depreciation and amortization ...........................................       2,484        1,917        1,678
    Write-down of investments in rental real estate .........................        --           --          1,545
    Noncash bonuses .........................................................        --          1,609         --
    Gain on retirement of assets ............................................         (10)        (429)         (31)
    Stock option compensation expense .......................................       3,023          308         --
    Deferred taxes ..........................................................      (1,303)         202         --
    Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition in 1996
         Accounts receivable, net ...........................................      (3,056)        (523)      (3,891)
         Inventories ........................................................       2,252          540       (2,342)
         Prepaid expenses and other .........................................        (730)         171         (266)
         Accounts payable ...................................................         815        1,668        3,270
         Accrued liabilities ................................................         (87)         541        1,297
                                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
              Net cash provided by operating activities......................       8,767        7,853       10,451
                                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------

 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
    Purchases of property, plant and equipment ..............................      (3,380)      (2,337)      (3,389)
    Proceeds from asset sales ...............................................          25          784          151
    Increase in other assets ................................................      (1,369)      (1,814)      (1,133)
    Payment for acquisition, net of cash acquired ...........................     (10,243)        --           --
                                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
         Net cash used in investing activities ..............................     (14,967)      (3,367)      (4,371)
                                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------

 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Payment of notes payable ................................................     (62,928)      (8,605)      (1,376)
    Proceeds from borrowings ................................................      13,740         --           --
    Proceeds from issuance of senior subordinated notes .....................     100,000         --           --
    Proceeds from issuance of notes payable .................................        --         57,155          592
    Deferred financing costs ................................................      (5,222)      (1,990)        --
    Capital contributions ...................................................          25       22,100         --
    Net distributions to stockholders .......................................        --        (74,268)      (6,993)
    Net distributions to Holding.............................................     (39,304)        --           --
    Income tax benefit upon exercise of Holding's stock options .............         421         --           --
                                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
         Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.................       6,732       (5,608)      (7,777)
                                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------

 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS .......................         532       (1,122)      (1,697)
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR ...............................          85        1,207        2,904
                                                                                ---------    ---------    ---------
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR .....................................   $     617    $      85    $   1,207
                                                                                =========    =========    =========


 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE:
    Cash paid during the period for:
         Interest ...........................................................   $   3,699    $   2,420    $     355
         Income taxes .......................................................       4,514        1,064          292
         Noncash distributions...............................................        --          4,899         --
         Noncash contribution from Holding...................................       5,000         --           --


         The Company acquired all of the capital stock of Bishop Manufacturing Companies for a combined purchase price of $19,531 of
         which $10,243 was paid in cash, as follows: 
</TABLE>
    

   
<TABLE>
         <S>                                                            <C>     
         Fair value of net assets acquired . . . . . . . . . . . .      $20,705 
         Payable to seller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (1,000)
         Cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (3,288)
         Common stock issued by Holding  . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (5,000)
         Liabilities assumed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (1,174)
                                                                        ------- 
                                                                                
         Cash paid for capital stock of Bishop . . . . . . . . . .      $10,243 
                                                                        ======= 
</TABLE>
    


   
                 The accompanying notes are an integral part of
                     the consolidated financial statements.
    





   
    
                                      F-6
<PAGE>   105
   
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
    


   
1.  OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
    

   
    Atrium Companies, Inc. (the "Company"), (formerly Fojtasek Companies, Inc.,
    a Texas corporation), is engaged in the manufacture and sale of doors,
    windows and various building materials throughout the United States. A
    significant portion of the Company's sales relates to new home construction
    activity which is cyclical in nature.
    

   
    On July 3, 1995, the stockholders of Fojtasek Companies, Inc. ("Fojtasek")
    executed a stock purchase agreement (the "Heritage Transaction") whereby
    all of Fojtasek's common stock was acquired by FCI Holding Corp. ("FCI
    Holding"), a Delaware holding company which was established in connection
    with the Heritage Transaction (Note 13). On September 30, 1996, Atrium
    Corporation ("Holding"), a Delaware parent company which owned 100% of FCI
    Holding (which owned 100% of Fojtasek) acquired Bishop (as defined), a
    manufacturer of vinyl replacement windows and doors and contributed the
    capital stock of Bishop to Fojtasek (Note 16). On November 8, 1996, in
    connection with the Hicks Muse Transaction (the "Transaction"), Fojtasek,
    which was a Texas corporation, was merged with and into FCI Holding (Note
    13). The two companies were merged to achieve certain business objectives
    related to brand-name recognition. The surviving Delaware corporation was
    renamed "Atrium Companies, Inc.," (the "Company") which is a direct, 
    wholly-owned subsidiary of Holding. The merger was accounted for
    as a merger of companies under common control and the assets were valued 
    at historical cost.  
    

    BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

   
    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
    Company, Bishop Manufacturing Companies ("Bishop"), acquired in September
    1996, and H-R Window Supply, Inc. All significant intercompany transactions
    and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  
    

   
    INDUSTRY SEGMENT
    

   
    The Company operates in a single industry segment, the fabrication and
    distribution of doors and windows and related components.
    

   
    REVENUE RECOGNITION
    

   
    Revenue from the sale of doors and windows and related components is
    recorded at the time of delivery and billing to the customer. Allowances
    are established to recognize the risk of sales returns from customers.
    

    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   
    The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with original
    maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
    

    ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

   
    Accounts receivable are net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1,497
    and $1,155 as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
    





                                      F-7
<PAGE>   106
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


    CONCENTRATIONS OF CREDIT RISK

   
    Financial instruments which potentially expose the Company to
    concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of trade accounts
    receivable. The Company's customers are concentrated in the southern
    regions of the U.S. and focus upon the distribution and sale of building
    products. Sales in the state of Texas accounted for approximately 37.2% of
    revenue in 1996.  The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its
    customers' financial condition. The Company establishes an allowance for
    doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of
    specific customers, historical trends, and other information. No single
    customer accounted for more than 10% of sales, and the Company purchases
    aluminum, vinyl, glass and other raw materials from various
    suppliers.
    

    INVENTORIES

   
    Effective January 1, 1994, the Company elected to change its method of
    accounting for inventory from the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method to the
    last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. Management believes that the LIFO method
    results in a better matching of current costs with current revenues.
    

   
    The effect of the change in 1994 was to increase cost of sales by $2,721.
    The change in the LIFO reserve for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 
    1996 decreased cost of sales by $851 and $491, respectively.
    

    DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

   
    The Company provides for depreciation and amortization using straight-line
    and accelerated methods to allocate the cost of the assets over their
    estimated useful lives, as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  ESTIMATED
                                                                 USEFUL LIFE
                                                                 ------------
 <S>                                                              <C>
 Buildings and improvements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      5-40 years
 Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3-12 years
</TABLE>
    


   
    GOODWILL
    

   
    Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair market value of net assets
    acquired. Goodwill is being amortized over 40 years on a straight-line 
    basis. Accumulated amortization at December 31, 1996 was $75. Management
    continually reviews the appropriateness of the carrying value of goodwill
    and the related amortization period based on anticipated undiscounted cash 
    flows of the related assets. The Company considers operating results,
    trends and prospects of the Company, as well as competitive comparisons.
    The Company also takes into consideration competition within the building
    materials industry and any other events or circumstances which might        
    indicate potential impairment.
    
   
    FORWARD COMMITMENTS

    The company periodically enters into forward commitments to hedge price
    variances in materials. Changes in the market value of forward commitments
    are recognized in income when the effects of the related charges in the
    hedged items are recognized.
    

    USE OF ESTIMATES

    The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
    generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
    estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
    liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
    of the financial statements and the





                                      F-8
<PAGE>   107
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


    reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
    Actual results could differ from these estimates.

    RECLASSIFICATIONS
   
    Certain reclassifications have been made to the 1995 and 1994 balances to 
conform with the 1996 presentation.
    

   
2.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
    

   
    In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107,
    "Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments," the following
    methods have been used in estimating fair value disclosures for significant
    financial instruments of the Company.
    

   
    Estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using
    available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Due
    to the fact that considerable judgment is required to interpret market data
    to develop the estimates of fair value, the estimates presented are not
    necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current
    market exchange.
    

   
    Cash and cash equivalents -- The carrying amounts reported in the balance
    sheet approximate the fair value.
    

   
    Notes Payable -- The fair value of the Company's notes in 1996 is based on
    quoted market prices and in 1995 based on similar issues as advised by the
    Company's bankers.
    

   
    Forward Aluminum Contracts -- The unrealized gains and losses are based on
    quotes for aluminum as reported on the London Metal Exchange.
    

   
    The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company's financial
    instruments as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1996                          1995
                                      -----------------------          -----------------------------
                                       Carrying                         Carrying
                                        Amount    Fair Value             Amount          Fair Value
                                     ----------  ------------          ---------------   -----------
    <S>                              <C>         <C>                   <C>               <C>
    ASSETS:
    Cash and cash equivalents ....   $    617     $    617             $     85           $     85

    LIABILITIES:
    Notes Payable ................   $100,000      $102,000            $ 49,000           $ 49,000
</TABLE>
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Notional   Unrealized
                                       Amount     Gain/(Loss)
                                       --------   ----------
    <S>                                <C>        <C>
    OFF-BALANCE SHEET:
    Forward Aluminum Contracts ....   $ 21,656   $    519
</TABLE>
    

   
3.     INVENTORIES:
    

   
       Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the last-in,
       first-out (LIFO) method of accounting. Work-in-process and finished
       goods inventories consist of materials, labor, and manufacturing
       overhead. Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, 1996
       and 1995:
    





                                      F-9
<PAGE>   108
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996         1995
                                                 --------     -------
<S>                                              <C>          <C>
 Raw materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $11,765      $11,654
 Work-in-process . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         563          686
 Finished goods  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       2,526        3,484
                                                   -----        -----
                                                  14,854       15,824
 LIFO reserve  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (1,380)      (1,871)
                                                  ------       ------
                                                 $13,474      $13,953
                                                 =======      =======

</TABLE>
    

   
4.     PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT:
    

   
       Property, plant, and equipment, stated at cost, consisted of the
following at December 31:
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1996         1995
                                                      -------       ------
 <S>                                                  <C>           <C>
 Land  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $682         $609
 Buildings and improvements  . . . . . . . . . .        7,139        6,554
 Machinery and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . .       11,970        8,802
 Construction-in-process . . . . . . . . . . . .          705           72
                                                      -------       ------
       Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       20,496       16,037

 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization        (6,526)      (4,917)
                                                      -------      -------
 Net property, plant and equipment                    $13,970      $11,120
                                                      =======      =======
</TABLE>
    

   
 Depreciation expense was $1,681, $1,554, and $1,678 for the years ended 
 December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.
    

   
5.     OTHER ASSETS:
    

   
       Other assets consisted of the following at December 31:
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1996         1995
                                                          ------       ------
 <S>                                                      <C>          <C>
 Non-compete agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . .          $1,575       $2,025
 Capitalized software costs  . . . . . . . . . .           1,355          317
 Deposits and other  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .             328           24
                                                          ------       ------
                                                          $3,258       $2,366
                                                          ======       ======
</TABLE>
    


   
       The cost of the non-compete agreements are being amortized over five
       years. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 1996 and
       1995 was $450 and $225, respectively, resulting in accumulated
       amortization at December 31, 1996 of $675. The Company capitalizes
       internal and external costs associated with implementing and developing
       software for internal use. Amortization will begin when the software is
       put into place. Management continually reviews the carrying value and
       expected functionality of the accumulated costs for potential impairment.
    

   
6.     DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS:
    

   
       The deferred financing costs relate to costs incurred in the placement
       of the Company's debt and are being amortized over the terms of the
       related debt which range from five to ten years. Amortization expense
       for the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 was $279 and $138,
       respectively.
    





                                      F-10

<PAGE>   109
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
7.     ACCRUED LIABILITIES:
    

   
       Accrued liabilities include the following at December 31:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              1996     1995
                                             ------   ------
 <S>                                         <C>     <C>
 Accrued salaries and wages ..............   $2,100   $1,799
 Accrued interest ........................    1,003      195
 Contingent payable related to 
  Bishop acquisition......................    1,000     --
 Warranty reserve ........................      961      560
 Accrued taxes payable ...................      601    1,370
 Workers' compensation reserve ...........      500      500
 Other ...................................      415    1,170
                                             ------   ------
                                             $6,580   $5,594
                                             ======   ======
</TABLE>
    

   
8.     NOTES PAYABLE:
    

   
       Notes payable consisted of the following at December 31:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       1996          1995
                                                     --------      -------
 <S>                                                 <C>           <C>
 Senior subordinated notes . . . . . . . . . . . .   $100,000     $     --
 Note payable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         --       38,000
 Revolving line of credit  . . . . . . . . . . . .         --       11,000
                                                     --------     --------
                                                      100,000       49,000
       Less current maturities                             --       (4,500)
                                                     --------     --------
                                                     $100,000     $ 44,500
                                                     ========     ========
</TABLE>
    

   
    


   
       In conjunction with the Heritage Transaction, a $40,000 term loan
       agreement (the "Term Loan") and a $25,000 revolving credit agreement
       (the "Line of Credit") (collectively, the "Old Credit Facility") were
       executed with a bank group. The Company initially borrowed $17,155 under
       the Line of Credit and $40,000 under the Term Loan. The Line of Credit 
       required the Company to pay a commitment fee of .375% to .5% on the 
       unborrowed portion of the facility and had an interest rate of 8.25% at 
       December 31, 1995. On November 27, 1996, all amounts outstanding under 
       the Old Credit Facility of approximately $54,124 were repaid in full in
       connection with the Transaction. The Company expensed, as an
       extraordinary charge $1,896, $1,176 net of income tax benefit of $720,
       related to the remaining deferred financing costs associated with the 
       Old Credit Facility.
    

   
       In connection with the Transaction, the Company issued $100,000 aggregate
       principal amount of 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes (the "Notes") due
       November 15, 2006 under the Indenture dated as of November 27, 1997 (the
       "Indenture"). Interest on the Notes is payable seminannually on May 15
       and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 1997. The Notes
       mature on November 15, 2006. The Company may redeem the Notes prior to
       November 15, 2001, subject to certain requirements. Upon the occurrence
       of a change of control (as defined), (i) the Company may, at any time on
       or prior to November 15, 2001,
    





                                      F-11
<PAGE>   110
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
       redeem the Notes, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price equal
       to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus a defined premium,
       together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
       redemption, and (ii) if the Notes are not redeemed, the Company will be
       required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at a price equal to
       101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid
       interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. In addition, under certain
       circumstances the Company will be obligated to make an offer to
       repurchase the Notes at 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and
       unpaid interest to the date of repurchase, with the net cash proceeds of
       certain sales or other dispositions of assets.
    

   
       In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to November 15,
       2000, the Company may, at its option, redeem the Notes, in part, with
       net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings by the Company or
       Holding, at a redemption price equal to 110 1/2% of the principal amount
       thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date
       of redemption; provided, however, that after any such redemption the
       aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding must equal at least
       $65 million.  In order to effect the foregoing redemption with the
       proceeds of any Equity Offering, the Company shall make such redemption
       not more than 12 months after the consummation of any such Equity
       Offering.
    

   
       The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the "Subsidiary
       Guarantees") on an unsecured, senior subordinated basis, by each of the
       Company's subsidiaries (see Note 19). The Indenture permits the Company
       to incur additional indebtedness (including Senior Indebtedness) of up
       to $45,000 as of December 31, 1996, subject to certain limitations. The
       Indenture restricts the Company's ability to pay dividends or make
       certain other restricted payments, consummate certain asset sales, or
       otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the
       Company and its subsidiaries. The Indenture also contains certain
       financial covenants, none of which are more restrictive than those under
       the Credit Facility.
    

   
       The Company also entered into a Credit Agreement providing for a new
       revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") with a bank in
       connection with the Transaction. The Credit Facility enables the Company
       to borrow up to $20,000. The revolving credit loans bear interest
       at a rate based upon the lender's prime rate plus a borrowing margin of
       1.5% or a LIBOR-based rate plus a borrowing margin of 2.5%. The Company
       pays a commitment fee of .5% based on the unused portion of the Credit
       Facility. The Credit Facility terminates in March 2002. The Company had
       $20,000 of availability under the Credit Facility as of December
       31, 1996. The Credit Facility ranks senior in right of payment to the
       Notes and is secured by substantially all the assets of the Company and
       its subsidiaries and is also guaranteed by Holding and the Company's
       subsidiaries (see Note 19). The Credit Facility contains various
       covenants that restrict the Company from taking various actions and
       require the Company to achieve and maintain certain financial covenants.
       Financial covenants include minimum EBITDA (as defined), minimum
       interest coverage ratio and limitations on capital expenditures,
       investments and incurring other indebtedness. The Credit Facility also
       prohibits the Company from prepaying the Notes and prohibits certain
       changes in control of the Company.             
    

   
       Principal payments due during the next five years on long-term notes
       payable as of December 31, 1996 are as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
 <S>                                               <C>
 1997 ..........................................   $        --
 1998 ..........................................            --
 1999 ..........................................            --
 2000 ..........................................            --
 2001 ..........................................            --
 Thereafter ....................................         100,000
                                                   -------------
                                                   $     100,000
                                                   =============
</TABLE>
    


   
9.     FEDERAL INCOME TAX:
    

   
       Prior to the Heritage Transaction, the Company was an S corporation,
       and, for federal income tax purposes, all income or loss was allocated
       to the stockholders for inclusion in their respective federal income tax
       returns. The Company made periodic distributions to stockholders for
       their pro rata portion of federal income taxes payable. In conjunction
       with the Heritage Transaction, the Company became a C corporation.
       Accordingly, subsequent to the Heritage Transaction, the Company
       accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No.
    





                                      F-12
<PAGE>   111
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
       109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," which requires that deferred income
       tax expenses be provided based upon the liability method.
    

   
       The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows for the
       years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       1996     1995     1994
                                                     -------  -------    -----
 <S>                                                  <C>      <C>       <C>
 Current federal income tax provision ..........   $ 3,388    $ 1,420    $  --
 Deferred federal income tax 
       provision (benefit)......................      (930)       202       --
 State income tax provision (benefit) ..........       241        (78)     604
                                                   -------    -------    -----
       Provision for income taxes ..............   $ 2,699    $ 1,544    $ 604
                                                   =======    =======    =====
</TABLE>
    


   
       The Company recognized a tax benefit in 1996 of $421 related to
       Holding's stock options. This benefit was recorded directly to paid in
       capital.
    

   
       Pro forma federal income tax expense, had the Company been subject to
       corporate income taxes for 12 months in 1995 and 1994, would have been
       $1,187 and $3,428, respectively.
    

   
       Temporary differences which give rise to the deferred income tax assets
       and liabilities are as follows as of December 31, 1996 and 1995:
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1996         1995
                                              -------    -------
 <S>                                             <C>          <C>
 Deferred income tax assets:
       Allowance for doubtful accounts ....   $   495    $   427
       Inventory cost capitalization and                        
          valuation........................       660        474
       Accrued vacation ...................       173        150
       Deferred stock compensation ........       501        114
       Warranty............................       208        178
       Workers' compensation...............       185        112
       Litigation..........................       149       --
       Other...............................       184         92
                                              -------    -------
                                                2,555      1,547

Deferred income tax liabilities:
       Depreciation .......................      (811)      (634)
       Other ..............................        (7)      (694)
                                              -------    -------
                                                 (818)    (1,328)
                                              -------    -------
Net deferred income tax asset .............     1,737        219
Less-current deferred tax asset............     2,555      1,217
                                              -------    -------
Long-term deferred tax liability ..........   $   818    $   998
                                              =======    =======
</TABLE>
    


   
       SFAS 109 requires a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets if,
       based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not
       that some of or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As
       of December 31, 1996 and 1995, no valuation reserve was recorded.
    





                                      F-13
<PAGE>   112
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
       Reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective
       tax rate, was as follows for the years ended December 31:
    

   

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1996        1995
                                               -------    -------
 <S>                                            <C>       <C>
 Tax computed at statutory rate ............   $ 2,777    $ 1,154
 Income tax benefit not recognized on S
        corporation tax deductions..........        --        655
                     
 State taxes ...............................       241        (78)
 Prior year return to accrual differences...      (352)        --
 Effects of SFAS No. 109 adoption in 1995
       and other ...........................        33       (187)
                                               -------    -------
 Provision for income taxes ................   $ 2,699    $ 1,544
                                               =======    =======
</TABLE>
    


   
    

   
    


   
10.    RELATED PARTIES:
    

   
       Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets are the following
       receivables due from related parties at December 31, 1996 and 1995:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1996   1995 
                                                           ----   ---- 
 <S>                                                      <C>    <C>   
 Receivables from stockholders ........................   $ 82   $414 
 Receivables from officers ............................   $  5   $ 38 
 Receivables from employees ...........................   $ 80   $ 51 
</TABLE>
    


   
       MONITORING AND OVERSIGHT AGREEMENT
    

   
       Holding and the Company have entered into a ten-year monitoring and
       oversight agreement (the "Monitoring and Oversight Agreement") with
       Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners, L.P. ("Hicks Muse Partners"). Pursuant
       thereto, Holding and the Company have agreed to pay to Hicks Muse
       Partners an annual fee of $320 for ongoing financial oversight and
       monitoring services to the Company. The annual fee is adjustable upward
       or downward on January 1 of each calendar year to an amount equal to
       0.2% of the budgeted consolidated annual net sales of the Company and
       its subsidiaries for the then-current fiscal year; provided, that such
       fee shall at no time be less than $320 per year.
    

   
       The Monitoring and Oversight Agreement makes available on an ongoing
       basis the resources of Hicks Muse Partners concerning a variety of
       financial and operational matters. The services that have been and will
       continue to be provided by Hicks Muse Partners could not otherwise be
       obtained by the Company without the addition of personnel or the
       engagement of outside professional advisors.
    

   
       FINANCIAL ADVISORY AGREEMENT
    

   
       Holding and the Company are parties to a ten-year financial advisory
       agreement (the "Financial Advisory Agreement") with Hicks Muse Partners
       pursuant to which Hicks Muse Partners received a financial advisory fee
       of $2,000 on the closing date of the Transaction as compensation for its
       services as financial advisor to the Company in connection with the
       Transaction. Pursuant to the Financial Advisory Agreement, Hicks Muse
       Partners is also entitled to receive a fee equal to 1.5% of the
       transaction value (as defined in the Financial
    





                                      F-14

<PAGE>   113
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
       Advisory Agreement) for each add-on transaction (as defined) in which
       the Company or any of its subsidiaries is involved.
    

   
       Pursuant to the Financial Advisory Agreement, Hicks Muse Partners
       provides investment banking, financial advisory and other similar
       services with respect to the add-on transactions in which the Company is
       involved. Such transactions require additional attention beyond that
       required to monitor and advise the Company on an ongoing basis and
       accordingly the Company pays separate financial advisory fees with
       respect to such matters in addition to those paid in connection with the
       Monitoring and Oversight Agreement. The services that have been and will
       continue to be provided by Hicks Muse Partners could not otherwise be
       obtained by the Company without the addition of personnel or the
       engagement of outside professional advisors.
    

   
11.    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS:
    

   
       The Company has entered into employment agreements with several
       executives of the Company including its President and Chief Executive
       Officer as well as its several Vice Presidents and General Managers of
       the Company's divisions. The agreements generally provide for terms of
       employment, annual salaries, bonuses, eligibility for option awards and
       severance benefits.
    

   
    

   
12.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
    

       COMMITMENTS

   
       The Company has entered into operating lease agreements for office and
       manufacturing space with unrelated third parties and with certain
       affiliates of certain stockholders of the Company. Total rent expense
       for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 was $2,012, $3,156
       and $1,499, respectively. Of these totals, amounts paid to related
       parties were $605, $313 and $226 in 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.
       Future minimum rents due under operating leases with initial or
       remaining terms greater than 12 months are as follows:
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  RELATED      OTHER
                                                  PARTIES     PARTIES        TOTAL
                                                ----------   ---------      --------
 <S>                                              <C>          <C>           <C>
 1997 .. ........................................   $605        $655         $1,260
 1998 ...........................................    882         571          1,453
 1999 ...........................................    462         550          1,012
 2000 ...........................................    420         359            779
 2001 ...........................................    466         110            576
 Thereafter .....................................  1,555          32          1,587
                                                   -----       -----         ------
                                                  $4,390       $2,277        $6,667
                                                  ======       ======        ======
</TABLE>
    


   
       The Company has contracts with various suppliers to purchase aluminum
       for use in the manufacturing process. The contracts vary from one to
       twelve months and are at fixed quantities and fixed and floating prices.
       As of December 31, 1996, the Company had forward commitments for
       delivery through December 1997 for 12.9 million pounds of aluminum, of
       which 10.0 million pounds were at fixed prices.
    

       CONTINGENCIES

   
       The Company is party to various claims, legal actions, and complaints
       arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of
       management, all such matters are without merit or are of such kind, or
       involve such amounts, that an unfavorable disposition would not have a
       material effect on the financial position, results of operations or
       liquidity of the Company.
    

   
       On November 27, 1996, certain selling stockholders and Citibank, N.A.
       entered into an indemnification escrow agreement, funded in the amount
       of $2.0 million by the selling stockholders, securing the
       indemnification obligations of such selling stockholders to Hicks Muse
       and its affiliates under the stock purchase agreement related to the
       Transaction. Also on November 27, 1996, certain former Bishop
       stockholders entered into another indemnification escrow agreement,
       funded in the amount of $3.0 million by the former Bishop stockholders,
       which secured the indemnification obligations of the former Bishop
       stockholders to the Company and Hicks Muse and its affiliates under the
       agreements related to the acquisition of Bishop and under the stock
       purchase agreement related to the Transaction.
    

   
    

   
       During 1993, factory employees voted to unionize and become members of
       Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union. A three-year union
       contract was executed during 1995. In addition, in connection with the
       Keller Acquisition, the Company became a party to collective bargaining
       arrangements due to expire in 2001. 
    

   
       The Company is involved in various stages of investigation and cleanup
       relative to environmental protection matters, some of which relate to
       waste disposal sites. The potential costs related to such matters and
       the possible impact thereof on future operations are uncertain due in
       part to: the uncertainty as to the extent of pollution; the complexity
       of Government laws and regulations and their interpretations; the
       varying costs and effectiveness of alternative cleanup technologies and
       methods; the uncertain level of insurance or other types of recovery;
       and the questionable level of the Company's involvement.  The Company
       has been named as a potentially responsible party at two superfund sites
       pursuant to the Liability Act of 1980 or comparable state statutes. 
       Based on currently available information, the Company believes that its
       liability, if any, associated with remediation of these sites or other
       facilities will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
       financial condition, results of operations, or liguidity.
    

   
13.    STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT:
    

   
       HERITAGE TRANSACTION
    

   
       On June 23, 1995, Heritage Fund I, L.P. ("Heritage") formed two Delaware 
       corporations, FCI Holding and its wholly-owned subsidiary,
       Fojtasek/Heritage Acquisition Company ("Acquisition Corp."). Heritage
       contributed approximately $22,000 to FCI Holding in exchange for 30,386
       shares of voting common stock, 19,614 shares of nonvoting common stock
       and 11,000 shares of nonvoting preferred stock of FCI Holding.
       Additionally, FCI Holding issued 159 shares of voting common stock to a
       member of management whom had an equity interest in the voting common
       stock of Fojtasek prior to the transaction for approximately $50. In a
       simultaneous transaction, (i) Acquisition Corp. used the $22,100
       proceeds contributed from FCI Holding plus approximately $57,200
       borrowed under a term loan agreement and a revolving line of credit to
       purchase a majority of the voting common stock from the Fojtasek
       shareholders and pay transaction costs of approximately $5,000 (ii)
       Fojtasek shareholders exchanged their remaining 2,727 shares of Fojtasek
       voting stock (the "Rollover Stock") to FCI Holding for 30,386 shares of
       FCI Holding voting common stock, (iii) the Rollover Stock was
       contributed by FCI Holding to Acquisition Corp. for 99 shares of
       Acquisition Corp. stock issued to FCI Holding and (iv) Acquisition Corp.
       was merged into Fojtasek.
    
   
       After the Heritage Transaction, the voting common stock of FCI Holding
       was held by Heritage (49.8%), the Fojtasek shareholders (49.8%) and the
       management shareholder (0.4%). FCI Holding owned 100% of the interest in
       Fojtasek (the surviving company from the merger with Acquisition Corp.)
       As a result of its purchase of nonvoting common stock in the 
       transaction, Heritage held approximately 68% of the economic interest of
       FCI Holding.
    

   
       In connection with the Heritage Transaction, certain assets and
       liabilities were excluded from the assets and liabilities of Fojtasek
       and distributed as follows. Fojtasek distributed the land, building, and
       improvements related to two of its primary operating divisions to
       certain Fojtasek shareholders. The net book value of the property
       distributed totaled approximately $9,300. The shareholders also assumed
       the industrial development revenue bonds of $4,400 which were
       collateralized by the property. Fojtasek also distributed its
       investments in rental real estate to certain Fojtasek shareholders. The
       net book value of the properties distributed was approximately $3,100.
       The shareholders also assumed the related notes payable which were
       collateralized by the property. The outstanding balance of the notes
       payable transferred was approximately $2,300.
    

   
       The transaction was accounted for as a recapitalization as it did not
       result in a change of control. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities
       of Fojtasek were not revalued. The transaction resulted in an increase
       to stockholder's deficit of $57,000.
    





                                      F-15
<PAGE>   114
                            ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
    

   
    

   
       FCI Holding issued options (the "Substitute Options") to certain members
       of Fojtasek management to purchase FCI Holding's nonvoting common
       stock. The options vested ratably over five years or immediately upon a
       public offering or a sale of substantially all the assets of FCI Holding
       or a subsidiary. In connection with this issuance, $1,350 in
       compensation expense representing the difference between the market
       value of the underlying common stock and the exercise price of the
       option was deferred and amortized over the vesting period. Compensation
       expense of approximately $410 and $308 related to the options was
       recognized by the Company for the years ended December 31, 1996 and
       1995, respectively. In connection with the Transaction, the options 
       vested immediately and became exercisable. The vested options were
       redeemed for cash or exchanged for a new grant of Holding options. The
       Company recognized a charge of $516 associated with the vesting of the
       options in stock option  compensation expense in the accompanying
       statement of income.  
    

   
        FCI Holding also issued stock options (the "Disposition Options") to
        certain members of Fojtasek management. Value is recognized on
        these options based on the market value of the Company, which became
        exercisable upon a public offering or a sale of substantially all the
        assets of FCI Holding or a subsidiary of FCI Holding. In connection
        with the Transaction, the options vested and were redeemed and the
        resultant compensation expense of $743 was recorded in stock option
        compensation expense in the accompanying statement of income.
    

   
       HICKS MUSE TRANSACTION
    

   
       The Transaction refers to a recapitalization transaction that closed
       concurrent with the closing of the issuance of the Notes in which
       affiliates of Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated ("Hicks Muse")
       purchased a number of newly issued shares of Holding Common Stock for
       $32,000 pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated November 7, 1996,
       and certain outstanding shares, and certain options and warrants to
       acquire shares of Holding's Common Stock and all outstanding shares
       of preferred stock of Holding were redeemed. 
    

   
       This transaction, which was completed on November 27, 1996, required
       approximately $134,500 to complete, consisting of $59,417 in redemption
       payments to the Selling Securityholders, $54,369 representing all
       outstanding indebtedness under the Old Credit Facility and debt assumed
       in connection with its acquisition of Bishop, $12,472 in redemption
       payments to preferred stockholders of Holding (including cumulative
       dividends in arrears) and approximately $8,242 of fees and expenses. The
       funds required to consummate the Transaction were provided by (i) the
       proceeds of the issuance of the Notes, (ii) $32,000 in equity financing
       discussed above, (iii) drawings of $2,000 under the Company's Credit
       Facility, and (iv) other cash provided by the Company of $500. The shares
       issued to Hicks Muse, after giving effect to the other elements of the
       Transaction, represent approximately 82.0% of the outstanding common 
       stock of Holding. The Transaction has been accounted for as a
       recapitalization.
    

   
14.    SPECIAL CHARGES AND STOCK OPTION COMPENSATION EXPENSE
    

   
       Included in special charges in the accompanying 1996 Consolidated
       Statement of Income are officer bonuses of $3,044 incurred in connection
       with the Transaction. Special charges in 1995 consisted of consulting
       fees of $408, officer and management bonuses of $6,380, and
       restructuring charges of $400 incurred in connection with the Heritage
       Transaction.
    

   
       Included in Stock Option Compensation Expense are charges associated
       with the issuance of new stock options at exercise prices below the fair
       value of the underlying common stock, the expense associated with the
       cash redemption of certain options, both as a result of the Transaction,
       and amortization of deferred compensation expense related to previously
       issued options.
    






                                      F-16
<PAGE>   115
                            ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                       DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                 (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)

   
15.    OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET:
    

   
              Other income (expense), net consists of the following for the 
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1996       1995          1994
                                                       --------   -------       -------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>           <C>
 Rental, interest, and other income ................   $    49    $ 1,012        $   559
 Write-down of investments in rental real estate ...      --         --           (1,544)
 Gain on sale of assets ............................        10        430             31
 Other .............................................      (241)      --               --
                                                       -------    -------        -------
                                                       $  (182)   $ 1,442        $  (954)
                                                       =======    =======        =======
</TABLE>
    

   
16.    ACQUISITIONS:
    
   
       Bishop:
    

   
Effective September 30, 1996, the Company acquired the capital stock of Bishop,
a manufacturer of vinyl replacement windows and doors for the residential
market in the northwest region of the United States, for approximately $19,531.
To consummate the acquisition, the Company paid approximately $13,531 to
Bishop's shareholders (the "Sellers"), agreed to a $1,000 payable to the
Sellers to be paid if certain earnings targets are met, and issued $5,000 of
Holding common stock in exchange for all of Bishop's capital stock. The $1,000
is recorded as an accrued liability in the Company's financial statements at
December 31, 1996. Holding subsequently contributed the Bishop captial stock to
the Company. Consequently, as of September 30, 1996, Bishop became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. In conjunction with the acquisition of
Bishop, the Company recorded approximately $12,038 of goodwill, which is being
amortized on a straight line basis over 40 years. The Bishop acquisition has
been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. Accordingly, the
purchase price has been allocated to the assets and liabilities based upon
their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition as described below. The
purchase allocation is preliminary in nature and subject to change. 
    

   
<TABLE>

<S>                                          <C>  
 Cash and advances to the Company.......  $  3,288 
 Accounts receivable, net .............      2,073
 Inventories ..........................      1,774
 Other current assets .................        256
 Property, plant and equipment, net ...      1,206
 Other noncurrent assets ..............         70
 Goodwill .............................     12,038
 Current liabilities ..................       (986)
 Other noncurrent liabilities .........       (188)
                                          --------

       Total purchase price ...........    $19,531
                                          ========
</TABLE>
    







                                      F-17
<PAGE>   116
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
       The Company's Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended
       December 31, 1996 includes Bishop's operations from the date of
       aquisition. The following table presents the historical consolidated 
       operating results of the Company for the years ended December 31, 1996
       and 1995, compared to pro forma operating results for such periods. The
       unaudited pro forma information presents consolidated operating results
       as though the acquisition of Bishop had occurred at the beginning of the
       periods presented.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
                           ----------------------------    ----------------------------
                            ACTUAL            PRO FORMA     ACTUAL            PRO FORMA
                           ---------          ---------    --------           ---------
 <S>                       <C>                <C>           <C>               <C>
 Net sales ............... $156,269           $166,710       $135,478         $149,974
 Income before
   extraordinary charge...    5,379              5,929          1,849            4,046
 Net income ..............    4,203              4,753          1,849            4,046
</TABLE>
    

   
       Keller Asset Purchase:
    

   
       In June 1996, the Company purchased certain assets from a division of
       Keller Building Products for $1,150. In September 1996, the Company 
       purchased the division's inventory for $500. These asset purchases were 
       recorded at cost.
    

   
17.    STOCK OPTIONS
    

   
        To effect the acquisition of Bishop, FCI Holding formed Holding. The
        Substitute Option holders exchanged 2,875,922 options for equivalent
        nonvoting common stock options (the "Replacement Options") in Holding's
        1996 Original Stock Option Plan (the "Original Plan"). In conjunction
        with the Transaction, 2,875,922 options of Holding were tendered at an
        exercise price of $.01, of which 1,050,000 were exchanged for
        Replacement Options of Holding. Approximately $926 of compensation
        expense has been recognized in 1996 in connection with the Substitute
        Options and the 1,050,000 Replacement Options. Under certain
        circumstances, if the option holders terminate employment prior to the
        exercise of such option, they have the right to receive $1.00 per
        option (net of the exercise price). In 1995, approximately $308 was
        recognized in connection with the Substitute Options.
    


   
       Upon completion of the Transaction, Holding adopted the 1996 Stock Option
       Plan (the "New Plan") authorizing the issuance of 3,500,000 options to
       acquire common stock. Holding's New Plan gives certain individuals and 
       key employees of Holding and any subsidiary corporation thereof who are
       responsible for the continued growth of Holding an opportunity to
       acquire a proprietary interest in Holding and thus to create in such
       persons an increased interest in and a greater concern for the welfare
       of Holding or any subsidiary. Through December 31, 1996, the Board of
       Directors of Holding has granted 1,910,390 options under the New Plan.
       The Company applies APB Opinion 25 and related interpretations in
       accounting for the Plan. 
    





                                      F-18
<PAGE>   117
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
       The following table summarizes the transactions of the Original Plan and
       the New Plan for the periods ended December 31, 1996 and 1995 (all
       outstanding options were granted to management of the Company):
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     December 31,  December 31,
                                                        1996          1995
                                                     ------------  -----------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>
Outstanding options, beginning of period .........    2,875,922            --
Granted ..........................................    2,960,390     2,875,922
Canceled or expired ..............................         --              --
Exchanged ........................................   (1,050,000)           --
Exercised ........................................   (1,825,922)           --
                                                     ----------    ----------
Outstanding options, end of year .................    2,960,390     2,875,922
                                                     ==========    ==========
Average price of options exercised ...............   $      .01    $       --
Weighted average exercise price, end of period....   $      .65    $      .01
Options exercisable, end of period ...............           --            --
Options available for future grant ...............    1,589,610            --
</TABLE>
    

   
       The options vest over periods ranging from three to ten years. 
    

   
       On November 27, 1996, Holding issued a warrant (the "Warrant") to the
       President and Chief Executive Officer (the "Executive") of the Company.
       Pursuant to the terms of the Warrant, the Executive is entitled to
       purchase 1,333,333 shares of Holding common stock at any time subsequent
       to the Hicks Muse Transaction. The exercise price of the Warrant is $.01
       per share.  An additional 861,889 shares may be purchased under the
       Warrant at an exercise price of $1.00, representing the fair market
       value on the date of grant upon the realization of an 8.0% internal rate
       of return (as defined). The 861,889 options vest ratably each day for
       three years. The Warrant will terminate on November 27, 2006. The
       Company recorded non-cash compensation expense of approximately
       $1,320,000 for the period ended December 31, 1996 in connection with the
       difference between the fair market value of the stock at the date of
       issuance ($1.00) and the exercise price ($.01).
    

   
       The following table summarizes information about stock options and
       warrants outstanding at December 31, 1996:
    

   

    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Options Outstanding                    Options Exercisable
                                             ------------------------------------------------   ------------------------------
                                                               Weighted Average   Weighted                         Weighted
                                                                  Remaining       Average                          Average
                               Range of          Number              Life         Exercise          Number         Exercise
                           Exercise Prices     Outstanding         (months)         Price         Exercisable       Price
                           ---------------   --------------      ------------   ------------   --------------   -------------
                                                                  
                            <S>                <C>                <C>               <C>          <C>                 <C>
                            Options:
                             $ .01                 1,050,000            119          $ .01               --              --
                             $1.00                 1,910,390            119          $1.00               --              --        
  
                             Warrants:
                             $ .01                 1,333,333            119          $ .01        1,333,333           $ .01
                             $1.00                   861,889            119          $1.00               --              --        
</TABLE>
    

   
              In 1995, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 123 "Accounting for
       Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123") which, if fully adopted by the
       Company, would change the methods the Company applies in recognizing the
       cost of the stock-based plans. Adoption of the cost recognition
       provisions of SFAS 123 is optional and the Company has decided not to
       elect these provisions of SFAS 123. However, pro forma disclosures as if
       the Company adopted the cost recognition provisions of SFAS 123 in 1995
       are required by SFAS 123 and are presented below. In 1996, the Company
       granted only nonqualified stock options under the plans.   
    

   
       The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the date of
       grant using the minimum value method of option pricing with the
       following weighted-average assumptions for grants in 1996: dividend
       yield of 0.0%; risk-free interest rate of 7.0%; and the expected life of
       10 years. In determining the "minimum value" (SFAS 123 does not require
       the volatility of the Company's common stock underlying the options to
       be calculated or considered because the Company was not publicly-traded
       when the options were granted).
    


                                      F-19
<PAGE>   118
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
       Had the compensation cost for the Company's stock-based compensation
       plans and warrants been determined consistent with SFAS 123, the
       Company's net income for 1996 and 1995 would have been $3,934 and
       $1,949, respectively.
    

   
       The effects of applying SFAS 123 in this pro forma disclosure are not
       indicative of future amounts. SFAS 123 does not apply to awards prior to
       1995, and the Company anticipates making awards in the future under its
       stock-based compensation plans. 
    

   
    

   
18.    Employee Benefit Plans:
    

   
       Stock Purchase Plan
    

   
       Holding's 1996 Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock Purchase Plan") gives
       certain key employees of Holding or related entities who are expected to
       contribute materially to the success of Holding or related entities an
       opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in Holding, and thus to
       retain such persons and create in such persons an increased interest in
       and a greater concern for the welfare of Holding and any Related
       Entities. The Board of Directors is authorized to offer 500,000 shares
       for purchase. As of December 31, 1996, no grants were outstanding.
    





                                      F-20
<PAGE>   119
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)


   
       401K
    

   
       During 1996, the Company established an employee benefit plan in
       accordance with Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code for salaried
       employees. The Company may at its discretion match employee
       contributions. During the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company
       incurred no expense. 
    
        
   
19.    SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:
    

    
       In November 1996, the Company issued the Notes. The Company's payment
       obligations under the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on
       a joint and several basis (collectively, the "Subsidiary Guaranties") on
       a senior subordinated basis by Bishop and H-R Window Supply, Inc.
       Accordingly, the consolidating balance sheets as of December 31, 1996
       and the consolidating income statements and statements of cash flows for
       the year ended December 31, 1996 are presented below for Bishop and for
       the Company. The financial data of H-R Window Supply, Inc. is
       immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements and is included in 
       the Company below. Separate complete financial statements of the
       respective Subsidiary Guarantors would not provide additional material
       information which would be useful in assessing the financial composition
       of the Subsidiary Guarantors. No single Subsidiary Guarantor has any
       significant legal restrictions on the ability of investors or creditors
       to obtain access to its assets in event of default on the Subsidiary
       Guarantee other than its subordination to senior indebtedness described
       above.

    

   
       The Notes and the Subsidiary Guaranties are subordinated to all
       existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company. The indenture
       governing the Notes contains limitations on the amount of additional
       indebtedness (including Senior Indebtedness) which the Company may
       incur. As of December 31,1996, the maximum amount of Senior Indebtedness
       the Company and its Subsidiary Guarantees collectively, and in the
       aggregate, could incur was $45,000.
    

   

    
   
       Investments in the Company's subsidiaries are accounted for by the
       Company on the equity method for purposes of the supplemental
       consolidated presentation. Earnings of subsidiaries are therefore
       reflected in the Company's investment accounts and earnings. The
       principal consolidation entries eliminate investments in subsidiaries
       and intercompany balances and transactions.
    





                                      F-21
<PAGE>   120
   
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
    
         
   
                          CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
                            AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
    

         
<TABLE>  
<CAPTION>   
                                                              ASSETS
                                                                                 BISHOP
                                                                   THE         (GUARANTOR      CONSOLIDATION
                                                                 COMPANY      SUBSIDIARIES)       ENTRIES       CONSOLIDATED
                                                                ---------     --------------   --------------  --------------
<S>                                                             <C>            <C>             <C>              <C>     
 CURRENT ASSETS:
      Cash and cash equivalents ...............................   $     (77)   $     694       $    --          $     617
      Accounts receivable, net ................................      20,138        1,837            --             21,975
      Due from parent .........................................        --          3,452         (3,452)              -- 
      Inventories .............................................      11,792        1,682            --             13,474
      Prepaid expenses and other ..............................       1,721           44            --              1,765
      Deferred tax asset ......................................       2,555         --              --              2,555
                                                                  ---------    ---------       --------         ---------
             Total current assets .............................      36,129        7,709         (3,452)           40,386
PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, net ...........................      12,691        1,279             --            13,970
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARY ......................................      19,955         --          (19,955)               --
GOODWILL, net .. ..............................................        --         11,963             --            11,963
DEFERRED FINANCING COSTS, net .................................       5,173         --               --             5,173
OTHER ASSETS ..................................................       3,258         --               --             3,258
                                                                  ---------    ---------       --------         ---------
             Total assets .....................................   $  77,206    $  20,951       $(23,407)        $  74,750
                                                                  =========    =========       ========         =========

                                          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
      Accounts payable ........................................   $   8,182    $     346       $    --          $   8,528
      Due to subsidiary .......................................       3,452         --          (3,452)                --
      Accrued liabilities .....................................       5,930          650            --              6,580
                                                                  ---------    ---------       -------          ---------
             Total current liabilities ........................      17,564          996        (3,452)            15,108
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
      Notes payable ...........................................     100,000         --             --             100,000
      Deferred tax liability ..................................         818         --             --                 818
                                                                  ---------    ---------       -------          ---------
             Total long-term liabilities ......................     100,818         --             --             100,818
                                                                  ---------    ---------       -------          ---------
             Total liabilities ................................     118,382          996        (3,452)           115,926
                                                                  ---------    ---------       -------          ---------
 STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT):
      Common Stock ............................................        --             10           (10)                --
      Paid-in capital .........................................      31,936       19,521       (19,521)            31,936
      Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) .................     (73,112)         424          (424)           (73,112)
                                                                  ---------    ---------      --------          ---------
           Total stockholder's equity (deficit)................     (41,176)      19,955       (19,955)           (41,176)
                                                                  ---------    ---------      --------          ---------
           Total liabilities and stockholder's
             equity (deficit)..................................      77,206    $  20,951      $(23,407)         $  74,750
                                                                  =========    =========      ========          =========

</TABLE>
    





                                      F-22
<PAGE>   121
   
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
    


   
                         CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENT
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                   BISHOP
                                                             THE          (GUARANTOR
                                                           COMPANY(1)   SUBSIDIARIES)(1)   CONSOLIDATED
                                                        --------------  ----------------   --------------
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>              <C>          
 NET SALES .............................................   $ 152,081       $   4,188         $ 156,269   
 COST OF GOODS SOLD ....................................      99,891           2,450           102,341   
                                                           ---------       ---------         ---------   
              Gross profit .............................      52,190           1,738            53,928   
                                                                                                         
 OPERATING EXPENSES:                                                                                     
       Selling, delivery, general and administrative                                                     
          expenses .....................................      34,083           1,011            35,094   
       Special charges .................................       3,044            --               3,044   
       Stock option compensation expense ...............       3,023            --               3,023   
                                                           ---------       ---------         ---------   
                                                              40,150           1,011            41,161   
                                                           ---------       ---------         ---------   
              Income from operations ...................      12,040             727            12,767   
                                                                                                         
 INTEREST EXPENSE ......................................       4,503               4             4,507   
 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), net ...........................        (192)             10             (182)   
                                                           ---------       ---------         ---------   
              Income before income taxes and                                                             
              extraordinary charge......................       7,345             733             8,078   
                                                                                                         
                                                                                                         
 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES ............................       2,395             304             2,699   
                                                           ---------       ---------         ---------   
              Income before extraordinary charges ......       4,950             429             5,379   
                                                                                                         
 EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE FOR EARLY RETIREMENT                                                               
     OF DEBT, (net of income tax benefit of $720).......       1,171               5             1,176   
                                                           ---------       ---------         ---------   
                                                                                                         
 NET INCOME ............................................   $   3,779       $     424         $   4,203   
                                                           =========       =========         =========   
</TABLE> 
    


   
(1)  The amounts shown are for the year ended December 31, 1996 for the Company
     and for the three months ended December 31, 1996 for Bishop.

    



                                      F-23
<PAGE>   122
   
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
                  (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
    

   
                     CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                               BISHOP
                                                                           THE        (GUARANTOR
                                                                        COMPANY (1)   SUBSIDIARIES)(1)   CONSOLIDATED
                                                                        -----------   ----------------   ------------
 <S>                                                                     <C>          <C>             <C>
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                                           
       Net income ..................................................     $   3,779    $     424         $   4,203  
       Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by                                                 
         operating activities:                                                                                     
              Extraordinary charge, net of income tax benefit.......         1,176         --               1,176  
              Depreciation and amortization ........................         2,337          147             2,484  
              Gain on retirement of assets .........................           (10)        --                 (10) 
              Stock option compensation expense.....................         3,023         --               3,023  
              Deferred taxes .......................................        (1,303)        --              (1,303) 
              Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition                                               
                in 1996:
                  Accounts receivable, net .........................        (3,292)         236            (3,056) 
                  Inventories ......................................         2,161           91             2,252  
                  Prepaid expenses and other current assets.........          (727)          (3)             (730) 
                  Accounts payable .................................           661          154               815  
                  Accrued liabilities ..............................            57         (144)              (87) 
                                                                         ---------    ---------         ---------  
                     Net cash provided by operating activities .....         7,862          905             8,767  
                                                                         ---------    ---------         ---------  
                                                                                                                   
 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                             
       Purchases of property, plant and equipment ..................        (3,236)        (144)           (3,380) 
       Proceeds from asset sales ...................................            25         --                  25  
       Decrease (increase) in other assets .........................        (1,438)          69            (1,369) 
       Advances to parent/from subsidiary ..........................           312         (312)             --    
       Payment for acquisition, net of cash acquired ...............       (10,243)        --             (10,243) 
                                                                         ---------    ---------         ---------  
              Net cash used in investing activities ................       (14,580)        (387)          (14,967) 
                                                                         ---------    ---------         ---------  
                                                                                                                   
 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                                             
       Payment of notes payable ....................................       (62,740)        (188)          (62,928) 
       Proceeds from borrowings ....................................        13,740         --              13,740  
       Proceeds from issuance of senior subordinated notes .........       100,000         --             100,000  
       Deferred financing costs ....................................        (5,222)        --              (5,222) 
       Capital contributions .......................................            25         --                  25  
       Net distributions to Holding.................................       (39,304)        --             (39,304) 
       Income tax benefit upon exercise of Holding's stock options..           421         --                 421  
                                                                         ---------    ---------         ---------  
              Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ..         6,920         (188)            6,732  
                                                                         ---------    ---------         ---------  
                                                                                                                   
 NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS .........................           202          330               532  
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR ......................          (279)         364                85  
                                                                         ---------    ---------         ---------  
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR ............................     $     (77)   $     694         $     617  
                                                                         =========    =========         =========  
                                                                                                                   
</TABLE>
    

   
(1)  The amounts shown are for the year ended December 31, 1996 for the Company
     and for the three months ended September 30, 1996 for Bishop.
    



                                      F-24
<PAGE>   123
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Shareholders of
Atrium Companies, Inc.:

   
       We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Vinyl
Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc. and subsidiaries combined with Bishop
Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Atrium
Companies, Inc., formerly Fojtasek Companies, Inc.) (collectively referred to
as "Bishop Manufacturing") as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the related
combined consolidated statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 1996. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Companies' management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
    

       We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

       In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bishop
Manufacturing as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
September 30, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

                                                  ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Stamford, Connecticut,
October 21, 1996





                                      F-25
<PAGE>   124
   
                         BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANIES
                      COMBINED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND 1995
    

         
<TABLE>                                    
<CAPTION> 
                                        ASSETS
                                                                                 1996          1995
                                                                             -----------    -----------
 <S>                                                                         <C>            <C>
 CURRENT ASSETS: 
       Cash and cash equivalents ........................................   $   363,292    $ 3,824,076
       Due from Atrium Companies, Inc. ..................................     2,924,879           --
       Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
           accounts of $80,877 and $44,210, respectively.................     2,072,949      1,449,145
       Inventories ......................................................     1,747,059      1,714,195
       Prepaid costs ....................................................           575          1,794
       Deferred income taxes ............................................       215,950        201,950
       Other current assets .............................................        39,838         78,985
                                                                            -----------    -----------
              Total current assets ......................................     7,364,542      7,270,145

 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
       Land .............................................................        25,000         25,000
       Buildings ........................................................       685,330        685,330
       Leasehold improvements ...........................................       124,373        162,182
       Machinery and equipment ..........................................     1,181,800        955,111
       Transportation equipment and vehicles ............................       390,619        530,664
       Furniture and fixtures ...........................................       102,246        105,276
                                                                            -----------    -----------
                                                                              2,509,368      2,463,563
 Less--accumulated depreciation .........................................    (1,303,153)    (1,053,856)
                                                                            -----------    -----------
                                                                              1,206,215      1,409,707
                                                                            -----------    -----------
 OTHER ASSETS ...........................................................        90,245          3,535
                                                                            -----------    -----------
              Total assets ..............................................   $ 8,661,002    $ 8,683,387
                                                                            ===========    ===========

                                     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 CURRENT LIABILITIES:
       Accounts payable .................................................   $   371,630    $   230,056
       Due to Atrium Companies, Inc. ....................................       221,438           --
       Accrued liabilities ..............................................       894,225        637,717
       Notes payable (Note 4) ...........................................         8,148         15,500
       Income taxes payable .............................................       212,673        557,042
                                                                            -----------    -----------
              Total current liabilities .................................     1,708,114      1,440,315
                                                                            -----------    -----------
 NOTES PAYABLE (Note 4) .................................................       179,327        409,193
 OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES ............................................          --          573,821
 MINORITY INTEREST ......................................................       288,829        160,226
 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
       Common Stock .....................................................        10,000         10,000
       Retained earnings ................................................     6,474,732      6,089,832
                                                                            -----------    -----------
              Total stockholders' equity ................................     6,484,732      6,099,832
                                                                            -----------    -----------
              Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ................   $ 8,661,002    $ 8,683,387
                                                                            ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
    


      The accompanying notes to combined consolidated financial statements are
      an integral part of these combined consolidated balance sheets.





                                      F-26
<PAGE>   125
                         BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

   
                 COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
                     RETAINED EARNINGS FOR THE YEARS ENDED
                       SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1996             1995             1994
                                                             -----------      -----------      -----------
 <S>                                                         <C>              <C>              <C>
 Net sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $14,409,175      $14,496,026      $14,006,354
 Cost of goods sold  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       7,436,703        6,425,234        7,494,446
                                                             -----------      -----------      -----------
       Gross profit  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6,972,472        8,070,792        6,511,908
 Selling, general and administrative expenses  . . . . .       5,789,812        5,944,428        5,182,883
                                                             -----------      -----------      -----------
       Income from operations  . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,182,660        2,126,364        1,329,025
 Interest income (expense), net  . . . . . . . . . . . .          85,996           87,055          (60,028)
 Other (expense) income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (103,246)          76,635           24,605
                                                             -----------      -----------      -----------
       Income before provision for income taxes  . . . .       1,165,410        2,290,054        1,293,602
 Provision for income taxes (Note 6) . . . . . . . . . .         780,510        1,035,540          535,000
                                                             -----------      -----------      -----------
       Net income  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         384,900        1,254,514          758,602
 RETAINED EARNINGS, beginning of period  . . . . . . . .       6,089,832        4,835,318        4,076,716
                                                             -----------      -----------      -----------
 RETAINED EARNINGS, end of period  . . . . . . . . . . .     $ 6,474,732      $ 6,089,832      $ 4,835,318
                                                             ===========      ===========      ===========
</TABLE>
    


      The accompanying notes to combined consolidated financial statements are
        an integral part of these combined consolidated statements.





                                      F-27
<PAGE>   126
                         BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

   
                 COMBINED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
           FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
    



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      1996           1995           1994
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>        
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
       Net income ..............................................................   $   384,900    $ 1,254,514    $   758,602
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------

       Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used) provided by
              operating activities:
              Depreciation .....................................................       294,920        303,020        312,017
              Gain on sale of fixed assets .....................................       (14,900)          --             --
              Officers' compensation other than cash ...........................       153,172           --             --
              Minority interest ................................................       128,603          9,934         79,764
              Change in allowance for doubtful accounts ........................        36,667           --            9,072
              Deferred income taxes ............................................       (14,000)       (17,000)      (103,876)

              Changes in assets and liabilities:
                     (Increase) in due from Atrium .............................    (2,924,879)          --             --
                     (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable ................      (660,471)       411,123       (472,731)
                     (Increase) in inventories .................................       (32,864)      (491,351)      (409,065)
                     Decrease (increase) in prepaid costs ......................         1,219        491,492       (489,586)
                     Decrease (increase) in other current assets ...............        39,147        (35,093)        28,520
                     (Increase) decrease in other assets .......................       (86,710)         2,693         (2,693)
                     Increase (decrease) in accounts payable ...................       141,574       (697,513)       362,537
                     Increase in accrued liabilities ...........................       256,508        126,718        174,821
                     (Decrease) increase in income taxes payable ...............      (344,369)       401,613        155,429
                     (Decrease) increase in other long-term liabilities ........      (573,821)       549,998           --
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
                            Total adjustments ..................................    (3,600,204)     1,055,634       (355,791)
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
                            Net cash (used) provided by operating activities ...    (3,215,304)     2,310,148        402,811
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------


 CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
       Capital expenditures, net ...............................................      (229,700)      (365,379)      (355,236)
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------

 CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
       Repayments of notes payable .............................................      (237,218)       (14,495)       (13,544)
       Capital contribution ....................................................       221,438           --             --
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
              Net cash (used) in financing activities ..........................       (15,780)       (14,495)       (13,544)
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
              Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents .............    (3,460,784)     1,930,274         34,031
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period ................................     3,824,076      1,893,802      1,859,771
                                                                                   -----------    -----------    -----------
 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period ......................................   $   363,292    $ 3,824,076    $ 1,893,802
                                                                                   ===========    ===========    ===========

 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
       Cash paid during the period for:
              Interest .........................................................   $    35,140    $    43,140    $    54,049
              Income taxes .....................................................   $   923,221    $   834,060    $   364,284
</TABLE>

      The accompanying notes to combined consolidated financial statements are
        an integral part of these combined consolidated statements.





                                      F-28
<PAGE>   127

                         BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

              NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)    ATRIUM ACQUISITION:

   
       Effective June 30, 1996, the shareholders of Vinyl Building Specialties
of Connecticut, Inc. ("VBS") and its subsidiaries, Bishop Manufacturing
Company, Inc. ("BMC"), a Connecticut corporation, Bishop Manufacturing Company
of New England, Inc. ("BNE"), a Massachusetts corporation, combined with Bishop
Manufacturing Company of New York, Inc. ("BNY") a Connecticut corporation,
(collectively referred to as the "Companies") entered into a securities and
exchange agreement and a stock purchase agreement (the "Agreement"), with
Atrium Corporation and its subsidiary (Atrium Companies, Inc.) ("Atrium"), in
which Atrium agreed to acquire 100% of the Companies' Capital Stock. The stock
was then contributed to Atrium Companies, Inc. The Combined Consolidated
Financial Statements presented represent the financial position, results of
operations and cash flows prior to the effective date of the acquisition and 
do not reflect the new basis of accounting resulting from Atrium's acquisition
of Bishop.  Atrium completed the transaction effective September 30, 1996 and 
the Companies became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atrium Companies, Inc.
    

(2)    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

  Basis of presentation--

   
       The accompanying combined consolidated financial statements have been
prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. All significant intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated.
    

  Nature of operations--

       The Company manufactures vinyl windows and doors and primarily sells to
independent contractors for use in residential construction.

  Use of estimates--

       The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

  Inventories--

       Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method)
or market.

  Property, plant and equipment--

       Property, plant and equipment used in the business are stated at cost
less related accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance of a routine
nature are charged to operations, while those which improve or extend the lives
of existing assets are capitalized. Depreciation and amortization are provided
primarily on a straight-line basis over the economic useful lives ranging from
five to thirty years.

  Income taxes--

       The Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109,
"Accounting for Income Taxes".

       BNY is an S corporation for income tax reporting purposes. Under this
reporting, no provision (benefit) has been provided for income taxes relating
to the results of operations of BNY because the taxable income or loss will be
included with the income of the shareholders on their related individual income
tax returns. As a result of the Agreement, Atrium terminated BNY's
S-Corporation status as of October 1, 1996.





                                      F-29
<PAGE>   128
                         BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

   
  Revenue Recognition
    

   
       Revenue from the sale of doors and windows and related components is
recorded at the time of delivery and billing to the customer. Allowances are
established to recognize the risk of sales returns from customers.
    

(3)    INVENTORIES:

       Inventories are comprised of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996               1995
                                                                             ----------         ----------
       <S>                                                                   <C>                <C>
       Raw materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $1,330,743         $1,360,809
       Work in process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .           71,472             17,232
       Finished goods  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          344,844            336,154
                                                                             ----------         ----------
                                                                             $1,747,059         $1,714,195
                                                                             ==========         ==========
</TABLE>

(4)    NOTES PAYABLE:

       Notes Payable consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996                1995
                                                                               --------           --------
       <S>                                                                     <C>                <C>
       Mortgage note (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $     --           $231,133
       Promissory note (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          187,475            193,560
                                                                               --------           --------
                                                                                187,475            424,693
       Less:  current portion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .            8,148             15,500
                                                                               --------           --------
       Notes payable--non current  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         $179,327           $409,193
                                                                               ========           ========
</TABLE>

(a)    In fiscal 1993, BNE entered into a fifteen year mortgage note with a
       bank. The note beared interest at the prime rate plus one percent (9.75%
       September 30, 1995). The note was repaid in full in September 1996 by
       the Companies.

(b)    In fiscal 1993, BNE, entered into a promissory note with an agent of the
       U.S. Small Business Administration. The promissory note is due in
       monthly installments including interest at 6.36%. The final payment is
       due on July 1, 2013. The promissory note is secured by BNE's real estate
       and is guaranteed by BMC.

(5)    COMMITMENTS:

       The Companies lease warehouse and distribution facilities and
transportation equipment under operating leases. Future annual lease
commitments under these operating leases as of September 30, 1996 are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     FISCAL YEARS ENDING SEPTEMBER 30,                       LEASE COMMITMENTS
               ----------------------------------------------   --------------------------------------------
                     <S>                                                         <C>
                     1997  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                     $  78,016
                     1998  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        54,812
                     1999  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        33,205
                     2000  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        16,239
                     2001  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                        15,562
                                                                                 ---------
                                                                                 $ 197,834
                                                                                 =========
</TABLE>

       Rental expense for the year ended September 30, 1996, 1995, and 1994 was
$227,957, $218,870 and $175,744, respectively.

       On February 22, 1996, VBS entered into a Stockholders Agreement with
Team Pros America Corporation ("Team Pros"), a customer of the Companies. In
connection with agreement, the Companies have agreed to lend Team





                                      F-30
<PAGE>   129
                         BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

       NOTES TO COMBINED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (CONTINUED)

       Pros $48,000 payable in five installments commencing on the date of this
       agreement. As of September 30, 1996, the Company has loaned Team Pros
       $38,000.

(6)    INCOME TAXES:

       The components of the income tax provision as of September 30, 1996,
1995, and 1994 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1996           1995             1994
                                                                  --------      ----------        --------
       <S>                                                        <C>           <C>               <C>
       Current:
              Federal  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      $572,060        $774,263        $498,693
              State  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       222,450         278,500         140,183
                                                                  --------      ----------        --------
                     Total current provision . . . . . . . .       794,510       1,052,763         638,876
                                                                  --------      ----------        --------

       Deferred:
              Federal  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (10,080)        (13,244)        (81,553)
              State  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (3,920)         (3,979)        (22,323)
                                                                  --------      ----------        --------
                     Total deferred benefit  . . . . . . . .       (14,000)        (17,223)       (103,876)
                                                                  --------      ----------        --------
                     Total provision . . . . . . . . . . . .      $780,510      $1,035,540        $535,000
                                                                  ========      ==========        ========
</TABLE>

       The differences between the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate and
the effective income tax rate as reflected in the accompanying statements of
operations result primarily from BNY losses, state income taxes and
intercompany profit earned on sales from BMC to BNY that do not eliminate for
tax purposes.

       Temporary differences that comprise the net deferred tax asset primarily
pertain to accrued liabilities not currently deductible.

(7)    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

   
       On September 30, 1996, Atrium made an advance to the Companies of
$221,438. The proceeds of the advance were used to reduce the Companies' debt.
    

   
(8)    MINORITY INTEREST:
    

   
       Approximately 20% of the stock of BNE is owned by a minority
shareholder. Accordingly, for financial reporting purposes, the assets,
liabilities, results of operations and cash flows of the minority position are
included in the combined consolidated financial statements and the minority
interest is reflected separately in retained earnings. In connection with
Atrium's purchase of the Companies, the minority interest was also acquired,
and has been accounted for under the purchase method. C:\CHA\S-4.16
    





                                      F-31
<PAGE>   130





                      [THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>   131
================================================================================

NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE
BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY
INITIAL PURCHASER OF THE OLD NOTES. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER OF ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO
SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY, TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION
WHERE SUCH AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE
COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PAGE
                                                                ----
<S>                                                             <C>
Certain Definitions and Market and
  Industry Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   4
Risk Factors  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
The Transaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  20
Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Capitalization  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
Selected Consolidated Historical Financial
  Data  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
Description of New Credit Facility  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
Business  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
Beneficial Ownership and Certain
  Transactions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
The Exchange Offer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
Description of New Notes  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
Book-Entry; Delivery and Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  92
Certain United States Federal Income
  Tax Considerations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  94
Plan of Distribution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
Legal Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  95
Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  96
Available Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  97
Index to Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-1
</TABLE>

   
UNTIL ____________, 1997 (90 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY, WHETHER OR NOT
PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN
ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
    
===============================================================================

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


                                  $100,000,000



                               ATRIUM COMPANIES,
                                      INC.



                          10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED
                                 NOTES DUE 2006





   
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                 March 12, 1997
    

===============================================================================
<PAGE>   132

                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 20.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

DIRECTOR LIABILITY

       As authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law ("GCL"), the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate") provides that, to
the full extent permitted by the GCL or any other applicable laws as presently
or hereafter in effect, no Director of the Company in his or her capacity shall
be personally liable to the Company in his or her capacity as director of the
Company. The GCL does not permit limitation of liability of any director (i)
for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its
stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) in respect of
certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or repurchases, or (iv)
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. The Company has entered into certain agreements ("Indemnification
Agreements") with each of its directors and executive officers designed to give
effect to the foregoing provisions of the Certificate and to provide certain
additional assurances against the possibility of uninsured liability. The
effect of these provisions and the Indemnification Agreements will be to
eliminate the rights of the Company and its stockholders (through stockholders'
derivative suits on behalf of the Company) to recover monetary damages against
a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director (including breaches
resulting from negligence or gross negligence) except in the situations
described in clauses (i)-(iv) of the second sentence of this paragraph. These
provisions and the Indemnification Agreements will not alter the liability of
Directors of the Company under federal securities laws.

       At the closing of the Transaction, the Company entered into
indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers
under which the Company has agreed to indemnify the director or officer to the
fullest extent permitted by law, and to advance expenses, if the director or
officer becomes a party to or witness or other participant in any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (a "Claim") by reason of any
occurrence related to the fact that the person is or was a director, officer,
employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company or
another entity at the Company's request (an "Indemnifiable Event"), unless a
reviewing party (either outside counsel or a director or directors appointed by
the Board of Directors) determines that the person would not be entitled to
indemnification under applicable law. In addition, if a change in control or a
potential change in control of the Company occurs and if the person indemnified
so requests, The Company will establish a trust for the benefit of the
indemnitee and fund the trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy all expenses
reasonably anticipated at the time of the request to be incurred in connection
with any Claim relating to an Indemnifiable Event. The reviewing party will
determine the amount deposited in the trust. An indemnitee's rights under his
or her indemnification agreement are not exclusive of any other rights under
the Company's Articles of Incorporation or By-Laws or applicable law.




                                     II-1
<PAGE>   133
ITEM 21.      EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)    EXHIBITS:

<TABLE>     
<CAPTION>   

EXHIBIT
NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------                           -----------------------
<S>           <C>
 2.1*+  --    Stock Purchase Agreement by and among HMTF Acquisition Corp., Atrium Corporation and the Selling 
              Securityholders dated as of November 7, 1996

 2.2*+  --    Securities Exchange Agreement among Atrium Corporation, FCI Holding Corp, Heritage Fund I, L.P. Randall
              Fojtasek, et. al.  dated August 22, 1996, as amended

 2.3*+  --    Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Fojtasek Companies, Inc., Howard S. Saffan, Leslie Goldbloom and Kevin
              Schumacher dated August 22, 1996, as amended

 3.1*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Atrium Companies, Inc., as amended

 3.2*   --    Bylaws of Atrium Companies, Inc.

 3.3*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Vinyl Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc.

 3.4*   --    Bylaws of Vinyl Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc.

 3.5*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc.

 3.6*   --    Bylaws of Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc.

 3.7*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated

 3.8*   --    Bylaws of Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated

 3.9*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc.

 3.10*  --    Bylaws of Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc.

 3.11*  --    Articles of Incorporation of H-R Window Supply, Inc.

 3.12*  --    Bylaws of H-R Window Supply, Inc.

 4.1*   --    Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement made as of November 27, 1996 by and among Atrium Companies, Inc.,
              the Subsidiary Guarantors and BT Securities Corporation

 4.2*   --    Indenture dated as of November 27, 1996 by and among Atrium Companies, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and
              United States Trust Company of New York

 5.1**  --    Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

10.1*  --     Financial Advisory Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996 among Atrium Corporation, the Company and Hicks,
              Muse & Co. Partners, L.P.

10.2*  --     Stockholders Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996, by and among Atrium Corporation, the securityholders
              listed therein and Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated

10.3*  --     Indemnification Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996 by and between Atrium Corporation and Randall S. 
              Fojtasek, together with a schedule identifying substantially identical documents and setting forth material 
              details in which those documents differ from the foregoing documents
        
10.4** --     Credit Agreement by and among Atrium Companies, Inc., the Banks, Parties thereto, and Bankers Trust Company
              dated November 27, 1996

10.5*  --     Monitoring and Oversight Agreement among Atrium Corporation, the Company and Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners,
              L.P. dated November 27, 1996

10.6*  --     Atrium Indemnification Escrow Agreement among Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Equity Fund III, L.P., the Company,
              Randall S. Fojtasek, Heritage Fund I, L.P., and Citibank N.A. dated November 27, 1996

10.7*  --     Bishop Indemnification Escrow Agreement among Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Equity Fund III, L.P., the Company,
              Howard S. Saffan and Citibank N.A. dated November 27, 1996

10.8*  --     Atrium Corporation 1996 Stock Purchase Plan

10.9*  --     Atrium Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan

10.10* --     Employment Agreement dated November 7, 1996 between Atrium Corporation and Randall S. Fojtasek

10.11* --     Employment and Non-Competition Agreement between the Company and Howard S. Saffan dated September 30, 1996

10.12* --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Horace T. Hicks dated January 1, 1995

10.13* --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis W. Simi, Jr. dated January 1, 1995

10.14* --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Arthur G. Frost dated January 1, 1995

10.15**--     Escrow Agreement dated July 3, 1995 among Fojtasek/Heritage Acquisition Company, The Company, Randall
              Fojtasek and the First National Bank of Boston

10.16* --     Non-Competition Agreement dated July 3, 1995 by and among Randall Fojtasek and Fojtasek/Heritage Acquisition
              Company.
</TABLE>





                                      II-2
<PAGE>   134
   
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>
10.17* --     Atrium Lease Agreement, as amended

10.18* --     H-R Windows Lease Agreement

12.1** --     Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

16.1**  --    Letter regarding change in certifying accountant

21.1*  --     Subsidiaries of the Company

23.1** --     Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent Public Accountants                                                  

23.2** --     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants                                         

23.3** --     Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1)

24.1*  --     Powers of Attorney (set forth on signature page)

25.1** --     Form T-1 of United States Trust Company of New York

27.1** --     Financial Data Schedule

99.1** --     Form of Letter of Transmittal

99.2** --     Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
</TABLE>
    

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

   
*  Previously Filed
    
   
** Filed herewith
    
   
+  The Company will furnish upon request of the Commission any omitted schedule
   or exhibit.
    

(b)    FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:

       The following financial statement schedule is included in this
Registration Statement:

   
       Report of Independent Public Accountants
       II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
    

ITEM 22.  UNDERTAKINGS.

       The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

       (1) to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

       (i)    to include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act");

       (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment hereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease
in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities
offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the
low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant
to rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent
no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in
the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in this Registration Statement when
it becomes effective;

       (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any
material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

       (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

       (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
of the offering.

   
    

       Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against





                                      II-3
<PAGE>   135
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.

       The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for
the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under
subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the
rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of
the Trust Indenture Act.

       The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of this Registration Statement through
the date of responding to the request.

       The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in this Registration Statement when it became effective.





                                      II-4
<PAGE>   136
                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Company has duly caused this First Amendment to its Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on the 10th day of March, 1997.
    

                                        ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.


   
                                        By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Randall S. Fojtasek, President and 
                                           Chief Executive Officer
    

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following person in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SIGNATURE                                  CAPACITY                              DATE
                     ---------                                  --------                              ----
        <S>                                    <C>                                               <C>
        /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK                President, Chief Executive Officer and            March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   Director (Principal Executive Officer)
        Randall S. Fojtasek                                                          


                         *                     Corporate Controller                              March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Financial and Accounting
        Jeff L. Hull                           Officer)                           
                                                                                  

                         *                     Director                                          March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------
        John R. Muse

                         *                     Director                                          March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------
        Michael J. Levitt


                         *                     Director                                          March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------
        Stephen M. Humphrey

                         *                     Director                                          March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------
        C. Dean Metropoulos


                         *                     Director                                          March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------
        Michel Reichert


        By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
           ---------------------------------
           Randall S. Fojtasek
           Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   137
                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Company has duly caused this First Amendment to its Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on the 10th day of March, 1997.
    


                                       H-R WINDOW SUPPLY, INC.


   
                                       By:/s/ ROBERT W. WOLF
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Robert W. Wolf, President
    

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following person in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SIGNATURE                                  CAPACITY                              DATE
                     ---------                                  --------                              ----
        <S>                                    <C>                                               <C>
        /s/ ROBERT W. WOLF                     President and Director (Principal                 March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   Executive Officer)
        Robert W. Wolf                                           


                         *                     Corporate Controller                              March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Financial and Accounting
        Jeff L. Hull                           Officer)                           
                                                                                  

        By:/s/ ROBERT W. WOLF
           ----------------------------------
           Robert W. Wolf
           Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   138
                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Company has duly caused this First Amendment to its Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on the 10th day of March, 1997.
    


                                       VINYL BUILDING SPECIALTIES
                                       OF CONNECTICUT, INC.


   
                                       By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Randall S. Fojtasek, President
    

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following person in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Signature                                  Capacity                              Date
                     ---------                                  --------                              ----
        <S>                                    <C>                                               <C>
        /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK                President and Director                            March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Executive Officer)
        Randall S. Fojtasek                                                 


                         *                     Chief Financial Officer                           March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Financial and Accounting
        Jeff L. Hull                           Officer)                           
                                                                                  

        By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
           ----------------------------------
           Randall S. Fojtasek
           Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   139
                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Company has duly caused this First Amendment to its Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on the 10th day of March, 1997.
    

                                     BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO. OF NEW YORK, INC.


   
                                     By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Randall S. Fojtasek, President
    

       Each person whose signature appears below authorizes Randall S. Fojtasek
as attorney-in-fact to execute in the name of each such person who is then an
officer or director of the Company and to file any amendments to this
Registration Statement necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply
with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and
requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in
connection with the registration of the securities which are the subject of
this Registration Statement, which amendments may make such changes in the
Registration Statement as such attorney may deem appropriate. Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has
been signed by the following person in the capacities and on the date
indicated. 

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SIGNATURE                                  CAPACITY                              DATE
                     ---------                                  --------                              ----
        <S>                                    <C>                                               <C>
        /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK                President and Director                            March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Executive Officer)
        Randall S. Fojtasek                                                 


                         *                     Chief Financial Officer                           March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Financial and Accounting
        Jeff L. Hull                           Officer)                           
                                                                                  

        By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
           ---------------------------------
           Randall S. Fojtasek
           Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   140
                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Company has duly caused this First Amendment to its Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on the 10th day of March, 1997.
    


                                     BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INCORPORATED


   
                                     By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Randall S. Fojtasek, President
    

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following person in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SIGNATURE                                  CAPACITY                              DATE
                     ---------                                  --------                              ----
<S>                                            <C>                                               <C>

        /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK                President and Director (Principal                 March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   Executive Officer)
        Randall S. Fojtasek                                      


                         *                     Chief Financial Officer                           March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Financial and Accounting
        Jeff L. Hull                           Officer)                           
                                                                                  

        By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
           ----------------------------------
           Randall S. Fojtasek
           Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   141
                                   SIGNATURES

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Company has duly caused this First Amendment to its Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on the 10th day of March, 1997.
    

                                       BISHOP MANUFACTURING COMPANY
                                       OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.


   
                                       By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          Randall S. Fojtasek, President
    

   
       Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following person in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SIGNATURE                                  CAPACITY                              DATE
                     ---------                                  --------                              ----
        <S>                                    <C>                                               <C>


        /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK                President and Director                            March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Executive Officer)
        Randall S. Fojtasek                                                 


                         *                     Chief Financial Officer                           March 10, 1997
        ------------------------------------   (Principal Financial and Accounting
        Jeff L. Hull                           Officer)                           
                                                                                  

        By:/s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
           ----------------------------------
           Randall S. Fojtasek
           Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   142
                      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




To the Board of Directors of
Atrium Companies, Inc.:

   
In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements of
Atrium Companies, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, which financial statements
are included in the Prospectus, we have also audited the financial statement
schedule of Atrium Companies, Inc. listed in Item 21(b) herein.
    

In our opinion, this financial statement schedule, when considered in relation
to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all
material respects, the information required to be included therein.



COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

   
Dallas, Texas
March 7, 1997
    

<PAGE>   143
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.

                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     COLUMN C-ADDITIONS
                                                                ----------------------------
                                                  COLUMN B -       (1)             (2)
                                                  BALANCE AT     CHARGED TO      ACQUIRED       COLUMN D -       COLUMN E -
                                                  BEGINNING      COSTS AND        THROUGH      DEDUCTIONS -     BALANCE AT 
        COLUMN A - DESCRIPTION                    OF PERIOD       EXPENSES      ACQUISITION    WRITE-OFFS(1)   END OF PERIOD
- ----------------------------------------------   ------------   ------------    ------------   ------------    -------------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>             <C>         
 Allowance for doubtful accounts:

       Year ended December 31, 1994 ..........   $      1,300   $        (46)   $        --    $         46    $      1,300

       Year ended December 31, 1995 ..........   $      1,300   $        486    $        --    $       (631)   $      1,155
                                                                                            
       Year ended December 31, 1996 ..........   $      1,155   $         49    $        237   $         56    $      1,497

Allowance for excess and obsolete inventories:

       Year ended December 31, 1994 ..........   $          0   $          0    $          0   $          0    $          0

       Year ended December 31, 1995 ..........   $          0   $      2,000    $          0   $     (1,440)   $        560

       Year ended December 31, 1996 ..........   $        560   $        816    $          0   $       (240)   $      1,136
</TABLE>
    




(1)  net of recoveries
<PAGE>   144
                                EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>     
<CAPTION>   

EXHIBIT
NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS
- ------                           -----------------------
<S>           <C>
 2.1*+  --    Stock Purchase Agreement by and among HMTF Acquisition Corp., Atrium Corporation and the Selling 
              Securityholders dated as of November 7, 1996

 2.2*+  --    Securities Exchange Agreement among Atrium Corporation, FCI Holding Corp, Heritage Fund I, L.P. Randall
              Fojtasek, et. al.  dated August 22, 1996, as amended

 2.3*+  --    Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Fojtasek Companies, Inc., Howard S. Saffan, Leslie Goldbloom and Kevin
              Schumacher dated August 22, 1996, as amended

 3.1*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Atrium Companies, Inc., as amended

 3.2*   --    Bylaws of Atrium Companies, Inc.

 3.3*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Vinyl Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc.

 3.4*   --    Bylaws of Vinyl Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc.

 3.5*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc.

 3.6*   --    Bylaws of Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc.

 3.7*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated

 3.8*   --    Bylaws of Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated

 3.9*   --    Certificate of Incorporation of Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc.

 3.10*  --    Bylaws of Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc.

 3.11*  --    Articles of Incorporation of H-R Window Supply, Inc.

 3.12*  --    Bylaws of H-R Window Supply, Inc.

 4.1*   --    Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement made as of November 27, 1996 by and among Atrium Companies, Inc.,
              the Subsidiary Guarantors and BT Securities Corporation

 4.2*   --    Indenture dated as of November 27, 1996 by and among Atrium Companies, Inc., the Subsidiary Guarantors and
              United States Trust Company of New York

 5.1**  --    Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

10.1*  --     Financial Advisory Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996 among Atrium Corporation, the Company and Hicks,
              Muse & Co. Partners, L.P.

10.2*  --     Stockholders Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996, by and among Atrium Corporation, the securityholders
              listed therein and Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated

10.3*  --     Indemnification Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996 by and between Atrium Corporation and Randall S. 
              Fojtasek, together with a schedule identifying substantially identical documents and setting forth material 
              details in which those documents differ from the foregoing documents
        
10.4** --     Credit Agreement by and among Atrium Companies, Inc., the Banks, Parties thereto, and Bankers Trust Company
              dated November 27, 1996

10.5*  --     Monitoring and Oversight Agreement among Atrium Corporation, the Company and Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners,
              L.P. dated November 27, 1996

10.6*  --     Atrium Indemnification Escrow Agreement among Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Equity Fund III, L.P., the Company,
              Randall S. Fojtasek, Heritage Fund I, L.P., and Citibank N.A. dated November 27, 1996

10.7*  --     Bishop Indemnification Escrow Agreement among Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Equity Fund III, L.P., the Company,
              Howard S. Saffan and Citibank N.A. dated November 27, 1996

10.8*  --     Atrium Corporation 1996 Stock Purchase Plan

10.9*  --     Atrium Corporation 1996 Stock Option Plan

10.10* --     Employment Agreement dated November 7, 1996 between Atrium Corporation and Randall S. Fojtasek

10.11* --     Employment and Non-Competition Agreement between the Company and Howard S. Saffan dated September 30, 1996

10.12* --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Horace T. Hicks dated January 1, 1995

10.13* --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis W. Simi, Jr. dated January 1, 1995

10.14* --     Employment Agreement between the Company and Arthur G. Frost dated January 1, 1995

10.15**--     Escrow Agreement dated July 3, 1995 among Fojtasek/Heritage Acquisition Company, The Company, Randall
              Fojtasek and the First National Bank of Boston

10.16* --     Non-Competition Agreement dated July 3, 1995 by and among Randall Fojtasek and Fojtasek/Heritage Acquisition
              Company.
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   145
   
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>
10.17* --     Atrium Lease Agreement, as amended

10.18* --     H-R Windows Lease Agreement

12.1** --     Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

16.1**  --    Letter regarding change in certifying accountant

21.1*  --     Subsidiaries of the Company

23.1** --     Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Independent Public Accountants                                                  

23.2** --     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants                                         

23.3** --     Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1)

24.1*  --     Powers of Attorney (set forth on signature page)

25.1** --     Form T-1 of United States Trust Company of New York

27.1** --     Financial Data Schedule

99.1** --     Form of Letter of Transmittal

99.2** --     Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery
</TABLE>
    

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

   
*  Previously Filed
    
   
** Filed herewith
    
   
+  The Company will furnish upon request of the Commission any omitted schedule
   or exhibit.
    


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1


                                Vinson & Elkins
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW

                             VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.
                           3700 TRAMMELL CROW CENTER
                                2001 ROSS AVENUE
                            DALLAS, TEXAS 75201-2975
                            TELEPHONE (214) 220-7700


                                 March 10, 1997



Atrium Companies, Inc.
1341 W. Mockingbird Lane
Suite 1200W
Dallas, TX  75247

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the registration of $100 million aggregate
principal amount 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Notes") under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") on a Registration Statement
on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement").

         In reaching the opinion set forth in this letter, we have reviewed
originals or copies of the Registration Statement, an executed counterpart of
the Indenture dated as of November 27, 1996, between the Company and United
States Trust Company of New York, as trustee (the "Indenture"), and such other
agreements, certificates of public officials, certificates of officers of the
Company, certificates of other persons, records, documents and matters of law
as we deemed relevant.

         Based on and subject to the foregoing and subject further to the
assumptions, exceptions and qualifications hereinafter stated, we express the
opinion that, subject to compliance with applicable federal and state
securities laws (as to which we express no opinion), the New Notes (as defined
in the Registration Statement), when executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and when delivered in
exchange for the Old Notes (as defined in the Registration Statement), will
constitute legally binding obligations of the Company, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and to general equitable principles.

         The opinion expressed above is subject to the following assumptions,
exceptions and qualifications:
<PAGE>   2




Securities and Exchange Commission
March 10, 1997
Page 2



         (a)     We have assumed that (1) all information contained in all
documents reviewed by us is true and correct, 1. all signatures on all
documents reviewed by us are genuine, 2. all documents submitted to us as
originals are true and complete, 3. all documents submitted to us as copies are
true and complete copies of the originals thereof, 4. each natural person
signing any document reviewed by us had the legal capacity to do so, 5. each
natural person signing in a representative capacity any document reviewed by us
had authority to sign in such capacity, and 6. the laws of any jurisdiction
other than Texas that govern any of the documents reviewed by us (other than
the Company's certificate of incorporation and bylaws) do not modify the terms
that appear in any such document.

         (b)     The opinion expressed in this letter is limited to the laws of
the State of Texas, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and
the federal laws of the United States of America.  You should be aware that we
are not admitted to the practice of law in the State of Delaware.

         (c)     We note that the Indenture provides that it is governed by the
laws of the State of New York.  While we express no opinion with respect to the
laws of the State of New York, we have assumed that the internal laws of the
State of New York are the same as the internal laws of the State of Texas.  We
have made no investigation to confirm whether such assumption is correct.

         This opinion may be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Consent is also given to the reference to this firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement as having
passed on certain legal matters in connection with the Notes.  In giving this
consent we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.

         This opinion speaks as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any duty to
advise you regarding any changes subsequent to the date hereof in, or to
otherwise communicate with you with respect to, the matters addressed herein.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        /s/ VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.4



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                  by and among

                              ATRIUM CORPORATION,

                            ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.,

                            THE BANKS PARTIES HERETO


                                      and


                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                    as AGENT


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


                         Dated as of November 27, 1996

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


===============================================================================
<PAGE>   2




                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
SECTION 1.        AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT......................................................................1
         1.01     The Commitments.................................................................................1
         1.02     Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing................................................................2
         1.03     Notice of Borrowing.............................................................................2
         1.04     Disbursement of Funds...........................................................................2
         1.05     Notes...........................................................................................3
         1.06     Conversions.....................................................................................3
         1.07     Pro Rata Borrowings.............................................................................4
         1.08     Interest........................................................................................4
         1.09     Interest Periods................................................................................5
         1.10     Increased Costs; Illegality; etc................................................................6
         1.11     Compensation....................................................................................8
         1.12     Change of Lending Office........................................................................8
         1.13     Replacement of Banks............................................................................8

SECTION 2.        LETTERS OF CREDIT...............................................................................9
         2.01     Letters of Credit..............................................................................10
         2.02     Letter of Credit Requests......................................................................11
         2.03     Letter of Credit Participations................................................................11
         2.04     Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings...................................................13
         2.05     Increased Costs................................................................................14

SECTION 3.        COMMITMENT COMMISSION; FEES; REDUCTIONS OF COMMITMENT..........................................15
         3.01     Fees...........................................................................................15
         3.02     Voluntary Termination of Unutilized Commitments................................................16
         3.03     Mandatory Reduction of Commitments.............................................................16

SECTION 4.        PREPAYMENTS; PAYMENTS; TAXES...................................................................17
         4.01     Voluntary Prepayments..........................................................................17
         4.02     Mandatory Repayments and Commitment Reductions.................................................17
         4.03     Method and Place of Payment....................................................................21
         4.04     Net Payments...................................................................................21

SECTION 5.        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL CREDIT EVENTS..................................................23
         5.01     Execution of Agreement; Revolving Notes........................................................23
         5.02     Fees; etc......................................................................................24
         5.03     Opinions of Counsel............................................................................24
</TABLE>

                                       i

<PAGE>   3

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
         5.04     Corporate Documents; Proceedings; etc..........................................................24
         5.05     Employee Benefit Plans; Shareholders' Agreements; Management Agreements;
                  Collective Bargaining Agreements; Existing Debt Agreements; Tax Sharing
                  Agreements.....................................................................................24
         5.06     Capital Contributions; Stock Repurchase; etc...................................................25
         5.07     Refinancing of Existing Credit Agreement.......................................................26
         5.08     Environmental Indemnity Agreement..............................................................26
         5.09     Pledge Agreement...............................................................................27
         5.10     Security Agreement.............................................................................27
         5.11     Subsidiary Guaranty............................................................................27
         5.12     Mortgages; Title Insurance; Surveys; Etc.......................................................28
         5.13     Consent Letter.................................................................................28
         5.14     Adverse Change, etc............................................................................28
         5.15     Litigation.....................................................................................29
         5.16     Solvency Certificate; Environmental Analyses; Insurance........................................29
         5.17     Pro Forma Balance Sheet........................................................................30
         5.18     Officer's Certificate..........................................................................30

SECTION 6.        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL CREDIT EVENTS......................................................30
         6.01     No Default; Representations and Warranties.....................................................30
         6.02     Notice of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request..................................................30

SECTION 7.        REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.....................................................31
         7.01     Corporate Status...............................................................................31
         7.02     Corporate Power and Authority..................................................................31
         7.03     No Violation...................................................................................32
         7.04     Governmental Approvals.........................................................................32
         7.05     Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed Liabilities; Projections;
                  etc............................................................................................32
         7.06     Litigation.....................................................................................33
         7.07     True and Complete Disclosure...................................................................33
         7.08     Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations............................................................34
         7.09     Tax Returns and Payments.......................................................................34
         7.10     Compliance with ERISA..........................................................................34
         7.11     Security Documents.............................................................................35
         7.12     Representations and Warranties in Documents....................................................36
         7.13     Properties.....................................................................................36
         7.14     Capitalization.................................................................................36
         7.15     Subsidiaries...................................................................................37
         7.16     Compliance with Statutes, etc..................................................................37
         7.17     Investment Company Act.........................................................................37
         7.18     Public Utility Holding Company Act.............................................................38
</TABLE>

                                       ii

<PAGE>   4


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
         7.19     Labor Relations................................................................................38
         7.20     Patents, Licenses, Franchises and Formulas.....................................................38
         7.21     Indebtedness...................................................................................38
         7.22     Recapitalization...............................................................................38
         7.23     Special Purpose Corporation....................................................................39
         7.24     Subordination..................................................................................39

SECTION 8.        AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..........................................................................39
         8.01     Information Covenants..........................................................................39
         8.02     Books, Records and Inspections.................................................................41
         8.03     Maintenance of Property; Insurance.............................................................41
         8.04     Corporate Franchises...........................................................................42
         8.05     Compliance with Statutes, etc..................................................................42
         8.06     ERISA..........................................................................................42
         8.07     End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters...........................................................43
         8.08     Performance of Obligations.....................................................................43
         8.09     Payment of Taxes...............................................................................43
         8.10     Additional Security; Further Assurances; Surveys...............................................44
         8.11     Ownership of Subsidiaries......................................................................45
         8.12     Maintenance of Corporate Separateness..........................................................45
         8.13     Repayment of SBA Loan..........................................................................45

SECTION 9.        NEGATIVE COVENANTS.............................................................................45
         9.01     Liens..........................................................................................45
         9.02     Consolidation; Merger; Purchase or Sale of Assets; etc.........................................48
         9.03     Dividends......................................................................................50
         9.04     Indebtedness...................................................................................51
         9.05     Advances, Investments and Loans................................................................52
         9.06     Transactions with Affiliates...................................................................54
         9.07     Capital Expenditures...........................................................................54
         9.08     Minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio...................................................55
         9.09     Minimum Consolidated EBITDA....................................................................56
         9.10     Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness and Payments of Indebtedness;
                  Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other
                  Agreements; etc................................................................................57
         9.11     Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries.............................................58
         9.12     Limitation on Issuance of Capital Stock........................................................58
         9.13     Changes in Business............................................................................58
         9.14     Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries.........................................................59

SECTION 10.       EVENTS OF DEFAULT..............................................................................59
         10.01    Payments.......................................................................................59
</TABLE>

                                      iii

<PAGE>   5


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
         10.02    Representations, etc...........................................................................59
         10.03    Covenants......................................................................................59
         10.04    Default Under Other Agreements.................................................................59
         10.05    Bankruptcy, etc................................................................................60
         10.06    ERISA..........................................................................................60
         10.07    Security Documents.............................................................................61
         10.08    Guaranty.......................................................................................61
         10.09    Judgments......................................................................................61
         10.10    Change of Control..............................................................................61
         10.11    Environmental Matters..........................................................................61

SECTION 11.  DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS....................................................................62
         11.01    Defined Terms..................................................................................62

SECTION 12.  THE AGENT...........................................................................................85
         12.01    Appointment....................................................................................85
         12.02    Nature of Duties...............................................................................85
         12.03    Lack of Reliance on the Agent..................................................................85
         12.04    Certain Rights of the Agent....................................................................86
         12.05    Reliance.......................................................................................86
         12.06    Indemnification................................................................................86
         12.07    The Agent in its Individual Capacity...........................................................87
         12.08    Holders........................................................................................87
         12.09    Resignation by the Agent.......................................................................87

SECTION 13.  MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................................88
         13.01    Payment of Expenses, etc.......................................................................88
         13.02    Right of Setoff; Collateral Matters............................................................89
         13.03    Notices........................................................................................89
         13.04    Benefit of Agreement...........................................................................89
         13.05    No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.................................................................91
         13.06    Payments Pro Rata..............................................................................91
         13.07    Calculations; Computations.....................................................................92
         13.08    GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE;
                  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL...........................................................................92
         13.09    Counterparts...................................................................................94
         13.10    Effectiveness..................................................................................94
         13.11    Headings Descriptive...........................................................................94
         13.12    Amendment or Waiver; etc.......................................................................94
         13.13    Survival.......................................................................................95
         13.14    Domicile of Loans..............................................................................96
         13.15    Limitation on Additional Amounts; etc..........................................................96
</TABLE>

                                       iv

<PAGE>   6


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                Page

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
         13.16    Confidentiality................................................................................96
         13.17    Registry.......................................................................................97

SECTION 14.  HOLDINGS GUARANTY...................................................................................97
         14.01    The Holdings Guaranty..........................................................................97
         14.02    Bankruptcy.....................................................................................98
         14.03    Nature of Liability............................................................................98
         14.04    Independent Obligation.........................................................................98
         14.05    Authorization..................................................................................98
         14.06    Reliance.......................................................................................99
         14.07    Subordination.................................................................................100
         14.08    Waiver........................................................................................100
         14.09    Nature of Liability...........................................................................101

</TABLE>

                        INDEX OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

SCHEDULE I                 Commitments
SCHEDULE II                Bank Addresses
SCHEDULE III               Real Property
SCHEDULE IV                Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE V                 Existing Indebtedness
SCHEDULE VI                Insurance
SCHEDULE VII               Existing Liens

EXHIBIT A                  Form of Notice of Borrowing 
EXHIBIT B                  Form of Revolving Note 
EXHIBIT C                  Form of Letter of Credit Request 
EXHIBIT D                  Form of Section 4.04(b)(iii) Certificate 
EXHIBIT E                  Form of Opinion of Vinson & Elkins,
                           Counsel to the Credit Parties
EXHIBIT F                  Form of Officers' Certificate
EXHIBIT G                  Form of Environmental Indemnity
EXHIBIT H                  Form of Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT I                  Form of Security Agreement
EXHIBIT J                  Form of Subsidiary Guaranty
EXHIBIT K                  Form of Consent Letter
EXHIBIT L                  Form of Solvency Certificate
EXHIBIT M                  Form of Intercompany Note
EXHIBIT N                  Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement

                                       v

<PAGE>   7



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


                  THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 27, 1996, is by
and among ATRIUM CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), ATRIUM
COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a FCI Holding Corp. and survivor
by merger of Fojtasek Companies, Inc.) (the "Borrower"), the Banks party hereto
from time to time and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Agent (all capitalized terms
used herein and defined in Section 11 are used herein as therein defined).


                             W I T N E S S E T H :


                  WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Banks provide a
revolving credit facility (including a letter of credit subfacility) to the
Borrower in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000 at any time
outstanding;

                  WHEREAS, the proceeds of the revolving credit facility
described above will be used by the Borrower for ongoing working capital and
general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, to pay fees, costs
and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby;
and

                  WHEREAS, the Banks are willing to extend commitments to make
the Revolving Loans and to issue or participate, as the case may be, in Letters
of Credit, to the Borrower, in each case for the respective purposes provided
herein and only on the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set
forth;

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

                  SECTION 1.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT.

                  1.01  The Commitments. Subject to and upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein, each Bank with a Revolving Loan Commitment
severally agrees to make, at any time and from time to time on and after the
Initial Borrowing Date and prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, a
revolving loan or revolving loans (each, a "Revolving Loan" and, collectively,
the "Revolving Loans") to the Borrower, which Revolving Loans (i) shall, at the
option of the Borrower, be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, provided that
(A) except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 1.10(b), all Revolving
Loans comprising the same Borrowing shall at all times be of the same Type and
(B) no Revolving Loans maintained as Eurodollar Loans may be incurred prior to
the earlier of (1) the 60th day after the Initial Borrowing Date and (2) the
Syndication Date, (ii) may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the
provisions hereof, (iii) shall not exceed for any Bank at any time outstanding
that aggregate principal amount which, when added to the product of (x) such
Bank's Adjusted Percentage and (y) the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit

<PAGE>   8
Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid with the proceeds
of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective incurrence of
Revolving Loans) at such time, equals the Revolving Loan Commitment of such
Bank at such time and (iv) shall not exceed for all Banks at any time
outstanding that aggregate principal amount which, when added to the amount of
all Letter of Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are
repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the
respective incurrence of Revolving Loans) at such time then outstanding, equals
the Total Revolving Loan Commitment at such time.

                  1.02  Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing. The aggregate
principal amount of each Borrowing of Revolving Loans (i) that are Eurodollar
Loans shall not be less than $200,000 and, if greater, shall be in an integral
multiple of $50,000 and (ii) that are Base Rate Loans shall not be less than
$200,000 and, if greater, shall be in an integral multiple of $50,000. More
than one Borrowing may occur on the same date, but at no time shall there be
outstanding more than ten Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans.

                  1.03  Notice of Borrowing. (a) Whenever the Borrower desires
to make a Borrowing hereunder, it shall give the Agent at its Notice Office on
the date that a Base Rate Loan is to be made prior written notice (or
telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of each Base Rate Loan and at
least three Business Days' prior written (or telephonic notice promptly
confirmed in writing) notice of each Eurodollar Loan to be made hereunder,
provided that any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on a certain
day only if given before 12:00 Noon (New York time) on such day. Each such
written notice or written confirmation of telephonic notice (each a "Notice of
Borrowing"), except as otherwise expressly provided in Section 1.10, shall be
irrevocable and shall be given by the Borrower in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto, appropriately completed to specify the aggregate principal
amount of the Revolving Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing, the date
of such Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), whether the Revolving Loans
being made pursuant to such Borrowing are to be initially maintained as Base
Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans and, if Eurodollar Loans, the initial Interest
Period to be applicable thereto. The Agent shall promptly give each Bank notice
of such proposed Borrowing, of such Bank's proportion ate share thereof and of
the other matters required by the immediately preceding sentence to be
specified in the Notice of Borrowing.

                  (b)   Without in any way limiting the obligation of the
Borrower to confirm in writing any telephonic notice of any Borrowing of
Revolving Loans, the Agent may act without liability upon the basis of
telephonic notice of such Borrowing, believed by the Agent in good faith to be
from an Authorized Officer prior to receipt of written confirmation. In each
such case, the Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the Agent's record
of the terms of such telephonic notice of such Borrowing of Revolving Loans.

                  1.04  Disbursement of Funds. Except as otherwise specifically
provided in the immediately succeeding sentence, no later than 2:00 P.M. (New
York time) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing, each Bank with a
Revolving Loan Commitment will make available its pro rata portion of each such
Borrowing requested to be made on such date. All such amounts shall

                                       2

<PAGE>   9



be made available in Dollars and in immediately available funds at the Payment
Office of the Agent, and the Agent will make available to the Borrower at the
Payment Office the aggregate of the amounts so made available by the Banks
(prior to 3:00 P.M. on such day, to the extent of funds actually received by
the Agent prior to 2:00 P.M. on such day). Unless the Agent shall have been
notified by any Bank prior to the date of Borrowing that such Bank does not
intend to make available to the Agent such Bank's portion of any Borrowing to
be made on such date, the Agent may assume that such Bank has made such amount
available to the Agent on such date of Borrowing and the Agent may, in reliance
upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If
such corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the Agent by such
Bank, the Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on
demand from such Bank. If such Bank does not pay such corresponding amount
forthwith upon the Agent's demand therefor, the Agent shall promptly notify the
Borrower and the Borrower shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to
the Agent. The Agent shall also be entitled to recover on demand from such Bank
or the Borrower, as the case may be, interest on such corresponding amount in
respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount was made available
by the Agent to the Borrower until the date such corresponding amount is
recovered by the Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if recovered from such
Bank, at the overnight Federal Funds Rate and (ii) if recovered from the Bor
rower, the rate of interest applicable to the respective Borrowing, as
determined pursuant to Section 1.08. Nothing in this Section 1.04 shall be
deemed to relieve any Bank from its obligation to make Loans hereunder or to
prejudice any rights which the Borrower may have against any Bank as a result
of any failure by such Bank to make Loans hereunder.

                 1.05  Notes. (a) The Borrower's obligation to pay the
principal of, and interest on, the Revolving Loans made by each Bank shall be
evidenced by a promissory note duly executed and delivered by the Borrower
substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto, with blanks
appropriately completed in conformity herewith (each, a "Revolving Note" and,
collectively, the "Revolving Notes").                                          

                  (b)   The Revolving Note issued to each Bank shall (i) be
executed by the Borrower, (ii) be payable to the order of such Bank and its
registered assigns and be dated the Initial Borrowing Date, (iii) be in a
stated principal amount equal to the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank and
be payable in the principal amount of the Revolving Loans evidenced thereby,
(iv) mature on the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, (v) bear interest as provided
in the appropriate clause of Section 1.08 in respect of the Base Rate Loans and
Eurodollar Loans, as the case may be, evidenced thereby, (vi) be subject to
mandatory repayment as provided in Section 4.02 and (vii) be entitled to the
benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

                  (c)   Each Bank will note on its internal records the amount 
of each Revolving Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof and will
prior to any transfer of its Revolving Note endorse on the reverse side thereof
the outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans evidenced thereby. Failure
to make any such notation or any error in any such notation or endorsement
shall not affect the Borrower's obligations in respect of such Revolving Loans.


                                       3

<PAGE>   10



                  1.06  Conversions. The Borrower shall have the option to
convert, on any Business Day occurring on or after the Initial Borrowing Date,
all or a portion equal to at least $200,000 (and, if greater, in an integral
multiple of $50,000), of the outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans
made pursuant to one or more Borrowings of one or more Types of Revolving Loans
into a Borrowing of another Type of Revolving Loan, provided that (A) except as
otherwise provided in Section 1.10(b), Eurodollar Loans may be converted into
Base Rate Loans only on the last day of an Interest Period applicable to the
Revolving Loans being converted and no such partial conversion of Eurodollar
Loans shall reduce the outstanding principal amount of such Eurodollar Loans
made pursuant to a single Borrowing to less than $200,000, (B) Base Rate Loans
may only be converted into Eurodollar Loans if no Default or Event of Default
is in existence on the date of the conversion and (C) no conversion pursuant to
this Section 1.06 shall result in a greater number of Borrowings of Eurodollar
Loans than is permitted under Section 1.02. Each such conversion shall be
effected by the Borrower by giving the Agent at its Notice Office prior to 1:00
P.M. (New York time) at least three Business Days' prior notice (each a "Notice
of Conversion") specifying the Loans to be so con verted, the Borrowing or
Borrowings pursuant to which such Loans were made and, if to be con verted into
Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable thereto. The
Agent shall give each Bank prompt notice of any such proposed conversion.

                  1.07  Pro Rata Borrowings. All Borrowings of Revolving Loans
under this Agreement shall be incurred from the Banks pro rata on the basis of
their Revolving Loan Commitments. It is understood that no Bank shall be
responsible for any default by any other Bank of its obligation to make
Revolving Loans hereunder and that each Bank shall be obligated to make the
Revolving Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure
of any other Bank to make its Revolving Loans hereunder.

                  1.08  Interest. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay interest in
respect of the unpaid principal amount of each Base Rate Loan from the date the
proceeds thereof are made available to the Borrower until the earlier of (i)
the maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Base Rate Loan and
(ii) the conversion of such Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to
Section 1.06, at a rate per annum which shall be equal to the sum of the
Applicable Margin plus the Base Rate in effect from time to time.

                  (b)   The Borrower agrees to pay interest in respect of the
unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan from the date the proceeds
thereof are made available to the Borrower until the earlier of (i) the
maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of such Eurodollar Loan and
(ii) the conversion of such Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to
Section 1.06 or 1.10, as applicable, at a rate per annum which shall, during
each Interest Period applicable thereto, be equal to the sum of the Applicable
Margin plus the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period.

                  (c)   Overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by law,
overdue interest in respect of each Revolving Loan and any other overdue amount
payable hereunder shall, in each case, bear interest at a rate per annum equal
to the greater of (i) 2% per annum in excess of the rate otherwise applicable
to Base Rate Loans from time to time and (ii) the rate which is 2% in excess

                                       4

<PAGE>   11



of the rate then borne by such Revolving Loans, in each case with such interest
to be payable on demand.

                  (d)   Accrued (and theretofore unpaid) interest shall be
payable (i) in respect of each Base Rate Loan, quarterly in arrears on each
Quarterly Payment Date, (ii) in respect of each Eurodollar Loan, on the last
day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case of an Interest
Period in excess of three months, on each date occurring at three month
intervals after the first day of such Interest Period and (iii) in respect of
each Revolving Loan, on any repayment or prepayment (on the amount repaid or
prepaid), at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and, after such
maturity, on demand.

                  (e)   Upon each Interest Determination Date, the Agent shall
determine the Eurodollar Rate for each Interest Period applicable to Eurodollar
Loans and shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Banks thereof. Each such
determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding
on all parties hereto.

                  1.09  Interest Periods. At the time it gives any Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion in respect of the making of, or conversion
into, any Eurodollar Loan (in the case of the initial Interest Period
applicable thereto) or on the third Business Day prior to the expiration of an
Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan (in the case of any
subsequent Interest Period), the Borrower shall have the right to elect, by
giving the Agent notice thereof, the interest period (each an "Interest
Period") applicable to such Eurodollar Loan, which Interest Period shall, at
the option of the Borrower, be a one, two, three or six-month period, or, if
available to each Bank, a nine or twelve-month period, provided that:

                  (i)   all Eurodollar Loans comprising a Borrowing shall at all
         times have the same Interest Period;

                  (ii)  the initial Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan
         shall commence on the date of Borrowing of such Eurodollar Loan
         (including the date of any conversion thereto from a Revolving Loan of
         a different Type) and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in
         respect of such Eurodollar Loan shall commence on the day on which the
         next preceding Interest Period applicable thereto expires;

                  (iii) if any Interest Period relating to a Eurodollar Loan
         begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in
         the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest
         Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month;

                  (iv)  if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day
         which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the
         next succeeding Business Day; provided, however, that if any Interest
         Period for a Eurodollar Loan would otherwise expire on a day which is
         not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further
         Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire
         on the next preceding Business Day;

                                       5

<PAGE>   12



                  (v)   no Interest Period may be selected at any time when a 
         Default or an Event of Default is then in existence; and

                  (vi)  no Interest Period shall be selected which extends 
         beyond the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.

                        If upon the expiration of any Interest Period
         applicable to a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, the Borrower has failed
         to elect, or is not permitted to elect, a new Interest Period to be
         applicable to such Eurodollar Loans as provided above, the Borrower
         shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Eurodollar Loans into
         Base Rate Loans effective as of the expiration date of such current
         Interest Period.

                  1.10  Increased Costs; Illegality; etc.  (a)  In the event 
that any Bank shall have determined (which determination shall, with respect to
clause (i) below, may be made only by the Agent):

                  (i)   on any Interest Determination Date that, by reason of 
         any changes arising after the date of this Agreement affecting the
         interbank Eurodollar market, adequate and fair means do not exist for
         ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in
         the definition of Eurodollar Rate; or

                  (ii)  at any time, that such Bank shall incur increased costs
         or reductions in the amounts received or receivable hereunder with
         respect to any Eurodollar Loan because of (x) any change since the
         date of this Agreement in any applicable law or governmental rule,
         regulation, order, guideline or request (whether or not having the
         force of law) or in the interpretation or administration thereof and
         including the introduction of any new law or governmental rule,
         regulation, order, guideline or request, including, but not limited
         to: (A) a change in the basis of taxation of payment to any Bank of
         the principal of or interest on such Eurodollar Loan or any other
         amounts payable hereunder (except for changes in the rate of tax on,
         or determined by reference to, the net income or profits of such Bank,
         or any franchise tax based on the net income or profits of such Bank,
         in either case pursuant to the laws of the United States of America,
         the jurisdiction in which it is organized or in which its principal
         office or applicable lending office is located or any subdivision
         thereof or therein), but without duplication of any amounts payable in
         respect of Taxes pursuant to Section 4.04(a), or (B) a change in
         official reserve requirements, but, in all events, excluding reserves
         required under Regulation D to the extent included in the computation
         of the Eurodollar Rate, and/or (y) other circumstances since the date
         of this Agreement affecting such Bank or the interbank Eurodollar
         market or the position of such Bank in such market; or

                  (iii) at any time, that the making or continuance of any
         Eurodollar Loan has been made (x) unlawful by any law or governmental
         rule, regulation or order, (y) impossible by compliance by any Bank in
         good faith with any governmental request (whether or not having

                                       6

<PAGE>   13



         force of law) or (z) impracticable as a result of a contingency
         occurring after the date of this Agreement which materially and
         adversely affects the interbank Eurodollar market;

then, and in any such event, such Bank (or the Agent, in the case of clause (i)
above) shall promptly give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing) to the
Borrower and, except in the case of clause (i) above, to the Agent of such
determination (which notice the Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the
other Banks). Thereafter (x) in the case of clause (i) above, Eurodollar Loans
shall no longer be available until such time as the Agent notifies the Borrower
and the Banks that the circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Agent no
longer exist, and any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion given by the
Borrower with respect to Eurodollar Loans which have not yet been incurred
(including by way of conversion), shall be deemed rescinded by the Borrower,
(y) in the case of clause (ii) above, the Borrower shall, subject to the
provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable), pay to such Bank, upon
written demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an increased
rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such
Bank in its sole discretion shall determine) as shall be required to compensate
such Bank for such increased costs or reductions in amounts received or
receivable hereunder (a written notice as to the additional amounts owed to
such Bank, showing the basis for the calculation thereof, submitted to the
Borrower by such Bank in good faith shall, absent manifest error, be final and
conclusive and binding on all the parties hereto) and (z) in the case of clause
(iii) above, the Borrower shall take one of the actions specified in Section
1.10(b) as promptly as possible and, in any event, within the time period
required by law. Each of the Agent and each Bank agrees that if it gives notice
to the Borrower of any of the events described in clause (i) or (iii) above, it
shall promptly notify the Borrower and, in the case of any such Bank, the
Agent, if such event ceases to exist. If any such event described in clause
(iii) above ceases to exist as to a Bank, the obligations of such Bank to make
Eurodollar Loans and to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans on the
terms and conditions contained herein shall be reinstated.

                  (b)   At any time that any Eurodollar Loan is affected by the
circumstances described in Section 1.10(a)(ii) or (iii), the Borrower may (and
in the case of a Eurodollar Loan affected by the circumstances described in
Section 1.10(a)(iii) shall) either (x) if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then
being made initially or pursuant to a conversion, cancel the respective
Borrowing by giving the Agent telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) on the
same date that the Borrower was notified by the affected Bank or the Agent
pursuant to Section 1.10(a)(ii) or (iii) or (y) if the affected Eurodollar Loan
is then outstanding, upon at least three Business Days' written notice to the
Agent given immediately or, if permitted under applicable law, given at such
later date as permitted thereby, require the affected Bank to convert such
Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan, provided that, if more than one Bank is
affected at any time, then all affected Banks must be treated the same pursuant
to this Section 1.10(b).

                  (c)   If at any time after the date of this Agreement any Bank
determines that the introduction of or any change in any applicable law or
governmental rule, regulation, order, guideline, directive or request (whether
or not having the force of law) concerning capital adequacy, or any change in
interpretation or administration thereof by any governmental authority, central
bank

                                       7

<PAGE>   14



or comparable agency, will have the effect of increasing the amount of capital
required or expected to be maintained by such Bank or any corporation
controlling such Bank based on the existence of such Bank's Revolving Loan
Commitment hereunder or its obligations hereunder, then the Borrower shall,
subject to the provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable), pay to
such Bank, upon its written demand therefor, such additional amounts as shall
be required to compensate such Bank or such other corporation for the increased
cost to such Bank or such other corporation or the reduction in the rate of
return to such Bank or such other corporation as a result of such increase of
capital. In determining such additional amounts, each Bank will act reasonably
and in good faith and will use averaging and attribution methods which are
reasonable, provided that such Bank's reasonable good faith determination of
compensation owing under this Section 1.10(c) shall, absent manifest error, be
final and conclusive and binding on all the parties hereto. Each Bank, upon
deter mining that any additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this
Section 1.10(c), will give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower, which
notice shall show the basis for calculation of such additional amounts.

                  1.11  Compensation. The Borrower shall, subject to the
provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable), compensate each Bank,
upon its written request (which request shall set forth the basis for
requesting such compensation), for all reasonable losses, expenses and
liabilities (including, without limitation, any loss, expense or liability
incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other
funds required by such Bank to fund its Eurodollar Loans but excluding any loss
of anticipated profit) which such Bank may sustain: (i) if for any reason
(other than a default by such Bank or the Agent) a Borrowing of, or conversion
from or into, Eurodollar Loans does not occur on a date specified therefor in a
Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion (whether or not withdrawn by the
Borrower or deemed withdrawn pursuant to Section 1.10(a)); (ii) if any
repayment (including any repayment made pursuant to Section 4.02 or a result of
an acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 10) or conversion of any of
its Eurodollar Loans occurs on a date which is not the last day of an Interest
Period with respect thereto; (iii) if any prepayment of any of its Eurodollar
Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by the
Borrower; or (iv) as a consequence of (A) any other default by the Borrower to
repay its Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement or any Revolving
Note held by such Bank or (B) any election made pursuant to Section 1.10(b).

                  1.12  Change of Lending Office. Each Bank agrees that on the
occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section 1.10(a)(ii) or
(iii), Section 1.10(c), Section 2.05 or Section 4.04 with respect to such Bank,
it will, if requested by the Borrower, use reasonable efforts (subject to
overall policy considerations of such Bank) to designate another lending office
for any Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit affected by such event, provided
that such designation is made on such terms that such Bank and its lending
office suffer no economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, with the object of
avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of such
Section. Nothing in this Section 1.12 shall affect or postpone any of the
obligations of the Borrower or the right of any Bank provided in Sections 1.10,
2.05 and 4.04.


                                       8

<PAGE>   15



                  1.13  Replacement of Banks. (i) If any Bank becomes a
Defaulting Bank or otherwise defaults in its obligations to make Revolving
Loans or fund Unpaid Drawings, (ii) upon the occurrence of any event giving
rise to the operation of Section 1.10(a)(ii) or (iii), Section 1.10(c), Section
2.05 or Section 4.04 with respect to any Bank which results in such Bank
charging to the Borrower increased costs in excess of those being generally
charged by the other Banks or (iii) as provided in Section 13.12(b) in the case
of certain refusals by a Bank to consent to certain proposed changes, waivers,
discharges or terminations with respect to this Agreement which have been
approved by the Required Banks, the Borrower shall have the right, in
accordance with the requirements of Section 13.04(b), if no Default or Event of
Default would exist after giving effect to the respective replacement, to
either replace such Bank (the "Replaced Bank") with one or more other Eligible
Transferee or Eligible Transferees, none of whom shall constitute a Defaulting
Bank at the time of such replacement (collectively, the "Replacement Bank") and
each of whom shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent; provided, however,
that:

                  (A)   at the time of any replacement pursuant to this Section
         1.13, the Replaced Bank and the Replacement Bank shall enter into one
         or more Assignment and Assumption Agreements pursuant to Section
         13.04(b) (and with all fees payable pursuant to said Section 13.04(b)
         to be paid by the Replacement Bank) pursuant to which the Replacement
         Bank shall acquire all of the Revolving Loan Commitment and
         outstanding Revolving Loans of, and in each case participations in
         Letters of Credit by, the Replaced Bank and, in connection there with,
         shall pay to (1) the Replaced Bank in respect thereof an amount equal
         to the sum of (x) an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued
         interest on, all outstanding Revolving Loans of the Replaced Bank, (y)
         an amount equal to all Unpaid Drawings that have been funded by (and
         not reimbursed to) such Replaced Bank, together with all then unpaid
         interest with respect thereto at such time and (z) an amount equal to
         all accrued, but theretofore unpaid, Fees owing to the Replaced Bank
         pursuant to Section 3.01 and (2) BTCo an amount equal to such Replaced
         Bank's Adjusted Percentage (for this purpose, determined as if the
         adjustment described in clause (y) of the immediately succeeding
         sentence had been made with respect to such Replaced Bank) of any
         Unpaid Drawing (which at such time remains an Unpaid Drawing) to the
         extent such amount was not theretofore funded by such Replaced Bank;
         and

                  (B)   all obligations of the Borrower owing to the Replaced
         Bank (other than those specifically described in clause (A) above in
         respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is
         concurrently being, paid) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Bank
         concurrently with such replacement.

Upon the execution of the respective Assignment and Assumption Agreements, the
payment of amounts referred to in clauses (A) and (B) above and, if so
requested by the Replacement Bank, delivery to the Replacement Bank of the
appropriate Revolving Note executed by the Borrower, (x) the Replacement Bank
shall become a Bank hereunder and the Replaced Bank shall cease to constitute
a Bank hereunder, except with respect to indemnification provisions under this
Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.05, 4.04,
13.01 and 13.06), which shall survive

                                       9

<PAGE>   16



(subject to Section 13.15) as to such Replaced Bank and (y) in the case of a
replacement of a Defaulting Bank with a Non-Defaulting Bank, the Adjusted
Percentages of the Banks shall be auto matically adjusted at such time to give
effect to such replacement (and to give effect to the replacement of a
Defaulting Bank with one or more Non-Defaulting Banks). Any replacement of a
Bank pursuant to this Section 1.13 shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any
rights which the Borrower, the Agent or any other Bank shall have against the
replaced Bank relating to events or occurrences occurring prior to the
effective date of such assignment.

                  SECTION 2.   LETTERS OF CREDIT.

                  2.01  Letters of Credit. (a) Subject to and upon the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Borrower may request that any Issuing Bank
issue, at any time and from time to time on and after the Initial Borrowing
Date and prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, (i) for the account of the
Borrower and for the benefit of any holder (or any trustee, agent or other
similar representative for any such holders) of L/C Supportable Obligations of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, an irrevocable standby letter of
credit denominated in Dollars, in a form customarily used by the Issuing Bank
or in such other form as has been approved by the Issuing Bank (each such
standby letter of credit, a "Standby Letter of Credit") in support of such L/C
Supportable Obligations and (ii) for the account of the Borrower and for the
benefit of sellers of goods to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, an
irrevocable sight documentary letter of credit denominated in Dollars in a form
customarily used by such Issuing Bank or in such other form as has been
approved by such Issuing Bank (each such documentary letter of credit, a "Trade
Letter of Credit", and each such Trade Letter of Credit and each Standby Letter
of Credit, a "Letter of Credit") in support of commercial transactions of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

                  (b)   Each Issuing Bank may agree, in its sole discretion, and
BTCo hereby agrees that, in the event a requested Letter of Credit is not
issued by one of the other Issuing Banks, it will (subject to the terms and
conditions contained herein), at any time and from time to time on or after the
Initial Borrowing Date and prior to the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, following
its receipt of the respective Letter of Credit Request, issue for the account
of the Borrower one or more Letters of Credit (i) in the case of Standby
Letters of Credit, in support of such L/C Supportable Obligations of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as is permitted to remain outstanding
without giving rise to a Default or an Event of Default hereunder and (ii) in
the case of Trade Letters of Credit, in support of sellers of goods as
referenced in Section 2.01(a), provided that the respective Issuing Bank shall
be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit of the types described
above if at the time of such issuance:

                  (A)   any order, judgment or decree of any governmental
         authority or arbitrator shall purport by its terms to enjoin or
         restrain such Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit or any
         requirement of law applicable to such Issuing Bank or any request or
         directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any
         governmental authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Bank shall
         prohibit, or request that such Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance
         of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular
         or shall impose

                                       10

<PAGE>   17



         upon such Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit any
         restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing
         Bank is not otherwise compensated including, without limitation by
         reimbursement from the Borrower) not in effect on the date hereof, or
         any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable, in
         effect or known to such Issuing Bank as of the date hereof and which
         such Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it; or

                  (B)   such Issuing Bank shall have received notice from any
         Bank prior to the issuance of such Letter of Credit of the type
         described in the penultimate sentence of Section 2.02(b).

                  (c)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Letter of Credit
shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the Letter of Credit
Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid on the date of, and
prior to the issuance of, the respective Letter of Credit) at such time would
exceed either (A) $5,000,000 or (B) when added to the aggregate principal
amount of all Revolving Loans made by Non-Defaulting Banks and then
outstanding, an amount equal to the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment at
such time, and (ii) each Letter of Credit shall by its terms terminate on or
before the earlier of (A) (1) in the case of Standby Letters of Credit, the
date which occurs 12 months after the date of the issuance thereof (although
any such Standby Letter of Credit may be extendable for successive periods of
up to 12 months each, but not beyond one Business Day prior to the Revolving
Loan Maturity Date, on terms acceptable to the Issuing Bank thereof) and (2) in
the case of Trade Letters of Credit, the date which occurs 180 days after the
date of issuance thereof, or (B) the Revolving Loan Maturity Date.

                  2.02  Letter of Credit Requests. (a) Whenever the Borrower
desires that a Letter of Credit be issued for its account, the Borrower shall
give the Agent and the respective Issuing Bank at least two Business Days' (or
such shorter period as is acceptable to the respective Issuing Bank) written
notice thereof. Each notice shall be in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto
(each a "Letter of Credit Request").

                  (b)  The making of each Letter of Credit Request shall be
deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower that such Letter of
Credit may be issued in accordance with, and will not violate the requirements
of, Section 2.01(c). Unless the respective Issuing Bank has received notice
from any Bank before it issues a Letter of Credit that one or more of the
conditions specified in Section 5 or Section 6 are not then satisfied, or that
the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate Section 2.01(c), then such
Issuing Bank shall issue the requested Letter of Credit for the account of the
Borrower in accordance with such Issuing Bank's usual and customary practices.
Upon its issuance of or amendment to any Letter of Credit, such Issuing Bank
shall promptly notify each Bank participating therein of such issuance or
amendment and such notice shall be accompanied by a copy of the issued Letter
of Credit or amendment, as the case may be.

                  2.03  Letter of Credit Participations.  (a)  Immediately upon 
the issuance by any Issuing Bank of any Letter of Credit, such Issuing Bank
shall be deemed to have sold and transferred

                                       11

<PAGE>   18



to each Bank with a Revolving Loan Commitment, other than such Issuing Bank
(each such Bank, in its capacity under this Section 2.03, a "Participant"), and
each such Participant shall be deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have
purchased and received from such Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an
undivided interest and participation, to the extent of such Participant's
Adjusted Percentage in such Letter of Credit, each drawing made thereunder and
the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement with respect thereto, and
any security therefor or guaranty pertaining thereto. Upon any change in the
Revolving Loan Commitments or Adjusted Percentages of the Banks pursuant to
Section 1.13 or 13.04 or as a result of a Bank Default, it is hereby agreed
that, with respect to all outstanding Letters of Credit and Unpaid Drawings,
there shall be an automatic adjustment to the participations pursuant to this
Section 2.03 to reflect the new Adjusted Percentages of the assignor and
assignee Bank or of all Banks with Revolving Loan Commitments, as the case may
be.

                  (b)  In determining whether to pay under any Letter of Credit,
such Issuing Bank shall have no obligation relative to the other Banks other
than to confirm that any documents required to be delivered under such Letter
of Credit appear to have been delivered and that they appear to comply on their
face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit. Any action taken or
omitted to be taken by such Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter
of Credit if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct, shall not create for such Issuing Bank any resulting liability to
the Borrower or any Bank.

                  (c)  In the event that any Issuing Bank makes any payment
under any Letter of Credit and the Borrower shall not have reimbursed such
amount in full to such Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.04(a), such Issuing
Bank shall promptly notify the Agent, which shall promptly notify each
Participant of such failure, and each Participant shall promptly and
unconditionally pay to such Issuing Bank the amount of such Participant's
Adjusted Percentage of such unreimbursed payment in Dollars and in same day
funds. If the Agent so notifies, prior to 11:00 A.M. (New York time) on any
Business Day, any Participant required to fund a payment under a Letter of
Credit, such Participant shall make available to such Issuing Bank in Dollars
such Participant's Adjusted Percent age of the amount of such payment on such
Business Day in same day funds. If and to the extent such Participant shall not
have so made its Adjusted Percentage of the amount of such payment available to
such Issuing Bank, such Participant agrees to pay to such Issuing Bank,
forthwith on demand such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day
from such date until the date such amount is paid to such Issuing Bank at the
overnight Federal Funds Rate. The failure of any Participant to make available
to such Issuing Bank its Adjusted Percentage of any payment under any Letter of
Credit shall not relieve any other Participant of its obligation hereunder to
make available to such Issuing Bank its Adjusted Percentage of any Letter of
Credit on the date required, as specified above, but no Participant shall be
responsible for the failure of any other Participant to make available to such
Issuing Bank such other Participant's Adjusted Percentage of any such payment.

                  (d)  Whenever any Issuing Bank receives a payment of a
reimbursement obligation as to which it has received any payments from the
Participants pursuant to clause (c) above, such Issuing Bank shall pay to each
Participant which has paid its Adjusted Percentage thereof, in Dollars

                                       12

<PAGE>   19



and in same day funds, an amount equal to such Participant's share (based upon
the proportionate aggregate amount originally funded by such Participant to the
aggregate amount funded by all Participants) of the principal amount of such
reimbursement obligation and interest thereon accruing after the purchase of
the respective participations.

                  (e)  Upon the request of any Participant, each Issuing Bank
shall furnish to such Participant copies of any Letter of Credit issued by it
and such other documentation as may reasonably be requested by such
Participant.

                  (f)  The obligations of the Participants to make payments to
each Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it shall be
irrevocable and not subject to any qualification or exception whatsoever and
shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement
under all circumstances, including, without limitation, any of the following
circumstances:

                  (i)  any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement 
         or any of the other Credit Documents;

                  (ii) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other
         right which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may have at any
         time against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any transferee
         of any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee
         may be acting), the Agent, any Participant, or any other Person,
         whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the
         transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions
         (including any underlying transaction between the Borrower and the
         beneficiary named in any such Letter of Credit);

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

                  (iv) the surrender or impairment of any security for the 
         performance or observance of any of the terms of any of the Credit
         Documents; or

                  (v)  the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.

                  2.04 Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings. (a) The
Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse the respective Issuing Bank, by making
payment to the Agent in immediately available funds at the Payment Office, for
any payment or disbursement made by such Issuing Bank under any Letter of
Credit issued by such Issuing Bank (each such amount, so paid until reimbursed,
an "Unpaid Drawing"), no later than three Business Days after the date of such
payment or disbursement, with interest on the amount so paid or disbursed by
such Issuing Bank, to the extent not reimbursed prior to 1:00 P.M. (New York
time) on the date of such payment or disbursement, from and including the date
paid or disbursed to but excluding the date such Issuing Bank was

                                       13

<PAGE>   20



reimbursed by the Borrower therefor at a rate per annum which shall be the Base
Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans
maintained as Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that to the extent such
amounts are not reimbursed prior to 1:00 P.M. (New York time) on the fifth
Business Day following such payment or disbursement, interest shall thereafter
accrue on the amounts so paid or disbursed by such Issuing Bank (and until
reimbursed by the Borrower) at a rate per annum which shall be the Base Rate in
effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans
maintained as Base Rate Loans plus 2%, in each such case, with interest to be
payable on demand. The respective Issuing Bank shall give the Borrower prompt
notice of each Drawing under any Letter of Credit, provided that the failure to
give any such notice shall in no way affect, impair or diminish the Borrower's
obligations hereunder.

                  (b)   The obligations of the Borrower under this Section 2.04
to reimburse the respective Issuing Bank with respect to drawings on Letters of
Credit (each, a "Drawing") (including, in each case, interest thereon) shall be
absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of
any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may have or
have had against any Bank (including in its capacity as issuer of the Letter of
Credit or as Participant), or any nonapplication or misapplication by the
beneficiary of the proceeds of such Drawing, the respective Issuing Bank's only
obligation to the Borrower being to confirm that any documents required to be
delivered under such Letter of Credit appear to have been delivered and that
they appear to comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of
Credit. Any action taken or omitted to be taken by any Issuing Bank under or in
connection with any Letter of Credit if taken or omitted in the absence of
gross negligence or willful misconduct, shall not create for such Issuing Bank
any resulting liability to the Borrower.

                  2.05  Increased Costs. If at any time after the date of this
Agreement, the introduction of or any change in any applicable law, rule,
regulation, order, guideline or request or in the interpretation or
administration thereof by any governmental authority charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Issuing Bank or
any Participant with any request or directive by any such authority (whether or
not having the force of law), or any change in generally acceptable accounting
principles, shall either (i) impose, modify or make applicable any reserve,
deposit, capital adequacy or similar requirement against Letters of Credit
issued by any Issuing Bank or participated in by any Participant, or (ii)
impose on any Issuing Bank or any Participant any other conditions relating,
directly or indirectly, to this Agreement or any Letter of Credit; and the
result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to any Issuing Bank or
any Participant of issuing, maintaining or participating in any Letter of
Credit, or reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by any Issuing
Bank or any Participant hereunder or reduce the rate of return on its capital
with respect to Letters of Credit (except for changes in the rate of tax on, or
determined by reference to, the net income or profits of such Issuing Bank or
such Participant, or any franchise tax based on the net income or profits of
such Bank or Participant, in either case pursuant to the laws of the United
States of America, the jurisdiction in which it is organized or in which its
principal office or applicable lending office is located or any subdivision
thereof or therein), but without duplication of any amounts payable in respect
of Taxes pursuant to Section 4.04(a), then, upon demand to the Borrower by such
Issuing Bank or any Participant (a copy of which demand shall be
                                                                     
                                       14

<PAGE>   21



sent by such Issuing Bank or such Participant to the Agent) and subject to the
provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable), the Borrower shall pay
to such Issuing Bank or such Participant such additional amount or amounts as
will compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction in the amount
receivable or reduction on the rate of return on its capital. Any Issuing Bank
or any Participant, upon determining that any additional amounts will be
payable pursuant to this Section 2.05, will give prompt written notice thereof
to the Borrower, which notice shall include a certificate submitted to the
Borrower by such Issuing Bank or such Participant (a copy of which certificate
shall be sent by such Issuing Bank or such Participant to the Agent), setting
forth in reasonable detail the basis for the calculation of such additional
amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Issuing Bank or such
Participant. The certificate required to be delivered pursuant to this Section
2.05 shall, if delivered in good faith and absent manifest error, be final and
conclusive and binding on the Borrower.

                  SECTION 3.   COMMITMENT COMMISSION; FEES; REDUCTIONS OF 
                               COMMITMENT.

                  3.01  Fees. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for
distribution to each Non-Defaulting Bank a commitment commission (the
"Commitment Commission") for the period from and including the Effective Date
to but not including the date the Revolving Loan Commitments have been
terminated, computed at the rate of 1/2 of 1% per annum on the daily average
Aggregate Unutilized Commitments of such Bank. Accrued Commitment Commissions
shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date
and the date upon which the Revolving Loan Commitments are terminated.

                  (b)   The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent for distribution
to each Non-Defaulting Bank with a Revolving Loan Commitment (based on their
respective Adjusted Percentages) a fee in respect of each Letter of Credit
issued hereunder (the "Letter of Credit Fee"), for the period from and
including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to and including the
date of termination of such Letter of Credit, computed at a rate per annum
equal to the difference between (i) the Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans
which are maintained as Eurodollar Loans as in effect from time to time and
(ii) 1/4 of 1% on the daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit. Accrued
Letter of Credit Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each
Quarterly Payment Date and upon the first day on or after the termination of
the Total Revolving Loan Commitment upon which no Letters of Credit remain
outstanding.

                  (c)   The Borrower agrees to pay to the respective Issuing
Bank, for its own account, a facing fee in respect of each Letter of Credit
issued for its account hereunder (the "Facing Fee") for the period from and
including the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to and including the
termination of such Letter of Credit, computed at a rate equal to 1/4 of 1% per
annum of the daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit; provided, however,
that in no event shall the annual Facing Fee with respect to each Letter of
Credit be less than $500, it being agreed that, on the date of issuance of any
Letter of Credit and on each anniversary thereof prior to the date of
termination of such Letter of Credit, if $500 will exceed the amount of Facing
Fees that will accrue with respect to such Letter of Credit for the immediately
succeeding 12-month period, the full $500 shall be

                                       15

<PAGE>   22



payable on the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit and on each such
anniversary thereof prior to the termination of such Letter of Credit. Accrued
Facing Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly
Payment Date and on the date upon which the Total Revolving Loan Commitment has
been terminated and such Letter of Credit has been terminated in accordance
with its terms.

                  (d)   The Borrower shall pay to the Issuing Bank, upon each
payment under, issuance of, or amendment to, any Letter of Credit, such amount
as shall at the time of such event be the administrative charge and
out-of-pocket expenses which the respective Issuing Bank is generally imposing
in connection with such occurrence with respect to letters of credit.

                  (e)   The Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for its own 
account, such other fees as have been agreed to in writing by the Borrower and
the Agent.

                  3.02  Voluntary Termination of Unutilized Commitments. (a)
Upon at least two Business Days' prior written notice (or telephonic notice
promptly confirmed in writing) to the Agent at its Notice Office (which notice
the Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Banks), the Borrower shall
have the right, at any time or from time to time, without premium or penalty,
to terminate (i) if prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, the Total Revolving
Loan Commitment (and the Revolving Loan Commitments of each Bank), in whole, or
(ii) if after the Initial Borrowing Date the Total Unutilized Revolving Loan
Commitment, in whole or in part, in integral multiples of $200,000 in the case
of partial reductions to the Total Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment,
provided that (A) each such reduction shall apply proportionately to
permanently reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Bank and (B) the
reduction to the Total Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment shall in no case be
in an amount which would cause the Revolving Loan Commitment of any Bank to be
reduced (as required by preceding clause (A)) by an amount which exceeds the
Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank as in effect immediately
before giving effect to such reduction.

                  (b)   In the event of certain refusals by a Bank as provided 
in Section 13.12(b) to consent to certain proposed changes, waivers, discharges
or terminations with respect to this Agreement which have been approved by the
Required Banks, the Borrower may, upon five Business Days' written notice to
the Agent at its Notice Office (which notice the Agent shall promptly transmit
to each of the Banks) terminate all of the Revolving Loan Commitment of such
Bank so long as all Loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest, Fees and
all other amounts, owing to such Bank are repaid concurrently with the
effectiveness of such termination (at which time Schedule I shall be deemed
modified to reflect such changed amounts), and at such time such Bank shall no
longer constitute a "Bank" for purposes of this Agreement, except with respect
to indemnifications under this Agreement (including, without limitation,
Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.05, 4.04, 13.01 and 13.06), which shall survive (subject
to Section 13.15) as to such repaid Bank.


                                       16

<PAGE>   23



                  3.03  Mandatory Reduction of Commitments. (a) The Total
Revolving Loan Commitment (and the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Bank)
shall terminate in its entirety on December 31, 1996 unless the Initial
Borrowing Date shall have occurred on or prior to such date.

                  (b)   In addition to any other mandatory commitment reductions
pursuant to this Section 3.03, the Total Revolving Loan Commitment (and the
Revolving Loan Commitment of each Bank) shall terminate in its entirety on the
Revolving Loan Maturity Date.

                  (c)   In addition to any other mandatory commitment reductions
pursuant to this Section 3.03, on each date after the Initial Borrowing Date
upon which a mandatory reduction of the Total Revolving Loan Commitment
pursuant to Section 4.02 is required, the Total Revolving Loan Commitment shall
be permanently reduced by the amount required to be applied pursuant to said
Section.

                  (d)   Each reduction to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment
pursuant to this Section 3.03 (or pursuant to Section 4.02) shall be applied
proportionately to reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Bank.

                  SECTION 4.   PREPAYMENTS; PAYMENTS; TAXES.

                  4.01  Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right
to prepay the Loans, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part at any
time and from time to time on the following terms and conditions: (i) the
Borrower shall give the Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at its Notice
Office (A) on the date that a prepayment of Base Rate Loans is to be made prior
written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of its
intent to prepay Base Rate Loans and (B) at least three Business Days' prior
written notice (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of its
intent to prepay Eurodollar Loans, the amount of such prepayment and the Types
of Loans to be prepaid and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the specific
Borrowing or Borrowings pursuant to which made, which notice the Agent shall
promptly transmit to each of the Banks; (ii) each prepayment shall be in an
aggregate principal amount of at least $50,000, provided that if any partial
prepayment of Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to any Borrowing shall reduce the
outstanding Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less
than $200,000, then such Borrowing may not be continued as a Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans and any election of an Interest Period with respect thereto
given by the Borrower shall have no force or effect; (iii) prepayments of
Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to this Section 4.01 on any day other than the
last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto shall be accompanied by the
amounts required under Section 1.11; (iv) each prepayment in respect of any
Revolving Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall, except as set forth in
clause (v) below, be applied pro rata among the Banks which made such Revolving
Loans; and (v) in the event of certain refusals by a Bank as provided in
Section 13.12(b) to consent to certain proposed changes, waivers, discharges or
terminations with respect to this Agreement which have been approved by the
Required Banks, the Borrower may, upon five Business Days' written notice to
the Agent at its Notice Office (which notice the Agent shall promptly transmit
to each of the Banks) repay all Revolving Loans, together with accrued and
unpaid interest, Fees,

                                       17

<PAGE>   24



and other amounts owing to such Bank in accordance with said Section 13.12(b)
so long as (A) the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank is terminated
concurrently with such repayment (at which time Schedule I shall be deemed
modified to reflect the changed Revolving Loan Commitments) and (B) the
consents required by Section 13.12(b) in connection with the repayment pursuant
to this clause (v) have been obtained; provided, however, that at the
Borrower's election in connection with any prepayment of Revolving Loans
pursuant to this Section 4.01, such prepayment shall not be applied to any
Revolving Loan of a Defaulting Bank.

                  4.02  Mandatory Repayments and Commitment Reductions. (a) (i)
On any day on which the sum of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
the Revolving Loans made by Non-Defaulting Banks and the Letter of Credit
Outstandings exceeds the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment as then in
effect, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Banks in an
amount equal to such excess. If, after giving effect to the prepayment of all
outstanding Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Banks, the aggregate amount of
the Letter of Credit Outstandings exceeds the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan
Commitment as then in effect, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent at the
Payment Office on such date an amount of cash or Cash Equivalents equal to the
amount of such excess (up to a maximum amount equal to the Letter of Credit
Outstandings at such time), such cash or Cash Equivalents to be held as
security for all obligations of the Borrower to Non-Defaulting Banks hereunder
in a cash collateral account to be established by the Agent.

                  (ii)  On any day on which the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the Revolving Loans made by any Defaulting Bank exceeds the Revolving
Loan Commitment of such Defaulting Bank, the Borrower shall prepay principal of
Revolving Loans of such Defaulting Bank in an amount equal to such excess.

                  (b)   In addition to any other mandatory repayments or 
commitment reductions pursuant to this Section 4.02, on each date after the
Effective Date upon which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries receives proceeds
from any sale of assets (including capital stock and securities held thereby,
but excluding (i) sales or transfers of inventory in the ordinary course of
business (including, without limitation, sales or transfers of inventory to
Subsidiaries at fair market value), (ii) the sale or other disposition of
obsolete equipment, (iii) the sales of overdue receivables in the ordinary
course of business, (iv) the licensing of general intangibles in the ordinary
course of business, (v) the first $1,000,000 of Net Sale Proceeds in any Fiscal
Year from sales of other assets after the Effective Date and (vi) sales of
assets between the Borrower and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries and/or sales of
assets between Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, in each case to the
extent permitted by Section 9.02), an amount equal to 100% of the Net Sale
Proceeds therefrom shall be applied (i) as a mandatory reduction to the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment and (ii) as a mandatory repayment of principal of
outstanding Revolving Loans, all in accordance with the requirements of
Sections 4.02(d) and (e); provided, however, that up to an aggregate of
$5,000,000 of Net Sale Proceeds in any Fiscal Year shall not be required to be
used as a mandatory commitment reduction and repayment to the extent the
Borrower elects, as hereinafter provided, to cause such Net Sale Proceeds to be
reinvested in Reinvestment Assets (a "Reinvestment Election"). The Borrower

                                       18

<PAGE>   25



may exercise its Reinvestment Election (within the parameters specified in the
preceding sentence) with respect to a sale of assets if (x) no Default or Event
of Default exists and (y) the Borrower delivers a Reinvestment Notice to the
Agent on or prior to the date of the consummation of the respective sale of
assets, with such Reinvestment Election being effective with respect to the Net
Sale Proceeds of such sale of assets equal to the Anticipated Reinvestment
Amount specified in such Reinvestment Notice.

                  (c)   In addition to any other mandatory repayments or
commitment reductions pursuant to this Section 4.02, within 10 days following
each date after the Effective Date on which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries
receives any proceeds from any Recovery Event, an amount equal to 100% of the
proceeds of such Recovery Event (net of reasonable costs including, without
limitation, legal costs and expenses, and taxes incurred in connection with
such Recovery Event and other than the proceeds of business interruption
insurance) shall be applied, (i) as a mandatory reduction to the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment and (ii) as a mandatory repayment of principal of
outstanding Revolving Loans, all in accordance with the requirements of
Sections 4.02(d) and (e); provided, however, that (A) so long as no Default or
Event of Default then exists and such proceeds do not exceed $5,000,000, such
proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that
the Borrower has delivered a certificate to the Agent on or prior to such date
stating that such proceeds shall be used or shall be committed to be used to
replace or restore any properties or assets in respect of which such proceeds
were paid within one year following the date of such Recovery Event (which
certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended)
and (B) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists and to the extent
that (1) the amount of such proceeds exceeds $5,000,000, (2) the amount of such
proceeds, together with other cash available to the Borrower and permitted to
be spent by it on Capital Expenditures during the relevant period pursuant to
Section 9.07, equals 100% of the cost of replacement or restoration of the
properties or assets in respect of which such proceeds were paid as determined
by the Borrower and as supported by such estimates or bids from contractors or
subcontractors or such other supporting information as the Agent may reasonably
request, (3) the Borrower has delivered to the Agent a certificate on or prior
to the date the application would otherwise be required pursuant to this
Section 4.02(c) in the form described in clause (A) above and also certifying
its determination as required by preceding clause (2) and certifying the
sufficiency of business interruption insurance as required by succeeding clause
(4), and (4) the Borrower has delivered to the Agent such evidence as the Agent
may reasonably request in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Agent establishing that the Borrower has sufficient business interruption
insurance and that the Borrower will be receiving regular payments thereunder
in such amounts and at such times as are necessary to satisfy all obligations
and expenses of the Borrower (including, without limitation, all debt service
requirements, including pursuant to this Agreement) without any delay or
extension thereof, for the period from the date of the respective casualty,
condemnation or other event giving rise to the Recovery Event and continuing
through the completion of the replacement or restoration of respective
properties or assets, then the entire amount of the proceeds of such Recovery
Event and not just the portion in excess of $5,000,000 shall be deposited with
the Agent pursuant to a cash collateral arrangement reasonably satisfactory to
the Agent whereby such proceeds shall be disbursed to the Borrower from time to
time as needed to pay actual costs incurred by it in connection with the   

                                       19

<PAGE>   26



replacement or restoration of the respective properties or assets (pursuant to
such certification requirements as may reasonably be established by the Agent);
and provided further that at any time while an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing (other than an Event of Default existing solely as a result
of the violation of any or all of Sections 9.08 through 9.10, inclusive, but in
each case only if, and to the extent, that the violation of said covenant has
occurred as a result of the underlying event giving rise to the Recovery
Event), the Required Banks may direct the Agent (in which case the Agent shall,
and is hereby authorized by the Borrower to, follow said directions) to apply
any or all proceeds then on deposit in such collateral account to the repayment
of Obligations hereunder in the same manner as proceeds would be applied
pursuant to the Security Agreement; and provided further that if all or any
portion of such proceeds not required to be applied to the reduction of the
Total Revolving Loan Commitment and the repayment of Revolving Loans pursuant
to the second preceding proviso (whether pursuant to clause (A) or (B) thereof)
are either (x) not so used or committed to be so used within one year after the
date of the respective Recovery Event or (y) if committed to be used within one
year after the date of receipt of such proceeds and not so used within 18
months after the date of the respective Recovery Event then, in either such
case, such remaining portion not used or committed to be used in the case of
preceding clause (x) and not used in the case of preceding clause (y) shall be
applied on the date which is the first anniversary of the date of the
respective Recovery Event in the case of clause (x) above or the date occurring
18 months after the date of the respective Recovery Event in the case of clause
(y) above as a mandatory reduction to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment and
as a mandatory repayment of principal of outstanding Revolving Loans in
accordance with the requirements of Sections 4.02(d) and (e).

                  (d)  The amount of each principal repayment of Revolving Loans
(and the amount of each reduction to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment) made
as required by Sections 4.02(b) through (c) and (e) shall be applied
proportionably to each Bank to reduce the Revolving Loans and Revolving Loan
Commitment of each Bank.

                  (e)  With respect to each repayment of Loans required by this
Section 4.02, the Borrower may designate the Types of Loans which are to be
repaid and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the specific Borrowing or
Borrowings pursuant to which made, provided that: (i) repayments of Eurodollar
Loans pursuant to this Section 4.02 may only be made on the last day of an
Interest Period applicable thereto unless all Eurodollar Loans with Interest
Periods ending on such date of required repayment and all Base Rate Loans have
been paid in full; and (ii) if any repayment of Eurodollar Loans made pursuant
to a single Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Eurodollar Loans made
pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than $200,000, such Borrowing
shall be converted at the end of the then current Interest Period into a
Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. In the absence of a designation by the Borrower
as described in the preceding sentence, the Agent shall, subject to the above,
make such designation in its sole discretion with a view, but no obligation, to
minimize breakage costs owing under Section 1.11. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Section 4.02, if any time the mandatory prepayment of
Revolving Loans pursuant to Sections 4.02(b) through (d) above or a repayment
arising out of the application of Section 9.05(ii) would result, after giving
effect to the procedures set forth above, in the Borrower incurring breakage
costs under Section 1.11 as a result of Eurodollar Loans being prepaid other
than on the last day of an

                                       20

<PAGE>   27



Interest Period applicable thereto (the "Affected Eurodollar Loans"), then the
Borrower may, in its sole discretion, initially deposit a portion (up to 100%)
of the amounts that otherwise would have been paid in respect of the Affected
Eurodollar Loans with the Agent (which deposit must be equal in amount to the
amount of Affected Eurodollar Loans not immediately prepaid) to be held as
security for the obligations of the Borrower hereunder pursuant to a cash
collateral agreement to be entered into in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent, with such cash collateral to be directly applied
upon the first occurrence (or occurrences) thereafter of the last day of an
Interest Period applicable to the relevant Revolving Loans that are Eurodollar
Loans (or such earlier date or dates as shall be requested by the Borrower), to
repay an aggregate principal amount of such Revolving Loans equal to the
Affected Eurodollar Loans not initially repaid pursuant to this sentence.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the immediately preceding
sentence, all amounts deposited as cash collateral pursuant to the immediately
preceding sentence shall be held for the sole benefit of the Banks whose
Revolving Loans would otherwise have been immediately repaid with the amounts
deposited and upon the taking of any action by the Agent or the Banks pursuant
to the remedial provisions of Section 10, any amounts held as cash collateral
pursuant to this Section 4.02(e) shall, subject to the requirements of
applicable law, be immediately applied to the Revolving Loans.

                  (f)   On the Reinvestment Prepayment Date with respect to a
Reinvestment Election, an amount equal to the Reinvestment Prepayment Amount,
if any, for such Reinvestment Election shall be applied as a repayment of the
principal amount of the then outstanding Revolving Loans in accordance with the
requirements of Sections 4.02(d) and (e).

                  4.03  Method and Place of Payment. Except as otherwise
specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement or any
Revolving Note shall be made to the Agent for the account of the Bank or Banks
entitled thereto not later than 1:00 P.M. (New York time) on the date when due
and shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Payment
Office of the Agent. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder or under any
Revolving Note shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day,
the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and,
with respect to payments of principal, interest shall be payable at the
applicable rate during such extension.

                  4.04  Net Payments. (a) All payments made by the Borrower
hereunder or under any Revolving Note will be made without setoff, counterclaim
or other defense. Except as provided in Section 4.04(b), all such payments will
be made free and clear of, and without deduction or with holding for, any
present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other
charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction or by
any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein with respect
to such payments (but excluding, except as provided in the second succeeding
sentence, any tax imposed on or measured by the net income or profits of a
Bank, or any franchise tax based on the net income or profits of a Bank, in
either case pursuant to the laws of the United States of America, the
jurisdiction in which it is organized or the jurisdiction in which the
principal office or applicable lending office of such Bank is located or any
subdivision thereof or therein) and all interest, penalties or similar
liabilities with respect thereto (all such 

                                      21
<PAGE>   28

nonexcluded taxes, levies, imports, duties, fees, assessments or other charges
being referred to collectively as "Taxes"). If any such Taxes are so levied or
imposed, the Borrower agrees to pay the full amount of such Taxes, and such
additional amounts as may be necessary so that every payment of all amounts due
under this Agreement or under any Revolving Note, after withholding or
deduction for or on account of any Taxes, will not be less than the amount
provided for herein or in such Revolving Note. If any amounts are payable in
respect of Taxes pursuant to the preceding sentence, the Borrower agrees to
reimburse each Bank, upon the written request of such Bank, for taxes imposed
on or measured by the net income or profits of such Bank, or any franchise tax
based on the net income or profits of such Bank, in either case pursuant to the
laws of the jurisdiction in which the principal office or applicable lending
office of such Bank is located or under the laws of any political subdivision
or taxing authority of any such jurisdiction in which the principal office or
applicable lending office of such Bank is located and for any withholding of
income or similar taxes imposed by the United States of America as such Bank
shall determine are payable by, or withheld from, such Bank in respect of such
amounts so paid to or on behalf of such Bank pursuant to the preceding sentence
and in respect of any amounts paid to or on behalf of such Bank pursuant to
this sentence. The Borrower will furnish to the Agent within 45 days after the
date the payment of any Taxes is due pursuant to applicable law certified
copies of tax receipts evidencing such payment by the Borrower. The Borrower
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Bank, and reimburse such Bank upon
its written request, for the amount of any Taxes so levied or imposed and paid
by such Bank.

                  (b)   Each Bank which is not a United States person (as such
term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes agrees (i) in the case of any such Bank that is a "bank" within the
meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and which constitutes a Bank
hereunder on the Initial Borrowing Date, to provide to the Borrower and the
Agent on or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date two original signed copies of
Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or Form 1001 certifying to such Bank's
entitlement to an exemption from United States withholding tax with respect to
payments to be made under this Agreement and under any Revolving Note, (ii) in
the case of any such Bank that is a "bank" within the meaning of Section
881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, that, to the extent legally entitled to do so, (A)
with respect to a Bank that is an assignee or transferee of an interest under
this Agreement pursuant to Section 1.13 or 13.04 (unless the respective Bank
was already a Bank hereunder immediately prior to such assignment or transfer),
upon the date of such assignment or transfer to such Bank, and (B) with respect
to any such Bank, from time to time upon the reasonable written request of the
Borrower or the Agent after the Initial Borrowing Date, such Bank will provide
to the Borrower and the Agent two original signed copies of Internal Revenue
Service Form 4224 or Form 1001 (or any successor forms) certifying to such
Bank's entitlement to an exemption from, or reduction in, United States
withholding tax with respect to payments to be made under this Agreement and
under any Revolving Note, (iii) in the case of any such Bank (other than a Bank
described in clause (i) or (ii) above) which constitutes a Bank hereunder on
the Initial Borrowing Date, to provide to the Borrower and the Agent, on or
prior to the Initial Borrowing Date (A) a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit D attached hereto (any such certificate, a "Section 4.04(b)(iii)
Certificate") and (B) two accurate and complete original signed copies of
Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, certifying to such Bank's entitlement at the

                                       22

<PAGE>   29



date of such certificate (assuming compliance by the Borrower with Section
13.17) to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of
Section 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this
Agreement and under any Revolving Note and (iv) in the case of any such Bank
(other than a Bank described in clause (i) or (ii) above), to the extent
legally entitled to do so, (A) with respect to a Bank that is an assignee or
transferee of an interest under this Agreement pursuant to Section 1.13 or
13.04 (unless the respective Bank was already a Bank hereunder immediately
prior to such assignment or transfer), upon the date of such assignment or
transfer to such Bank, and (B) with respect to any such Bank, from time to time
upon the reasonable written re quest of the Borrower or the Agent after the
Initial Borrowing Date, to provide to the Borrower and the Agent such other
forms as may be required in order to establish the entitlement of such Bank to
an exemption from or reduction in withholding with respect to payments under
this Agreement and under any Revolving Note. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in Section 4.04(a), but subject to the immediately
succeeding sentence, the Borrower shall be entitled, to the extent it is
required to do so by law, to deduct or withhold income or similar taxes imposed
by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof
or therein) from interest, fees or other amounts payable hereunder (without any
obligation to pay the respective Bank additional amounts with respect thereto)
for the account of any Bank which is not a United States person (as such term
is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes and which has not provided to the Borrower such forms required to be
provided to the Borrower pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 4.04(b)
(or to the extent such forms do not establish a complete exemption from such
withholding). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the
preceding sentence or elsewhere in this Section 4.04 and except as set forth
in Section 13.04(b), the Borrower agrees to indemnify each Bank in the manner
set forth in Section 4.04(a) (without regard to the identity of the
jurisdiction requiring the deduction or withholding) in respect of any amounts
deducted or withheld by it as described in the immediately preceding sentence
as a result of any changes after the Effective Date in any applicable law,
treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order, or in the
interpretation thereof, relating to the deducting or withholding of income or
similar Taxes.

                  (c)   The provisions of this Section 4.04 are subject to the 
provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable).

                  SECTION 5.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INITIAL CREDIT EVENTS. The
obligation of each Bank to make Revolving Loans, and the obligation of each
Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit, on the Initial Borrowing Date, is
subject at the time of the making of such Revolving Loans or the issuance of
such Letters of Credit to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

                  5.01  Execution of Agreement; Revolving Notes. On or prior to
the Initial Borrowing Date (i) the Effective Date shall have occurred and (ii)
there shall have been delivered to the Agent for the account of each of the
Banks the appropriate Revolving Note executed by the Borrower, in each case in
the amount, maturity and as otherwise provided herein.


                                       23

<PAGE>   30


                  5.02  Fees; etc. On the Initial Borrowing Date,
contemporaneously with the receipt of proceeds of the initial Revolving Loan,
the Borrower shall have paid to the Agent and the Banks all costs, fees and
expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) payable to
the Agent and the Banks to the extent then due.

                  5.03  Opinions of Counsel. On the Initial Borrowing Date, the
Agent shall have received (i) from Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to the
Credit Parties, an opinion addressed to the Agent and each of the Banks and
dated the Initial Borrowing Date covering the matters set forth in Exhibit E
attached hereto and (ii) from local counsel satisfactory to the Agent, opinions
each of which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Agent and the Required Banks and shall cover the perfection of the security
interests granted pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, the Security Agreement and
the Mortgages and such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated
herein as the Agent may reasonably request.

                  5.04  Corporate Documents; Proceedings; etc. (a) On the
Initial Borrowing Date, the Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the
Initial Borrowing Date, signed by an Authorized Officer and attested to by the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Credit Party, in the form of
Exhibit F attached hereto with appropriate insertions, together with copies of
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of such Credit Party and the
resolutions of such Credit Party referred to in such certificate, and the
foregoing shall be reasonably acceptable to the Agent.

                  (b)   On the Initial Borrowing Date, all corporate and legal
proceedings and all instruments and agreements in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Documents shall be
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent and the Required
Banks, and the Agent shall have received all information and copies of all
documents and papers, including records of corporate proceedings, governmental
approvals, good standing certificates and bring-down telegrams or facsimiles,
if any, which the Agent reasonably may have requested in connection therewith,
such documents and papers where appropriate to be certified by proper corporate
or governmental authorities.

                  5.05  Employee Benefit Plans; Shareholders' Agreements;
Management Agreements; Collective Bargaining Agreements; Existing Debt
Agreements; Tax Sharing Agreements. On the Initial Borrowing Date, there shall
have been delivered to the Agent true and correct copies, certified as true and
complete by an appropriate officer of the Borrower of (i) all agreements
entered into by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries governing the terms and
relative rights of its capital stock and any agreements entered into by
shareholders relating to any such entity with respect to its capital stock
(collectively, the "Shareholders' Agreements"), (ii) all agreements with
members of, or with respect to, the management of Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Management Agreements"), (iii) all collective
bargaining agreements applying or relating to any employee of Holdings or any
of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the "Collective Bargaining Agreements"),
(iv) all agreements evidencing or relating to Indebtedness of Holdings or any
of its Subsidiaries which is to remain outstanding after giving effect to the
incurrence of Loans on the Initial Borrowing Date (collectively, the "Existing
Debt Agreements"); and (v) all agreements

                                       24

<PAGE>   31



relating to the sharing of tax liabilities and benefits among Holdings and/or
its Subsidiaries (each a "Tax Sharing Agreement" and collectively, the "Tax
Sharing Agreements"); all of which Employee Benefit Plans, Shareholders'
Agreements, Management Agreements, Collective Bargaining Agree ments, Existing
Debt Agreements and Tax Sharing Agreements shall be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Required Banks and shall be in
full force and effect on
the Initial Borrowing Date.

                  5.06  Capital Contributions; Stock Repurchase; etc. (a) On or
prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, there shall have been delivered to the
Agent true and correct copies, certified as true and complete by an Authorized
Officer of the Borrower, of the Recapitalization Documents, and all terms and
conditions of the Recapitalization Documents shall be reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to the Agent. The Recapitalization Documents (and the
transactions contemplated thereby) shall have been duly approved by the board
of directors and (if required by applicable law) the stockholders of Holdings
and the Borrower, and all Recapitalization Documents shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the parties thereto and shall be in full force and
effect. Each of the conditions precedent to the obligations of Holdings and
the Borrower to consummate the Recapitalization as set forth in the
Recapitalization Documents shall have been satisfied and not waived or modified
except with the consent of the Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld, all to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent, and concurrently
with the making of the Revolving Loans on the Initial Borrowing Date the
Recapitalization shall have been consummated in accordance with the
Recapitalization Documents and all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

                  (b)   On the Initial Borrowing Date, (i) the Borrower shall
have received gross cash proceeds in the amount of $100,000,000 from the sale
and issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes (it being understood that such
cash proceeds shall include all amounts directly applied to pay underwriting
and placement commissions and discounts and related fees) which proceeds are
transferred to Holdings through intercompany loans and/or dividends, and (ii)
Holdings shall have received gross cash proceeds in an amount of at least
$32,000,000 in connection with the purchase by HMTF or an Affiliate thereof of
Holdings Common Stock (the "Equity Issuance") which proceeds, when aggregated
with the proceeds from the Senior Subordinated Notes and up to $3,600,000 of
Revolving Loans incurred by the Borrower on the Initial Borrowing Date, all of
which shall have been used to consummate the Transaction. The Equity Issuance
and the sale and issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes shall have occurred
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Recapitalization Documents.

                  (c)   On the Initial Borrowing Date, Holdings shall have
redeemed the Redeemed Shares (the "Stock Redemption") from the Selling
Shareholders, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Recapitalization Documents.

                  (d)   On the Initial Borrowing Date, Holdings shall have
purchased the Redeemed Options (the "Options Repurchase") from the Selling
Optionholders, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Recapitalization Documents.


                                      25

<PAGE>   32



                  (e)   On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, each share of
Holdings' Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Redeemable Preferred
Stock") shall be redeemed (the "Preferred Stock Redemption") from Heritage Fund
I, L.P. in accordance with the Recapitalization Documents. After giving effect
to the Preferred Stock Redemption, Holdings shall have no preferred stock
outstanding.

                  5.07  Refinancing of Existing Credit Agreement. (a) On or
prior to the Initial Borrowing Date or concurrently with the Credit Events then
occurring, the total commitments under the Existing Credit Agreement shall have
been terminated, and all loans and notes issued thereunder shall have been
repaid in full, together with interest thereon, and all other amounts owing
pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been repaid in full and
the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been terminated and be of no further
force or effect except for indemnification obligations described therein which
by their terms specifically survive the repayment of the loans thereunder. The
Agent shall have received evidence in form, scope and substance reasonably
satisfactory to it that the matters set forth in this Section 5.07(a) have been
satisfied on such date.

                  (b)   On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date or 
concurrently with the Credit Events then occurring, the creditors under the
Existing Credit Agreement shall have terminated and released all security
interests and Liens on the assets owned or to be owned by the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries granted in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement.
The Agent shall have received such releases of security interests in and Liens
on the assets owned or to be owned by the Borrower as may have been reasonably
requested by the Agent, which releases shall be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. Without limiting the foregoing, there
shall have been delivered (i) proper termination statements (Form UCC-3 or the
appropriate equivalent) for filing under the UCC of each jurisdiction where a
financing statement (Form UCC-1 or the appropriate equivalent) was filed with
respect to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or their respective
predecessors in interest, in connection with the security interests created
with respect to the Existing Credit Agreement and the documentation related
thereto, (ii) terminations or assignments of any security interest in, or Lien
on, any patents, trademarks, copyrights, or similar interests of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries, on which filings have been made and (iii)
terminations of all mortgages, leasehold mortgages and deeds of trust created
with respect to property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or their
respective predecessors in interest, in each case to secure the obligations
under the Existing Credit Agreement, all of which shall be in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

                  5.08  Environmental Indemnity Agreement. On the Initial
Borrowing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received a duly authorized and
fully executed environmental indemnity agreement substantially in the form of
Exhibit G attached hereto (as amended, restated, supplemental or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Environmental Indemnity Agreement") from
Holdings and its Subsidiaries.

                  5.09  Pledge Agreement.  On the Initial Borrowing Date, 
Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall have duly
authorized, executed and delivered a Pledge

                                       26

<PAGE>   33



Agreement in the form of Exhibit H attached hereto, together with such changes
(or with such other documents) as may be requested by the Collateral Agent in
connection with local law (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Pledge Agreement") and shall have delivered to
the Collateral Agent, as pledgee thereunder, all the Pledged Securities
referred to therein, endorsed in blank in the case of promissory notes
constituting Pledged Securities, and executed and undated stock powers in the
case of capital stock constituting Pledged Securities.

                  5.10  Security Agreement. On the Initial Borrowing Date,
Holdings, the Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall have duly
authorized, executed and delivered a Security Agreement in the form of Exhibit
I attached hereto, together with such changes (or with such other documents) as
may be requested by the Collateral Agent in connection with local law (as
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the
"Security Agreement") covering all of each Credit Party's present and future
Security Agreement Collateral, together with:

                  (a)   proper financing statements (Form UCC-1) fully executed
         for filing under the UCC in the appropriate filing offices of each
         jurisdiction as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the
         Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests
         purported to be created by the Security Agreement;

                  (b)   certified copies of requests for information or copies
         (Form UCC-11), or equivalent reports, listing all effective financing
         statements that name Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
         Subsidiaries or a division of any such Person, as debtor and that are
         filed in the jurisdictions referred to in clause (a) above, together
         with copies of such other financing statements (none of which shall
         cover the Collateral except to the extent evidencing Permitted Liens
         or in respect of which the Collateral Agent shall have received
         termination statements (Form UCC-3) or such other termination
         statements as shall be required by local law) fully executed for
         filing;

                  (c)   evidence of the completion of all other recordings and
         filings of, or with respect to, the Security Agreement as may be
         necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent,
         desirable to perfect the security interests intended to be created by
         the Security Agreement; and

                  (d)   evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the
         reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect and
         protect the security interests purported to be created by the Security
         Agreement have been taken.

                  5.11  Subsidiary Guaranty On the initial Borrowing Date, each
Subsidiary Guarantor shall have duly authorized, executed and delivered a
Subsidiary Guaranty in the form of Exhibit J attached hereto (as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance
with the terms hereof and thereof, the "Subsidiary Guaranty"), and the
Subsidiary Guaranty shall be in full force and effect.


                                       27

<PAGE>   34



                  5.12  Mortgages; Title Insurance; Surveys; Etc.  On the 
Initial Borrowing Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received:

                  (a)   fully executed counterparts of mortgages or deeds of
         trust to secure debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
         the Agent (as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
         modified from time to time, each a "Mortgage", and collectively, the
         "Mortgages"), which Mortgages shall cover such of the Real Properties
         owned in fee designated on Schedule III attached hereto (each a
         "Mortgaged Property", and collectively, the "Mortgaged Properties"),
         together with evidence that counterparts of the Mortgages have been
         delivered to the title insurance company insuring the Liens of the
         Mortgages for recording in all places to the extent necessary or, in
         the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to
         effectively create valid and enforceable first priority mortgage liens
         on the Mortgaged Properties in favor of the Collateral Agent (or such
         other trustee as may be required or desired under local law) for the
         benefit of the Secured Creditors;

                  (b)   mortgagee title insurance policies on the Mortgaged
         Properties issued by title insurers satisfactory to the Collateral
         Agent (each a "Mortgage Policy", and collectively, the "Mortgage
         Policies") in amounts satisfactory to the Agent assuring the
         Collateral Agent that the Mortgages on such Mortgaged Properties are
         valid and enforceable first priority mortgage liens on the Mortgaged
         Properties, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Per
         mitted Encumbrances and such Mortgage Policies shall otherwise be in
         form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and shall
         include, as appropriate and to the extent available in the applicable
         jurisdiction, an endorsement for future advances under this Agreement
         and the Revolving Notes and for any other matter that the Collateral
         Agent in its reasonable discretion may reasonably request, shall not
         include an exception for mechanics' liens, and shall provide for
         affirmative insurance as reasonably requested by the Agent; and

                  (c)   except as separately agreed by the Agent in writing on
         the Initial Borrowing Date, surveys (or updates of existing surveys),
         in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent of each
         Mortgaged Property, if any, designated as "Owned" on Schedule III
         hereto, dated a recent date acceptable to the Collateral Agent and
         certified in a manner satisfactory to the Collateral Agent by a
         licensed professional surveyor satisfactory to the Agent.

                  5.13  Consent Letter. On the Initial Borrowing Date, the Agent
shall have received a letter from CT Corporation System, presently located at
1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019, substantially in the form of Exhibit K
attached hereto, indicating its consent to its appointment by each Credit Party
as its agent to receive service of process as specified in Section 13.08.

                  5.14  Adverse Change, etc. (a) On the Initial Borrowing Date,
after giving effect to the Transaction, nothing shall have occurred since
December 31, 1995 (and the Banks shall have become aware of no facts,
conditions or other information not previously known) which the Agent

                                       28

<PAGE>   35


or the Required Banks reasonably believe could have a material adverse effect
on the rights or remedies of the Agent or the Banks, or on the ability of any
Credit Party to perform its obligations to the Agent and the Banks or which the
Agent or the Required Banks reasonably believe would have a material adverse
effect on the Transaction or a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (b)   On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, all necessary
and material governmental (domestic and foreign) and third party approvals in
connection with the Transaction and the transactions contemplated by the Credit
Documents and otherwise referred to herein or there in shall have been obtained
and remain in effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired
without any action being taken by any competent authority which restrains,
prevents or imposes materially adverse conditions upon the consummation of the
Transaction and the trans actions contemplated by this Agreement. Additionally,
there shall not exist any judgment, order, in junction or other restraint
issued or filed or a hearing seeking injunctive relief or other restraint
pending or notified prohibiting or imposing materially adverse conditions
upon the consummation of the Transaction or the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.                                                                

                  5.15  Litigation. On the Initial Borrowing Date, no litigation
by any entity (private or governmental) shall be pending or, to the knowledge
of the Borrower or Holdings, threatened with respect to the Transaction or this
Agreement or any documentation executed in connection therewith, or which the
Agent or the Required Banks shall reasonably believe could have a materially
adverse effect on the Transaction or a Material Adverse Effect.

                  5.16  Solvency Certificate; Environmental Analyses; Insurance.
On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, the Borrower shall cause to be
delivered to the Agent:

                  (i)   a solvency opinion from Brownstone Associates
         Incorporated, addressed to the Agent and each of the Banks and dated
         the Initial borrowing Date and supporting the conclusions, that, after
         giving effect to the Transaction and the incurrence of all financings
         contemplated herein, the Borrower (on a stand-alone basis) and
         Holdings and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) are not
         insolvent and will not be rendered insolvent by the indebtedness
         incurred in connection herewith, will not be left with unreasonably
         small capital with which to engage in their respective businesses and
         will not have incurred debts beyond their ability to pay such debts as
         they mature and become due;

                  (ii)  a solvency certificate addressed to the Agent and each
         of the Banks and dated the Initial Borrowing Date from the Chief
         Executive Officer of the Borrower, which solvency certificate shall be
         in the form of Exhibit L attached hereto (appropriately completed)
         expressing opinions of value and other appropriate factual information
         regarding the sol vency of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (on a
         consolidated basis), and the Borrower (on a stand-alone basis), after
         giving effect to the Transaction and the incurrence of all financings
         contemplated herein;


                                       29

<PAGE>   36



                  (iii) environmental assessments from facilities owned or
         operated by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the results of which
         shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent
         and the Required Banks; and

                  (iv)  evidence of insurance complying with the requirements of
         Section 8.03 for the business and properties of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries, in scope, form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
         the Agent and the Required Banks and naming the Collateral Agent as an
         additional insured and/or loss payee, and stating that such insurance
         shall not be canceled or revised without 30 days prior written notice
         by the insurer to the Collateral Agent.

                  5.17  Pro Forma Balance Sheet. (a) On the Initial Borrowing
Date, the Banks shall have received the unaudited projected pro forma
consolidated balance sheet of Holdings both immediately before and immediately
after giving effect to the Transaction and the incurrence of all Indebtedness
(including the Revolving Loans) contemplated herein, which projected pro forma
consolidated balance sheet shall be (i) based upon the projected balance sheet
as of the Effective Date prepared on a basis consistent with the Projections
and the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.05(a) except as
specifically set forth in the notes to such balance sheets, and (ii) in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Required Banks.

                  (b)   On or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date, the Banks
shall have received the financial statements referred to in Section 7.05(a) and
the Projections described in Section 7.05(d), which projections shall be in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and the Required Banks.

                  5.18  Officer's Certificate. On the Initial Borrowing Date,
the Agent shall have received a certificate dated such date signed by an
Authorized Officer of the Borrower stating that all of the applicable
conditions set forth in Sections 5.06, 5.07, 5.14, 5.15 and 6.01 exist as of
such date.

                  SECTION 6.   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL CREDIT EVENTS. The
obligation of each Bank to make Revolving Loans (including Revolving Loans made
on the Initial Borrowing Date), and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to issue
any Letter of Credit (including Letters of Credit issued on the Initial
Borrowing Date), is subject, at the time of each such Credit Event (except as
hereinafter indicated), to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

                  6.01  No Default; Representations and Warranties. At the time
of each such Credit Event and also after giving effect thereto (i) there shall
exist no Default or Event of Default and (ii) all representations and
warranties contained herein or in any other Credit Document shall be true and
correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties had been made on the date of the making of such
Credit Event (it being understood and agreed that any representation or
warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to
be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date).

                                       30

<PAGE>   37



                  6.02  Notice of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request.  (a)  
Prior to the making of each Revolving Loan, the Agent shall have received the
notice required by Section 1.03(a).

                  (b)   Prior to the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the 
Agent and the Issuing Bank shall have received a Letter of Credit Request
meeting the requirements of Section 2.02.

                  The acceptance of the proceeds of, and any Letter of Credit
issued with respect to, each Credit Event shall constitute a representation and
warranty by the Borrower to the Agent and each of the Banks that all the
conditions specified in Section 5 and in this Section 6 and applicable to such
Credit Event exist as of that time (except to the extent that any of the
conditions specified in Section 5 are required to be satisfactory to or
determined by any Bank, the Required Banks and/or the Agent). All of the
Revolving Notes, certificates, legal opinions and other documents and papers
referred to in Section 5 and in this Section 6, unless otherwise specified,
shall be delivered to the Agent at the Notice Office for the account of each of
the Banks and, except for the Revolving Notes, in sufficient counterparts or
copies for each of the Banks and shall be in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Banks.

                  SECTION 7.   REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS. In
order to induce the Banks to enter into this Agreement and to make the Loans,
and issue (or participate in) the Letters of Credit as provided herein, each of
Holdings and the Borrower make the following representations, warranties and
agreements, in each case after giving effect to the Transaction consummated on
the Initial Borrowing Date, all of which shall survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the Revolving Notes and the making of the Loans
and issuance of the Letters of Credit, with the occurrence of each Credit Event
on or after the Initial Borrowing Date being deemed to constitute a
representation and warranty that the matters specified in this Section 7 are
true and correct in all material respects on the date of each such Credit Event
(including the Initial Borrowing Date) (it being understood and agreed that any
representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date
shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of
such specified date).

                  7.01  Corporate Status. Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries
(i) is a duly organized and validly existing corporation in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, (ii) has the corporate
power and authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business
in which it is engaged and presently proposes to engage and (iii) is duly
qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction where the conduct of its business requires such qualifications
except for failures to be so qualified which, individually or in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  7.02  Corporate Power and Authority. Each Credit Party has the
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform the terms and
provisions of each of the Documents to which it is party and has taken all
necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance
by it of each of such Documents. Each Credit Party has duly executed and
delivered each of the Documents to which it is party, and each of such
Documents constitutes the legal, valid

                                       31

<PAGE>   38



and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws generally affecting creditors' rights and by equitable principles
(regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

                  7.03  No Violation. Neither the execution, delivery or
performance by any Credit Party of the Documents to which it is a party, nor
compliance by it with the terms and provisions thereof, (i) will contravene any
provision of any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation or any applicable
order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality,
(ii) will conflict with or result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants,
conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the
creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien
(except pursuant to the Security Documents) upon any of the material properties
or assets of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement or loan agreement, or any
other material agreement, contract or instrument, to which Holdings or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is
bound or to which it may be subject or (iii) will violate any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries.

                  7.04  Governmental Approvals. No order, consent, approval,
license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration
with (except as have been obtained or made prior to the Initial Borrowing
Date), or exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority, or any
subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection
with, (i) the execution, delivery and performance in all material respects of
any Document or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability
of any such Document.

                  7.05  Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed
Liabilities; Projections; etc. (a) (i) The audited consolidated statements of
financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995 and the related consolidated statements of income and cash
flow and changes in shareholders' equity of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, and
the notes thereto for the fiscal years ended on such dates and (ii) the
unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as
of September 30, 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income and
cash flow for the nine-month period ended on such date, in each case furnished
to the Banks prior to the Effective Date, present fairly the financial
condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries at the date of such statements of
financial condition and the results of the operations of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries for the respective Fiscal Year or nine-month period, as the case
may be, described therein (subject, in the case of unaudited financial
statements, to ordinary year-end adjustments). All such financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, except, in the
case of nine-month statements, for the omission of footnotes and ordinary
year-end adjustments. After giving effect to the Transaction, since December
31, 1995, there have been no circumstances or events the result of which has
had a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (b)   On and as of the Initial Borrowing Date, after giving
effect to the Transaction and to all Indebtedness (including the Revolving
Loans) being incurred or assumed and Liens created

                                       32

<PAGE>   39



by Holdings and its Subsidiaries in connection therewith (assuming the full
utilization of all Revolving Loan Commitments on the Initial Borrowing Date),
(i) the sum of the assets, at a fair valuation, of each of the Borrower,
individually, and Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, will exceed
its or their debts; (ii) each of the Borrower, individually, and Holdings and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, have not incurred and do not intend to
incur, and do not believe that it or they will incur, debts beyond its or their
ability to pay such debts as such debts mature; and (iii) each of the Borrower,
individually, and Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, will have
sufficient capital with which to conduct its or their businesses. For purposes
of this Section 7.05(b), "debt" means any liability on a claim, and "claim"
means (A) right to payment, whether or not such a right is reduced to judgment,
liquidated, unliquidated, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed,
undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured or (B) right to an equitable
remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a payment, whether
or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced to judgment, fixed,
contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured or unsecured.   

                  (c)   Except as fully disclosed in the financial statements
delivered pursuant to Section 7.05(a), there were as of the Initial Borrowing
Date no liabilities or obligations with respect to Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent
or otherwise and whether or not due) which, either individually or in
aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Initial Borrowing
Date, neither Holdings nor the Borrower knows of any basis for the assertion
against it of any liability or obligation of any nature whatsoever that is not
fully disclosed in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section
7.05(a) which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (d)   On and as of the Initial Borrowing Date, the financial
projections (the "Projections") previously delivered to the Agent and the Banks
have been prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements
referred to in Section 7.05(a) (other than as set forth or presented in such
Projections), and there are no statements or conclusions in any of the
Projections which are based upon or include information known to the Borrower
to be misleading in any material respect or which fail to take into account
material information regarding the matters reported therein. On the Initial
Borrowing Date, the Borrower believed that the Projections were reasonable and
attain able.

                  7.06  Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending or, to the best knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower, threatened,
with respect to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (i) that are likely to have
a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that could reasonably be expected to have a
material adverse effect on the rights or remedies of the Banks or on the
ability of any Credit Party to perform its respective obligations to the Banks
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents to which it is, or will be, a
party. Additionally, there does not exist any judgment, order or injunction
prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon the occurrence of any
Credit Event.


                                       33

<PAGE>   40



                  7.07  True and Complete Disclosure. All factual information
(taken as a whole) furnished by or on behalf of Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries in writing to the Agent or any Bank (including, without
limitation, all information contained in the Documents) for purposes of or in
connection with this Agreement, the other Credit Documents or any transaction
contemplated herein or therein is, and all other such factual information
(taken as a whole) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of such Persons in
writing to the Agent or any Bank will be, true and accurate in all material
respects on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and not
incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information
(taken as a whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time in light
of the circumstances under which such information was provided.

                  7.08  Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations.  (a) Up to 
$3,600,000 of the proceeds of Revolving Loans incurred on the Initial Borrowing
Date shall be used by the Borrower (i) to effect the Transaction and (ii) to
pay fees and expenses related to the Transaction.

                  (b)   All proceeds of all Revolving Loans shall be used for 
the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' general corporate and working capital
purposes (excluding the purposes described in preceding clause (a)).

                  (c)   No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used to
purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. Neither the making of any Loan nor the
use of the proceeds thereof nor the occurrence of any other Credit Event will
violate or be inconsistent with the provisions of Regulation G, T, U or X.

                  7.09  Tax Returns and Payments. Holdings and each of its
Subsidiaries have timely filed or caused to be timely filed, on the due dates
thereof or within applicable grace periods, with the appropriate taxing
authority, all Federal and all material state and other returns, statements,
forms and reports for taxes (the "Returns") required to be filed by or with
respect to the income, properties or operations of Holdings and/or any of its
Subsidiaries. The Returns accurately reflect in all material respects all
liability for taxes of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the periods covered
thereby. Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries have paid all material taxes
payable by them other than taxes which are not delinquent, and other than those
contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Except as
disclosed in the financial statements referred to in Section 7.05(a), there is
no material action, suit, proceeding, investigation, audit, or claim now
pending or, to the best knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower, threatened by
any authority regarding any taxes relating to Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries. As of the Initial Borrowing Date, neither Holdings nor any of its
Subsidiaries has entered into an agreement or waiver or been requested to enter
into an agreement or waiver extending any statute of limitations relating to
the payment or collection of taxes of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or
is aware of any circumstances that would cause the taxable years or other
taxable periods of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries not to be subject to the
normally applicable statute of limitations. Neither Holdings nor any of its
Subsidiaries has incurred, or will incur, any

                                       34

<PAGE>   41



material tax liability in connection with the consummation of the Transaction
and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

                  7.10  Compliance with ERISA. Each Plan (other than a
multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA)) is in
substantial compliance with ERISA and the Code; no Reportable Event has
occurred with respect to a Plan (other than a multiemployer plan (as defined in
Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA)); no Plan is insolvent or in reorganization; no
Plan other than a multiemployer plan (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA) has an Unfunded Current Liability; no Plan has an accumulated or waived
funding deficiency, or has applied for an extension of any amortization period
within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code; all contributions required to be
made by Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate with respect
to a Plan have been timely made; none of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries
nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any material liability to or on account of
a Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(1), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069,
4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971, 4975 or 4980 of the
Code or reasonably expects to incur any material liability under any of the
foregoing Sections with respect to any Plan; no proceedings have been
instituted to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; no
condition exists which presents a material risk to Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of incurring a material liability to or on
account of a Plan pursuant to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code;
using actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with Part 1 of
subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, the annual aggregate liability of Holdings,
its Subsidiaries and their ERISA Affiliates to all Plans which are
multiemployer plans (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) in the event of
a complete withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year
of each such Plan ended prior to the date of the most recent Credit Event,
would not increase by more than $2,000,000 over the average amount contributed
to such Plans during the five years preceding the most recent Credit Event by
Holdings, its Subsidiaries and their ERISA Affiliates; no lien imposed under
the Code or ERISA on the assets of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliate exists or is likely to arise on account of any Plan; and
Holdings and its Subsidiaries do not maintain or contribute to any employee
welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which provides
benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required
by Section 601 of ERISA) or any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA) the obligations with respect to which could reasonably
be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of any Credit
Party to perform its obligations under the Credit Documents to which they are a
party.

                  7.11  Security Documents. (a) The provisions of the Security
Agreement are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the
benefit of the Secured Creditors a legal, valid and enforceable security
interest in all right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Security
Agreement Collateral described therein, and the Security Agreement, upon the
filing of Form UCC-1 financing statements or the appropriate equivalent,
creates a fully perfected first lien on, and security interest in, all right,
title and interest in all of the Security Agreement Collateral described
therein, subject to no other Liens other than Permitted Liens. The recordation
of the Assignment of Security Interest in U.S. Patents and Trademarks in the
form attached to the Security Agreement in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office together with filings on Form UCC-1 made pursuant
                                                                               
                                       35

<PAGE>   42



to the Security Agreement will be effective, under applicable law, to perfect
the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent in the trademarks and
patents covered by the Security Agreement and the recordation of the Assignment
of Security Interest in U.S. Copyrights in the form attached to the Security
Agreement with the United States Copyright Office together with filings on Form
UCC-1 made pursuant to the Security Agreement will be effective under federal
law to perfect the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent in the
copyrights covered by the Security Agreement. Each of the Credit Parties party
to the Security Agreement has good and valid title to all Security Agreement
Collateral described therein, free and clear of all Liens except those
described above in this clause (a).

                  (b)  The security interests created in favor of the Collateral
Agent, as pledgee, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors under the Pledge
Agreement constitute first priority perfected security interests in the Pledged
Securities described in the Pledge Agreement, subject to no security interests
of any other Person. No filings or recordings are required in order to perfect
(or maintain the perfection or priority of) the security interests created in
the Pledged Securities and the proceeds thereof under the Pledge Agreement.

                  (c)   After the recording thereof as required by Section 5.11,
the Mortgages shall create, as security for the obligations purported to be
secured thereby, a valid and enforceable perfected security interest in and
mortgage lien on the Mortgaged Properties in favor of the Collateral Agent (or
such other trustee as may be required or desired under local law) for the
benefit of the Secured Creditors, superior to and prior to the rights of all
third persons (except that the security interest and mortgage lien created in
the Mortgaged Properties may be subject to the Permitted Encumbrances and the
Permitted Liens described in Section 9.01(ix) related thereto) and subject to
no other Liens (other than Permitted Liens). Schedule III hereto contains a
true and complete list of each parcel of Real Property owned or leased by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date, and the type of interest
therein held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary. The Borrower and each of its
Subsidiaries have good and indefeasible title to all fee-owned Real Property
and valid leasehold title to all Leaseholds, in each case free and clear of all
Liens except those described in the first sentence of this subsection (c).

                  7.12  Representations and Warranties in Documents. All
representations and warranties by Holdings and, to the knowledge of Holdings
and the Borrower, any other party thereto, set forth in the Documents (other
than the Credit Documents) were true and correct in all material respects at
the time as of which such representations and warranties were made and shall be
true and correct in all material respects as to the Initial Borrowing Date as
if such representations and warranties were made on and as of such date, unless
stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations
and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such
earlier date, in each case except to the extent that the failure of any such
representation and warranty to be true and correct in all material respects,
either individually or in the aggregate with other such representations and
warranties, is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.


                                       36

<PAGE>   43



                  7.13  Properties. Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries have
good and valid title to all properties owned by them, including all property
reflected in the balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries referred
to in Section 7.05(a) and in the pro forma balance sheet referred to in Section
5.16(a) (except as sold or otherwise disposed of since the date of such balance
sheet in the ordinary course of business or in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement), free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

                  7.14  Capitalization. (a) On the Initial Borrowing Date and
after giving effect to the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated
hereby, the authorized capital stock of Holdings shall consist of (i)
100,000,000 shares of Holdings Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, of
which 38,950,000 shares shall be issued and outstanding and (ii) 20,000,000
shares of preferred stock of Holdings, $0.01 par value per share, of which no
shares shall be issued and out standing. All such outstanding shares have been
duly and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and have been issued
free of preemptive rights. As of the Initial Borrowing Date and after giving
effect to the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated hereby,
Holdings does not have outstanding any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for its capital stock.

                  (b)   On the Initial Borrowing Date and after giving effect to
the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated hereby, the authorized
capital stock of the Borrower shall consist of 3,000 shares of common stock,
$0.01 par value per share, of which 100 shares shall be issued and outstanding,
owned by Holdings, and delivered for pledge pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.
All such outstanding shares of common stock have been duly and validly issued,
are fully paid and non assessable and are free of preemptive rights. As of the
Initial Borrowing Date, the Borrower does not have outstanding any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for its capital stock or out standing any
rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options for the purchase of, or
any agreements providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any
calls, commitments or claims of any character relating to, its capital stock.

                  7.15  Subsidiaries. On the Initial Borrowing Date, after the
consummation of the Transaction, Holdings has no Subsidiaries other than the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and the Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than
those Subsidiaries listed on Schedule IV attached hereto. Schedule IV correctly
sets forth, as of the Initial Borrowing Date and after giving effect to the
Transaction, the percentage ownership (direct or indirect) of Holdings in each
class of capital stock of each of its Subsidiaries and also identifies the
direct owner thereof. All outstanding shares of capital stock of each
Subsidiary of the Borrower have been duly and validly issued, are fully paid
and nonassessable and have been issued free of preemptive rights. No Subsidiary
of the Borrower has outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable
for its capital stock or outstanding any right to subscribe for or to purchase,
or any options or warrants for the purchase of, or any agreement providing for
the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of or any calls, commitments or claims
of any character relating to, its capital stock or any stock appreciation or
similar rights.

                  7.16  Compliance with Statutes, etc.  Except for matters 
relating to the compliance by Holdings and its Subsidiaries with Environmental
Laws, which matters are governed by the

                                       37

<PAGE>   44



Environmental Indemnity Agreement, Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries is in
compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders of, and all
applicable restrictions imposed by, all governmental bodies, domestic or
foreign, in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its
property (including applicable statutes, regulations, orders and restrictions
relating to environmental standards and controls), except such noncompliances
as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.

                  7.17  Investment Company Act.  Neither Holdings nor any of its
Subsidiaries is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an
"investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended.

                  7.18  Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither Holdings nor
any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company," or a "subsidiary company" of a
"holding company," or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company" within the meaning of the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

                  7.19  Labor Relations. Neither Holdings nor any of its
Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is (i) no unfair labor
practice complaint pending against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or, to
the best knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower, threatened against any of
them, before the National Labor Relations Board, and no material grievance or
arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining
agreement is so pending against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the
best knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower, threatened against any of them,
(ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending against Holdings or
any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower,
threatened against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries and (iii) to the best
knowledge of Holdings and the Borrower, no union representation proceeding is
pending with respect to the employees of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries,
except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii)
above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as is not likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  7.20  Patents, Licenses, Franchises and Formulas. Holdings and
each of its Subsidiaries owns all material patents, trademarks, permits,
service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, franchises and formulas, or
rights with respect to the foregoing, and has obtained assignments of all
leases and other rights of whatever nature, reasonably necessary for the
present conduct of its business, without any known conflict with the rights of
others which, or the failure to obtain which, as the case may be, would result
in a Material Adverse Effect.

                  7.21  Indebtedness. Schedule V attached hereto sets forth a
true and complete list of all Indebtedness for borrowed money of Holdings and
its Subsidiaries as of the Initial Borrowing Date and which is to remain
outstanding after giving effect thereto (excluding the Indebtedness hereunder)
(the "Existing Indebtedness"), in each case showing the aggregate principal
amount thereof and the name of the respective borrower and any other entity
which directly or indirectly guaranteed such debt, all of which shall be
evidenced by the Existing Debt Agreements.

                                       38

<PAGE>   45



                  7.22  Recapitalization. At the time of consummation thereof,
the Recapitalization shall have been consummated in all material respects in
accordance with the terms of the respective Recapitalization Documents and all
applicable laws. At the time of consummation of the Recapitalization, all
consents and approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other
actions in respect of, all governmental agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities required in order to make or consummate the Recapitalization
will have been obtained, given, filed or taken and are or will be in full force
and effect. All applicable waiting periods with respect thereto have or, prior
to the time when required, will have, expired without, in all such cases, any
action being taken by any competent authority which restrains, prevents, or
imposes material adverse conditions upon the Recapitalization. Additionally,
there does not exist any judgment, order or injunction prohibiting or imposing
material adverse conditions upon the Recapitalization, or the occurrence of any
Credit Event or the performance by any Credit Party of its obligations under
the respective Documents. All actions taken by Holdings and its Subsidiaries
pursuant to or in furtherance of the Recapitalization have been taken, or will
be taken substantially contemporaneously with the funding of initial Revolving
Loans on the Initial Borrowing Date, in compliance with the Recapitalization
Documents and all applicable laws.

                  7.23  Special Purpose Corporation.  Holdings engages in no 
business activities and has no significant assets or liabilities (other than
under this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and the Recapitalization
Documents).

                  7.24  Subordination. The subordination provisions contained in
the Senior Subordinated Note Documents are enforceable against the Borrower and
the holders thereof, and all Obligations shall be within the definition of
"Senior Debt" included in such subordination provisions.

                  SECTION 8.   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Holdings and the Borrower
hereby covenant and agree that on and after the Effective Date and until the
Total Revolving Loan Commitment and all Letters of Credit have terminated and
the Revolving Loans, Revolving Notes and Unpaid Drawings, together with
interest, Fees and all other obligations incurred hereunder and thereunder, are
paid in full:

                  8.01  Information Covenants.  Holdings and/or the Borrower 
will furnish to each Bank:

                  (a)   Monthly Reports. Within 30 days (45 days with respect to
         the first six fiscal months after the date hereof) after the end of
         each fiscal month of the Borrower (other than the fiscal months of
         March, June, September and December) and within 45 days after the end
         of the fiscal months of March, June, September and December, (i) the
         consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at
         the end of such month and the related consolidated statements of
         income and retained earnings and statement of cash flows for such
         month and for the elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year ended with the
         last day of such month, in each case setting forth comparative figures
         for the corresponding month in the prior Fiscal

                                       39

<PAGE>   46


         Year and the budgeted figures for such month as set forth in the
         respective budget delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(d) and (ii)
         management's discussion and analysis of the important operational and
         financial developments during the month and year-to-date periods.

                  (b)   Annual Financial Statements. Within 90 days after the
         close of each Fiscal Year, the consolidated balance sheets of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and
         the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings
         and statement of cash flows for such Fiscal Year setting forth
         comparative figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and certified by
         Arthur Andersen LLP or such other independent certified public
         accountants of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to
         the Agent, together with a report of such accounting firm stating that
         in the course of its regular audit of the financial statements of
         Holdings and its Subsidiaries, which audit was conducted in accordance
         with generally accepted auditing standards, such accounting firm
         obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of Default which has
         occurred and is continuing under Sections 9.04, 9.05 or 9.07 through
         9.10 inclusive or, if in the opinion of such accounting firm such a
         Default or an Event of Default with respect to the covenants set forth
         in Sections 9.04, 9.05, or 9.07 through 9.10, inclusive has occurred
         and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof.

                  (c)   Management Letters.  Promptly after the receipt thereof,
         a copy of any final "management letter" received by Holdings or any of
         its Subsidiaries from its certified public accountants and the
         management's responses thereto.

                  (d)   Budgets. No later than 45 days following the 
         commencement of the first day of each Fiscal Year, a budget in form
         reasonably satisfactory to the Agent (including budgeted statements of
         income and cash flow and balance sheets) prepared by the Borrower for
         each of the twelve months of such Fiscal Year prepared in detail of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, accompanied by the statement of an
         Authorized Officer of the Borrower to the effect that, to the best of
         his or her knowledge, the budget is a reasonable estimate for the
         period covered thereby.

                  (e)   Officer's Certificates. At the time of the delivery of
         the financial statements provided for in Sections 8.01(a) and (b), a
         certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower to the effect
         that, to the best of such officer's knowledge, no Default or Event of
         Default has occurred and is continuing or, if any Default or Event of
         Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the nature and
         extent thereof, which certificate shall, in the case of any such
         financial statements delivered in respect of a period ending on the
         last day of a fiscal quarter or year of Holdings, set forth the
         calculations required to establish whether the Borrower was in
         compliance with the provisions of Sections 4.02(d), 9.03, 9.04, 9.05
         and 9.07 through 9.10, inclusive, at the end of such fiscal quarter or
         year, as the case may be.

                  (f)   Notice of Default or Litigation.  Promptly, and in any 
         event within three Business Days after an officer of Holdings or any
         of its Subsidiaries obtains knowledge

                                       40

<PAGE>   47


         thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of any event which constitutes a
         Default or an Event of Default and (ii) any litigation or governmental
         investigation or proceeding pending (A) against Holdings or any of its
         Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
         Adverse Effect, (B) with respect to any material Indebtedness of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (C) with respect to
         any Document.

                  (g)   Other Reports and Filings. Promptly, copies of all
         financial information, proxy materials and other information and
         reports, if any, which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall file
         with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto
         (the "SEC") or deliver to holders of its Indebtedness pursuant to the
         terms of the documentation governing such Indebtedness (or any
         trustee, agent or other representative therefor).

                  (h)   Annual Meetings with Banks. At the request of Agent,
         Holdings shall within 120 days after the close of each Fiscal Year
         hold a meeting at a time and place selected by Holdings and acceptable
         to the Agent with all of the Banks at which meeting shall be re viewed
         the financial results of the previous Fiscal Year and the financial
         condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and the budgets presented
         for the current Fiscal Year.

                  (i)   Other Information.  From time to time, such other 
         information or documents (financial or otherwise) with respect to
         Holdings or its Subsidiaries as any Bank may reasonably request in
         writing.

                  8.02  Books, Records and Inspections. Holdings will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in
which full, true and correct entries in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and all requirements of law shall be made of all dealings
and transactions in relation to its business and activities. Holdings will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit officers and designated
representatives of the Agent or any Bank to visit and inspect, during regular
business hours and under guidance of officers of Holdings or such Subsidiary,
any of the properties of Holdings or such Subsidiary, and to examine the books
of account of Holdings or such Subsidiary and discuss the affairs, finances and
accounts of Holdings or such Subsidiary with, and be advised as to the same by,
its and their officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable
times and intervals and to such reasonable extent as the Agent or such Bank may
request.

                  8.03  Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Schedule VI
attached hereto sets forth a true and complete listing of all insurance
maintained by Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the Initial Borrowing Date.
Holdings will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) keep all
property necessary in its business in good working order and condition
(ordinary wear and tear excepted), (ii) maintain insurance on all its property
in at least such amounts and against at least such risks as is consistent and
in accordance with industry practice and (iii) furnish to each Bank, upon
written request, full information as to the insurance carried. In addition to
the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence, Holdings will at all
times cause insurance of the types described in Schedule VI to be maintained
(with the same scope of coverage as that described in Schedule VI)

                                       41

<PAGE>   48



at levels which are at least as great as the respective amount described
opposite the respective type of insurance on Schedule VI or otherwise as are
acceptable to the Agent. Holdings will furnish to the Agent on the Initial
Borrowing Date and on each date on which financial statements are delivered
pursuant to Section 8.01(b) a summary of the insurance carried in respect of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries and the assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.

                  (b)   Holdings will, and will cause its Subsidiaries to, at 
all times keep their respective property insured in favor of the Collateral
Agent, and all policies (including Mortgage Policies) or certificates (or
certified copies thereof) with respect to such insurance (and any other
insurance maintained by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) (i) shall be
endorsed to the Collateral Agent's satisfaction for the benefit of the
Collateral Agent (including, without limitation, by naming the Collateral Agent
as loss payee or as an additional insured), (ii) shall state that such
insurance policies shall not be canceled without 30 days' prior written notice
thereof by the respective insurer to the Collateral Agent, (iii) shall provide
that the respective insurers irrevocably waive any and all rights of
subrogation with respect to the Collateral Agent and the Secured Creditors,
(iv) shall contain the standard non-contributory mortgagee clause endorsement
in favor of the Collateral Agent with respect to hazard insurance coverage, (v)
shall, except in the case of public liability insurance and workers'
compensation insurance, provide that any losses shall be payable
notwithstanding (A) any act or neglect of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries,
(B) the occupation or use of the properties for purposes more hazardous than
those permitted by the terms of the respective policy if such coverage is
obtainable at commercially reasonable rates and is of the kind from time to
time customarily insured against by Persons owning or using similar property
and in such amounts as are customary, (C) any foreclosure or other proceeding
relating to the insured properties if such coverage is available at
commercially reasonable rates or (D) any change in the title to or ownership or
possession of the insured properties and (vi) shall be deposited with the
Collateral Agent if such coverage is available at commercially reasonable
rates.

                  (c)   If Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to
maintain all insurance in accordance with this Section 8.03, or if Holdings or
any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to so endorse and deposit all policies or
certificates with respect thereto, the Agent and/or the Collateral Agent shall
have the right (but shall be under no obligation) to procure such insurance and
the Borrower agrees to reimburse the Agent or the Collateral Agent as the case
may be, for all costs and expenses of procuring such insurance.

                  8.04  Corporate Franchises. Holdings will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done, all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and its material
rights, franchises, licenses and patents; provided, however, that nothing in
this Section 8.04 shall prevent (i) sales of assets by Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 9.02 or (ii) the withdrawal by Holdings
or any of its Subsidiaries of their qualification as a foreign corporation in
any jurisdiction where such withdrawal could not reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.


                                       42

<PAGE>   49



                  8.05  Compliance with Statutes, etc. Except for matters
relating to compliance by Holdings and its Subsidiaries with Environmental
Laws, which matters are governed by the Environmental Indemnity Agreement,
Holdings and the Borrower will, and will cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries to, comply with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders
of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all governmental bodies,
domestic or foreign, in respect of the conduct of its business and the
ownership of its property, except such noncompliances as could not,
individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the ability of any Credit Party
to perform its obligations under any Credit Document to which it is a party.

                  8.06  ERISA. As soon as possible and, in any event, within 20
days after Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate knows or
has reason to know of the occurrence of any of the following, Holdings or the
Borrower will deliver to each of the Banks a certificate of an Authorized
Officer of Holdings or the Borrower setting forth details as to such occurrence
and the action, if any, that Holdings, the Borrower, such Subsidiary or such
ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take, together with any notices
required or proposed to be given to or filed with or by Holdings, the Borrower,
such Subsidiary, the ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC, or a Plan participant or the
Plan administrator with respect thereto: that a Reportable Event has occurred;
that an accumulated funding deficiency has been incurred or an application is
likely to be or has been made to the Secretary of the Treasury for a waiver or
modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required
installment payments) or an extension of any amortization period under Section
412 of the Code with respect to a Plan; that a contribution required to be made
to a Plan has not been timely made; that a Plan has been or is reasonably
expected to be terminated, reorganized, partitioned or declared insolvent under
Title IV of ERISA; that a Plan has an Unfunded Current Liability giving rise to
a lien under ERISA or the Code; that proceedings are likely to be or have been
instituted or notice has been given to terminate or appoint a trustee to
administer a Plan, that a proceeding has been instituted pursuant to Section
515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent contribution to a Plan; that Holdings, any
of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate will or is reasonably expected to
incur any material liability (including any contingent or secondary liability)
to or on account of the termination of or withdrawal from a Plan under Section
4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or with respect to a Plan
under Section 401(a)(29), 4971, 4975 or 4980 of the Code or Section 409 or
502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA; or that Holdings or any Subsidiary is reasonably
expected to incur any material liability pursuant to any employee welfare
benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provides benefits to
retired employees or other former employees (other than as required by Section
601 of ERISA) or any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2)
of ERISA). Upon request, the Borrower will deliver to each of the Banks a
complete copy of the annual report (Form 5500) of each Plan required to be
filed with the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to any certificates or
notices delivered to the Banks pursuant to the first sentence hereof, copies of
any material notices received by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Plan shall be delivered to the Banks no
later than 20 days after the date such notice has been received by Holdings,
such Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate, as applicable.


                                       43

<PAGE>   50



                  8.07  End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters. Holdings shall
cause (i) each of its, and each of its Subsidiaries', Fiscal Years to end on
December 31 of each year, and (ii) each of its, and each of its Subsidiaries',
fiscal quarters to end on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of
each year.

                  8.08  Performance of Obligations. Holdings will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, perform all of its obligations under the
terms of each mortgage, indenture, security agreement and other debt instrument
by which it is bound, except such non-performances as could not, individually
or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  8.09  Payment of Taxes. Holdings will pay and discharge or
cause to be paid and discharged, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay
and discharge, all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or
levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits, or upon any material
properties belonging to it, in each case on a timely basis, and all lawful
claims which, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge upon any properties of
Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that neither Holdings
nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay any such tax, assessment,
charge, levy or claim which is being contested in good faith and by proper
proceedings if it has maintained adequate reserves with respect thereto in
accordance with GAAP.

                  8.10  Additional Security; Further Assurances; Surveys. (a)
Holdings will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, grant to the
Collateral Agent security interests and mortgages (an "Additional Mortgage") in
such fee simple interests of Real Property of Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries as are not covered by the original Mortgages, to the extent
acquired after the Effective Date, and as may be reasonably requested from time
to time by the Agent or the Required Banks (each such Real Property, an
"Additional Mortgaged Property"). All such Additional Mortgages shall be
granted pursuant to documentation substantially in the form of the Mortgages
delivered to the Agent on the Effective Date or in such other form as is
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and shall constitute valid and enforceable
perfected Liens superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons and
subject to no other Liens except as are permitted by Section 9.01 at the time
of perfection thereof. The Additional Mortgages or instruments related thereto
shall have been duly recorded or filed in such manner and in such places as are
required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens in favor
of the Collateral Agent required to be granted pursuant to the Additional
Mortgages and all taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection therewith
shall have been paid in full.

                  (b)   Holdings will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, at the expense of the Borrower, make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file
and/ or deliver to the Collateral Agent from time to time such vouchers,
invoices, schedules, confirmatory assignments, conveyances, financing
statements, transfer endorsements, powers of attorney, certificates, real
property surveys, reports and other assurances or instruments and take such
further steps relating to the Collateral covered by any of the Security
Documents as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require pursuant to this
Section 8.10. Furthermore, Holdings and the Borrower shall cause to be
delivered to the Collateral Agent

                                       44

<PAGE>   51



such opinions of counsel, title insurance and other related documents as may be
requested by the Collateral Agent to assure itself that this Section 8.10 has
been complied with.

                  (c)   The security interests required to be granted pursuant 
to this Section 8.10 shall be granted pursuant to security documentation (which
shall be substantially similar to the Security Documents already executed and
delivered by the Holdings and its Subsidiaries, as applicable) or otherwise
satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent and shall constitute valid and
enforceable perfected security interests prior to the rights of all third
Persons and subject to no other Liens except such Liens as are permitted by
Section 9.01. The Additional Security Documents and other instruments related
thereto shall be duly recorded or filed in such manner and in such places and
at such times as are required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and
protect the Liens, in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
respective Secured Creditors, required to be granted pursuant to the Additional
Security Documents and all taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection
therewith shall be paid in full by the Borrower. At the time of the execution
and delivery of the Additional Security Documents, the Borrower shall cause to
be delivered to the Collateral Agent such opinions of counsel, Mortgage
Policies, title surveys, real estate appraisals and other related documents as
may be reasonably requested by the Agent or the Required Banks to assure
themselves that this Section 8.10 has been complied with.

                  (d)   In the event that the Agent or the Required Banks at any
time after the Effective Date determine in its or their good faith discretion
that real estate appraisals satisfying the requirements of FIRREA (any such
appraisal a "Required Appraisal") are or were required to be obtained, or
should be obtained, in connection with the Mortgaged Properties, then, within
120 days after receiving written notice thereof from the Agent or the Required
Banks, as the case may be, such Required Appraisal shall be delivered, at the
expense of the Borrower, to the Agent which Required Appraisal, and the
respective appraiser, shall be satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (e)   Each of Holdings and the Borrower agrees that each 
action required above by Section 8.10(a) or (b) shall be completed as soon as
possible, but in no event later than 60 days after such action is requested to
be taken by the Agent or the Required Banks.

                  8.11  Ownership of Subsidiaries. Holdings shall at all times
own 100% of the outstanding capital stock of the Borrower and the Borrower
shall directly or indirectly own 100% of the capital stock of each of its
Subsidiaries (except as otherwise described on Schedule IV hereto as in effect
on the date hereof) and which may be created after the Initial Borrowing Date
in accordance with Section 9.15.

                  8.12  Maintenance of Corporate Separateness. Holdings will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, satisfy customary corporate
formalities, including the maintenance of corporate records. Neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall make any payment to a
creditor of Holdings (other than a Guaranteed Creditor pursuant to any Credit
Document, Tax Sharing Agreement or an Interest Rate Protection Agreement or
Other Hedging Agreement entered into with any such Guaranteed Creditor) in
respect of any liability of Holdings, and no bank account

                                       45

<PAGE>   52



of Holdings shall be commingled with any bank account of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary of the Borrower. Any financial statements distributed to any
creditors of Holdings shall, to the extent permitted by GAAP, clearly establish
the corporate separateness of Holdings from the Borrower and each of the
Borrower's Subsidiaries. Finally, neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries shall take any action, or conduct its affairs in a manner, which
is likely to result in the corporate existence of Holdings on the one hand and
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower on the other hand being
ignored, or in the assets and liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the Borrower being substantively consolidated with those of Holdings in a
bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceeding.

                  8.13  Repayment of SBA Loan. The Borrower shall cause the SBA
Loan to be repaid in full and all Liens securing the same to be released on or
prior to January 31, 1997.

                  SECTION 9.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Holdings and the Borrower
covenant and agree that on and after the Effective Date and until the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment and all Letters of Credit have terminated and the
Revolving Loans, Revolving Notes and Unpaid Drawings, together with interest,
Fees and all other Obligations incurred hereunder and thereunder, are paid in
full:

                  9.01  Liens. Holdings will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with
respect to any property or assets (real or personal, tangible or intangible) of
Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or here after acquired,
or sell any such property or assets subject to an understanding or agreement,
contingent or otherwise, to repurchase such property or assets (including
sales of accounts receivable with recourse to Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries), or assign any right to receive income or permit the filing of
any financing statement under the UCC or any other similar notice of Lien under
any similar recording or notice statute; provided, however, that the provisions
of this Section 9.01 shall not prevent the creation, incurrence, assumption or
existence of the following (Liens described below are herein referred to as
"Permitted Liens"):

                  (i)   inchoate Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental
         charges or levies not yet due and payable or Liens for taxes,
         assessments or governmental charges or levies being contested in good
         faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have
         been established in accordance with GAAP;

                  (ii)  Liens in respect of property or assets of the Borrower
         or any of its Subsidiaries imposed by law, which were incurred in the
         ordinary course of business and do not secure Indebtedness for
         borrowed money, such as carriers', warehousemen's, material men's and
         mechanics' liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary
         course of business, and (A) which do not in the aggregate materially
         detract from the value of the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's property
         or assets or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the
         business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or (B) which are being
         contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, which proceedings
         have the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property
         or assets subject to any such Lien;

                                       46

<PAGE>   53



                  (iii)  Liens in existence on the Effective Date which are
         listed, and the property subject thereto described, on Schedule VII
         attached hereto, but only to the respective date, if any, set forth in
         such Schedule VII for the removal and termination of any such Liens,
         plus renewals, replacements and extensions of such Liens (other than
         Liens securing the SBA Loan) to the extent set forth on Schedule VII,
         provided that (A) the aggregate principal amount of the Indebtedness,
         if any, secured by such Liens does not increase from that amount
         outstanding at the time of any such renewal or extension and (B) any
         such renewal or extension does not encumber any additional assets or
         properties of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries;

                  (iv)   Permitted Encumbrances;

                  (v)    Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;

                  (vi)   licenses, leases or subleases granted to other Persons
         in the ordinary course of business not materially interfering with the
         conduct of the business of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a
         whole;

                  (vii)  Liens upon assets subject to Capitalized Lease
         Obligations to the extent permitted by Section 9.04, provided that (A)
         such Liens only serve to secure the payment of Indebtedness arising
         under such Capitalized Lease Obligation and (B) the Lien encumbering
         the asset giving rise to the Capitalized Lease Obligation does not
         encumber any other asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower;

                  (viii) Liens placed upon equipment or machinery used in the
         ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         at the time of acquisition thereof by the Borrower or any such
         Subsidiary or within 120 days thereafter to secure Indebtedness
         incurred to pay all or a portion of the purchase price thereof, and
         all renewals, replacements and extensions thereof, provided that (A)
         the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness secured
         by Liens permitted by this clause (viii) shall not at any time exceed
         $2,000,000 at any time outstanding and (B) in all events, the Lien
         encumbering the equipment or machinery so acquired does not encumber
         any other asset of the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

                  (ix)   easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including 
         zoning restrictions), encroachments, protrusions and other similar
         charges or encumbrances, and minor title deficiencies, in each case
         whether now or hereafter in existence, not securing Indebtedness and
         not materially interfering with the conduct of the business of the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

                  (x)    Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing 
         statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
         business;

                                       47

<PAGE>   54



                  (xi)    Liens arising out of the existence of judgments or
         awards not constituting an Event of Default under Section 10.09,
         provided that no cash or property is deposited or delivered to secure
         the respective judgment or award (or any appeal bond in respect
         thereof, except as permitted by following clause (xiii));

                  (xii)   statutory and contractual landlords' liens under 
         leases to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party;

                  (xiii)  Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) (A)
         incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
         connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and
         other types of social security or (B) to secure the performance of
         tenders, statutory obligations (other than excise taxes), surety,
         stay, customs and appeal bonds, statutory bonds, bids, leases,
         government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return of money
         bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the
         payment of borrowed money) and (C) deposits made in the ordinary
         course of business to secure liability for premiums to insurance
         carriers, provided that the aggregate amount of deposits at any time
         pursuant to clauses (B) and (C) shall not exceed $500,000 in the
         aggregate;

                  (xiv)   any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensee
         or licensor under any lease or license agreement permitted by this
         Agreement;

                  (xv)    Liens in favor of a banking institution arising as a
         matter of law encumbering the deposits (including the right of setoff)
         held by such banking institutions incurred in the ordinary course of
         business and which are within the general parameters customary in the
         banking industry;

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

                  (xvii)  Liens arising out of conditional sale, title
         retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods
         entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the
         ordinary course of business in accordance with the past practices of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries prior to the Initial Borrowing Date;

                  (xviii) Deposits made to secure statutory obligations in the 
         form of excise taxes;

                  (xix)   Liens arising out of barter transactions or
         arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods or services entered
         into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course
         of business in accordance with the past practices of the Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries prior to the Initial Borrowing Date;

                  (xx)    Liens on cash collateral not to exceed $500,000 
         arising in connection with Other Hedging Agreements permitted under
         Section 9.05(xiii); and

                                       48

<PAGE>   55



                  (xxi)  Liens not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses
         (i) through (xx) to the extent attaching to properties and assets with
         an aggregate fair value not in excess of, and securing liabilities not
         in excess of, $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding.

                  9.02   Consolidation; Merger; Purchase or Sale of Assets; etc.
Holdings will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, wind up,
liquidate or dissolve its affairs or enter into any transaction of merger or
consolidation, or convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (or agree to do
any of the foregoing at any future time) all or any part of its property or
assets, or enter into any sale-leaseback transactions, or purchase or otherwise
acquire (in one or a series of related trans actions) any part of the property
or assets (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials,
equipment and intangible assets in the ordinary course of business) of any
Person, except that the following shall be permitted:

                  (i)    Capital Expenditures by the Borrower and its 
         Subsidiaries shall be permitted to the extent not in violation of
         Section 9.07;

                  (ii)   each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may (A) in 
         the ordinary course of business, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of
         any assets which, in the reasonable judgment of such Person, are
         obsolete, worn out or otherwise no longer useful in the conduct of
         such Person's business and (B) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any
         other assets, provided that the aggregate Net Sale Proceeds of all
         assets subject to sales or other dispositions pursuant to this clause
         (ii) which are not reinvested to acquire Reinvestment Assets in
         accordance with Section 4.02(d) shall not exceed $1,000,000 in any
         Fiscal Year;

                  (iii)  sales of assets the Net Sale Proceeds of which are used
         to acquire Reinvestment Assets in accordance with Section 4.02(d);

                  (iv)   investments may be made to the extent permitted by 
         Section 9.05;

                  (v)    each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may lease (as
         lessee) real or personal property in the ordinary course of business
         (so long as any such lease does not create a Capitalized Lease
         Obligation except to the extent permitted by Section 9.04);

                  (vi)   each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make 
         sales or transfers of inventory in the ordinary course of business and
         consistent with past practices (including, without limitation, sales
         or transfers of inventory by the Borrower to its Subsidiaries so long
         as at fair market value);

                  (vii)  the Recapitalization shall be permitted;

                  (viii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may sell or
         discount, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of
         business, accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of
         business (A) which are overdue or (B) which the Borrower may
         reasonably

                                       49

<PAGE>   56



         determine are difficult to collect, but only in connection with the
         compromise or collection thereof consistent with customary industry
         practice (and not as part of any bulk sale or financing of
         receivables);

                  (ix)   transfers of condemned property to the respective
         governmental authority or agency that have condemned same (whether by
         deed in lieu of condemnation or otherwise), and transfers of
         properties that have been subject to a casualty to the respective
         insurer of such property or its designee as part of an insurance
         settlement, so long as the proceeds thereof are applied as required by
         Section 4.02(e);

                  (x)    license or sublicenses by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries of software, trademarks and other intellectual property
         in the ordinary course of business and which do not materially
         interfere with the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

                  (xi)   the Borrower or any Subsidiary may enter into
         consignment arrangements (as consignor or as consignee) or similar
         arrangements for the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business
         and consistent with the past practices of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Date;

                  (xii)  the Borrower or any Domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of
         the Borrower may transfer assets to or lease assets to or acquire or
         lease assets from the Borrower or any other Domestic Wholly-Owned
         Subsidiary or any Domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may be merged into
         the Borrower (as long as the Borrower is the surviving corporation of
         such merger) or any other Domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
         Borrower; and

                  (xiii) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists
         or would result therefrom, the Borrower may acquire assets or the
         capital stock of any Person (any such acquisition permitted by this
         clause (xiii), a "Permitted Acquisition"), provided, that (i) such
         Person (or the assets so acquired) was, immediately prior to such
         acquisition, engaged (or used) primarily in the business permitted
         pursuant to Section 9.13(a), (ii) if such acquisition is structured as
         a stock acquisition, then either (A) the Person so acquired becomes as
         Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower or (B) such Person is merged
         with and into the Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
         Borrower (with the Borrower or such Wholly-Owned Subsidiary being the
         surviving corporation of such merger), and in any case, all of the
         provisions of Section 9.14 have been complied with in respect of such
         Person, (iii) any Liens or Indebtedness assumed or issued in
         connection with such acquisition are otherwise permitted under Section
         9.01 or 9.04, as the case may be and (iv) the aggregate amount of
         consideration paid by the Borrower or any other Person in connection
         with all such Permitted Acquisitions shall not exceed $10,000,000.

To the extent the Required Banks waive the provisions of this Section 9.02 with
respect to the sale of any Collateral, or any Collateral is sold as permitted
by this Section 9.02, such Collateral (unless sold to Holdings or a Subsidiary
of Holdings) shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the

                                       50

<PAGE>   57



Security Documents, and the Agent and Collateral Agent shall be authorized to
take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effect the foregoing.

                  9.03  Dividends. Holdings will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, authorize, declare or pay any Dividends with respect to
Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, except that:

                  (i)   any Subsidiary of the Borrower may pay Dividends to the 
         Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower;

                  (ii)  the Borrower may pay cash Dividends to Holdings for the
         purpose of paying, so long as all proceeds thereof are promptly used
         by Holdings to pay, its operating expenses incurred in the ordinary
         course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses
         (including, without limitation, legal and accounting expenses and
         similar expenses);

                  (iii) the Borrower may pay cash Dividends to Holdings for the
         purpose of paying, so long as all proceeds thereof are promptly used
         by Holdings to pay, franchise taxes and federal, state and local
         income taxes and interest and penalties with respect thereto, if any,
         payable by Holdings, provided that any refund shall be promptly
         returned by Holdings to the Borrower;

                  (iv)  the Borrower may pay cash Dividends to Holdings for the
         purpose of paying, so long as all proceeds thereof are promptly used
         by Holdings to pay, management fees or executive compensation to the
         extent such management fees or executive compensation are permitted by
         Section 9.06(iv);

                  (v)   Holdings may repurchase Holdings Common Stock and/or
         options to purchase Holdings Common Stock held by individual
         directors, executives, officers, members of management, employees or
         consultants of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries upon the death,
         disability, retirement or termination of such individual director,
         executive, officer, member of management, employee or consultant or
         the exercise of such options in accordance with replacement option and
         performance option agreements entered into as part of the Transaction
         and future option agreements entered into in the ordinary course of
         business; provided, however, that (A) no Default or Event of Default
         then exists or would result therefrom and (B) the aggregate amount of
         cash expended by Holdings pursuant to this clause (v) shall not exceed
         $5,000,000 in the aggregate (plus the amount of cash proceeds received
         by Holdings from reissuance to a new individual director, executive,
         officer, member of management, employee or consultant of Holdings or
         any of its Subsidiaries of such Holdings Common Stock as a result of
         such individual replacing a then employed or retained individual
         director, executive, officer, member of management, employee or
         consultant of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries); and provided
         further, that Holdings may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
         common stock of Holdings (or options to purchase such common stock)
         pursuant to this clause (v) without regard to restrictions set forth
         in the

                                       51

<PAGE>   58



         first proviso above for consideration consisting of the proceeds of
         key man life insurance obtained for the purposes described in this
         clause (v);

                  (vi)   the Borrower may pay cash Dividends to Holdings for the
         purpose of enabling Holdings to make the purchases referred to in
         clause (v) above, so long as all proceeds thereof are promptly used by
         Holdings to make such purchases and/or pay such Dividends;

                  (vii)  the Borrower may pay cash Dividends to Holdings for the
         purpose of enabling Holdings to consummate the Recapitalization; and

                  (viii) Holdings may pay cash dividends, make distributions on
         its capital stock or make purchases or redemptions of its capital
         stock (and the Borrower may pay cash dividends or make distributions
         on its capital stock for purposes of enabling Holdings to make such
         dividends, distributions, purchases or redemptions) to the extent that
         the aggregate amount of all such dividends, distributions, purchases
         and redemptions from and after the Initial Borrowing Date to the date
         of the proposed dividend, distribution, purchase or redemption (after
         giving effect to such proposed dividend, distribution, purchase or
         redemption) would not exceed $5,000,000; provided, however, that no
         Event of Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing
         before or after giving effect to any such proposed dividend,
         distribution, purchase or redemption.

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

                  (i)    Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and 
         the other Credit Documents;

                  (ii)   Existing Indebtedness shall be permitted to the extent
         the same is listed on Schedule V hereto, including any refinancings or
         renewals thereof (other than the SBA Loan), provided that (A) the
         aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness does not increase from
         that amount outstanding at the time of any such renewal or refinancing
         and (B) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Indebtedness is
         not decreased;

                  (iii)  Indebtedness of the Borrower incurred under the Senior
         Subordinated Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
         $100,000,000 (as reduced by any repayments of principal thereof) and
         guarantees of such Indebtedness by any Subsidiary of the Borrower;

                  (iv)   accrued expenses and current trade accounts payable 
         incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                  (v)    Indebtedness under Interest Rate Protection Agreements 
         on terms reasonably acceptable to the Agent;


                                       52

<PAGE>   59



                  (vi)   Indebtedness evidenced by Capitalized Lease Obligations
         to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 9.07;

                  (vii)  intercompany Indebtedness of any Domestic Wholly-Owned
         Subsidiary of the Borrower owing to the Borrower or any other Domestic
         Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, or of the Borrower owing to
         any Domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, to the extent
         permitted by Section 9.05(v) or (vi);

                  (viii) Indebtedness of any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
         Borrower to the Borrower or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the
         Borrower constituting the purchase price in respect of intercompany
         transfers of goods made in the ordinary course of business to the
         extent not constituting Indebtedness for borrowed money;

                  (ix)   Indebtedness subject to liens permitted under Section 
         9.01(viii);

                  (x)    Contingent Obligations of the Borrower or any 
         Subsidiary as a guarantor of the lessee under any lease pursuant to
         which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is the lessee so long as such lease
         is otherwise permitted hereunder;

                  (xi)   Indebtedness under Other Hedging Agreements (A) that 
         are futures contracts for the purchase of raw materials used by the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of
         business and (B) otherwise, the liabilities of which shall not exceed
         $500,000 in the aggregate at any one time, on all terms acceptable to
         the Agent; and

                  (xii)  additional indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries not to exceed $5,000,000 in aggregate principal amount
         outstanding at any one time.

                  9.05   Advances, Investments and Loans. Holdings will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, lend money
or credit or make advances to any Person, or purchase or acquire any stock,
obligations or securities of, or any other interest in, or make any capital
contribution to, any other Person, or purchase or own a futures contract or
otherwise become liable for the purchase or sale of currency or other
commodities at a future date in the nature of a futures contract, or hold any
cash or Cash Equivalents, except that the following shall be permitted:

                  (i)    the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may acquire and hold
         accounts receivables owing to any of them, if created or acquired in
         the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in
         accordance with customary terms;

                  (ii)   the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may acquire and hold
         cash and Cash Equivalents, provided that during any time that
         Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Banks are outstanding, the aggregate
         amount of cash and Cash Equivalents permitted to be held by the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall not exceed $2,500,000 for any
         period of five consecutive days;

                                       53

<PAGE>   60



                  (iii)  the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make loans and
         advances in the ordinary course of business to their respective
         officers, directors and employees so long as the aggregate principal
         amount thereof at any time outstanding shall not exceed $500,000;

                  (iv)   the Borrower may enter into Interest Rate Protection 
         Agreements to the extent permitted by Section 9.04(v);

                  (v)    any Domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may make
         intercompany loans to the Borrower or any Domestic Wholly-Owned
         Subsidiary and the Borrower may make inter company loans and advances
         to any Domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;

                  (vi)   intercompany Indebtedness existing on the Effective 
         Date to the extent such intercompany Indebtedness is evidenced by an
         intercompany note in the form of Exhibit M, which note is pledged by
         the holder thereof as Collateral pursuant to the Pledge Agreement;

                  (vii)  the Borrower and it Subsidiaries may sell or transfer 
         assets to each other to the extent permitted by Section 9.02;

                  (viii) the Borrower may establish Subsidiaries to the extent 
         permitted by Section 9.11;

                  (ix)   Holdings may repurchase Holdings Common Stock to the 
         extent permitted by Section 9.03;

                  (x)    promissory notes and other similar non-cash 
         consideration received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in
         connection with dispositions permitted by Section 9.02 so long as the
         aggregate principal amount thereof does not exceed $1,000,000 at any
         one time outstanding;

                  (xi)   the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may acquire and own
         investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with
         the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in
         settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with,
         customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

                  (xii)  investments by the Borrower in or to any Domestic 
         Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;

                  (xiii) the Borrower may enter into Other Hedging Agreements to
         the extent permitted by Section 9.04(xi);

                  (xiv)  Permitted Acquisition's shall be permitted; and


                                       54

<PAGE>   61



                  (xv) in addition to the foregoing, the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries may make additional loans, advances and investments not
         to exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate, net of any returns of capital.

                  9.06 Transactions with Affiliates. Holdings will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction or
series of related transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of
business, with any Affiliate of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, other than
in the ordinary course of business and on terms and conditions substantially as
favorable to Holdings or such Subsidiary as would reasonably be obtained by
Holdings or such Subsidiary at that time in a comparable arm's-length
transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, except that:

                  (i)    Dividends may be paid to the extent provided in Section
         9.03;

                  (ii)   loans may be made and other transactions may be entered
         into between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent permitted
         by Sections 9.02, 9.04 and 9.05;

                  (iii)  customary fees may be paid to non-officer directors of 
         Holdings;

                  (iv)   Holdings and its Subsidiaries may enter into and make
         payments pursuant to employment arrangements with respect to the
         procurement of services of their respective officers and employees in
         the ordinary course of business;

                  (v)    Holdings may make capital contributions to the
                         Borrower;

                  (vi)   Holdings and/or the Borrower may pay to Hicks, Muse & 
         Co. Partners, L.P., the amount set forth in the Monitoring Agreement;

                  (vii)  Holdings and/or any of its Subsidiaries may provide
         management services to, or receive management services on an
         arm's-length basis from, an Affiliate of Holdings or any of its
         Subsidiaries; and

                  (viii) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may make 
         payments required under that certain Stock Purchase Agreement dated
         September 27, 1996 relating to the acquisition of Vinyl Building
         Specialties of Connecticut, Inc. and Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New
         York, Inc. by the Borrower, as such Stock Purchase Agreement is in
         effect as of the Initial Borrowing Date.

                  Except as specifically provided above, no management or
similar fees shall be paid or payable by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to
any Person.

                  9.07   Capital Expenditures.  (a)  Holdings will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Capital Expenditures except in
accordance with this Section 9.07.


                                       55

<PAGE>   62



                  (b)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in 
clause (a) above, during any Fiscal Year the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may
make Capital Expenditures so long as the aggregate amount of such Capital
Expenditures made under this Section 9.07(b) does not exceed in any Fiscal Year
set forth below the amount set forth opposite such Fiscal Year:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   Fiscal Year                               Amount
                   -----------                               ------
                     <S>                                  <C>
                     1996                                 $4,500,000
                     1997                                 $4,750,000
                     1998                                 $5,000,000
                     1999                                 $5,250,000
                     2000                                 $5,500,000
                     2001                                 $5,750,000
</TABLE>


                  (c)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
clauses (a) or (b) above, to the extent that the aggregate amount of Capital
Expenditures made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to clause (b)
above (excluding only those Capital Expenditures made pursuant to clause (d)
below) in any Fiscal Year is less than the amount set forth above in clause (b)
with respect to such Fiscal Year, up to 50% of the amount of such difference
may be carried forward and used by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to make
Capital Expenditures in the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year.

                  (d)   In addition to the Capital Expenditures permitted
pursuant to preceding clauses (b) and (c), the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
may make additional Capital Expenditures as follows: (i) Capital Expenditures
consisting of the reinvestment of Net Sale Proceeds of asset sales not required
to be applied to prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 4.02(b) as a result of
(A) clause (ii) of the first parenthetical phrase contained therein and (B) the
acquisition of Reinvestment Assets pursuant to the proviso thereto, (ii) the
reinvestment of proceeds of Recovery Events not required to be applied to
prepay the Loans pursuant to Section 4.02(c), and (iii) Capital Expenditures
constituting Permitted Acquisitions.

                  9.08  Minimum Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. The
Borrower will not permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio for any Test
Period ended on the last day of a fiscal quarter of the Borrower set forth
below to be less than the amount set forth opposite such fiscal quarter below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Fiscal Quarter Ending                            Ratio
                --------------------                             -----
                <S>                                              <C>
                December 31, 1996                                1.50:1
                March 31, 1997                                   1.50:1
                June 30, 1997                                    1.50:1
                September 30, 1997                               1.50:1
</TABLE>

                                       56

<PAGE>   63





<TABLE>
                <S>                                              <C>
                December 31, 1997                                1.50:1
                March 31, 1998                                   1.65:1
                June 30, 1998                                    1.65:1
                September 30, 1998                               1.65:1
                December 31, 1998                                1.65:1
                March 31, 1999                                   1.80:1
                June 30, 1999                                    1.80:1
                September 30, 1999                               1.80:1
                December 31, 1999                                1.80:1
                March 31, 2000                                   2.00:1
                June 30, 2000                                    2.00:1
                September 30, 2000                               2.00:1
                December 31, 2000                                2.00:1
                March 31, 2001                                   2.00:1
                June 30, 2001                                    2.00:1
                September 30, 2001                               2.00:1
                December 31, 2001                                2.00:1
</TABLE>

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of
determining the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio pursuant to this Section
9.08 for the Test Periods ending December 31, 1996, March 31, 1997, June 30,
1997 and September 30, 1997, (i) Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal quarters
ending December 31, 1995, March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996
shall be deemed to be $7,162,000, $5,522,000, $7,228,000 and $6,795,000,
respectively, and (ii) Consolidated Net Cash Interest Expense for the fiscal
quarters ending December 31, 1995, March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September
30, 1996 shall be deemed to be $2,750,000, for each such fiscal quarter.

                  9.09  Minimum Consolidated EBITDA. The Borrower will not
permit Consolidated EBITDA for any Test Period, in each case taken as one
accounting period, ended on the last day of a fiscal quarter of the Borrower
set forth below to be less than the amount set forth opposite such fiscal
quarter below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Fiscal Quarter Ending                              Amount
                ---------------------                              ------
                <S>                                              <C>
                December 31, 1996                                $16,510,000
                March 31, 1997                                   $16,520,000
                June 30, 1997                                    $16,520,000
                September 30, 1997                               $16,520,000
                December 31, 1997                                $16,520,000
                March 31, 1998                                   $18,180,000
                June 30, 1998                                    $18,180,000
</TABLE>

                                       57

<PAGE>   64





<TABLE>
                <S>                                              <C>
                September 30, 1998                               $18,180,000
                December 31, 1998                                $18,180,000
                March 31, 1999                                   $19,850,000
                June 30, 1999                                    $19,850,000
                September 30, 1999                               $19,850,000
                December 31, 1999                                $19,850,000
                March 31, 2000                                   $22,070,000
                June 30, 2000                                    $22,070,000
                September 30, 2000                               $22,070,000
                December 31, 2000                                $22,070,000
                March 31, 2001                                   $22,090,000
                June 30, 2001                                    $22,090,000
                September 30, 2001                               $22,090,000
                December 31, 2001                                $22,090,000
</TABLE>

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, for purposes of
determining the minimum Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this Section 9.09 for
the Test Periods ending December 31, 1996, March 31, 1997, June 30, 1997 and
September 30, 1997, Consolidated EBITDA for the fiscal quarters ending December
31, 1995, March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996 and September 30, 1996 shall be deemed
to be $7,162,000, $5,522,000, $7,228,000 and $6,795,000, respectively.

                  9.10  Limitation on Modifications of Indebtedness and Payments
of Indebtedness; Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and
Certain Other Agreements; etc. Holdings will not, and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to:

                  (i)   amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification
         of, any provision of the Existing Indebtedness or the Monitoring
         Agreement, or of any agreement (including, without limitation, any
         purchase agreement, indenture, loan agreement, security agreement or
         certificate of designation) relating thereto other than any amendments
         or modifications to the Existing Indebtedness which do not in any way
         adversely affect the interests of the Banks and are otherwise
         permitted under Section 9.04(ii);

                  (ii)  amend or modify, or permit the amendment or modification
         of, any provision of any Senior Subordinated Note Document, except for
         any amendment or modification which provides solely for the addition
         of subsidiary guarantors;

                  (iii) make (or give any notice in respect of) any voluntary
         or optional payment or prepayment on or redemption or acquisition for
         value of, or any prepayment or redemption as a result of any asset
         sale, change of control or similar event of, any Senior Subordinated
         Note; or


                                       58

<PAGE>   65






                  (iv)  amend, modify or change its Certificate of Incorporation
         (including, without limitation, by the filing or modification of any
         certificate of designation or By-Laws, or any agreement entered into
         by it, with respect to its capital stock (including any Shareholders'
         Agreement), or enter into any new agreement with respect to its
         capital stock, other than any amendments, modifications or changes
         pursuant to this clause (iii) or any such new agreements pursuant to
         this clause (iii) which do not in any way adversely affect the
         interests of the Banks.

                  9.11  Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries.
Holdings will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective
any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any such Subsidiary to (i) pay
dividends or make any other distributions on its capital stock or any other
interest or participation in its profits owned by Holdings or any Subsidiary
of Holdings, or pay any Indebtedness owed to Holdings or a Subsidiary of
Holdings, (ii) make loans or advances to Holdings or any of Holdings'
Subsidiaries or (iii) transfer any of its properties or assets to Holdings or
any of Holdings' Subsidiaries, except for such encumbrances or restrictions
existing under or by reason of (A) applicable law, (B) this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents, (C) customary provisions restricting subletting or
assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or a
Subsidiary of the Borrower, (D) customary provisions restricting assignment of
any licensing agreement entered into by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the
Borrower in the ordinary course of business and (E) the Senior Subordinated
Note Documents.

                  9.12  Limitation on Issuance of Capital Stock.  (a) Holdings 
shall not issue any class of capital stock other than non-redeemable common
stock.

                  (b)   No Subsidiary of Holdings shall issue, or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to issue, any class of capital stock other than non-redeemable
common stock, provided that Subsidiaries formed after the Effective Date
pursuant to Section 9.15 may issue capital stock to the Borrower or a
Subsidiary of the Borrower which is to own such stock. All capital stock issued
in accordance with this Section 9.13(b) shall be delivered to the Collateral
Agent for pledge pursuant to the applicable Pledge Agreement.

                  9.13  Changes in Business. (a) The Borrower and its
Subsidiaries will not engage in any business other than the business engaged in
by them as of the Effective Date and activities directly related thereto, and
businesses complementary to the business or similar or related businesses.

                  (b)   Holdings will engage in no business other than (i) its
ownership of the capital stock of the Borrower, (ii) the issuance of the
Holdings Common Stock and options and warrants to purchase Holdings Common
Stock and (iii) activities associated with expenses paid with dividends made by
the Borrower pursuant to Section 9.03. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holdings

                                       59

<PAGE>   66






may engage in those activities that are incidental to (A) the maintenance of
its corporate existence in compliance with applicable law, (B) legal, tax and
accounting matters in connection with any of the foregoing activities and (C)
entering into, and performing its obligations under, the Documents to which it
is a party.

                  9.14  Limitation on Creation of Subsidiaries. Holdings will
not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, establish, create or acquire any
additional Subsidiaries without the prior written consent of the Required
Banks. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) such new Subsidiaries may be
required to execute such guarantees and security documents as the Required
Banks shall request (including documents substantially similar to or amendments
to each of (A) the Pledge Agreement, (B) the Subsidiary Guarantee and (C) the
Security Agreement), and in such forms as shall be satisfactory to them and
(ii) the holders of the capital stock of such new Subsidiaries may be required
to execute and deliver additional pledge agreements, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent.

                  SECTION 10.   EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  Upon the occurrence of any 
of the following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):

                  10.01 Payments. The Borrower shall (i) default in the payment
when due of any principal of any Revolving Loan or any Revolving Note or (ii)
default, and such default shall continue unremedied for three or more Business
Days, in the payment when due of any Unpaid Drawings or interest on any
Revolving Loan or Revolving Note, or any Fees or any other amounts owing
hereunder or thereunder; or

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

                  10.03 Covenants. Any Credit Party shall (i) default in the
due performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement
contained in Section 8.01(f)(i), 8.07, 8.11, 8.13 or Section 9 or (ii) default
in the due performance or observance by it of any other term, covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement and such default shall continue
unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice to the Borrower by the
Agent or any Bank; or

                  10.04 Default Under Other Agreements. Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries shall (i) default in any payment of any Indebtedness (other than
the Obligations) beyond the period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument
or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created or (ii) default in the
observance or performance of any agreement or condition relating to any
Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) or contained in any instrument or
agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall
occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or
condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness

                                       60

<PAGE>   67




(or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause
(determined without regard to whether any notice is required), any such
Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity, or (iii) any
Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid
other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment, prior to the stated
maturity thereof, provided that (A) it shall not be a Default or an Event of
Default under this Section 10.04 unless the aggregate principal amount of all
Indebtedness as described in preceding clauses (i) through (iii), inclusive, is
at least $5,000,000; or

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

                  10.06 ERISA. (a) Any Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum
funding standard required for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such
standard or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted under
Section 412 of the Code, any Plan shall have had or, in the reasonable opinion
of the Required Banks, is reasonably expected to have a trustee appointed to
administer such Plan, any Plan is, shall have been or is reasonably expected to
be terminated or to be the subject of termination proceedings under ERISA, any
Plan shall have an Unfunded Current Liability, a contribution required to be
made to a Plan has not been made, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliate has incurred or is reasonably expected to incur a liability to
or on account of a Plan under Section 409, 502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063,
4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971, 4975 or
4980 of the Code, or Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries has incurred or is
reasonably expected to incur liabilities pursuant to one or more employee
welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which provide
benefits to retired employees or other former employees (other than as required
by Section 601 of ERISA) or employee pension benefit plans (as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA); (b) there shall result from any such event or events
the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest, or a liability
or

                                       61

<PAGE>   68






a material risk of incurring a liability; and in each case in clauses (a) and
(b) above, such lien, security interest or liability, in the reasonable opinion
of the Required Banks, will have a Material Adverse Effect; or

                  10.07  Security Documents. At any time after the execution and
delivery thereof, any of the Security Documents shall cease to be in full force
and effect, or shall cease in any material respect to give the Collateral Agent
for the benefit of the Secured Creditors the Liens, rights, powers and
privileges purported to be created thereby (including, without limitation, a
perfected security interest in, and Lien on, all of the Collateral), in favor
of the Collateral Agent, superior to and prior to the rights of all third
Persons (except as permitted by Section 9.01), and subject to no other Liens
(except as permitted by Section 9.01), or any Credit Party shall default in the
due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part to
be performed or observed pursuant to any of the Security Documents and such
default shall continue beyond any grace period specifically applicable thereto
pursuant to the terms of such Security Document; or

                  10.08  Guaranty. Any Guaranty or any provision thereof shall
cease to be in full force or effect as to the relevant Guarantor, or any
Guarantor or Person acting by or on behalf of such Guarantor shall deny or
disaffirm such Guarantor's obligations under the relevant Guaranty, or any
Guarantor shall default in the due performance or observance of any term,
covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to its
Guaranty; or

                  10.09  Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be
entered against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate
for Holdings and its Subsidiaries a liability (not paid or fully covered by a
reputable and solvent insurance company) and such judgments and decrees either
shall be final and non-appealable or shall not be vacated, discharged or stayed
or bonded pending appeal for any period of 60 consecutive days, and the
aggregate amount of all such judgments exceeds $5,000,000; or

                  10.10  Change of Control.  A Change of Control shall occur; or

                  10.11  Environmental Matters. At any time after the execution
and delivery thereof, the Environmental Indemnity Agreement or any provision
thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect as to Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries, or Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall default in the due
performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be
performed or observed pursuant to the Environmental Indemnity Agreement, and
such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after written
notice to the Borrower by the Agent or any Bank;

then, and in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of
Default shall then be continuing, the Agent, upon the written request of the
Required Banks, shall by written notice to the Borrower, take any or all of the
following actions, without prejudice to the rights of the Agent, any Bank or
the holder of any Revolving Note to enforce its claims against any Credit Party
(provided

                                       62

<PAGE>   69


that, if an Event of Default specified in Section 10.05 shall occur with
respect to the Borrower, the result which would occur upon the giving of
written notice by the Agent to the Borrower as specified in clauses (i) and
(ii) below shall occur automatically without the giving of any such notice):
(i) declare the Total Revolving Loan Commitment terminated, whereupon all
Revolving Loan Commitments of the Banks shall forthwith terminate immediately
and any Commitment Commission shall forthwith become due and payable without
any other notice of any kind; (ii) declare the principal of and any accrued
interest in respect of all Revolving Loans and the Revolving Notes and all
Obligations owing hereunder and thereunder to be, whereupon the same shall
become, forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Credit Party; (iii)
terminate any Letter of Credit, which may be terminated, in accordance with its
terms; (iv) direct the Borrower to pay (and the Borrower agrees that upon
receipt of such notice, or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified
in Section 10.05 with respect to the Borrower, it will pay) to the Collateral
Agent at the Payment Office such additional amount of cash, to be held as
security by the Collateral Agent, as is equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of
all Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower and then
outstanding; (v) enforce, as Collateral Agent, all of the Liens and security
interests created pursuant to the Security Documents; and (vi) apply any cash
collateral as provided in Section 4.02.

                  SECTION 11.   DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS.

                  11.01  Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable
to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

                  "Additional Collateral" shall mean all property (whether real
or personal) in which security interests are granted (or have been purported to
be granted) (and continue to be in effect at the time of determination)
pursuant to Section 8.10.

                  "Additional Mortgage" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 8.10(a).

                  "Additional Mortgaged Property" shall have the meaning 
provided in Section 8.10(a).

                  "Additional Security Documents" shall mean all mortgages,
pledge agreements, security agreements and other security documents entered
into pursuant to Section 8.10 with respect to Additional Collateral.

                  "Adjusted Certificate of Deposit Rate" shall mean, on any
day, the sum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) of (i) the rate obtained by
dividing (A) the most recent weekly average dealer offering rate for negotiable
certificates of deposit with a three-month maturity in the secondary market as
published in the most recent Federal Reserve System publication entitled
"Select Interest Rates," published weekly on Form H.15 as of the date hereof,
or if such publication

                                       63

<PAGE>   70


or a substitute containing the foregoing rate information shall not be
published by the Federal Reserve System for any week, the weekly average
offering rate determined by the Agent on the basis of quotations for such
certificates received by it from three certificate of deposit dealers in New
York of recognized standing or, if such quotations are unavailable, then on the
basis of other sources reasonably selected by the Agent, by (B) a percentage
equal to 100% minus the stated maximum rate of all reserve requirements as
specified in Regulation D applicable on such day to a three-month certificate
of deposit of a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in excess of $100,000
(including, without limitation, any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special
or other reserves), plus (ii) the then daily net annual assessment rate as
estimated by the Agent for determining the current annual assessment payable by
the Agent to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for insuring three-month
certificates of deposit.

                  "Adjusted Consolidated Working Capital" at any time shall
mean Consolidated Current Assets (but excluding therefrom all cash and Cash
Equivalents) less Consolidated Current Liabilities.

                  "Adjusted Percentage" shall mean (x) at a time when no Bank
Default exists, for each Bank, such Bank's Percentage and (y) at a time when a
Bank Default exists (i) for each Bank that is a Defaulting Bank, zero and (ii)
for each Bank that is a Non-Defaulting Bank, the percentage determined by
dividing such Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment at such time by the Adjusted
Total Revolving Loan Commitment at such time, it being understood that all
references herein to Revolving Loan Commitments and the Adjusted Total
Revolving Loan Commitment at a time when the Total Revolving Loan Commitment or
Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment, as the case may be, has been
terminated shall be references to the Revolving Loan Commitments or Adjusted
Total Revolving Loan Commitment, as the case may be, in effect immediately
prior to such termination, provided that (A) no Bank's Adjusted Percentage
shall change upon the occurrence of a Bank Default from that in effect
immediately prior to such Bank Default if after giving effect to such Bank
Default, and any repayment of Revolving Loans at such time pursuant to Section
4.02(a) or otherwise, the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of Revolving Loans of all Non-Defaulting Banks plus (ii) the Letter of Credit
Outstandings, exceed the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment; (B) the
changes to the Adjusted Percentage that would have become effective upon the
occurrence of a Bank Default but that did not become effective as a result of
the preceding clause (A) shall become effective after the occurrence of the
relevant Bank Default to the extent the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding
principal amount of the Revolving Loans of all Non-Defaulting Banks plus (ii)
the Letter of Credit Outstandings is equal to or less than the Adjusted Total
Revolving Loan Commitment; and (C) if (i) a Non-Defaulting Bank's Adjusted
Percentage is changed pursuant to the preceding clause (B) and (ii) any
repayment of such Bank's Revolving Loans, or of Unpaid Drawings with respect to
Letters of Credit, that were made during the period commencing after the date
of the relevant Bank Default and ending on the date of such change to its
Adjusted Percentage must be returned to the Borrower as a preferential or
similar payment in any bankruptcy or similar proceeding of the Borrower, then
the change to such Non-Defaulting Bank's

                                       64

<PAGE>   71






Adjusted Percentage effected pursuant to said clause (B) shall be reduced to
that positive change, if any, as would have been made to its Adjusted
Percentage if (x) such repayments had not been made and (y) the maximum change
to its Adjusted Percentage would have resulted in the sum of the outstanding
principal of Revolving Loans made by such Bank plus such Bank's new Adjusted
Percentage of the outstanding principal amount of Letter of Credit Outstandings
equaling such Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment at such time.

                  "Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment" shall mean at any 
time the Total Revolving Loan Commitment less the aggregate Revolving Loan
Commitments of all Defaulting Banks.

                  "Affected Eurodollar Loans" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 4.02(g).

                  "Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other
Person (including, for purposes of Section 9.06 only, all directors, officers
and partners of such Person) directly or in directly controlling, controlled
by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such Person; provided,
however, that for purposes of Section 9.06, an Affiliate of Holdings shall
include any Person that directly or indirectly owns more than 5% of any class
of the capital stock of Holdings and any officer or director of Holdings or any
such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control another Person if such Person
possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction
of the management and policies of such other Person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

                  "Agent" shall mean Bankers Trust Company, in its capacity as
Agent for the Banks hereunder, and shall include any successor to the Agent
appointed pursuant to Section 12.09.

                  "Aggregate Unutilized Commitments" with respect to any Bank
at any time shall mean such Bank's Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment at such
time, if any.

                  "Agreement" shall mean this Credit Agreement, as modified,
supplemented, amended, restated, extended, renewed or replaced from time to
time.

                  "Anticipated Reinvestment Amount" shall mean, with respect to
any Reinvestment Election, the amount specified in the Reinvestment Notice
delivered by the Borrower in connection therewith as the amount that the
Borrower intends to use to purchase, construct or otherwise acquire
Reinvestment Assets.

                  "Applicable Margin" shall mean a percentage per annum equal
to (i) in the case of Revolving Loans which are maintained as Base Rate Loans,
1.50%, and (ii) in the case of Revolving Loans which are maintained as
Eurodollar Loans, 2.50%.


                                       65

<PAGE>   72






                  "Assignment and Assumption Agreement" shall mean the
Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit N
attached hereto (appropriately completed).

                  "Authorized Officer" of any Credit Party shall mean any of
the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice
President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, any Assistant
Treasurer or the Controller of such Credit Party or any other officer of such
Credit Party which is designated in writing to the Agent, BTCo and any other
Issuing Bank by any of the foregoing officers of such Credit Party as being
authorized to give such notices under this Agreement.

                  "Bank" shall mean each financial institution listed on
Schedule I attached hereto, as well as any Person which becomes a "Bank"
hereunder pursuant to Section 13.04(b).

                  "Bank Default" shall mean (i) the refusal (which has not been
retracted) of a Bank to make available its portion of any Borrowing or to fund
its portion of any unreimbursed payment under Section 2.03(c) or (ii) a Bank
having notified in writing the Borrower and/or the Agent that it does not
intend to comply with its obligations under Section 1.01(c) or Section 2, in
the case of either clause (i) or (ii) as a result of any takeover of such Bank
by any regulatory authority or agency.

                  "Bankruptcy Code" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
10.05.

                  "Base Rate" at any time shall mean the highest of (i) 1/2 of
1% in excess of the Adjusted Certificate of Deposit Rate and (ii) the Prime
Lending Rate.

                  "Base Rate Loan" shall mean each Loan designated or deemed
designated as such by the Borrower at the time of the incurrence thereof or
conversion thereto.

                  "Borrower" shall have the meaning provided in the preamble of 
this Agreement.

                  "Borrowing" shall mean the borrowing of one Type of Revolving
Loan from all the Banks having Revolving Loan Commitments on a given date (or
resulting from a conversion or conversions on such date) having in the case of
Eurodollar Loans the same Interest Period, provided that Base Rate Loans
incurred pursuant to Section 1.10(b) shall be considered part of the related
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans.

                  "BTCo" shall mean Bankers Trust Company in its individual 
capacity.

                  "Business Day" shall mean (i) for all purposes other than as
covered by clause (ii) below, any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which
shall be in New York City a legal holiday or a day on which banking
institutions are authorized or required by law or other government

                                       66

<PAGE>   73






action to close and (ii) with respect to all notices and determinations in
connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, Eurodollar Loans,
any day which is a Business Day described in clause (i) above and which is also
a day for trading by and between banks in the New York inter bank Eurodollar
market.

                  "Capital Expenditures" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, all expenditures by such Person which should be capitalized in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including all such
expenditures with respect to fixed or capital assets (including, without
limitation, expenditures for maintenance and repairs which should be
capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) and
the amount of Capitalized Lease Obligations incurred by such Person.

                  "Capitalized Lease Obligations" of any Person shall mean all
rental obligations which, under generally accepted accounting principles, are
or will be required to be capitalized on the books of such Person, in each case
taken at the amount thereof accounted for as indebtedness in accordance with
such principles.

                  "Cash Equivalents" shall mean, as to any Person, (i)
securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United
States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith
and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having
maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition, (ii) time
deposits and certificates of deposit of any commercial bank having, or which is
the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the
laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia having
capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $200,000,000,
with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition by such
Person, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 90 days for
underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into
with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (ii) above, (iv)
commercial paper issued by any Person incorporated in the United States rated
at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Corporation or at
least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and in
each case maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition by such
Person, (v) investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets
are comprised of securities of the types described in clauses (i) through (iv)
above and (vi) deposit accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business.

                  "Change of Control" shall mean (i) Holdings shall at any time
cease to own 100% of the capital stock of the Borrower; (ii) if the Permitted
Investors shall cease to have the power, directly or indirectly, to vote or
direct the voting of securities having a majority of the ordinary voting power
for the election of directors of Holdings, provided that the occurrence of the
foregoing event shall not be deemed a "Change of Control" if (A) at any time
prior to the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, (1) the Permitted
Investors otherwise have the right to designate (and do so designate) a
majority of the board of directors of Holdings or (2) the HM Group own of
record and

                                       67

<PAGE>   74






beneficially an amount of common stock of Holdings equal to at least 50% of the
amount of common stock of Holdings (adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends
and other similar events on an equitable basis) owned by the HM Group of record
and beneficially as of the Initial Borrowing Date and such ownership by the HM
Group represents the largest single block of voting securities of Holdings held
by any "person" or "group" for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or (B) at any time after
the consummation of an Initial Public Offering, (1) no "person" or "group" (as
such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), excluding
the Permitted Investors, shall become the "beneficial owner" (as defined in
Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
more than the greater of (x) 15% of the then outstanding voting stock of
Holdings and (y) the percentage of the then outstanding voting stock of
Holdings owned by the Permitted Investors and (2) the board of directors of
Holdings shall consist of a majority of Continuing Directors.

                  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and the rulings
issued thereunder. Section references to the Code are to the Code, as in effect
at the date of this Agreement, and to any subsequent provision of the Code,
amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or substituted therefor.

                  "Collateral" shall mean all property (whether real or
personal) with respect to which any security interests have been granted (or
purported to be granted) pursuant to any Security Document, including, without
limitation, all Pledge Agreement Collateral, all Security Agreement Collateral,
the Mortgaged Properties, all cash and Cash Equivalents delivered as collateral
pursuant to Section 4.02 or 10 hereof and all Additional Collateral, if any.

                  "Collateral Agent" shall mean the Agent acting as collateral
agent for the Secured Creditors pursuant to the Security Documents.

                  "Collective Bargaining Agreements" shall have the meaning 
provided in Section 5.05.

                  "Commitment" shall mean the Revolving Loan Commitment of 
any Bank.

                  "Commitment Commission" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 3.01(a).

                  "Consolidated Current Assets" shall mean, at any time, the
consolidated current assets of Holdings and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

                  "Consolidated Current Liabilities" shall mean, at any time,
the consolidated current liabilities of Holdings and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries at such time, but excluding (i) the current portion of any
Indebtedness under this Agreement and any other long-term Indebtedness which
would otherwise be included therein, (ii) accrued but unpaid interest with
respect to the Indebtedness

                                       68

<PAGE>   75






described in clause (i), and (iii) the current portion of Indebtedness
constituting Capitalized Lease Obligations.

                  "Consolidated EBIT" shall mean, for any period, the
Consolidated Net Income of Holdings and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, before
Consolidated Net Cash Interest Expense and provision for taxes and without
giving effect to any extraordinary gains or losses or gains or losses from
sales of assets other than inventory sold in the ordinary course of business.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" shall mean, for any period,
Consolidated EBIT, adjusted by adding thereto the amount of all amortization of
intangibles and depreciation and all non-cash charges, in each case that were
deducted in arriving at Consolidated EBIT for such period.

                  "Consolidated Indebtedness" shall mean the sum of (i) an
amount equal to the principal amount of all outstanding Senior Subordinated
Notes, (ii) an amount equal to the average aggregate outstanding principal
amount of Revolving Loans for the preceding twelve-month period (provided that
for purposes of determining the average aggregate outstanding amount of
Revolving Loans for Test Periods ending prior to the first anniversary of the
Initial Borrowing Date, such Test Periods shall commence on the Initial
Borrowing Date) and (iii) an amount equal to the principal amount of all other
funded indebtedness of Holdings and its respective Subsidiaries, each
determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio" for any period shall
mean the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Cash Interest Expense
for such period.

                  "Consolidated Net Cash Interest Expense" shall mean, for any
period, without duplication total cash interest expense (including that
attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations in accordance with GAAP) of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis with respect to all
outstanding Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, including, without
limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges paid with
respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing and net costs
under Interest Rate Protection Agreements, but excluding the amortization of
any deferred financing costs incurred in connection with the Transactions net
of the total consolidated cash interest income of Holdings and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries for such period.

                  "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period, the
consolidated net after tax income of Holdings and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
determined in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Subsidiaries" shall mean, as to any Person, all
Subsidiaries of such Person which are consolidated with such Person for
financial reporting purposes.


                                       69

<PAGE>   76






                  "Contingent Obligation" shall mean, as to any Person, any
obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any
Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations ("primary obligations") of
any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, including, without limitation, any obligation of such Person,
whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such primary obligation or any
property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or
supply funds (A) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or
(B) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or
otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iii)
to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of
assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary
obligor to make payment of such primary obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure
or hold harmless the holder of such primary obligation against loss in respect
thereof; provided, however, that the term Contingent Obligation shall not
include (x) endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the
ordinary course of business and (y) customary indemnification obligations
incurred in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Contingent
Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable
amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation
is made (or, if the less, the maximum amount of such primary obligation for
which such Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument
evidencing such Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or determinable, the
maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such
Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good
faith.

                  "Continuing Directors" shall mean the directors of Holdings
on the date which occurs six months prior to the consummation of an Initial
Public Offering and each other director, if such Director's nomination for
election to the Board of Directors of Holdings is recommended by a majority of
the then Continuing Directors.

                  "Credit Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Subsidiary
Guaranty, each Revolving Note, the Environmental Indemnity Agreement, each
Security Document and, after the execution and delivery thereof, each
additional guaranty or security document executed pursuant to Section 8.10, in
each case as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

                  "Credit Event" shall mean the making of any Loan or the
issuance of any Letter of Credit (but excluding any conversion or continuation
of an existing Loan).

                  "Credit Party" shall mean Holdings, the Borrower and each 
Subsidiary Guarantor.

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


                                       70

<PAGE>   77




                  "Defaulting Bank" shall mean any Bank with respect to which a 
Bank Default is in effect.

                  "Dividend" with respect to any Person shall mean that such
Person has declared or paid a dividend or returned any equity capital to its
stockholders or authorized or made any other distribution, payment or delivery
of property (other than common stock of such Person) or cash to its
stockholders as such, or redeemed, retired, purchased or otherwise acquired,
directly or indirectly, for a consideration any shares of any class of its
capital stock outstanding on or after the Effective Date (or any options or
warrants issued by such Person with respect to its capital stock), or set aside
any funds for any of the foregoing purposes, or shall have permitted any of its
Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire for a consideration any shares of
any class of the capital stock of such Person outstanding on or after the
Effective Date (or any options or warrants issued by such Person with respect
to its capital stock). Without limiting the foregoing, "Dividends" with respect
to any Person shall also include all payments made or required to be made by
such Person with respect to any stock appreciation rights, plans, equity
incentive or achievement plans or any similar plans or setting aside of any
funds for the foregoing purposes.

                  "Documents" shall mean the Credit Documents and the 
Recapitalization Documents.

                  "Dollars" and the sign "$" shall each mean freely transferable
     lawful money of the United States.

                  "Domestic Subsidiary" shall mean each Subsidiary of the
Borrower, incorporated or organized in the United States or any State or
territory thereof.

                  "Domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean each Domestic
Subsidiary which is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  "Drawing" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.04(b).

                  "Effective Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
13.10.

                  "Eligible Transferee" shall mean and include a commercial
bank, financial institution or other "accredited investor" (as defined in
Regulation D of the Securities Act).

                  "Employee Benefit Plans" shall mean (i) those described in
Section 5.05 and (ii) after the Initial Borrowing Date, any Plan for the
compensation of management, employees or consultants of Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries, or any arrangement for the benefit of management, employees or
consultants of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to Agent.


                                       71

<PAGE>   78






                  "Environmental Claims" shall have the meaning provided in the 
     Environmental Indemnity Agreement.

                  "Environmental Indemnity Agreement" shall have the meaning 
     provided in Section 5.08.

                  "Environmental Law" shall have the meaning provided in the 
     Environmental Indemnity Agreement.

                  "Equity Issuance" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
5.06(b).

                  "Equity Issuance Documents" shall mean the documents entered
into or delivered in connection with the Equity Issuance.

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

                  "ERISA Affiliate" shall mean each person (as defined in
Section 3(9) of ERISA) which together with Holdings or any Subsidiary of
Holdings would be deemed to be a "single employer" (i) within the meaning of
Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or (ii) as a result of Holdings or
a Subsidiary of Holdings being or having been a general partner of such person.

                  "Eurodollar Loan" shall mean each Loan designated as such by
the Borrower at the time of the incurrence thereof or conversion thereto.

                  "Eurodollar Rate" shall mean (i) the offered quotation to
first-class banks in the New York interbank Eurodollar market by BTCo for
Dollar deposits of amounts in immediately available funds comparable to the
outstanding principal amount of the Eurodollar Loan of BTCo with maturities
comparable to the Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan commencing
two Business Days thereafter as of 10:00 A.M. (New York time) on the date which
is two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, divided
(and rounded off to the nearest 1/16 of 1%) by (ii) a percentage equal to 100%
minus the then stated maximum rate of all reserve requirements (including,
without limitation, any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other
reserves required by applicable law) applicable to any member bank of the
Federal Reserve System in respect of Eurocurrency funding or liabilities as
defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under
Regulation D).

                  "Event of Default" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
10.


                                       72

<PAGE>   79



                  "Existing Credit Agreement" shall mean the Revolving Credit
and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 3, 1995, as amended from time to time
and as further amended by a Fourth Amendment to Revolving Credit and Term Loan
Agreement dated as of September 30, 1996, by and among Fojtasek Companies,
Inc., Vinyl Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc., Bishop Manufacturing
Company, Inc., Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc., Bishop
Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc., the lending institutions named therein
(the "Lenders") and The First National Bank of Boston, as Agent for the
Lenders.

                  "Existing Debt Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 5.05.

                  "Existing Indebtedness" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 7.21.

                  "Facing Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
3.01(c).

                  "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean for any period, a fluctuating
interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of
the rates on overnight Federal Funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal Funds brokers, as published for such day
(or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for
any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on
such transactions received by the Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of
recognized standing selected by the Agent.

                  "Fees" shall mean all amounts payable pursuant to or referred 
to in Section 3.01.

                  "FIRREA" shall mean Financial Institution Reform, Recovery
and Enforcement Act of 1989.

                  "Fiscal Year" shall mean any fiscal year of Holdings or the 
Borrower, as the case may be.

                  "GAAP" shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.07(a).

                  "Guaranteed Creditors" shall mean and include each of the
Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Banks and each party (other than any Credit
Party) party to an Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging
Agreement to the extent such party constitutes a Secured Creditor under the
Security Documents.

                  "Guaranteed Obligations" shall mean all obligations of the
Borrower (i) to each Bank for the full and prompt payment when due (whether at
the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the principal and
interest on each Revolving Note issued by the Borrower to such Bank, and
Revolving Loans made, under this Agreement and all reimbursement obligations
and

                                       73

<PAGE>   80






Unpaid Drawings with respect to Letters of Credit, together with all the other
obligations and liabilities (including, without limitation, indemnities, Fees
and interest thereon) of the Borrower to such Bank now existing or hereafter
incurred under, arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Credit Document and the due performance and compliance with all the
terms, conditions and agreements contained in the Credit Documents by the
Borrower and (ii) to each Bank and each Affiliate of a Bank which enters into
an Interest Rate Protection and Other Hedging Agreements with the Borrower, the
full and prompt payment when due (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of all
obligations of the Borrower owing under any such Interest Rate Protection and
Other Hedging Agreements, whether now in existence or hereafter arising, and
the due performance and compliance with all terms, conditions and agreements
contained therein.

                  "Guarantor" shall mean Holdings,  FCI Holding and each 
Subsidiary Guarantor.

                  "Guaranty" shall mean and include each of the Holdings
Guaranty, the FCI Guaranty and the Subsidiary Guaranty.

                  "Hazardous Materials" shall have the meaning provided in the 
Environmental Indemnity Agreement.

                  "HM Group" shall mean, collectively, (i) Hicks, Muse, Tate &
Furst Incorporated and its Affiliates (including, without limitation, HMTF),
(ii) so long as Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated and its Affiliates
possess sole voting right with respect to the capital stock held by each such
individual, such individuals who are or were employees, officers, directors or
partners of Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated or such Affiliate and the
family members of such individuals or trusts created for the sole benefit of
such family members and (iii) so long as Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated
and its Affiliates possess sole voting right with respect to the capital stock
held by each such Person, any Person not otherwise described by clause (i) and
(ii) above, provided that the aggregate number of shares held by all such
Persons in accordance with this clause (iii) at any time shall not exceed 5.0%
of the aggregate number of shares held by the Persons described in clause (i)
and (ii) above at such time.

                  "HMTF" shall mean Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Equity Fund III,
L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

                  "Holdings" shall have the meaning provided in the preamble of 
this Agreement.

                  "Holdings Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of 
Holdings.

                  "Holdings Guaranty" shall mean the guaranty issued pursuant
to Section 14 herein.


                                       74

<PAGE>   81






                  "Indebtedness" shall mean, as to any Person, without
duplication, (i) all indebtedness (including principal, interest, fees and
charges) of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price
of property or services, (ii) the maximum amount available to be drawn under
all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and all unpaid
drawings in respect of such letters of credit, (iii) all Indebtedness of the
types described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii) of this
definition secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person, whether or
not such Indebtedness has been assumed by such Person (to the extent of the
value of the respective property), (iv) the aggregate amount required to be
capitalized under leases under which such Person is the lessee, (v) all
obligations of such person to pay a specified purchase price for goods or
services, whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e., take-or-pay and similar
obligations, (vi) all Contingent Obligations of such Person and (vii) all
obligations under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement and Other Hedging
Agreements or under any similar type of agreement.

                  "Initial Borrowing Date" shall mean the date occurring on or
after the Effective Date on which the initial Borrowing of Revolving Loans
hereunder occurs.

                  "Initial Public Offering" shall mean an underwritten public
offering of common stock of Holdings pursuant to a registration statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with the Securities
Act, which public equity offering results in gross proceeds to Holdings of not
less than $25,000,000; provided, however, that Holdings contributes to the
capital of the Borrower the net cash proceeds from such underwritten public
offering.

                  "Interest Determination Date" shall mean, with respect to any
Eurodollar Loan, the second Business Day prior to the commencement of any
Interest Period relating to such Eurodollar Loan.

                  "Interest Period" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
1.09.

                  "Interest Rate Protection Agreement" shall mean any interest
rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest collar agreement,
interest rate hedging agreement, interest rate floor agreement or other similar
agreement or arrangement.

                  "Issuing Bank" shall mean BTCo and any Bank which at the
request of the Borrower and with the consent of the Agent agrees, in such
Bank's sole discretion, to become an Issuing Bank for the purpose of issuing
Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2. The sole Issuing Bank on the Initial
Borrowing Date is BTCo.

                  "L/C Supportable Obligations" shall mean (i) obligations of
the Borrower or its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business
with respect to insurance obligations and workers' compensation, surety bonds
and other similar statutory obligations and (ii) such other

                                       75

<PAGE>   82






obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as are reasonably
acceptable to the respective Issuing Bank and otherwise permitted to exist
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

                  "Leaseholds" of any Person means all the right, title and
interest of such Person as lessee or licensee in, to and under leases or
licenses of land, improvements and/or fixtures.

                  "Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
2.01(a).

                  "Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 3.01(b).

                  "Letter of Credit Outstandings" shall mean, at any time, the
sum of (i) the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and
(ii) the amount of all Unpaid Drawings.

                  "Letter of Credit Request" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 2.02(a).

                  "Leverage Ratio" shall mean, at any date of determination,
the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness on such date to Consolidated EBITDA for
the Test Period most recently ended (taken as one accounting period) and ending
on such date.

                  "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,
assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other),
preference, priority or other security agreement of any kind or nature
whatsoever (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice filed under
the UCC or any other similar recording or notice statute, and any lease having
substantially the same effect as any of the foregoing).

                  "Loan" shall mean each Revolving Loan.

                  "Management Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 5.05.

                  "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning provided in Regulation 
U.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse
effect on the business, operations, property, assets, liabilities, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower, Holdings and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the Borrower and its Subsidiary taken as a
whole.

                  "Monitoring Agreement" shall mean that certain Monitoring and
Oversight Agreement dated as of November ___, 1996, among Holdings, the
Borrower and Hicks, Muse & Co. Partners, L.P., a Texas limited partnership in
the form delivered to the Agent on or prior to the Initial Borrowing Date
without giving effect to any modification that adversely effects the interests
of the

                                       76

<PAGE>   83






Banks (including, without limitation, with respect to costs and liabilities)
without the consent of Required Banks.

                  "Mortgage Policies" shall have the meaning provided in Section
 5.11(b).

                  "Mortgaged Properties" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 5.11(a) and, after the execution and delivery of any Additional
Mortgage, shall include the respective Additional Mortgaged Property.

                  "Mortgages" shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.11(a) and, after the execution and delivery thereof, shall include each
Additional Mortgage.

                  "Net Sale Proceeds" shall mean for any sale of assets, the
gross cash proceeds (including any cash received by way of deferred payment
pursuant to a promissory note, receivable or otherwise, but only as and when
received) received from any sale of assets, net of reasonable transaction costs
(including, without limitation, any underwriting, brokerage or other customary
selling commissions and reasonable legal, advisory and other fees and expenses,
including title and recording expenses, associated therewith) and payments of
unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30
days after, the date of such sale, the amount of such gross cash proceeds
required to be used to repay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness of the
Banks pursuant to this Agreement) which is secured by the respective assets
which were sold, and the estimated marginal increase in income taxes which will
be payable by Holdings' consolidated group with respect to the fiscal year in
which the sale occurs as a result of such sale; but excluding any portion of
any such gross cash proceeds which Holdings determines in good faith should be
reserved for post-closing adjustments (to the extent Holdings delivers to the
Banks a certificate signed by its chief financial officer, controller or chief
accounting officer as to such determination), it being understood and agreed
that on the day that all such post-closing adjustments have been determined,
(which shall not be later than six months following the date of the respective
asset sale), the amount (if any) by which the reserved amount in respect of
such sale or disposition exceeds the actual post-closing adjustments payable by
Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall constitute Net Sale Proceeds on such
date received by Holdings and/or any of its Subsidiaries from such sale, lease,
transfer or other disposition.

                  "Non-Defaulting Bank" shall mean and include each Bank other
than a Defaulting Bank.

                  "Note" shall mean each Revolving Note.

                  "Notice of Borrowing" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 1.03(a).

                  "Notice of Conversion" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 1.06.

                                       77

<PAGE>   84






                  "Notice Office" shall mean the office of the Agent located at
130 Liberty Street, 30th Floor, New York, New York 10006, Attention: Mary Kay
Coyle, or such other office as the Agent may hereafter designate in writing as
such to the other parties hereto.

                  "Obligations" shall mean all amounts owing to the Agent, the
Collateral Agent or any Bank pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any
other Credit Document.

                  "Option Plan" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
5.06(f).

                  "Options Repurchase" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 5.06(d).

                  "Options Repurchase Documents" shall mean the documents
entered into or delivered in connection with the Options Repurchase.

                  "Other Hedging Agreement" shall mean any foreign exchange
contracts, currency swap agreements, commodity agreements or other similar
agreements or arrangements designed to protect against the fluctuations in
values.

                  "Participant" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
2.03(a).

                  "Payment Office" shall mean the office of the Agent located
at 130 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10006, or such other office as the
Agent may hereafter designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.

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

                  "Percentage" of any Bank at any time shall mean a fraction
(expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the Revolving Loan
Commitment of such Bank at such time and the denominator of which is the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment at such time, provided that if the Percentage of any
Bank is to be determined after the Total Revolving Loan Commitment has been
terminated, then the Percentages of the Banks shall be determined immediately
prior (and without giving effect) to such termination.

                  "Permitted Acquisition" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 9.02(xiii).

                  "Permitted Encumbrance" shall mean, with respect to any
Mortgaged Property, such exceptions to title as are set forth in the title
insurance policy or title commitment delivered with respect thereto, all of
which exceptions must be acceptable to the Agent in its reasonable discretion.


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<PAGE>   85






                  "Permitted Investors" shall mean the collective reference to
Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated and its Affiliates.

                  "Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
9.01.

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

                  "Plan" shall mean any multiemployer or single-employer plan,
as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA, which is maintained or contributed to by
(or to which there is an obligation to contribute of), the Borrower or a
Subsidiary of the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate, and each such plan for the
five year period immediately following the latest date on which the Borrower, a
Subsidiary of the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate maintained, contributed or had
an obligation to contribute to such plan.

                  "Pledge Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
5.09.

                  "Pledge Agreement Collateral" shall mean all "Collateral" as 
defined in the Pledge Agreement.

                  "Pledged Securities" shall mean "Pledged Securities" as 
defined in the Pledge Agreement.

                  "Preferred Stock Redemption" shall have the meaning provided 
in Section 5.06(e).

                  "Preferred Stock Redemption Documents" shall mean the
documents entered into or delivered in connection with the Preferred Stock
Redemption, including, without limitation, the certificate of designation.

                  "Prime Lending Rate" shall mean the rate which BTCo announces
from time to time as its prime lending rate, the Prime Lending Rate to change
when and as such prime lending rate changes. The Prime Lending Rate is a
reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate
actually charged to any customer. BTCo may make commercial loans or other loans
at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Lending Rate.

                  "Projections" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
7.05(d).

                  "Quarterly Payment Date" shall mean the fifteenth Business
Day of each January, April, July and October occurring after the Initial
Borrowing Date.


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<PAGE>   86






                  "Real Property" of any Person shall mean all the right, title
and interest of such Person in and to land, improvements and fixtures,
including Leaseholds.

                  "Recapitalization" shall mean, collectively, (i) the Equity
Issuance, (ii) the Stock Redemption, (iii) the Options Repurchase, (iv) the
Preferred Stock Redemption and (v) the issuance and sale of the Senior
Subordinated Notes.

                  "Recapitalization Documents" shall mean the Stock Purchase
Agreement, the Equity Issuance Documents, the Stock Redemption Documents, the
Options Repurchase Documents, the Preferred Stock Redemption Documents and the
Senior Subordinated Note Documents.

                  "Recovery Event" shall mean the receipt by Holdings or any of
its Subsidiaries of any cash insurance proceeds or condemnation award payable
(i) by reason of theft, loss, physical destruction or damage or any other
similar event with respect to any property or assets of the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries and (ii) under any policy of insurance required to be
maintained under Section 8.03.

                  "Redeemable Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning provided 
in Section 5.06(e).

                  "Redeemed Options" shall mean the options held by the Selling
Optionholders to purchase Holdings Common Stock and redeemed pursuant to Stock
Purchase Agreement.

                  "Redeemed Shares" shall mean the shares of Holdings Common
Stock redeemed pursuant to Stock Purchase Agreement.

                  "Refinancing" shall mean the termination of the commitments
under the Existing Credit Agreement and the repayment of all loans and other
obligations outstanding thereunder.

                  "Register" shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.17.

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

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

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


                                       80

<PAGE>   87






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

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

                  "Reinvestment Assets" shall mean any assets to be employed in
the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in compliance with this
Agreement.

                  "Reinvestment Election" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 4.02(d).

                  "Reinvestment Notice" shall mean a written notice signed by
an Authorized Officer of the Borrower stating that the Borrower, in good faith,
intends and expects to use all or a specified portion of Net Sale Proceeds of
asset sales to purchase, construct or otherwise acquire Reinvestment Assets.

                  "Reinvestment Prepayment Amount" shall mean, with respect to
any Reinvestment Election, the amount, if any, on the Reinvestment Prepayment
Date relating thereto by which (i) the Anticipated Reinvestment Amount in
respect of such Reinvestment Election exceeds (ii) the aggregate amount thereof
expended by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to acquire Reinvestment Assets.

                  "Reinvestment Prepayment Date" shall mean, with respect to
any Reinvestment Election, the earliest of (i) the date, if any, upon which the
Agent, on behalf of the Required Banks, shall have delivered a written
termination notice to the Borrower, provided that such notice may only be given
while an Event of Default exists, (ii) the date occurring one year after such
Reinvestment Election and (iii) the date on which the Borrower shall have
determined not to, or shall have otherwise ceased to, proceed with the
purchase, construction or other acquisition of Reinvestment Assets with the
related Anticipated Reinvestment Amount.

                  "Release" shall have the meaning provided in the Environmental
Indemnity Agreement.

                  "Replaced Bank" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
1.13.

                  "Replacement Bank" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
1.13.

                  "Reportable Event" shall mean an event described in Section
4043(c) of ERISA with respect to a Plan other than those events as to which the
30-day notice period is waived under subsection .13, .14, .16, .18, .19 or .20
of PBGC Regulation Section 2615.


                                       81

<PAGE>   88






                  "Required Appraisal" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 8.10(d).

                  "Required Banks" shall mean Non-Defaulting Banks, the sum of
whose outstanding Revolving Loans (or, if prior to the Initial Borrowing Date,
Revolving Loan Commitments) and Revolving Loan Commitments (or after the
termination thereof, outstanding Revolving Loans and Adjusted Percentage of
Letter of Credit Outstandings) represent an amount greater than 50% of the sum
of all outstanding Revolving Loans (or, if prior to the Initial Borrowing Date,
Revolving Loan Commitments) of Non-Defaulting Banks and the Adjusted Total
Revolving Loan Commitment (or after the termination thereof, the sum of the
then total outstanding Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Banks and the
aggregate Adjusted Percentages of all Non-Defaulting Banks of the total
outstanding Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time).

                  "Returns" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.09.

                  "Revolving Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
1.01(c).

                  "Revolving Loan Commitment" shall mean, for each Bank, the
amount set forth opposite such Bank's name in Schedule I attached hereto
directly below the column entitled "Revolving Loan Commitment," as same may be
(x) reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 3.02, 3.03, 4.02 and/or 10
or (y) adjusted from time to time as a result of assignments to or from such
Bank pursuant to Section 1.13 or 13.04(b).

                  "Revolving Loan Maturity Date" shall mean November 27, 2001.

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

                  "SBA Loan" shall mean the Indebtedness and all other 
obligations evidenced by that certain Note, dated June 9, 1993, in the original
principal amount of $206,000, executed by Bishop Manufacturing Company of New
England, Inc. and payable to the Massachusetts Certified Development Corp., as
subsequently assigned to the U.S. Small Business Administration, and guaranteed
by Fojtasek Companies, Inc., FCI Holding Corp., Vinyl Building Specialties of
Connecticut, Inc. and Bishop Manufacturing Company, Inc. 

                  "SEC" shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.01(g).

                  "Section 4.04(b)(iii) Certificate" shall have the meaning 
provided in Section 4.04(b)(iii).

                  "Secured Creditors" shall have the meaning assigned that term
in the Security Documents.


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<PAGE>   89






                  "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended.

                  "Security Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 5.10.

                  "Security Agreement Collateral" shall mean all "Collateral" as
defined in the Security Agreement.

                  "Security Document" shall mean the Pledge Agreement, Security
Agreement, the Mortgages and, after the execution and delivery thereof, each
Additional Mortgage and each Additional Security Document, in each case as the
same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

                  "Selling Optionholders" shall mean the "Option Holders" under,
and as defined in, the Stock Purchase Agreement. 

                  "Selling Shareholders" shall mean the "Stockholders" under,
and as defined in, the Stock Purchase Agreement.

                  "Senior Subordinated Note Documents" shall mean and include
each of the documents and other agreements entered into (including, without
limitation, the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture) relating to the issuance by
the Borrower of the Senior Subordinated Notes, as in effect on the Initial
Borrowing Date (to the extent thereof) and as the same may be entered into,
modified, supplemented or amended from time to time pursuant to the terms
hereof and thereof.

                  "Senior Subordinated Note Indenture" shall mean the Indenture
entered into by and among the Borrower, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and
______, as trustee thereunder, as in effect on the Initial Borrowing Date and as
the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

                  "Senior Subordinated Notes" shall mean the Borrower's 12.50%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006, as in effect on the Initial Borrowing Date
and as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof and thereof.

                  "Shareholders' Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 5.05.

                  "Standby Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 2.01(a).


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<PAGE>   90






                  "Stated Amount" of each Letter of Credit shall, at any time,
mean the maximum amount available to be drawn thereunder (in each case
determined without regard to whether any conditions to drawing could then be
met).

                  "Stock Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated as of November 7, 1996, by and among HMTF Acquisition Corp.,
Holdings and the holders of capital stock and options to purchase capital stock
named therein, as in effect on the Initial Borrowing Date.

                  "Stock Redemption" shall have the meaning provided in Section 
5.06(c).

                  "Stock Redemption Documents" shall mean the documents entered
into or delivered in connection with the Stock Redemption.

                  "Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any
corporation more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the
terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of
such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any class
or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason
of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by such Person and/or
one or more Subsidiaries of such Person and (ii) any partnership, limited
liability company, association, joint venture or other entity in which such
Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person has more than a 50%
equity interest at the time.

                  "Subsidiary Guarantor" shall mean each Subsidiary of the
Borrower that is or becomes a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty.

                  "Subsidiary Guaranty" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 5.11.

                  "Tax Sharing Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 5.05.

                  "Taxes" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.04(a).

                  "Test Period" shall mean for any determination the four
consecutive fiscal quarters then last ended (taken as one accounting period).

                  "Total Commitments" shall mean, at any time, the sum of the 
Commitments of each of the Banks.

                  "Total Revolving Loan Commitment" shall mean, at any time,
the sum of the Revolving Loan Commitments of each of the Banks.


                                       84

<PAGE>   91






                  "Total Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment" shall mean, at
any time, an amount equal to the remainder of (i) the then Total Revolving Loan
Commitment, minus (ii) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving
Loans plus the then aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Outstandings.

                  "Trade Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning provided in 
Section 2.01(a).

                  "Transaction" shall mean, collectively, the Recapitalization 
and the Refinancing.

                  "Type" shall mean the type of Loan determined with regard to
the interest option applicable thereto, i.e., whether a Base Rate Loan or a
Eurodollar Loan.

                  "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to
time in effect in the relevant jurisdiction.

                  "Unfunded Current Liability" of any Plan means the amount, if
any, by which the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefits under the
Plan as of the close of its most recent plan year, determined in accordance
with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87, based upon the
actuarial assumptions used by the Plan's actuary in the most recent annual
valuation of the Plan, exceeds the fair market value of the assets allocable
thereto, determined in accordance with Section 412 of the Code.

                  "United States" and "U.S." shall each mean the United States 
of America.

                  "Unpaid Drawing" shall have the meaning provided for in 
Section 2.04(a).

                  "Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment" with respect to any
Bank, at any time, shall mean such Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment at such
time less the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
Revolving Loans made by such Bank and (ii) such Bank's Adjusted Percentage of
the Letter of Credit Outstandings in respect of Letters of Credit issued under
this Agreement.

                  "Weighted Average Life to Maturity" shall mean, when applied
to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i)
the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness into (ii) the total
of the product obtained by multiplying (A) the amount of each then remaining
installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of
principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (B) the
number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse
between such date and the making of such payment.

                  "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, (i)
any corporation 100% of whose capital stock (other than director's qualifying
shares) is at the time owned by such Person

                                       85

<PAGE>   92






and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and (ii) any
partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such Person
and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person has a 100% equity
interest at such time.

                  SECTION 12.   THE AGENT.

                  12.01 Appointment. The Banks hereby designate Bankers Trust
Company as Agent (for purposes of this Section 12, the term "Agent" shall
include BTCo in its capacity as Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security
Documents) to act as specified herein and in the other Credit Documents. Each
Bank hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any Revolving Note by
the acceptance of such Revolving Note shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize,
the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this
Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any other instruments and agreements
referred to herein or therein and to exercise such powers and to perform such
duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of
the Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. The Agent may perform any of its duties
hereunder by or through its respective officers, directors, agents, employees
or affiliates.

                  12.02 Nature of Duties. The Agent shall not have any duties
or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents. Neither the Agent nor any of its respective officers,
directors, agents, employees or affiliates shall be liable for any action taken
or omitted by it or them hereunder or under any other Credit Document or in
connection herewith or therewith, unless caused by its or their gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The duties of the Agent shall be mechanical
and administrative in nature; the Agent shall not have by reason of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document a fiduciary relationship in respect of
any Bank or the holder of any Revolving Note; and nothing in this Agreement or
any other Credit Document, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so
construed as to impose upon the Agent any obligations in respect of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document except as expressly set forth herein or
therein.

                  12.03 Lack of Reliance on the Agent. Independently and
without reliance upon the Agent, each Bank and the holder of each Revolving
Note, to the extent it deems appropriate, has made and shall continue to make
(i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries in connection with the making and the continuance
of the Revolving Loans and the taking or not taking of any action in connection
herewith and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Agent
shall not have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing
basis, to provide any Bank or the holder of any Revolving Note with any credit
or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession
before the making of the Revolving Loans or at any time or times thereafter.
The Agent shall not be responsible to any Bank or the holder of any Revolving
Note for any recitals, statements, information, representations or

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<PAGE>   93






warranties herein or in any document, certificate or other writing delivered in
connection herewith or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity,
enforceability, perfection, collectibility, priority or sufficiency of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document or the financial condition of Holdings
and its Subsidiaries or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document, or the financial condition of Holdings
and its Subsidiaries or the existence or possible existence of any Default or
Event of Default.

                  12.04 Certain Rights of the Agent. If the Agent shall request
instructions from the Required Banks with respect to any act or action
(including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or any other
Credit Document, the Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking
such action unless and until the Agent shall have received instructions from
the Required Banks; and the Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by
reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Bank or the holder
of any Revolving Note shall have any right of action whatsoever against the
Agent as a result of the Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder or
under any other Credit Document in accordance with the instructions of the
Required Banks.

                  12.05 Reliance. The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and
shall be fully protected in relying, upon any Revolving Note, writing,
resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or telecopier
message, cablegram, radiogram, order or other document or telephone message
signed, sent or made by any Person that the Agent believed to be the proper
Person, and, with respect to all legal matters pertaining to this Agreement and
any other Credit Document and its duties hereunder and thereunder, upon advice
of counsel selected by the Agent (which may be counsel for the Credit Parties).

                  12.06 Indemnification. To the extent the Agent is not
reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrower, the Banks will reimburse and
indemnify the Agent, in proportion to their respective "percentages" as used in
determining the Required Banks, for and against any and all liabilities, 
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, judgments, costs,
expenses or disbursements of whatsoever kind or nature which may be imposed on,
asserted against or incurred by the Agent in performing its respective duties
hereunder or under any other Credit Document, in any way relating to or arising
out of this Agreement or any other Credit Document, provided that no Bank shall
be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
resulting from the Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.

                  12.07 The Agent in its Individual Capacity. With respect to
its obligation to make Revolving Loans under this Agreement, the Agent shall
have the rights and powers specified herein for a "Bank" and may exercise the
same rights and powers as though it were not performing the duties specified
herein; and the term "Banks," "Required Banks," "holders of Revolving Revolving
Notes" or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise
indicates, include the Agent

                                       87

<PAGE>   94






in its individual capacity. The Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to,
and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with any
Credit Party or any Affiliate of any Credit Party as if they were not
performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other
consideration from the Borrower or any other Credit Party for services in
connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the
same to the Banks.

                  12.08 Holders. The Agent may deem and treat the payee of any
Revolving Note as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a
written notice of the assignment, transfer or endorsement thereof, as the case
may be, shall have been filed with the Agent. Any request, authority or consent
of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority
or consent, is the holder of any Revolving Note shall be conclusive and binding
on any subsequent holder, transferee, assignee or indorsee, as the case may be,
of such Revolving Note or of any Revolving Note or Revolving Revolving Notes
issued in exchange therefor.

                  12.09 Resignation by the Agent. (a) The Agent may resign from
the performance of all its functions and duties hereunder and/or under the
other Credit Documents at any time by giving 15 Business Days' prior written
notice to the Borrower and the Banks. Such resignation shall take effect upon
the appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below or
as otherwise provided below.

                  (b)   Upon any such notice of resignation, the Banks shall
appoint a successor Agent hereunder or thereunder who shall be a commercial
bank or trust company reasonably accept able to the Borrower.

                  (c)   If a successor Agent shall not have been so appointed
within such 15 Business Day period, the Agent, with the consent of the
Borrower, shall then appoint a commercial bank or trust company with capital
and surplus of not less than $500,000,000 as successor Agent who shall serve as
Agent hereunder or thereunder until such time, if any, as the Banks appoint a
successor Agent as provided above.

                  (d)   If no successor Agent has been appointed pursuant to
clause (b) or (c) above by the 20th Business Day after the date such notice of
resignation was given by the Agent, the Agent's resignation shall become
effective and the Required Banks shall thereafter perform all the duties of the
Agent hereunder and/or under any other Credit Document until such time, if any,
as the Banks appoint a successor Agent as provided above.

                  SECTION 13.   MISCELLANEOUS.

                  13.01 Payment of Expenses, etc.  (a)  The Borrower shall:  
(i) whether or not the transactions herein contemplated are consummated, pay
all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Agent (including,
without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of

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<PAGE>   95






Winston & Strawn and local counsel) in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the
documents and instruments referred to here in and therein and any amendment,
waiver or consent relating hereto or thereto, of the Agent in connection with
its syndication efforts with respect to this Agreement and of the Agent and,
following and during the continuation of an Event of Default, each of the Banks
in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents and the documents and instruments referred to herein and therein
(including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Agent and, following and during the continuation of an Event of
Default, for each of the Banks); (ii) pay and hold each of the Banks harmless
from and against any and all present and future stamp, excise and other similar
taxes with respect to the foregoing matters and save each of the Banks harmless
from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any
delay or omission (other than to the extent attributable to such Bank) to pay
such taxes; and (iii) indemnify the Agent and each Bank, and each of their
respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and
hold each of them harmless against any and all liabilities, obligations
(including removal or remedial actions), losses, damages, penalties, claims,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements (including
reasonable attorneys' and consultants' fees and disbursements) incurred by,
imposed on or assessed against any of them as a result of, or arising out of,
or in any way related to, or by reason of, (A) any investigation, litigation or
other proceeding (whether or not the Agent or any Bank is a party thereto)
related to the entering into and/or performance of this Agreement or any other
Credit Document or the use of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds of any
Revolving Loans hereunder or the consummation of any transactions contemplated
herein (including, without limitation, the Transaction) or in any other Credit
Document or the exercise of any of their rights or remedies provided herein or
in the other Credit Documents, or (B) the non-compliance of any Real Property
with foreign, federal, state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances
(including applicable permits thereunder) applicable to any Real Property
(excluding Environmental Laws which are governed by the Environmental Indemnity
Agreement) owned or at any time operated by Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries, including, in each case, without limitation, the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel and other consultants incurred in connection with
any such investigation, litigation or other proceeding (but excluding any
losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses to the extent incurred by
reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be
indemnified). To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay or hold
harmless the Agent or any Bank set forth in the preceding sentence may be
unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, the Borrower
shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of
the indemnified liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.

                  (b)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, the indemnification provided for in this Section 13.01 shall
not apply to Environmental Claims, Hazardous Materials or Releases, all of
which shall be governed exclusively by the Environmental Indemnity Agreement.


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                  13.02 Right of Setoff; Collateral Matters. In addition to any
rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law or otherwise, and not by
way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, each Bank is hereby authorized at any time
or from time to time, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of
any kind to Holdings or the Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice
being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and apply any and
all deposits (general or special) and any other Indebtedness at any time held
or owing by such Bank (including, without limitation, by branches and agencies
of such Bank wherever located) to or for the credit or the account of Holdings,
the Borrower or any other Credit Party against and on account of the
Obligations and liabilities of Holdings, the Borrower or such Credit Party to
such Bank under this Agreement or under any of the other Credit Documents,
including, without limitation, all interests in Obligations purchased by such
Bank pursuant to Section 13.06(b), and all other claims of any nature or
description arising out of or connected with this Agreement or any other Credit
Document, irrespective of whether or not such Bank shall have made any demand
hereunder and although said Obligations, liabilities or claims, or any of them,
shall be contingent or unmatured.

                  13.03 Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
all notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing
(including telegraphic, telex, telecopier or cable communication) and mailed,
telegraphed, telexed, telecopied, cabled or delivered: if to Holdings, at
Holdings' address specified opposite its signature below; if to FCI Holding, at
FCI Holding's address specified opposite its signature below; if to the
Borrower, at the Borrower's address specified opposite its signature below; if
to any Bank, at its address specified opposite its name on Schedule II attached
hereto; and if to the Agent, at its Notice Office; or, as to any Credit Party
or the Agent, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to the other parties hereto and, as to each Bank, at such other
address as shall be designated by such Bank in a written notice to the Borrower
and the Agent. All such notices and communications shall, when mailed,
telegraphed, telexed, telecopied, or cabled or sent by overnight courier, be
effective when deposited in the mails, delivered to the telegraph company,
cable company or overnight courier, as the case may be, or sent by telex or
telecopier, except that notices and communications to the Agent and the
Borrower shall not be effective until received by the Agent or the Borrower, as
the case may be.

                  13.04 Benefit of Agreement. (a) This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided, however, that the
Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights, obligations or interest
hereunder without the prior written consent of the Banks; and provided further,
that, although any Bank may transfer, assign or grant participations in its
rights hereunder, such Bank shall remain a "Bank" for all purposes hereunder
(and may not transfer or assign all or any portion of its Commitments hereunder
except as provided in Section 13.04(b)) and the transferee, assignee or
participant, as the case may be, shall not constitute a "Bank" hereunder; and
provided further, that no Bank shall transfer or grant any participation under
which the participant shall have rights to

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approve any amendment to or waiver of this Agreement or any other Credit
Document except to the extent such amendment or waiver would (i) extend the
final scheduled maturity of any Revolving Loan, Revolving Note or Letter of
Credit (unless such Letter of Credit is not extended beyond the Revolving Loan
Maturity Date) in which such participant is participating, or reduce the rate
or extend the time of payment of interest or Fees thereon (except in connection
with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates)
or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the
participant's participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being
understood that waivers or modifications of conditions precedent, covenants,
Defaults or Events of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment shall not constitute a change in the terms of such
participation, and that an increase in any Revolving Loan Commitment or
Revolving Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any participant if the
participant's participation therein is not increased as a result thereof), (ii)
consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement or (iii) release all or substantially all of
the Collateral under all of the Security Documents (except as expressly
provided in the Credit Documents) supporting the Revolving Loans hereunder in
which such participant is participating. In the case of any such
participation, the participant shall not have any rights under this Agreement
or any of the other Credit Documents (the participant's rights against such
Bank in respect of such participation to be those set forth in the agreement
executed by such Bank in favor of the participant relating thereto) and all
amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if such Bank
had not sold such participation.

                  (b)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Bank (or any Bank
together with one or more other Banks) may (i) assign all or a portion of its
Revolving Loan Commitment (and related outstanding Obligations hereunder) to
its parent company and/or any affiliate of such Bank which is at least 50%
owned by such Bank or its parent company or to one or more investment funds
under common management with such Bank or to one or more Banks or (ii) assign
all, or if less than all, a portion equal to at least $5,000,000 in the
aggregate for the assigning Bank or assigning Banks, of such Revolving Loan
Commitments (and related outstanding Obligations hereunder) hereunder to one or
more Eligible Transferees, each of which assignees shall become a party to this
Agreement as a Bank by execution of an Assignment and Assumption Agreement;
provided, however, that, (A) at such time Schedule I shall be deemed modified
to reflect the Revolving Loan Commitment of such new Bank and of the existing
Banks, (B) new Revolving Revolving Notes will be issued, at the Borrower's
expense, to such new Bank and to the assigning Bank upon the request of such
new Bank or assigning Bank, such new Revolving Revolving Notes to be in
conformity with the requirements of Section 1.05 (with appropriate
modifications) to the extent needed to reflect the revised Commitments, (C)
the consent of BTCo shall be required in connection with any such assignment
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), (D) so long as no Default
or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the consent of the Borrower
shall be required in connection with such assignment (which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and (E) the Agent shall receive at the
time of each such assignment, from the assigning or assignee Bank, the payment
of a non-refundable assignment fee of $3,500; and provided further, that such
transfer or assignment

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will not be effective until recorded by the Agent on the Register pursuant to
Section 13.17. To the extent of any assignment pursuant to this Section
13.04(b), the assigning Bank shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder
with respect to its assigned Revolving Loan Commitment. At the time of each
assignment pursuant to this Section 13.04(b) to a Person which is not already a
Bank hereunder and which is not a United States person (as such term is defined
in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) for Federal income tax purposes, the
respective assignee Bank shall, to the extent legally entitled to do so,
provide to the Borrower in the case of a Bank described in clause (ii) or (iv)
of Section 4.04(b), the forms described in such clause (ii) or (iv), as the
case may be. To the extent that an assignment of all or any portion of a Bank's
Revolving Loan Commitment and related outstanding Obligations pursuant to
Section 1.13 or this Section 13.04(b) would, at the time of such assignment,
result in increased costs under Section 1.10, 1.11 or 4.04 from those being
charged by the respective assigning Bank prior to such assignment, then the
Borrower shall not be obligated to pay such increased costs (although the
Borrower shall be obligated to pay any other increased costs of the type
described above resulting from changes after the date of the respective
assignment).

                  (c)    Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or prohibit any
Bank from pledging its Revolving Loans and Revolving Revolving Notes hereunder
to a Federal Reserve Bank in support of borrowings made by such Bank from such
Federal Reserve Bank.

                  13.05  No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on
the part of the Agent or any Bank or any holder of any Revolving Note in
exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit
Document and no course of dealing between the Borrower or any other Credit
Party and the Agent or any Bank or the holder of any Revolving Note shall
operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power
or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The rights, powers and remedies herein or
in any other Credit Document expressly provided are cumulative and not
exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies which the Agent or any Bank or the
holder of any Revolving Note would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on
any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a
waiver of the rights of the Agent or any Bank or the holder of any Revolving
Note to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or
demand.

                  13.06  Payments Pro Rata. (a) Except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, the Agent agrees that promptly after its receipt of each
payment from or on behalf of the Borrower in respect of any Obligations
hereunder, it shall distribute such payment to the Banks (other than any Bank
that has consented in writing to waive its pro rata share of any such payment)
pro rata based upon their respective shares, if any, of the Obligations with
respect to which such payment was received.


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                  (b)   Each of the Banks agrees that, if it should receive any
amount hereunder (whether by voluntary payment, by realization upon security,
by the exercise of the right of setoff or banker's lien, by counterclaim or
cross action, by the enforcement of any right under the Credit Documents, or
otherwise), which is applicable to the payment of the principal of, or interest
on, the Revolving Loans, Unpaid Drawings, Commitment Commission or Letter of
Credit Fees, of a sum which with respect to the related sum or sums received by
other Banks is in a greater proportion than the total of such Obligation then
owed and due to such Bank bears to the total of such Obligation then owed and
due to all of the Banks immediately prior to such receipt, then such Bank
receiving such excess payment shall purchase for cash without recourse or
warranty from the other Banks an interest in the Obligations of the respective
Credit Party to such Banks in such amount as shall result in a proportional
participation by all the Banks in such amount; provided, however, that if all
or any portion of such excess amount is thereafter recovered from such Bank,
such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent
of such recovery, but without interest.

                  (c)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, the provisions of the preceding Sections 13.06(a) and (b) shall be
subject to the express provisions of this Agreement which require, or permit,
differing payments to be made to Non-Defaulting Banks as opposed to Defaulting
Banks.

                  13.07 Calculations; Computations. (a) The financial
statements to be furnished to the Banks pursuant hereto shall be made and
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States consistently applied throughout the periods involved (except as
set forth in the Revolving Revolving Notes thereto or as otherwise disclosed in
writing by the Borrower to the Banks); provided, however, that, except as
otherwise specifically provided herein, all computations determining compliance
with Sections 9.07 through 9.10, inclusive, shall utilize accounting principles
and policies in conformity with those used to prepare the historical financial
statements delivered to the Banks pursuant to Section 7.05(a) (with the
foregoing generally accepted accounting principles, subject to the preceding
proviso, referred to herein as "GAAP").

                  (b)   All computations of interest and Fees hereunder shall be
made on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days
(including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period
for which such interest or Fees are payable.

                  13.08 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE;
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL, EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN CERTAIN OF THE MORTGAGES, BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT MAY BE
BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

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<PAGE>   100






OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY
EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH OF HOLDINGS AND THE BORROWER
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY
AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH OF HOLDINGS
AND THE BORROWER HERE BY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES, APPOINTS AND EMPOWERS CT
CORPORATION SYSTEM, WITH OFFICES ON THE DATE HEREOF AT 1633 BROADWAY, NEW YORK,
NEW YORK 10019 AS ITS DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT TO RECEIVE, ACCEPT AND
ACKNOWLEDGE FOR AND ON ITS BEHALF, AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, SERVICE OF
ANY AND ALL LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE SERVED
IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING. IF FOR ANY REASON SUCH DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE
AND AGENT SHALL CEASE TO BE AVAILABLE TO ACT AS SUCH, EACH SUCH CREDIT PARTY
AGREES TO DESIGNATE A NEW DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT IN NEW YORK CITY ON THE
TERMS AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION SATISFACTORY TO THE AGENT UNDER
THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF HOLDINGS AND THE BORROWER FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS
TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH
ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR
CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO ANY CREDIT PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH
OPPOSITE ITS SIGNATURE BELOW, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER
SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE AGENT UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT, ANY BANK OR THE HOLDER OF ANY REVOLVING NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY
OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE
PROCEED AGAINST ANY CREDIT PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

                  (b)   EACH OF HOLDINGS AND THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE
OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN THE COURTS REFERRED
TO IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO
PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN
ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

                  (c)   EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR
COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS

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AGREEMENT, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY
OR THEREBY.

                  13.09 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same
instrument. A set of counterparts executed by all the parties hereto shall be
lodged with the Borrower and the Agent.

                  13.10 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective on
the date (the "Effective Date") on which Holdings, the Borrower and each of the
Banks shall have signed a counterpart hereof (whether the same or different
counterparts) and shall have delivered the same to the Agent at its Notice
Office or, in the case of the Banks, shall have given to the Agent telephonic
(confirmed in writing), written or telex notice (actually received) at such
office that the same has been signed and mailed to it. The Agent will give the
Borrower and each Bank prompt written notice of the occurrence of the Effective
Date.

                  13.11 Headings Descriptive.  The headings of the several 
sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of
this Agreement.

                  13.12 Amendment or Waiver; etc. (a) Neither this Agreement
nor any other Credit Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be changed,
waived, discharged or terminated unless such change, waiver, discharge or
termination is in writing signed by the respective Credit Parties party thereto
and the Required Banks; provided, however, that no such change, waiver,
discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Bank (other than a
Defaulting Bank), (i) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Revolving Loan
or any Revolving Note, or extend the stated maturity of any Letter of Credit
beyond the Revolving Loan Maturity Date, or reduce the rate or extend the time
of payment of interest or Fees thereon (except in connection with a waiver of
applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates), or reduce the
principal amount thereof (except to the extent repaid in cash), (ii) release
all or substantially all of the Collateral (except as expressly provided in the
Credit Documents) under all the Security Documents, (iii) amend, modify or
waive any provision of this Section 13.12, (iv) reduce the percentage specified
in the definition of Required Banks (it being understood that, with the consent
of the Required Banks, additional extensions of credit pursuant to this
Agreement may be included in the determination of the Required Banks on
substantially the same basis as the Revolving Loan Commitments (and related
extensions of credit) are included on the Effective Date) or (v) consent to the
assignment or transfer by the Borrower of any of its rights and obligations
under this Agreement; and provided further, that no such change, waiver,
discharge or termination shall (A) increase the Revolving Loan Commitments of
any Bank over the amount thereof then in effect without the consent of such
Bank (it being understood that waivers or modifications of conditions
precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or of a

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mandatory reduction in the Total Revolving Loan Commitment shall not constitute
an increase of the Revolving Loan Commitment of any Bank, and that an increase
in the available portion of any Revolving Loan Commitment of any Bank shall not
constitute an increase in the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank), (B)
without the consent of BTCo and any other Issuing Bank, amend, modify or waive
any provision of Section 2 or alter its rights or obligations with respect to
Letters of Credit issued by it, (C) without the consent the Agent, amend,
modify or waive any provision of Section 12 as same applies to such Agent or
any other provision as same relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent,
or (D) without the consent of the Collateral Agent, amend, modify or waive any
provision relating to the rights or obligations of the Collateral Agent.

                  (b)   If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver,
discharge or termination with respect to any of the provisions of this
Agreement as contemplated by clauses (i) through (v), inclusive, of the first
proviso to Section 13.12(a), the consent of the Required Banks is obtained but
the consent of one or more of such other Banks whose consent is required is not
obtained, then the Borrower shall have the right, so long as all non-consenting
Banks whose individual consent is required are treated as described in either
clause (i) or (ii) below, to either (i) replace each such nonconsenting Bank or
Banks with one or more Replacement Banks pursuant to Section 1.13 so long as at
the time of such replacement, each such Replacement Bank consents to the
proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination or (ii) terminate such
non-consenting Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment and repay in full its
outstanding Revolving Loans, in accordance with Sections 3.02(b) and/or
4.01(v); provided, however, that unless the Revolving Loan Commitment
terminated and Revolving Loans repaid pursuant to preceding clause (ii) are
immediately replaced in full at such time through the addition of new Banks or
the increase of the Revolving Loan Commitments and/or outstanding Revolving
Loans of existing Banks (who in each case must specifically consent thereto),
then in the case of any action pursuant to preceding clause (ii) the Required
Banks (determined before giving effect to the proposed action) shall
specifically consent thereto; provided, further, that in any event the Borrower
shall not have the right to replace a Bank, terminate its Revolving Loan
Commitment or repay its Revolving Loans solely as a result of the exercise of
such Bank's rights (and the withholding of any required consent by such Bank)
pursuant to the second proviso to Section 13.12(a).

                  13.13 Survival. All indemnities set forth herein including,
without limitation, in Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.05, 4.04, 13.01 and 13.06 shall,
subject to Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable), survive the execution,
delivery and termination of this Agreement and the Revolving Revolving Notes,
and any Letters of Credit, and the making and repayment of the Revolving Loans
(it being understood and agreed that all such indemnities shall also survive as
to any Bank that has assigned all of its obligations hereunder pursuant to
Section 13.04(b) with respect to the period of time in which such Bank was a
"Bank" hereunder).

                  13.14 Domicile of Loans. Each Bank may transfer and carry its
Revolving Loans at, to or for the account of any office, Subsidiary or
Affiliate of such Bank. Notwithstanding 

                                      96
<PAGE>   103

anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent that a transfer of
Revolving Loans pursuant to this Section 13.14 would, at the time of such
transfer, result in increased costs under Section 1.10, 1.11, 2.05 or 4.04 from
those being charged by the respective Bank prior to such transfer, then the
Borrower shall not be obligated to pay such increased costs (although the
Borrower shall be obli gated to pay any other increased costs of the type
described above resulting from changes after the date of the respective
transfer).

                  13.15 Limitation on Additional Amounts; etc. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in Section 1.10, 1.11, 2.05 or 4.04 of this
Agreement, unless a Bank gives notice to the Borrower that it is obligated to
pay an amount under the respective such Section within one year after the later
of (i) the date the Bank incurs the respective increased costs, Taxes, loss,
expense or liability, reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction
in return on capital or (ii) the date such Bank has actual knowledge of its
incurrence of the respective increased costs, Taxes, loss, expense or
liability, reductions in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return
on capital, then such Bank shall only be entitled to be compensated for such
amount by the Borrower pursuant to said Section 1.10, 1.11, 2.05 or 4.04, as
the case may be, to the extent the costs, Taxes, loss, expense or liability,
reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital
are incurred or suffered on or after the date which occurs one year prior to
such Bank giving notice to the Borrower that it is obligated to pay the
respective amounts pursuant to said Section 1.10, 1.11, 2.05 or 4.04, as the
case may be. This Section 13.15 shall have no applicability to any Section of
this Agreement other than said Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.05 and 4.04.

                  13.16 Confidentiality. (a) Subject to the provisions of
clause (b) of this Section 13.16, each Bank agrees that it will use its best
efforts not to disclose without the prior consent of the Borrower (other than
to its employees, auditors, advisors or counsel or to another Bank if the Bank
or such Bank's holding or parent company in its sole discretion determines that
any such party should have access to such information, provided such Persons
shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 13.16 to the same extent as
such Bank) any information with respect to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries
which is now or in the future furnished pursuant to this Agreement or any other
Credit Document and which is designated by any Credit Party to the Banks in
writing as confidential, provided that any Bank may disclose any such
information (A) as has become generally available to the public, (B) as may be
required or appropriate in any report, statement or testimony submitted to any
municipal, state or Federal regulatory body having or claiming to have
jurisdiction over such Bank or to the Federal Reserve Board or the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation or similar organizations (whether in the United
States or elsewhere) or their successors, (C) as may be required or appropriate
in respect to any summons or subpoena or in connection with any litigation, (D)
in order to comply with any law, order, regulation or ruling applicable to such
Bank, (E) to the Agent or the Collateral Agent and (F) to any prospective or
actual transferee or participant in connection with any contemplated transfer
or participation of any of the Revolving Revolving Notes or Revolving Loan
Commitments or any interest therein by such Bank, provided, that such
prospective transferee

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<PAGE>   104






executes an agreement with such Bank containing provisions substantially the
same as to those contained in this Section.

                  (b)   Each of Holdings, FCI Holding and the Borrower hereby
acknowledges and agrees that each Bank may share with any of its affiliates any
information related to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without
limitation, any nonpublic customer information regarding the creditworthiness
of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, provided such Persons shall be subject to the
provisions of this Section 13.16 to the same extent as such Bank).

                  13.17 Registry. The Borrower hereby designates the Agent to
serve as the Borrower's agent, solely for purposes of this Section 13.17, to
maintain a register (the "Register") on which it will record the Revolving Loan
Commitments from time to time of each of the Banks, the Revolving Loans made by
each of the Banks and each repayment in respect of the principal amount of the
Revolving Loans of each Bank. Failure to make any such recordation, or any
error in such recordation shall not affect the Borrower's obligations in
respect of such Revolving Loans. With respect to any Bank, the transfer of the
Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank and the rights to the principal of, and
interest on, any Revolving Loan made pursuant to such Revolving Loan Commitment
shall not be effective until such transfer is recorded on the Register
maintained by the Agent with respect to ownership of such Revolving Loan
Commitment and Revolving Loans and prior to such recordation all amounts owing
to the transferor with respect to such Revolving Loan Commitment and Revolving
Loans shall remain owing to the transferor. The registration of assignment or
transfer of all or part of any Revolving Loan Commitment and Revolving Loans
shall be recorded by the Agent on the Register only upon the acceptance by the
Agent of a properly executed and delivered Assignment and Assumption Agreement
pursuant to Section 13.04(b). Coincident with the delivery of such an
Assignment and Assumption Agreement to the Agent for acceptance and
registration of assignment or transfer of all or part of a Revolving Loan, or
as soon thereafter as practicable, the assigning or transferor Bank shall
surrender the Revolving Note evidencing such Revolving Loan, and thereupon one
or more new Revolving Revolving Notes in the same aggregate principal amount
shall be issued to the assigning or transferor Bank and/or the new Bank. The
Borrower agrees to indemnify the Agent from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages and liabilities of whatsoever nature which may be imposed on,
asserted against or incurred by the Agent in performing its duties under this
Section 13.17.

                  SECTION 14.   HOLDINGS GUARANTY.

                  14.01 The Holdings Guaranty. In order to induce the Banks to
enter into this Agreement and to extend credit hereunder and in recognition of
the direct benefits to be received by Holdings from the proceeds of the
Revolving Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit and to induce the
Banks or any of their respective Affiliates to enter into Interest Rate
Protection and Other Hedging Agreements, Holdings hereby agrees with the Banks
as follows: Holdings hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees as
primary obligor and not merely as surety the full and prompt

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<PAGE>   105






payment when due, whether upon maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of any
and all of the Guaranteed Obligations of the Borrower to the Secured Creditors.
If any or all of the Guaranteed Obligations of the Borrower to the Secured
Creditors becomes due and payable hereunder, Holdings unconditionally promises
to pay such indebtedness to the Secured Creditors, on order, or demand,
together with any and all reasonable expenses which may be incurred by the
Agent or the Secured Creditors in collecting any of the Guaranteed Obligations.

                  14.02 Bankruptcy. Additionally, Holdings unconditionally and
irrevocably guarantees the payment of any and all of the Guaranteed Obligations
of the Borrower to the Secured Creditors whether or not then due or payable by
the Borrower upon the occurrence in respect of the Borrower of any of the
events specified in Section 10.05, and unconditionally and irrevocably promises
to pay such Guaranteed Obligations to the Secured Creditors, on order, or
demand, in lawful money of the United States of America.

                  14.03 Nature of Liability. The liability of Holdings
hereunder is exclusive and independent of any security for or other guaranty of
the Guaranteed Obligations of the Borrower whether executed by Holdings, any
other Guarantor or by any other party, and the liability of Holdings hereunder
shall not be affected or impaired by (i) any direction as to application of
payment by the Borrower or by any other party, or (ii) any other continuing or
other guaranty, under taking or maximum liability of a guarantor or of any
other party as to the Guaranteed Obligations of the Borrower, or (iii) any
payment on or in reduction of any such other guaranty or undertaking, or (iv)
any dissolution, termination or increase, decrease or change in personnel by
the Borrower, or (v) any payment made to the Agent or the Secured Creditors on
the indebtedness which the Agent or such Secured Creditors repay the Borrower
pursuant to court order in any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement,
moratorium or other debtor relief proceeding, and Holdings waives any right to
the deferral or modification of its obligations hereunder by reason of any such
proceeding.

                  14.04 Independent Obligation. The obligations of Holdings
hereunder are independent of the obligations of any other guarantor or the
Borrower, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted
against Holdings whether or not action is brought against any other guarantor
or the Borrower and whether or not any other guarantor or the Borrower be
joined in any such action or actions. Holdings waives, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting its
liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof. Any payment by the Borrower or
other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of limitations as to the
Borrower shall operate to toll the statute of limitations as to Holdings.

                  14.05 Authorization. Holdings authorizes the Agent and the
Secured Creditors without notice or demand (except as shall be required by
applicable statute and cannot be waived), and without affecting or impairing
its liability hereunder, from time to time to:


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<PAGE>   106






                  (a)   change the manner, place or terms of payment of, and/or
         change or extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate
         or alter, any of the Guaranteed Obligations (including any increase or
         decrease in the rate of interest thereon), any security therefor, or
         any liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof, and
         the Holdings Guaranty herein made shall apply to the Guaranteed
         Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed or altered;

                  (b)   take and hold security for the payment of the Guaranteed
         Obligations and sell, exchange, release, surrender, realize upon or
         otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property by
         whomsoever at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever
         securing, the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities (including any
         of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect
         thereof or hereof, and/or any offset thereagainst;

                  (c)   exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against 
         the Borrower or others or otherwise act or refrain from acting;

                  (d)   release or substitute any one or more endorsers, 
         guarantors, the Borrower or other obligors;

                  (e)   settle or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations,
         any security therefor or any liability (including any of those
         hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or
         hereof, and may subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to
         the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of the Borrower to
         its creditors other than the Banks;

                  (f)   apply any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized
         to any liability or liabilities of the Borrower to the Secured
         Creditors regardless of what liability or liabilities of Holdings or
         the Borrower remain unpaid;

                  (g)   consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission
         or default under, this Agreement or any of the instruments or
         agreements referred to herein, or otherwise amend, modify or
         supplement this Agreement or any of such other instruments or
         agreements; and/or

                  (h)   take any other action which would, under otherwise
         applicable principles of common law, give rise to a legal or equitable
         discharge of Holdings from its liabilities under this Section 14.

                  14.06 Reliance. It is not necessary for the Agent or the
Secured Creditors to inquire into the capacity or powers of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries or the officers, directors, partners or agents acting or
purporting to act on its behalf, and any Guaranteed Obligations made or created
in reliance upon the professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed
hereunder.


                                      100

<PAGE>   107






                  14.07 Subordination. Any of the indebtedness of the Borrower
relating to the Guaranteed Obligations now or hereafter owing to Holdings is
hereby subordinated to the Guaranteed Obligations of the Borrower owing to the
Agent and the Secured Creditors; and if the Agent so requests at a time when an
Event of Default exists, all such indebtedness relating to the Guaranteed
Obligations of the Borrower to Holdings shall be collected, enforced and
received by Holdings for the benefit of the Secured Creditors and be paid over
to the Agent on behalf of the Secured Creditors on account of the Guaranteed
Obligations of the Borrower to the Secured Creditors, but without affecting or
impairing in any manner the liability of Holdings under the other provisions of
this Holdings Guaranty. Prior to the transfer by Holdings of any Revolving Note
or negotiable instrument evidencing any of the indebtedness relating to the
Guaranteed Obligations of the Borrower to Holdings, Holdings shall mark such
Revolving Note or negotiable instrument with a legend that the same is subject
to this subordination. The provisions of this Section 14.07 (and any claims of
Holdings as described above) are subject to the provisions of Section 14.08(c).

                  14.08 Waiver. (a) Holdings waives any right (except as shall
be required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) to require the Agent or
the Secured Creditors to (i) proceed against the Borrower, any other guarantor
or any other party, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from the
Borrower, any other guarantor or any other party or (iii) pursue any other
remedy in the Agent's or the Secured Creditors' power whatsoever. Holdings
waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Borrower, any
other guarantor or any other party, other than payment in full of the
Guaranteed Obligations, based on or arising out of the disability of the
Borrower, any other guarantor or any other party, or the unenforceability of
the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the
cessation from any cause of the liability of the Borrower other than payment
in full of the Guaranteed Obligations. The Agent and the Secured Creditors may,
at their election, foreclose on any security held by the Agent, the Collateral
Agent or the Secured Creditors by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales,
whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable (to the
extent such sale is permitted by applicable law), or exercise any other right
or remedy the Agent and the Secured Creditors may have against the Borrower or
any other party, or any security, without affecting or impairing in any way the
liability of Holdings hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed Obligations
have been paid. Holdings waives any defense arising out of any such election by
the Agent and the Secured Creditors, even though such election operates to
impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right
or remedy of Holdings against any Borrower or any other party or any security.

                  (b)   Holdings waives all presentments, demands for
performance, protests and notices, including, without limitation, notices of
nonperformance, notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance
of this Holdings Guaranty, and notices of the existence, creation or incurring
of new or additional Guaranteed Obligations. Holdings assumes all
responsibility for being and keeping itself informed of the Borrower's
financial condition and assets, and of all other circumstances bearing upon the
risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and
extent of the risks which Holdings assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees
that the

                                      101

<PAGE>   108






Agent and the Secured Creditors shall have no duty to advise Holdings of
information known to them regarding such circumstances or risks.

                  (c)   Holdings understands that to the extent the Guaranteed
Obligations are secured by Real Property, Holdings shall be liable for the full
amount of the liability hereunder notwithstanding foreclosure on any such Real
Property by trustee sale or any other reason impairing Holdings' or any secured
creditors' right to proceed against the Borrower.

                  14.09 Nature of Liability. It is the desire and intent of
Holdings and the Secured Creditors that this Holdings Guaranty shall be
enforced against Holdings to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and
public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought.
If, however, and to the extent that, the obligations of Holdings under this
Holdings Guaranty shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable for any
reason (including, without limitation, because of any applicable state or
federal law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers), then the amount
of the Guaranteed Obligations of Holdings shall be deemed to be reduced and
Holdings shall pay the maximum amount of the Guaranteed Obligations which would
be permissible under applicable law.

                           [Signatures Pages Follow]

                                      102

<PAGE>   109






                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly
authorized officers to execute and deliver this Agreement as of the date first
above written.

                                            ATRIUM CORPORATION
Address:
9001 Ambassador Row                         By:  /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
Dallas, TX 75247                               -----------------------------
Attn: Randall Fojtasek                      Name:  Randall S. Fojtasek
Telephone: (214) 634-0836                        ---------------------------
Telecopy: (214) 631-4231                    Title: President
ATRIUM CORPORATION                                --------------------------


with a copy to:


Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, TX  75201
Attn:    Thomas O. Hicks,
         John R. Muse,
         Jack D. Furst and
         Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

                 and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450








                                      S-1

<PAGE>   110


                                            ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
Address:
9001 Ambassador Row                         By:  /s/ RANDALL S. FOJTASEK
Dallas, TX 75247                               -----------------------------
Attn: Randall Fojtasek                      Name:  Randall S. Fojtasek
Telephone: (214) 634-0836                        ---------------------------
Telecopy: (214) 631-4231                    Title: President
ATRIUM CORPORATION                                --------------------------


with a copy to:


Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, TX  75201
Attn:    Thomas O. Hicks,
         John R. Muse,
         Jack D. Furst and
         Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

                 and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450





                                      S-2

<PAGE>   111






                                          BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                           Individually and as Agent


                                          By:  /s/ MARY KAY COYLE
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Mary Kay Coyle
                                               ---------------------------------
                                          Title: Managing Director
                                                --------------------------------




                                      S-3

<PAGE>   112






                                                                     SCHEDULE I




                                  COMMITMENTS





                                          Revolving
Bank                                      Loan Commitment
Bankers Trust Company                     $20,000,000
                                          -----------
            Total                         $20,000,000








                                   Schedule I

<PAGE>   113







                                                                    SCHEDULE II



                                 BANK ADDRESSES



Bankers Trust Company            130 Liberty Street
                                 New York, New York  10006
                                 30th Floor
                                 Telephone No.:  (212) 250-7671
                                 Telecopier No.:  (212) 250-7218
                                 Attention: Mary Kay Coyle











                                  Schedule II

<PAGE>   114
                                  SCHEDULE III
                            TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                 REAL PROPERTY


I.     Owned Real Properties: Street Addresses

       A.     402 and 404 Highway 78, Wylie, Texas 75098*                      
                                                                               
       B.     2100, 2101 and 2101-A East Union Bower Road, Irving, Texas 75061*
                                                                               
       C.     10 Parker Street, Clinton, Massachusetts 01510*                  
                                                                               
       D.     286-288 Knowlton Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06603           

*Properties to be subject to the Mortgages.

II.    Leasehold Properties: Street Addresses and Lease Agreements

       A.     Street Addresses

              1.   1841 E. Craig Road, Suite A, North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030.
                   
              2.   1223 Tappan Circle, Carrollton, Texas 75006.
                   
              3.   120-130 East Watkins Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004.
                   
              4.   9001 Ambassador Row, Dallas, Texas 75247.
                   
              5.   959 Profit Drive, Dallas, Texas 75247.
                   
              6.   Highway 69 North, Woodville, Texas 75979.
                   
              7.   1341 West Mockingbird Lane, Suite 1200W, Dallas, Texas 75247.
                   
              8.   1408 Vantage Drive, Carrollton, Texas 75006.
                   
              9.   305 Knowlton Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06603.
                   
              10.  855-H Conklin Street, Farmingdale, New York 11735.
<PAGE>   115
       B.     Lease Agreements

              1.     Industrial Real Estate Lease, dated April 22, 1996, with
                     Tower Enterprises, as Lessor, regarding the property
                     located at 1841 E. Craig Road, Suite A, North Las Vegas,
                     Nevada.

              2.     Lease Agreement, dated September 25, 1990, as amended and
                     renewed from time to time, with Richard E. Smoot, as
                     Landlord, regarding the property known as the Carrollton
                     Industrial Park, located at 1223 Tappan Circle,
                     Carrollton, Texas.  Although this Lease Agreement only
                     provides for a renewal for one term of one year, the lease
                     has in fact been renewed for the past 3 years, apparently
                     on a year-to-year basis.

              3.     Industrial Real Estate Lease (Multi-Tenant Facility),
                     dated as of June 1, 1994, with CB Institutional Fund VIII,
                     as Landlord, regarding the property located at 120-130
                     East Watkins Street, Phoenix, Arizona.

              4.     Lease Agreement, dated as of July 3, 1995, between
                     Fojtasek Industrial Properties, Ltd., as Lessor, and
                     Atrium Companies, Inc., as Lessee, regarding the property
                     located at 9001 Ambassador Row, Dallas, Texas (for The
                     Atrium Door & Window Company portion).

              5.     Lease Agreement, dated as of July 3, 1995, between Atrium
                     Companies, Inc., as Lessee, regarding the property located
                     at 9001 Ambassador Row, Dallas, Texas (for the H-R Window
                     portion).

              6.     H-R Window Supply, Inc. pays rent of $7,500 per month to
                     Atrium Companies, Inc. for the sub-lease of space at 959
                     Profit Drive, Dallas (part of the same tract of property
                     as 9001 Ambassador Row, Dallas), where the H-R Window
                     Division is located.  This arrangement is not documented
                     by any written sub-lease agreement.

              7.     Lease Agreement, dated September 16, 1996, between Tyler
                     County Industrial Corporation, as Lessor, and Atrium
                     Companies, Inc., as Lessee, regarding the property at U.S.
                     Highway 69 North, Woodville, Texas.

              8.     Office Space Lease, dated August 16, 1996, between
                     Mockingbird Towers Ltd., as Landlord, and Atrium
                     Companies, Inc., as Tenant, regarding the property located
                     at 1341 West Mockingbird Lane, Suite 1200W, Dallas, Texas.

              9.     Land Lease, dated April 15, 1988, by and between the
                     Atrium Door & Window Division and the Missouri, Kansas,
                     Texas Rail Road Company, as




                                     -2-
<PAGE>   116
                     lessor, regarding certain property adjacent to the 9001
                     Ambassador Row facility (railroad spur agreement).

              10.    Industrial Track Agreement, dated January 1, 1984, by and
                     among the Missouri, Kansas, Texas Rail Road Company, the
                     Oklahoma, Kansas Texas Rail Road Company and Atrium
                     Companies, Inc. (as successor by merger to Molding
                     Products) regarding certain spur track adjacent to the
                     2100 Ease Union Bower facility.

              11.    Lease from Network Distribution of Dallas, Inc. to Atrium
                     Companies, Inc., dated October 23, 1996, for approximately
                     6,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space at 1408 Vantage Drive,
                     Carrollton, Texas, at a rent of $.50 per square foot per
                     month, for an initial term of 6 months with a 7-month
                     extension option.

              12.    Lease from Berngold Associates Limited Partnership to
                     Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, dated
                     September 27, 1996, for approximately 63,000 sq. ft. of
                     light manufacturing and warehouse space at 305 Knowlton
                     Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut

              13.    Lease from C-1 Realty Co. to Bishop Manufacturing Co. of
                     New York, dated September 20, 1992, for light
                     manufacturing/warehouse space at 855-H Conklin Street,
                     Farmingdale, New York 11735.





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   117
                                  SCHEDULE IV
                            TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

                      LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER


Direct Subsidiaries of the Borrower:

       H-R Window Supply, Inc.

       Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc.

       Vinyl Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc.


Indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the Borrower:

       Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated, owned through Vinyl Building
       Specialties of Connecticut, Inc.

       Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc., owned through Bishop
       Manufacturing Company, Incorporated.
<PAGE>   118
                                   SCHEDULE V
                            TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

           EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS OF THE BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES


       $206,000 SBA Guaranteed Loan from Massachusetts Certified Development
Corp to Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc. evidenced by that
certain "504" Note dated June 9, 1993, issued by Bishop Manufacturing Company
of New England, Inc. pursuant to the terms of that certain Authorization and
Loan Agreement dated as January 6, 1993, by and among Massachusetts Certified
Development Corp., Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc. and the
Small Business Administration.
<PAGE>   119
SCHEDULE VI                ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
================================================================================

                             SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE
                            As of November 27, 1996


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       COVERAGE                CARRIER            POLICY NUMBER       EFFECTIVE DATE    
 -------------------   -----------------------  ----------------   -------------------  
 <S>                   <C>                       <C>                <C>                 
 AUTO LIABILITY        Federal Insurance Co.                                            
 All Other States                                      TBD          11/27/96-11/27/96   
 Texas                                                 TBD          11/27/96-11/27/96   
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
 BOILER & MACHINERY    Hartford Steam Boiler     BMINY621326500     04/01/96-04/01/97   
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
 GENERAL LIABILITY     Federal Insurance Co.           TBD          11/27/96-11/27/97   
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        


<CAPTION>
                                                                                 MIN. AMOUNT  
       COVERAGE                                 LIMITS                            REQUIRED    
 -------------------    -----------------------------------------------------   ------------- 
 <S>                    <C>              <C>                                    <C>           
 AUTO LIABILITY                                                                               
 All Other States       $       1,000,000   CSL                                 $   1,000,000 
 Texas                  $          10,000   Medical Payments                                  
                        $       1,000,000   Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist                   
                        $          50,000   Hired Car Physical Damage                         
                        $           1,000   Collision Deductible, Autos                       
                        $           1,000   Comprehensive Deductible, Autos                   
                        $           5,000   Collision Deductible, Medium &                    
                                              Heavy Trucks                                    
                                                                                              
 BOILER & MACHINERY     $     100,000,000   Combined PD/BI/EE                   $  50,000,000 
                        $       5,000,000   CBI/CEE                                           
                        $       5,000,000   Ammonia Contamination                             
                        $       5,000,000   Water Damage                                      
                        $       5,000,000   Consequential Damage                              
                        $       5,000,000   Expediting Expense                                
                        $         500,000   Hazardous Substance                               
                        $          10,000   Deductible, Except:                               
                        $          50,000   PD all presses greater than 1,000 tons                       
                          2 x Daily Value   BI and CBI/CEE, Except:                           
                          5 x Daily Value   All presses greater than 1,000 tons                          
                                 12 Hours   Service Interruption                              
                                                                                              
                                            GENERAL LIABILITY                                   
                                            -----------------                                   
 GENERAL LIABILITY      $       2,000,000   General Aggregate                   $   1,000,000 
                        $       1,000,000   Products/Completed Operations                     
                                              Aggregate                                       
                        $       1,000,000   Personal & Advertising Injury                     
                        $       1,000,000   Per Occurrence                                    
                                 Included   Fire Damage Legal Liability                       
                        $          10,000   Medical Expense                                   
                                                                                              
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   120
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       COVERAGE                CARRIER            POLICY NUMBER       EFFECTIVE DATE    
 -------------------   -----------------------  ----------------   -------------------  
 <S>                   <C>                       <C>                <C>                 
 GENERAL LIABILITY                                                                      
                                                                                        
 (CONTINUED)                                                                            
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
 PROPERTY              Lexington Ins. Co.            8791309        04/01/96-04/01/97   
                                                                                        
                       (Primary $   3,500,000)                                          
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
 UMBRELLA              Westchester Fire Ins.       CUA1028200       04/01/96-04/01/97   
                       Co.                                                              
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
 EXCESS LIABILITY      Federal Insurance Co.        79402066        04/01/96-04/01/97   
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
 EXCESS LIABILITY      Aetna Casualty &          08XN25441683SCA    04/01/96-04/01/97   
                       Surety Co.                                                       
                                                                                        
                                                                                        
 WORKERS'              Federal Insurance Co.           TBD          11/27/96-11/27/97   
 COMPENSATION


<CAPTION>
                                                                                MIN. AMOUNT    
       COVERAGE                                 LIMITS                            REQUIRED     
 -------------------    -----------------------------------------------------   -------------  
 <S>                    <C>                                                     <C>            
 GENERAL LIABILITY                   EMPLOYEE BENEFITS LIABILITY                               
                                     ---------------------------                               
 (CONTINUED)            $       1,000,000   Each Occurrence                                    
                        $       1,000,000   Aggregate Limit                                    
                        $          10,000   Deductible                                         
                                                                                               
 PROPERTY               $     200,000,000   "All Risk" Incl. Business           $  75,000,000  
                                            Interruption                                       
                                            Loss Limit Per Occurrence                          
                                            Sublimits Are Per Occurrence                       
                                            unless                                             
                                              Otherwise Stated                                 
                        $     200,000,000   Earthquake - Annual Aggregate                      
                                              (outside CA)                                     
                        $      50,000,000   Earthquake - Annual Aggregate                      
                                            (CA)                                               
                        $          10,000   Deductible, Except:                                
                                                        ------                                 
                        $           5,000   Transit                                            
                        $          50,000   Flood                                              
                                       5%   Earthquake - Per Unit of                           
                                            Insurance                                          
                        $         100,000   Earthquake Minimum - CA Only                       
                        $          50,000   Earthquake Minimum - All Other                     
                                               States                                          
                                       2%   Wind - Tier 1 Locations                            
                        $         100,000   Wind - Minimum                                     
                                                                                               
 UMBRELLA               $      20,000,000   Per Occurrence                      $  30,000,000  
                        $      20,000,000   Aggregate                           Combined       
                        $          10,000   Self Insured Retention              Umbrella &     
                                                                                Excess         
                                                                                               
 EXCESS LIABILITY       $      25,000,000   Per Occurrence (excess of                          
                                            20,000,000)                                        
                        $      25,000,000   Aggregate                                          
                                                                                               
 EXCESS LIABILITY       $      25,000,000   Per Occurrence (excess of                          
                                            45,000,000)                                        
                        $      25,000,000   Aggregate                                          
                                                                                               
 WORKERS'                       Statutory   (Workers' Compensation)             Statutory      
 COMPENSATION                                                                           
 </TABLE>




                                     -2-
<PAGE>   121
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       
       COVERAGE                CARRIER            POLICY NUMBER       EFFECTIVE DATE   
 -------------------   -----------------------  ----------------   ------------------- 
 <S>                    <C>                     <C>                <C>                          
 WORKERS' COMP                                                                         
 (CONTINUED)                                                                           
                                                                                       
                                                                                       
                                                                                       
                                                                                       
                                                                                       
                                                                                       
                                                                                       

<CAPTION>
                                                                                  MIN. AMOUNT      
       COVERAGE                                  LIMITS                            REQUIRED        
 -------------------     -----------------------------------------------------   -------------     
 <S>                    <S>                                                      <C>               
 WORKERS' COMP             Employer's Liability:                                                   
 (CONTINUED)                                                                                       
                         $         500,000   Each Accident                                         
                         $         500,000   Disease-Policy Limit                                  
                         $         500,000   Disease-Each Employee                                 
                         $         100,000   Repatriation and Endemic Disease                      
                         $         250,000   Deductible Per Occurrence                             
                         $       2,000,000   Loss Aggregate                                        
</TABLE>





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   122
                                  SCHEDULE VII
                                       TO
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                 EXISTING LIENS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                NAME OF                                    
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME                  SECURED PARTY               JURISDICTION      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                               <C>                 
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Arizona--Secretary  
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 of State            
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc., dba        Toyota Motor Credit               Arizona--Secretary  
Skotty Aluminum Products             Corporation* (Toyotalift of       of State            
                                     Arizona, Inc.)                                        
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Maricopa County, AZ 
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKOTTY ALUMINUM                      RUDY GUZMAN, dba GUZMAN           Maricopa County, AZ 
PRODUCTS, a division of              CONSTRUCTION, as Plaintiff                            
FOJTASEK COMPANIES, INC.;                                                                  
et al. (as defendants)                                                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOJTASEK COMPANIES, INC., a Texas    GILA SPRINGS ASSOCIATION, an      Maricopa County, AZ 
corporation, dba ARIZONA BUILDING    Arizona corporation, as                               
SPECIALTIES OF PHOENIX, INC.; et     Plaintiff                                             
al. (as defendants)                                                                        
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOJTASEK COMPANIES, INC.,            FEDERAL NATIONAL                  Maricopa County, AZ 
dba ARIZONA BUILDING                 MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION, as                              
SPECIALTIES; et al. (as              Plaintiff                                             
defendants)                                                                                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Nevada--Secretary   
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 of State            
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Clark County, NV    
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             Siemens Credit Corporation        Texas--Secretary of 
                                                                       State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. dba The     DATAMAX Leasing                   Texas--Secretary of 
Atrium Door & Window Company                                           State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       FILING     FILING NO.           DESCRIPTION OF          
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME             DATE                             COLLATERAL            
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>       <C>             <C>                           
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.               7/5/95    837716          Blanket Lien                  
                                                                                               
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc., dba          8/5/96    928992          one (1) Toyota forklift       
Skotty Aluminum Products                                                                       
                                                                                               
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.               7/5/95    95-0389938      Blanket Lien                  
                                                                                               
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SKOTTY ALUMINUM                        4/12/96   96-0252144 or   Lis Pendens against real      
PRODUCTS, a division of                          CV 96-06437     property (not owned by        
FOJTASEK COMPANIES, INC.;                                        Borrower)                     
et al. (as defendants)                                                                         
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOJTASEK COMPANIES, INC., a Texas      8/20/92   92-0460591 or   Lis Pendens against real      
corporation, dba ARIZONA BUILDING                CV 92-19425     property (not owned by        
SPECIALTIES OF PHOENIX, INC.; et                                 Borrower)                     
al. (as defendants)                                                                            
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOJTASEK COMPANIES, INC.,              4/3/91    91-141492 or    Lis Pendens against real      
dba ARIZONA BUILDING                             CV91-08694      property (not owned by        
SPECIALTIES; et al. (as                                          Borrower)                     
defendants)                                                                                    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.               7/5/95    9509428         Blanket Lien                  
                                                                                               
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.               7/5/95    950705-01182    Blanket Lien                  
                                                                                               
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.               1/26/94   016163          Leased Equipment (Phone       
                                                                 System)                       
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. dba The       6/3/94    110365          Leased Equipment (Canon       
Atrium Door & Window Company                                     Copier and Stapler)           
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   123
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 NAME OF                                    
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME                   SECURED PARTY               JURISDICTION      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                               <C>                  
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. dba The     DATAMAX Leasing                   Texas--Secretary of  
Atrium Door & Window Company                                           State                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. dba H-R     Business Credit Leasing           Texas--Secretary of  
Windows                                                                State                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             Siemens Credit Corporation        Texas--Secretary of  
                                                                       State                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             Boatmen's First National Bank     Texas--Secretary of  
                                     of Amarillo, Texas Commerce       State                
                                     Bank National Association and                          
                                     Chemical Bank**                                        
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Texas --Secretary    
                                     Boston, as Agent                  of State             
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as         Star Data Systems, Inc. (as       Texas--Secretary of  
Lessee)                              Lessor)                           State                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as         Yale Financial Services, Inc.     Texas--Secretary of  
Lessee)                              (as Lessor)                       State                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. dba         Citicorp Dealer Finance           Texas--Secretary of  
Extruders                                                              State                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woodville Extruders, a division      The First National Bank [of       Texas--Secretary of  
of Fojtasek Companies, Inc.          Boston] as Agent*                 State                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Dallas County, TX    
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Atrium Door & Window             MetLife Capital, Limited          Dallas County, TX    
Corporation                          Partnership                                            
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             MetLife Capital, Limited          Dallas County, TX    
                                     Partnership                                            
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             Texas Commerce Bank - Dallas,     Dallas County, TX    
                                     N.A. (as Mortgagee)*                                   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       FILING     FILING NO.           DESCRIPTION OF          
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME             DATE                             COLLATERAL            
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>       <C>             <C>                            
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. dba The      6/3/94    110366          Leased Equipment (Fax and       
Atrium Door & Window Company                                    Memory)                        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. dba H-R      9/6/94    174422          Leased Equipment (Copier)       
Windows                                                                                        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.              1/31/95   020148          Leased Equipment (ROLM         
                                                                Phones and Cards)              
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.              7/3/95    129298          Real Property located in       
                                                                Dallas, Texas and              
                                                                improvements,fixtures and       
                                                                appurtenances attached         
                                                                thereto                        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.              7/5/95    129738          Blanket Lien                   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as          2/21/96   034471          Leased Computer Equipment       
Lessee)                                                                                        
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as          6/12/96   116200          Equipment of Lessor leased       
Lessee)                                                         to Lessee                      
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. dba          6/13/96   117050          Three (3) Mitsubishi           
Extruders                                                       Vehicles                       
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woodville Extruders, a division       10/7/96   197241          Blanket Lien                   
of Fojtasek Companies, Inc.                                                                    
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.              7/5/95    003596          Blanket Lien                   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Atrium Door & Window              10/5/87   87192-2864      Leased Equipment (One(1)       
Corporation                                                     glass production system)       
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.              5/17/88   88096-0304      Equipment                      
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.              1/18/90   90013-1084      Deed of Trust, Security        
                                                                Agreement, Fixtures            
                                                                Financing Statement and        
                                                                Assignment of Rents and        
                                                                Leases (under Term Note in     
                                                                the amount of                  
                                                                $1,840,569.00)                 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   124
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 NAME OF                                   
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME                   SECURED PARTY               JURISDICTION     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                               <C>                 
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             Texas Commerce Bank - Dallas,     Dallas County, TX   
                                     N.A. (as Mortgagee)**                                 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Dallas County, TX   
                                     Boston, as Agent **                                   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Dallas County, TX   
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Dallas County, TX   
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Dallas County, TX   
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Dallas County, TX   
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             The First National Bank of        Dallas County, TX   
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H-R Window Supply Inc. and           Angel Gomez (as plaintiff)        Dallas County, TX   
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as                                                               
defendants)                                                                                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrium Door & Window Company and     Jesus Garza (as plaintiff)        Dallas County, TX   
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as                                                               
defendants)                                                                                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc., the        Raul Marco Renovato (as           Dallas County, TX   
Atrium Door & Window Company, a      plaintiff)                                            
division of Fojtasek Companies,
Inc. and the Atrium Door & Window
Corporation and Anganette Cruz
(as defendants)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     FILING     FILING NO.           DESCRIPTION OF        
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME           DATE                             COLLATERAL          
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>       <C>             <C>                         
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             1/18/90   90013-1124     Misfiled: should have been     
                                                              recorded with the Clerk of     
                                                              Tarrant County, TX           
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             7/3/95    95128-02430    Deed of Trust, Security      
                                                              Agreement, Assignment of     
                                                              Rents and Financing          
                                                              Statement(2100 UnionBank-     
                                                              tract 1)                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             7/3/95    95128-02477    Deed of Trust, Security      
                                                              Agreement, Assignment of     
                                                              Rents and Financing          
                                                              Statement(2100UnionBank-     
                                                              tract 2)                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             7/3/95    95129-00417    Deed of Trust, Security      
                                                              Agreement, Assignment of     
                                                              Rents and Financing          
                                                              Statement (Assignment of     
                                                              Lease - Ambassador Row)      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             7/5/95    95129-05441    Blanket Lien                 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             7/5/95    95129-05445    Blanket Lien                 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc.             7/5/95    95129-05449    Blanket Lien                   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H-R Window Supply Inc. and           12/27/94  94-13244-E     Lis Pendens                  
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as                                                                 
defendants)                                                                                  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrium Door & Window Company and     1/29/96   96-00985-D     Lis Pendens                    
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as                                                                 
defendants)                                                                                  
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fojtasek Companies, Inc., the        8/9/96    96-08162       Lis Pendens                    
Atrium Door & Window Company, a                                                              
division of Fojtasek Companies,                                                              
Inc. and the Atrium Door & Window                                                            
Corporation and Anganette Cruz                        
(as defendants)                                       
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   125
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 NAME OF                                   
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME                   SECURED PARTY               JURISDICTION     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                               <C>                 
Skotty Aluminum Products             The First National Bank of        Maricopa County, AZ 
(Irving, TX)                         Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skotty Aluminum Products             The First National Bank of        Maricopa County, AZ 
(Phoenix, AZ)                        Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skotty Aluminum - Atrium Door &      Tremco, Inc.                      Texas--Secretary of 
Window                                                                 State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skotty Aluminum Products             The First National Bank of        Texas--Secretary of 
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skotty Aluminum Products             The First National Bank of        Arizona--Secretary  
(Irving, TX)                         Boston, as Agent*                 of State            
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skotty Aluminum Products             The First National Bank of        Arizona--Secretary  
(Phoenix, AZ)                        Boston, as Agent*                 of State            
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H-R Windows                          The First National Bank of        Texas--Secretary of 
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H-R Windows                          The First National Bank of        Dallas County, TX   
                                     Boston, as Agent*                                     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Extruders                            The First National Bank of        Texas--Secretary of 
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Woodville Extruders                  The First National Bank of        Texas--Secretary of 
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Texas Die and Tool             The First National Bank of        Texas--Secretary of 
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrium                               Sensomatics Electronics Corp.     Texas--Secretary of
                                                                       State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrium                               Sensomatics Electronics Corp.     Texas--Secretary of
                                                                       State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrium Corporation                   The First National Bank of        Texas--Secretary of 
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 State               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrium Door and Window               The First National Bank of        Nevada--Secretary   
Distributors of Nevada               Boston, as Agent*                 of State            
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                                         FILING     FILING NO.     DESCRIPTION OF            
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME               DATE                      COLLATERAL               
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
<S>                                     <C>       <C>             <C>                        
Skotty Aluminum Products                7/5/95    95-0389936      Blanket Lien               
(Irving, TX)                                                                                 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Skotty Aluminum Products                7/5/95    95-0389937      Blanket Lien               
(Phoenix, AZ)                                                                                
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Skotty Aluminum - Atrium Door &         5/10/93   --683           Equipment                  
Window                                                                                       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Skotty Aluminum Products                7/5/95    129734          Blanket Lien               
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Skotty Aluminum Products                7/5/95    837714          Blanket Lien               
(Irving, TX)                                                                                 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Skotty Aluminum Products                7/5/95    837715          Blanket Lien               
(Phoenix, AZ)                                                                                
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
H-R Windows                             7/5/95    129732          Blanket Lien               
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
H-R Windows                             7/5/95    003595          Blanket Lien               
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Extruders                               7/5/96    129730          Blanket Lien               
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Woodville Extruders                     10/7/96   197241          Blanket Lien               
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
North Texas Die and Tool                7/5/96    129735          Blanket Lien               
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Atrium                                  6/9/95    114765          Surveillance equipment     
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Atrium                                  6/9/95    114766          Surveillance equipment     
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Atrium Corporation                      10/7/96   197242          Blanket Lien               
                                                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
Atrium Door and Window                  10/15/96  9616783         Blanket Lien               
Distributors of Nevada                                                                       
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   126
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 NAME OF                                    
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME                   SECURED PARTY               JURISDICTION      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                               <C>                  
Atrium Door and Window               The First National Bank of        Clark County, NV     
Distributors of Nevada               Boston, as Agent*                                      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrium Corporation                   The First National Bank of        Massachusetts--      
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 Secretary of State   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H-R Window Supply, Inc.              The First National Bank of        Texas--Secretary of  
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 State                
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H-R Windows Supply Inc. and          Maria Espinosa (as plaintiff)     Dallas County, TX    
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as                                                                
defendants)                                                                                 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company,        Lafayette American Bank and       Connecticut--              
Incorporated                         Trust Company                     Secretary of State         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company,        Richard Lyman, as plaintiff       City of Bridgeport,        
Inc. as defendant                                                      CT                         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing of New          The First National Bank of        Town of Clinton, MA        
England, Inc.                        Boston, as Agent*                                            
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company of      Lafayette American Bank and       Connecticut--              
New England, Inc.                    Trust Company                     Secretary of State         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company of      U.S. Small Business               Massachusetts--            
New England, Inc.                    Administration (assignee of       Secretary of State         
                                     Massachusetts Certified                                      
                                     Development Corp.)+                                          
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company of      The First National Bank of        Massachusetts--            
New England, Inc.                    Boston, as agent*                 Secretary of State         
Bishop Manufacturing Company of      U.S. Small Business               Town of Clinton, MA        
New England, Inc.                    Administration (assignee of                                  
                                     Massachusetts Certified                                      
                                     Development Corp.)+                                          
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kel-Star Building Products           The First National Bank, as       Texas--Secretary of        
                                     Agent*                            State                      
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dow-Tech Plastics                    The First National Bank of        Texas--Secretary of  
                                     Boston, as Agent*                 State
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        FILING     FILING NO.           DESCRIPTION OF     
        DEBTOR/GRANTOR NAME              DATE                             COLLATERAL       
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>       <C>             <C>                       
Atrium Door and Window                 10/21/96  961021-00407    Blanket Lien              
Distributors of Nevada                                                                     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atrium Corporation                     10/7/96   421196          Blanket Lien              
                                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H-R Window Supply, Inc.                7.5.95    129731          Blanket Lien              
                                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
H-R Windows Supply Inc. and            5/14/96   96-04814        Lis Pendens               
Fojtasek Companies, Inc. (as                                                               
defendants)                                                                                
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company,          5/27/93   1014410         Blanket Lien; signed      
Incorporated                                                     releases in Debtor's      
                                                                 possession                
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company,          6/18/96   33345           Lis Pendens               
Inc. as defendant                                                                          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing of New            10/7/96   86              Blanket Lien              
England, Inc.                                                                              
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company of        5/27/93   1014409         Blanket Lien; signed      
New England, Inc.                                                releases in Debtor's      
                                                                 possession                
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company of        6/9/93    165875          All fixtures of Debtor    
New England, Inc.                                                located on real property  
                                                                 located in Clinton, MA    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company of        10/7/96   421195          Blanket Lien              
New England, Inc.                                                                          
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bishop Manufacturing Company of        6/14/93   662             All fixtures of Debtor    
New England, Inc.                                                located on real property in  
                                                                 Clinton, MA               
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kel-Star Building Products             201946    201946          Blanket Lien              
                                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dow-Tech Plastics                      7/5/95    129736          Blanket Lien              
                                                                                           
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   127
- -------------

*       To be released contemporaneously with the Closing Date under the
        Credit Agreement pursuant to a signed release and UCC-3 termination
        statements

**      Borrower (or any subsidiaries) is not obligated on any debt secured
        hereby.  Debt matures 12-1-96.  Payoff period terminates 12-31-96.

+       Debt to be paid and liens released.
<PAGE>   128
                                                                       EXHIBIT A




                          FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING


                                                                          [Date]



Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
  (the "Agent") for the Banks
  party to the Credit Agreement
  referred to below
One Bankers Trust Plaza
130 Liberty Street
New York, New York  10006

Attention: 
           ------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:


              The undersigned, Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Borrower"), refers to the Credit Agreement, dated as of November __, 1996
(as amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement", the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined),
among Atrium Corporation, the Borrower, the Banks party thereto from time to
time (the "Banks"), and you, as Agent for such Banks, and hereby gives you
irrevocable notice, pursuant to Section 1.03(a) of the Credit Agreement, that
the undersigned hereby requests a Borrowing of Loans under the Credit
Agreement, and in that connection sets forth below the information relating to
such Borrowing (the "Proposed Borrowing") as required by Section 1.03(a) of the
Credit Agreement:

              (i)    The aggregate principal amount of the Proposed Borrowing
       is $__________.

              (ii)   The Business Day of the Proposed Borrowing is __________,
       ___.(1/)





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

(1/)  Shall be a Business Day at least three Business Days in the case of
Eurodollar Loans after the date hereof.
<PAGE>   129
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                          Page 2





              (iii)  The Loans to be made pursuant to the Proposed Borrowing
       shall be initially maintained as [Base Rate Loans] [Eurodollar
       Loans].(2/)

              [(iv)  The initial Interest Period for the Proposed Borrowing is
       [one month] [two months] [three months] [six months] [, subject to
       availability to all the Banks, nine or twelve months].](3/)

              The undersigned hereby certifies on behalf of the Borrower that
the following statements are true on the date hereof, and will be true on the
date of the Proposed Borrowing:

              (A)  the representations and warranties contained in the Credit
       Agreement and the other Credit Documents are and will be true and
       correct in all material respects, before and after giving effect to the
       Proposed Borrowing and to the application of the proceeds thereof, as
       though made on such date, unless stated to relate to a specific earlier
       date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true
       and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date; and

              (B)  no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
       continuing, or would result from such Proposed Borrowing or from the
       application of the proceeds thereof.



                                           Very truly yours,

                                           ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.


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





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

(2/)  Eurodollar Loans may not be incurred prior to the earlier of (x) the 60th
day after the Initial Borrowing Date and (y) the Syndication Date.

(3/)  To be included for a Proposed Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans.


<PAGE>   130
                                                                       EXHIBIT B




                             FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE


$____________________                                         New York, New York
                                                               November __, 1996


              FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
_______________________ (the "Bank"), in lawful money of the United States of
America in immediately available funds, at the Payment Office (as defined in
the Agreement referred to below) initially located at 130 Liberty Street, One
Bankers Trust Plaza, New York, New York 10006 on the Revolving Loan Maturity
Date (as defined in the Agreement) the principal sum of ___________________
DOLLARS ($ ___________) or, if less, the unpaid principal amount of all
Revolving Loans (as defined in the Agreement) made by the Bank pursuant to the
Agreement, payable at such times and in such amounts as are specified in the
Agreement.

              The Borrower promises also to pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount of each Revolving Loan made by the Bank in like money at said
office from the date hereof until paid at the rates and at the times provided
in Section 1.08 of the Agreement.

              This Note is one of the Revolving Notes referred to in the Credit
Agreement, dated as of November __, 1996, among Atrium Corporation, the
Borrower, the Banks from time to time party thereto (including the Bank) and
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Agreement") and is
entitled to the benefits thereof and of the other Credit Documents (as defined
in the Agreement).  This Note is secured by the Security Documents (as defined
in the Agreement) and is entitled to the benefits of the Guaranty (as defined
in the Agreement).  As provided in the Agreement, this Note is subject to
voluntary prepayment and mandatory repayment prior to the Revolving Loan
Maturity Date, in whole or in part, and Revolving Loans may be converted from
one Type (as defined in the Agreement) into another Type to the extent provided
in the Agreement.

              In case an Event of Default (as defined in the Agreement) shall
occur and be continuing, the principal of and accrued interest on this Note may
be declared to be due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in
the Agreement.
<PAGE>   131
                                                                      EXHIBIT B
                                                                         Page 2


              The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or notice
of any kind in connection with this Note.

              THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED
BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.



                                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.


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





<PAGE>   132
                                                                       EXHIBIT C




                        FORM OF LETTER OF CREDIT REQUEST


No. __________(1/)    Dated ________________(2/)      


Bankers Trust Company, individually and as
Agent under the Credit Agreement (as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
dated as of November __, 1996, among Atrium
Corporation, Atrium Companies, Inc., the
Banks from time to time party thereto and
Bankers Trust 
Company, as Agent 
One Bankers Trust Plaza 
130 Liberty Street 
New York, New York  10006

Dear Sirs:

              We hereby request that [Name of Proposed Issuing Bank], in its
individual capacity, issue a [Trade] [Standby] Letter of Credit for the account
of the undersigned on ____________________(3/) (the "Date of Issuance") in the 
aggregate stated amount of ___________________(4/).

              For purposes of this Letter of Credit Request, unless otherwise
defined herein, all capitalized terms used herein shall have the respective
meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.





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

(1/)  Letter of Credit Request Number.

(2/)  Date of Letter of Credit Request.

(3/)  Date of Issuance which shall be at least two (2) Business Days' (or, such
shorter period as is acceptable to the respective Issuing Bank).

(4/)  Aggregate initial stated amount of Letter of Credit.
<PAGE>   133
                                                                       EXHIBIT C
                                                                          Page 2




              The beneficiary of the requested Letter of Credit will be 
_____________________(5/), and such Letter of Credit will be in support of   
________________________(6/)  and will have stated expiration date of  
___________________(7/).

              The undersigned hereby certifies on behalf of the Borrower that:

              (1)    The representations and warranties contained in the Credit
       Documents will be true and correct in all material respects on the date
       of issuance, both before and after giving effect to the issuance of the
       Letter of Credit requested hereby (it being understood and agreed that
       any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a
       specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material
       respects only as of such specified date).

              (2)    No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
       continuing nor, after giving effect to the issuance of the Letter of
       Credit requested hereby, would such a Default or Event of Default occur.

              Copies of all documentation with respect to the supported
transaction are attached hereto.



                                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.


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





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

(5/)  Insert name and address of beneficiary.

(6/)  Insert description of L/C Supportable Obligations of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries.

(7/)  Insert last date upon which drafts may be presented which may not be later
than the earlier of 12 months after the date of issuance thereof, and the
Revolving Loan Maturity Date.


<PAGE>   134
                                                                       EXHIBIT D




                    FORM OF SECTION 4.04(b)(iii) CERTIFICATE



              Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of
November __, 1996, among Atrium Corporation, Atrium Companies, Inc., various
Banks party thereto from time to time, and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent (the
"Credit Agreement").  Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.04(b)(iii) of the
Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that it is not a "bank" as
such term is used in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.



                                           [NAME OF BANK]


                                           By                                   
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:
<PAGE>   135
                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                     FORM OF VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. OPINION


(713) 758-2222


                               November 27, 1996


Bankers Trust Company
 in its individual capacity and
 as Agent and Collateral Agent
One Bankers Trust Plaza
130 Liberty Street
New York, New York  10006

To each of the Bank from time to time parties to the
 Credit Agreement referred to below

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Atrium Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Holdings"), Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (formerly named
FCI Holding Corp. and the survivor by merger of Fojtasek Companies, Inc. a
Texas corporation) (the "Borrower"), and H-R Window Supply Company, Inc., a
Texas corporation ("H-R Window"), Vinyl Building Specialities of Connecticut,
Inc., a Connecticut corporation, Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc., a
Connecticut corporation, Bishop Manufacturing Co., Inc., a Connecticut
corporation and Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc., a
Connecticut corporation (collectively, the "Subsidiary Guarantors") in
connection with the transactions to be effected pursuant to that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996 (the "Credit Agreement") by and among
Holdings, the Borrower, the Bank party thereto from time to time, Bankers Trust
Company, as Agent.  Capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein
shall  have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement , and
other terms that are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the
State of New York (the "New York UCC") have the same meanings when used herein
unless otherwise indicated by the context in which such terms are so used.
Holdings, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors are collectively referred
to herein as the "Credit Parties" and individually as a "Credit Party".  This
opinion is being delivered to you at the express direction of the Borrowers
pursuant to Section 5.03 of the Credit Agreement.

         In rendering the opinions set forth herein, we have examined:

         (i)     the certificates of incorporation and bylaws of the Credit
Parties;
<PAGE>   136
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent 
November 27, 1996               
Page 2                          




         (ii)    resolutions of the boards of directors and, if applicable,
stockholders, of the Credit Parties with respect to the transactions referred
to herein to which such Person is a party;

         (iii)   the Credit Agreement

         (iv)    the Revolving Note dated the date hereof executed by the
Borrower in favor of BTCo;

         (v)     the Environmental Indemnity Agreement;

         (vi)    the Pledge Agreement and the Pledged Securities delivered in
connection therewith;

         (vii)   the Security Agreement;

         (viii)  the Subsidiary Guaranty;

         (ix)    the Assignment of Security Interests in United States
Trademarks and Patents dated as of the date hereof by and between the Borrower
and the Agent (the "Trademark and Patent Assignment");

         (x)     the Assignment of Security Interest in United States
Copyrights dated as of the date hereof by and between the Borrower and the
Agent (the "Copyright Assignment");

         (xi)    (A) the mortgages and deeds of trust identified on Schedule I
hereto, each dated as of the date hereof (the "Mortgages") and executed by the
Borrower in favor of the Agent, including, but not limited to, the Mortgages to
be recorded in the State of Texas (the "Texas Mortgages"), and (B) the UCC-1
financing statement to be filed in the Office of the Texas Secretary of State
in connection with the Texas Mortgages (the "Texas Mortgage Financing
Statements");

         (xii)   the UCC-1 financing statements (other than the Texas Mortgage
Financing Statements) executed by the Credit Parties for filing within the
State of Texas (collectively, the "Texas Security Agreement Financing
Statements," with the Texas Mortgage Financing Statements and the Texas
Security Agreement Financing Statements herein collectively referred to as the
"Texas Financing Statements"); and

         (xiii)  the UCC-1 financing statements executed by the Credit Parties
for filing within the States of Arizona, Connecticut, New York, and Nevada
(collectively, the "CCH Financing Statements");

         ((iii) - (xiii)  collectively, hereinafter referred to as the
"Documents") and such other agreements, instruments and documents, and such
questions of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to
render the opinions expressed below.  Additionally, we have examined originals
or copies, certified to our satisfaction, of such certificates of public
officials and officers
<PAGE>   137
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent 
November 27, 1996               
Page 3                          

and representatives of the Credit Parties as we have deemed relevant or
necessary, as the basis for the opinions set forth herein.

         In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed (i) that
the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which this
opinion is rendered are genuine, (ii) all documents submitted to us as
originals or duplicate originals are authentic, (iii) all documents submitted
to us as copies, whether certified or not, conform to authentic original
documents , (iv) the due authorization, execution and delivery of the Documents
by all parties thereto other than the Credit Parties and that each such
Document is valid, binding and enforceable against the parties thereto other
than the Credit Parties, and (v) the legal capacity of natural persons.  We
have assumed that each Credit Party will perform its obligations under the
Documents in good faith and as required by law and that all representations and
warranties by the each Credit Party in the Documents are true and correct in
all material respects and that no fraud and misrepresentation exist with
respect to matters under the Documents.  As to various questions of material
fact to our opinion, we have relied upon the accuracy and completeness of the
representations made in the Transaction Documents by the Credit Parties and
upon officer's certificates executed by an officer  of each Credit Party
(collectively, the "Officer's Certificate").

         Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualification, exceptions,
limitations and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

         1.      Each Credit Party is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation.  Each Credit Party has the requisite corporate power and
authority to own its properties and assets and to transact the business in
which it is engaged and presently proposes to engage.

         2.      Each Credit Party is duly qualified and in good standing in
each jurisdiction identified in the Officer's Certificate executed by an
officer of such Credit Party as a jurisdiction in which such Credit Party owns
or leases property or conducts business.

         3.      Each Credit Party has the requisite corporate power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform the terms and provisions of each of
the Documents to which it is a party and has taken all necessary corporate
action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of each such
Document.

         4.      (a)  Each Credit Party has duly executed and delivered each of
the Documents to which it is a party.

                 (b)      Under the laws of the State of New York, each of the
Documents constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Credit
Party, to the extent that the same is a party thereto, enforceable in
accordance with its terms.
<PAGE>   138
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
November 27, 1996
Page 4


         5.      Neither the execution and delivery by each Credit Party of the
Documents to which it is a party, nor compliance by its provision of any
Applicable Law (as hereinafter defined) (including, without limitation
Regulations G, T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System) or any applicable order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or
governmental instrumentality identified in the Officer's Certificate, (ii)
conflicts with or result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants,
conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the
creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien
(except pursuant to the Security Documents) upon any of the material properties
or assets of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement or loan agreement, or any
other material agreement, contract or instrument identified in the Officer's
Certificate, or (iii) will violate any provision of the certificate of
incorporation or by-laws of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) requires
the consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing,
recording or registration with, or exemption by, any governmental or public
body or authority, or any subdivision thereof pursuant to Applicable Law.  As
used herein the term "Applicable Law" means the Delaware General Corporation
Law, the Texas Business Corporation Act, and those laws, statutes, rules or
regulations that, in our experience would normally be applicable to a
transaction of the type evidenced by the Documents and that is promulgated or
enacted by the federal government of the United States or any agency or
instrumentality thereof or the States of New York or Texas or any political
subdivision thereof, but excluding (a) any laws, rules or regulations relating
to (i) pollution or protection of the environment, (ii) zoning, land use,
building or construction, (iii) labor, employee rights and benefits, and
occupational safety and health and (iv) utility regulation (except as set forth
in paragraph 9 below) and antitrust, (b) any laws, rules or regulations of any
county, municipality, or similar political subdivision or any agency or
instrumentality thereof,  (c) the Texas usury laws, and (d) as to Texas law,
laws relating to provisions that release, exempt, or exculpate a party from, or
require indemnification of a party for, liability for its own action or
inaction, to the extent that the same are inconsistent with public policy.

         6.      To our knowledge, there are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending or, threatened, with respect to any Credit Party (i) that are likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that could reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the rights or remedies of the Banks or on the
ability of any Credit Party to perform its respective obligations to the Banks
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents to which it is, or will be, a
party.  Additionally, to our knowledge, there does not exist any judgment,
order or injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon
the occurrence of any Credit Event.

         7.      The authorized capital stock of the Borrower and H-R Window
and the issued and outstanding shares thereof and the record owners thereof,
are as set forth on Schedule II hereto.  All of such outstanding shares are
fully-paid and non-assessable and have been issued free of any pre-emptive
rights.  No authorized by unissued or treasury shares of capital stock of the
Borrower or H-R Window are subject to any option, warrant, right to call or
commitment of any kind or character.  Neither the Borrower nor H-R Window has
outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its capital
stock or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options
for the purchase of, or any agreements providing for the issuance (contingent
or otherwise)
<PAGE>   139
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
November 27, 1996
Page 5

to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its capital stock or
any convertible securities, rights or options of the type described in the
preceding sentence.

         8.      Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties
set forth in each subscription document of limited partners of Hicks, Muse,
Tate & Furst Equity Fund III, L.P. and that there is no violation by any such
limited partner of Section 48(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"), none of the Credit Parties is an "investment company"
that is required to be registered under the 1940 Act.

         9.      None of the Credit Parties is a "holding company", or a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding
company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company", as such terms are
defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

         10.     The provisions of the Security Agreement are effective to
create, in favor of the Collateral Agent for its benefit and for the benefit of
the Secured Creditors, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in all
right, title and interest of the Credit Parties in the Security Agreement
Collateral (as such term is defined in the Security Agreement) accurately and
adequately described in the Security Agreement in which a security interest may
be created under Article 9 of the New York UCC.  Assuming that the Texas
Security Agreement Financing Statements were filed in the offices set forth on
Schedule III hereto and have not subsequently been released, terminated or
modified, the Collateral Agent's security interest in the Security Agreement
Collateral accurately and adequately described in the Security Agreement has
been duly and validly perfected to the extent that such security interest may
be perfected under the Texas version of the Uniform Commercial Code (the "Texas
UCC") by the filing of the Texas Financing Statements.

         11.     We have reviewed the Commerce Clearing  House, Inc. Secured
Transactions Guide, as supplemented through October 29, 1996 (the "Guide"), and
based solely on our review of the Guide, and assuming that the CCH Financing
Statements were filed in the offices set forth on Schedule III hereto and have
not subsequently been released, terminated or modified, the Collateral Agent's
security interest in the Security Agreement Collateral accurately and
adequately described in the Security Agreement has been duly and validly
perfected to the extent that such a security interest may be perfected under
the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in the States of Arizona,
Connecticut, New York and Nevada (the "Subject States") by the filing of
financing statements.

         12.     Based on our understanding that the Collateral Agent has taken
and is retaining in the State of New York possession of the Pledged Securities
described in Part I and Part II of Annex A to the Pledge Agreement
(collectively, the "Pledged Collateral"), there has been created under the
Pledge Agreement, and there has been granted to the Collateral Agent, for the
benefit of Agent and the Secured Creditors, a valid and perfected security
interest and lien upon the Pledged Collateral to the extent a security interest
may be obtained by possession under the New York UCC, which
<PAGE>   140
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
November 27, 1996
Page 6

security interest and lien will be free from any adverse claim (as such term is
defined in Section 8-302 of the New York UCC).

         13.     The provisions of the Copyright Assignment and the Trademark
and Patent Assignment are sufficient to create, in favor of Collateral Agent
for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, a security interest in all right,
title and interest of the Borrower in the Collateral accurately and adequately
described respectively therein (with such Collateral herein referred to as the
"Patent Collateral").  Assuming the (i) filing and recording of the Copyright
Assignment in the United States Copyright Office, (ii) filing and recording of
the Trademark and Patent Assignment in the United States Patent and Trademark
Office, and (iii) the filing of financing statements related to the Patent
Collateral in the appropriate Uniform Commercial Code filing offices, the
Collateral Agent's security interest in the Patent Collateral has been duly and
validly perfected under applicable law.

         14.     The interest rates applicable to the Obligations of the
Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the Notes do not violate any law, rule
or regulation of the State of New York prescribing a maximum rate of interest.

         15.     The form of the Texas Mortgages, the acknowledgments thereto
and the Texas Mortgage Financing Statements comply with all applicable
recording, filing and registration laws and regulations of the State of Texas
and are legally sufficient for the purposes intended to be accomplished
thereby.

         16.     A fully executed counterpart of the Texas Mortgages should be
filed for record in the office of the County Clerk in the county in which the
real property covered by the Texas Mortgages are located, and fully executed
counterparts of the Texas Mortgage Financing Statements should be filed in the
Office of the Secretary of State of Texas.  No other filings are necessary or
appropriate for the purposes intended to be accomplished thereby, other than
continuation statements as required by the Texas UCC.  Upon such filing, the
Texas Mortgages will constitute as security for the obligations therein
described, (a) valid mortgage liens on all real property and interests in real
property accurately and specifically described in the Texas Mortgages as being
mortgaged thereby, and (b) a perfected security interest in all tangible
personal property and fixtures if adequately described in the Texas Mortgages
as being mortgaged (collectively, the "Mortgaged Personal Properties") thereby
to the extent that the Texas UCC is applicable thereto.  The real property and
personal property described in clauses (a) and (b) of the preceding sentence
are herein collectively referred to as the "Texas Mortgaged Properties."  The
Security Agreement Collateral, the Pledged Collateral, the Patent Collateral,
and the Mortgaged Personal Properties are herein referred to collectively as
the "Collateral."

         17.     Neither the Collateral Agent nor any Bank is required to be
qualified to do business or file any designation for service of process of file
any reports or pay any taxes in the State of Texas, or comply with any
statutory or regulatory requirements applicable only to financial institutions
chartered or qualified or required to be chartered or qualified to do business
in the State of Texas, solely by virtue of making the Revolving Loans or
issuing the Letters of Credit, taking a Lien on
<PAGE>   141
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
November 27, 1996
Page 7

property in the State of Texas, enforcing its rights under the Texas Mortgages,
the Credit Agreement or the other Documents and/or the taking of rights under
the lease of the encumbered property through the exercise of remedies under the
Documents, including without limitation, through purchase at a foreclosure
sale, pursuant to a power of sale or by taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

         18.     There are no mortgage taxes, documentary stamp taxes,
intangibles taxes or any other state or local taxes, recording charges, fees or
other charges payable in connection with the execution, delivery, recordation,
filing or enforcement of the Texas Mortgage Financing Statements or the Texas
Mortgages other than nominal recording fees in the appropriate state and county
offices.

         The opinions set forth above are subject in all respects to the
following qualifications, limitations, exceptions and assumptions:

         (a)     The opinions set forth above are subject, as to
enforceability, to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy (including, without
limitation, preference and fraudulent conveyance), insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.  The
enforceability opinions set forth above are also subject to the effect of
general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in proceedings
in equity or at law), including, without limitation, concepts of materiality,
reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of
specific performance or injunctive relief.

         (b)     With respect to our perfection opinions set forth in
paragraphs 10, 11, 13 and 16 above, we note that continuation statements as
required by the applicable version of the Uniform Commercial Code (the "UCC")
must be filed in order to maintain the effectiveness of the filing of the
financing statements therein referred to.  We also note that in the case of
property that becomes Collateral or Texas Mortgaged Properties after the date
hereof, Section 552 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code limits the extent to which
property acquired by a debtor after the commencement of a case under the
Federal Bankruptcy Code may be subject to a security interest arising from a
security agreement entered into by the debtor before the commencement of such
case.  We call to your attention that the perfection of the security interests
described in paragraphs 10, 11, 13, and 16 above will lapse (i) as to any
Collateral (as to which the filing of a financing statement is necessary)
acquired by any Credit Party more than four months after such Credit Party so
changes its name, identity or corporate structure as to make any previously
filed financing statements seriously misleading, unless new appropriate
financing statements indicating the new name, identity or corporate structure
of the Credit Party involved are filed before the expiration of such four
months, and (ii) as to any Collateral constituting accounts, general
intangibles, mobile goods and (in the case of a non-possessory security
interest) chattel paper four months after any Credit Party changes its chief
executive office to a new jurisdiction (or, if earlier, when perfection would
have ceased due to the failure to file any required continuation statements)
unless the security interests of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Creditors
are perfected in such new jurisdiction before that termination.  We express no
opinion with respect to the perfection of the Collateral Agent's or any Secured
Creditor's security interest in any Collateral except as set forth in
paragraphs 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16 above, and, except as set forth in paragraph
12 above, we express no opinion with respect to
<PAGE>   142
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
November 27, 1996
Page 8

the priority of any Lien or security interest in the Collateral or the Texas
Mortgaged Properties.  We also note that in the case of the Collateral Agent's
and the Secured Creditors' security interest in proceeds, continuation of
perfection of such security interests therein is limited to the extent set
forth in the applicable version of the UCC.  We further note that the
Collateral Agent's and any Secured Creditor's remedies under the Pledge
Agreement to sell or offer for sale any Pledged Stock (as therein defined) are
subject to compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws.

         (c)     We express no opinion with respect to the perfection or
priority of the Collateral Agent's and the Secured Creditors' security
interests in any Collateral (i) that is subject to a state statute or a statute
or treaty of the United States that provides for a certificate of title or
national or international registration; (ii) constituting goods that are
affixed to, or become a part of a product or mass  with goods that are not
items of Collateral; (iii) constituting goods that are or become fixtures
(except for fixtures located on real property portions of the Texas Mortgaged
Properties); (iv) constituting accounts that are due from the United States or
any State of the United States or any agency or department of the United States
or any State; (v) consisting of consumer goods, equipment used in farming
operations, farm products, crops, timber, minerals and the like (minerals that
are part of the Texas Mortgaged Properties are covered by the Texas Mortgages
as heretofore stated) or accounts or general intangibles resulting from the
sale thereof, beneficial interests in a trust or a decedent's estate and
letters of credit, policies of insurance, and deposit accounts; and (vi) as to
which the perfection of a security interest in such Collateral is, pursuant to
Section 9-103 of the applicable version of the UCC, governed by the law of a
jurisdiction other than Texas and the Subject States.  We also express no
opinion with respect to the enforceability of certain provisions of the
Mortgages to the extent that, pursuant to conflicts of law principles applied
in the State of New York, the laws of a jurisdiction other than New York or (as
set forth in paragraphs 15 and 16 above) Texas mandatorily govern the
enforceability of such provisions.

         (d)     In rendering our opinions set forth in paragraph 12 above with
respect to adverse claims, we have assumed with your permission and without
independent verification that the Collateral Agent and the Secured Creditors
are bona fide purchasers as defined in Section 8-302 of the New York UCC.

         (e)     In rendering our opinion set forth in paragraph 11 above with
respect to the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in the Subject
States, we have assumed, with your permission and without verification, that
the judicial interpretations of the pertinent provisions of the Uniform
Commercial Code of such Subject States are identical in all material respects
to the judicial interpretations of the Texas courts with respect to the Texas
UCC.

         (f)     As to matters with respect to which our opinion is stated to
be "to our knowledge" or words of similar effect, we have not undertaken any
independent examination of facts, but have based our opinion in sole reliance
upon the Officers' Certificates and upon matters of which the attorneys in our
Firm who have devoted time to this matter have current actual knowledge.
<PAGE>   143
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
November 27, 1996
Page 9


         (g)     We express no opinion with respect to the following provisions
to the extent that same are contained in the Documents:

                 (i)      provisions purporting to waive rights to notices,
objects, demands, legal defenses, statutes of limitation, rights of trial by
jury, or other benefits or rights that cannot be waived under applicable law;

                 (ii)     provisions purporting to affect the jurisdiction or
venue of courts;

                 (iii)    provisions granting to the Collateral Agent or any
Secured Creditor powers of attorney or authority to execute the documents or to
act by power of attorney on behalf of any Credit Party;

                 (iv)     provisions purporting to provide remedies
inconsistent with the applicable version of the UCC, to the extent that the UCC
is applicable thereto and to the extent that such remedies may not be altered
by the consent of the parties pursuant to the provisions of the UCC;

                 (v)      provisions releasing, exculpating or exempting a
party from, or requiring indemnification of a party for, liability for its own
gross negligence or willful misconduct;

                 (vi)     provisions purporting to establish evidentiary
standards for suits or proceedings to enforce the Documents;

                 (vii)    provisions related to rights of subrogation, offset,
and liquidated damages;  and

                 (viii)   provisions that decisions by a party are conclusive.

         (h)     We have not been called upon to, and accordingly do not,
express any opinion as to various state and federal laws regulating banks or
the conduct of their business that may relate to the Documents or the
transactions contemplated thereby.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, we express no opinion as to the effect of the law of any
jurisdiction other than the State of New York wherein any bank may be located
or where an enforcement of the Documents may be sought that limits the rates of
interest legally chargeable or collectible.

         (i)     In rendering our opinions set forth above with respect to
those Subsidiary Guarantors incorporated in the State of Connecticut
(collectively, the "Connecticut Subsidiaries") we have relied with your
permission and without independent verification upon the opinion addressed to
you dated today of Roberta S. Schwartz with respect to the following matters:

                 (i)      the due organization, valid existence and good
standing of each Connecticut Subsidiary under the laws of the State of
Connecticut, and the corporate power and authority of each


<PAGE>   144



                                                                       EXHIBIT E

Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
November 27, 1996
Page 10

Connecticut Subsidiary to own its properties and assets and to transact the
business in which it is engaged and presently proposes to engage;

                 (ii)     the qualification and good standing of the
Connecticut Subsidiaries in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is
necessary;

                 (iii)    the corporate power and authority of each Connecticut
Subsidiary to execute, deliver and perform the terms and provisions of the
Documents to which it is a party and the due authorization of the execution,
delivery and performance by each Connecticut Subsidiary of such Documents by
all necessary corporate action; and

                 (iv)     the due execution and delivery by each Connecticut
Subsidiary of the Documents to which it is a party and such Connecticut
Subsidiary's compliance with the terms and provisions thereof will not violate
any provision of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of such
Connecticut Subsidiary.

         (j)     We have made no examination of, and express no opinion with
respect to, the accuracy or sufficiency of the description of any portion of
the Collateral or the Texas Mortgaged Properties.  To the contrary, we have
assumed, without investigation, the accuracy and sufficiency of the
descriptions of all of the Collateral and the Texas Mortgaged Properties.  We
have also assumed, with your permission and without investigation, that the
appropriate Credit Party has marketable title to all of the Collateral and good
and indefeasible title to the real property portion of the Texas Mortgaged
Properties.

         (k)     With respect to any assignment of rents contained in the
Documents, we note that to the extent that any such assignment of rents is
characterized as an assignment for security purposes, under Texas case law such
assignment does not become operative unless or until the Collateral Agent or a
Secured Creditor obtains possession of the real property involved, impounds the
rents, secures the appointment of a receiver, or takes some similar action.

         (l)     We do not intend by the opinions expressed above with respect
to enforceability to indicate that the due-on-sale and due-on-encumbrance
provisions and other restrictions on transfer contained in the Documents are in
all respects enforceable.  In that connection we call your special attention to
Section 9.311 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code with respect to personal
property and to Metropolitan Sav. & Loan Assoc. V. Nabours, 652 S.W.2d 820
(Tex.  Civ. App.--Tyler 1983, writ dism'd w.o.j.) and In re Abramoff, 92 B.R.
698 (Bankr. W.D. Tex. 1988) with respect to the real property portion of the
Texas Mortgaged Properties.

         (m)     Our opinions set forth in paragraphs 17 and 18 above are
subject to the following qualifications.  We note that in the event that the
Collateral Agent or any Secured Creditor  acquires title to any real or
personal property located in the State of Texas (whether by foreclosure, deed
in lieu of foreclosure, or otherwise), such the Collateral Agent or such
Secured Creditor may be required to qualify to do business in Texas and may be
subject to property taxes and other taxes in
<PAGE>   145
                                                                       EXHIBIT E
Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
November 27, 1996
Page 11

Texas.  We further note that an out-of-state bank or trust company is generally
precluded from qualifying to do business in Texas, although a non-bank
subsidiary of such a bank or trust company may so qualify.  In addition, in
rendering our opinions set forth in paragraphs 17 and 18 above, we express no
opinion with respect to Texas franchise taxes.

         (n)     The opinions expressed herein are as of the date hereof only,
and we assume no obligation to update or supplement such opinions to reflect
any fact or circumstance that may hereafter come to our attention or any change
in law that may hereafter occur or become effective.

         We are qualified to practice law in the State of Texas and the State
of New York.  We do not express any opinion herein concerning the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the laws of the State of New York, the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United
States of America and, as to the matters addressed in paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4(a),
7 (as to H-R Window), 5, 10, 15, 16, 17 and 18 above and the related
qualifications, the laws of the State of Texas.

         This opinion is solely for the benefit of the addresses hereof and may
not be relied upon by any other person, except that it may be relied upon by
any other Person which may subsequently become a Bank or the Agent under the
Credit Agreement.

                                        Very truly yours,


                                        VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.
<PAGE>   146
                                                                       EXHIBIT E


                                   SCHEDULE I
                                       TO
                         VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. OPINION

                                   MORTGAGES



1.       Deed of Trust, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents, and
Financing Statement executed by Atrium Companies, Inc. in favor of Bankers
Trust Company, as Agent, as Beneficiary, covering properties located in Irving,
Texas and Wylie, Texas

2.       Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents, and
Financing Statement executed by Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England,
Inc. to Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, as Mortgagee covering property located
in Clinton, Massachusetts
<PAGE>   147
                                                                       EXHIBIT E

                                  SCHEDULE II
                                       TO
                         VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. OPINION

              CAPITALIZATION OF BORROWER AND SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS


1.       Atrium Companies, Inc.

         3,000 share of capital stock, par value $0.01, authorized, 100 of
         which are issued and outstanding and held of record and owned by
         Atrium Corporation.

2.       H-R Window Supply, Inc.

         100 shares of capital stock, no par value, authorized, issued and
         outstanding, all of which are held of record and owned by Atrium
         Companies, Inc.

3.       Bishop Manufacturing Co. of New York, Inc.

         5,000 shares of capital stock, no par value, authorized, 1,000 of
         which are issued and outstanding and held of record and owned
         beneficially by Atrium Companies, Inc.

4.       Vinyl Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc.

         100 shares of capital stock, par value $25.00 per share, authorized,
         issued and outstanding, all of which are held of record and owned by
         Atrium Companies, Inc.

5.       Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated

         150 shares of capital stock, no par value, authorized, issued and
         outstanding, all of which are held of record and owned by Vinyl
         Building Specialties of Connecticut, Inc.

6.       Bishop Manufacturing Company of New England, Inc.

         5,000 shares of capital stock, no par value, authorized, 1,000 of
         which are issued and outstanding and held of record and owned
         beneficially by Bishop Manufacturing Company, Incorporated.
<PAGE>   148
                                                                       EXHIBIT E



                                  SCHEDULE III
                                       TO
                         VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. OPINION

                                 FILING OFFICES


I.       Texas Financing Statements:

         Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Texas

II.      CCH Financing Statements:

         A.      Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona
         B.      Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Connecticut
         C.      Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada
         D.      Office of the Secretary of State of the State of New York
         E.      County Clerk for the County of Nassau, State of New York
<PAGE>   149
                                                                       EXHIBIT F




                         FORM OF OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE


                             [NAME OF CREDIT PARTY]
                             Officers' Certificate


              I, the undersigned, [Chairman of the Board/President/Chief
Financial Officer/Vice President/Treasurer] of [NAME OF CREDIT PARTY], a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of [Delaware]
[Texas] [Connecticut] (the "Company"), do hereby certify, as such officer and
not individually, that:

              1.  This Certificate is furnished pursuant to Section 5.04 of the
Credit Agreement, dated as of November __, 1996, among Atrium Corporation,
Atrium Companies, Inc., the Banks from time to time party thereto and Bankers
Trust Company, as Agent (such Credit Agreement, as in effect on the date of
this Certificate, being herein called the "Credit Agreement").  Unless
otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Certificate shall have
the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

              2.  The following named individuals are elected officers of the
Company, each holds the office of the Company set forth opposite his name and
has held such office since __________, 19__.(1/)  The signature written opposite
the name and title of each such officer is his correct signature.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Name(2/)                Office                Signature

       <S>                         <C>                   <C>
       _______________             ________________      ____________________

       _______________             ________________      ____________________

       _______________             ________________      ____________________

       _______________             ________________      ____________________
</TABLE>





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

(1/)  Insert a date prior to the time of any corporate action relating to the
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document.

(2/)  Include name, office and signature of each officer who will sign any
Credit Document, including the officer who will sign the certification at the
end of this Certificate.
<PAGE>   150
                                                                       EXHIBIT F
                                                                          Page 2





              3.  Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a certified copy of the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as filed in the Office of the
Secretary of State of the State of [Delaware] [Texas] [Connecticut] on
___________, 19__, together with all amendments thereto adopted through the
date hereof.

              4.  Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true and correct copy of
the By-Laws of the Company which were duly adopted, are in full force and
effect on the date hereof.

              5.  Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true and correct copy of
resolutions which were duly adopted on __________, 19__ [by unanimous written
consent of the Board of Directors of the Company], and said resolutions have
not been rescinded, amended or modified.  Except as attached hereto as Exhibit
C, no resolutions have been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company
which deal with the execution, delivery or performance of any of the Credit
Documents or any other Documents to which the Company is party.

              [6.  Attached hereto as Exhibit D are true and correct copies of
all Shareholders' Agreements with respect to the capital stock of Holdings and
its Subsidiaries.

              7.  Attached hereto as Exhibit E are true and correct copies of
all Management Agreements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.

              8.  Attached hereto as Exhibit F are true and correct copies of
all Collective Bargaining Agreements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.

              9.  Attached hereto as Exhibit G are true and correct copies of
all Existing Debt Agreements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.

              10.  Attached hereto as Exhibit H are true and correct copies of
all Senior Subordinated Note Documents.

              11.  Attached hereto as Exhibit I are true and correct copies of
all Tax Sharing Agreements.
<PAGE>   151
                                                                       EXHIBIT F
                                                                          Page 3




              12.  Attached hereto as Exhibit J are true and correct copies of
the Recapitalization Documents.](3/)

              [6.  On the date hereof, all of the conditions in Sections 5.06,
5.07, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, and 6.01 of the Credit Agreement have been satisfied
(except to the extent that any such condition is required to be satisfactory to
or determined by any Bank, the Required Banks and/or the Agent).](4/)

              [7.][13.]  On the date hereof, the representations and warranties
contained in the Credit Agreement and in the other Credit Documents to which
the Company is a party are true and correct in all material respects, both
before and after giving effect to each Credit Event to occur on the date hereof
and the application of the proceeds thereof (it being understood and agreed
that any representation or warranty which by its terms is made as of a
specified date shall be required to be true and correct in all material
respects only as of such specified date).

              [8.][14.]  On the date hereof, no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing under any Credit Document to which the Company is a
party or would result from the Credit Events to occur on the date hereof or
from the application of the proceeds thereof.

              [9.][15.]  There is no proceeding for the dissolution or
liquidation of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatening its
existence.


              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and
delivered this Officer's Certificate on this ___ day of __________, 1996.


                            [NAME OF CREDIT PARTY]


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





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

(3/)  Insert bracketed items 6 through 12 in the Certificate delivered by
Holdings only.

(4/)  Insert bracketed item 6 in the Certificate delivered by the Borrower only.
<PAGE>   152
                                                                       EXHIBIT F
                                                                          Page 4





                             [NAME OF CREDIT PARTY]


I, the undersigned, [Secretary/Assistant Secretary] of the Company, do hereby
certify, as such officer and not individually, that:

              1.  [Name of Person making above certifications] is the duly
elected and qualified [President/Chief Financial Officer/Vice
President/Treasurer] of the Company and the signature above is his genuine
signature.

              2.  The certifications made by [name of Person making above
certifications] in Items 2, 3, 4, 5 and [9] [16] above are true and correct.


              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and
delivered this Secretary's Certificate on this _____ day of _________, 1996.



                            [NAME OF CREDIT PARTY]


                                                          
                            ------------------------------
                            Name:
                            Title:
<PAGE>   153
                                                                       EXHIBIT G




                    FORM OF ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY AGREEMENT



              This ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNITY AGREEMENT, dated as of November __,
1996 (this "Agreement"), is made by each of the undersigned (each individually
referred to herein as an "Indemnitor" and collectively as the "Indemnitors"),
in favor of BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, or any successor Agent (the "Agent"), for
the benefit of the Banks, and their respective successors, assigns and
participants, any purchaser of any Real Property owned or operated by Holdings
or any of its Subsidiaries at any foreclosure sale, any recipient of a deed or
assignment in lieu of foreclosure of any such Real Property, and each and all
of their respective successors, assigns, parents, subsidiaries and affiliated
entities, and the respective directors, officers, shareholders, agents,
attorneys and employees of each of the foregoing (hereinafter referred to
individually as an "Indemnified Party" and collectively, as the "Indemnified
Parties").  Unless otherwise defined herein or unless the context clearly
requires otherwise, initially capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement, dated
as of November __, 1996, among the Atrium Corporation ("Holdings"), Atrium
Companies, Inc. (the "Borrower"), the Banks party thereto from time to time and
the Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement").


                             W I T N E S S E T H :


              WHEREAS, the Banks contemplate making one or more Loans and the
issuance of and participation in, one or more Letters of Credit pursuant to the
terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement;

              WHEREAS, each Loan and the reimbursement obligations
("Reimbursement Obligations") with respect to each Letter of Credit may be
secured by, among other security, real property, including improvements and
fixtures thereon, owned or operated by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to the Mortgages executed by Holdings and/or any of its Subsidiaries,
as trustor or mortgagor, for the benefit of the Agent, acting in its capacity
as Collateral Agent as beneficiary or mortgagee, which Mortgages encumber
Holdings' or any of its Subsidiaries' fee simple or leasehold interests in
certain real property, now owned or hereafter acquired, and the improvements
and fixtures thereon pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, as more
particularly described therein (the "Mortgaged Real Property"), all such other
fee simple or leasehold interests in real property of Holdings or any
Subsidiary, now owned or hereafter acquired and improvements and
<PAGE>   154
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                          Page 2



fixtures thereon not subject to the Mortgages (the "Other Real Property") (the
Mortgaged Real Property and the Other Real Property collectively, the "Real
Property").  The term "Real Property" as used herein shall include the
groundwater, surface water, soil, airspace at, in, on, under or adjacent to
such Real Property;

              WHEREAS, as a result of the exercise of the Banks' rights and
remedies in connection with any Loan or Letter of Credit, an Indemnified Party
may hereafter become the owner of all or a portion of the Real Property
pursuant to a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure or by deed in lieu of
foreclosure;

              WHEREAS, it is possible that after payment in full of any Loan or
Reimbursement Obligations, one or more of the Indemnified Parties may be joined
or named as a party to litigation or an administrative proceeding, or have
other Environmental Claims brought against it, and as a result, one or more of
the Indemnified Parties may incur or suffer certain liabilities, costs and
expenses in connection with all or a portion of the Real Property relating to
Hazardous Materials; and

              WHEREAS, as a condition of the agreement of the Banks to accept
Holdings' or any of its Subsidiaries' fee simple or leasehold interests in the
Mortgaged Real Property as security for any Loan or Letter of Credit (the
granting of such security with this accompanying Agreement being a condition to
the Banks' obligation to make any Loan or issue any Letter of Credit in the
amount and with the terms as set forth in the Credit Agreement and with respect
to Holdings' or any of its Subsidiaries' fee simple or leasehold interests in
any Other Real Property), the Indemnitors are required to, and the Indemnitors
have agreed to, execute and deliver this Agreement to the Banks.

              NOW, THEREFORE, in order to induce the Banks to accept the Real
Property as security for the Loans and issue such Letters of Credit and to,
accordingly, enter into such Loans and issue such Letters of Credit, and in
consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Indemnitors
agree for the benefit of the Indemnified Parties as follows:

              1.     Defined Terms.

               For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall
apply:

              "Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.
<PAGE>   155
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                          Page 3





              "Agreement" shall mean this Environmental Indemnity Agreement, as
amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

              "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as the same may be amended from time
to time, 42 U.S.C. Section  9601 et seq.

              "Credit Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the
introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

              "Environmental Claims" shall mean any and all administrative,
regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, directives,
claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations or
proceedings relating in any way to any Environmental Law or any permit issued,
or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law (hereafter, "Claims"),
including, without limitation, (a) any and all Claims by governmental or
regulatory authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or
other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law, and (b)
any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages, contribution,
indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief in connection
with alleged injury or threat of injury to health, safety or the environment
due to the presence of Hazardous Materials.

              "Environmental Law" shall mean any applicable Federal, state,
foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and
enforceable guideline or written policy, and any rule of common law, in the
case of each of the foregoing now or hereafter in effect and in each case as
amended, and any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including
any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, to the extent
such order, decree or judgment is binding on Holdings, the Borrower or any of
their respective Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, employee health and
safety or Hazardous Materials, including, without limitation, CERCLA; RCRA; the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.; the Toxic
Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42
U.S.C. Section  7401 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section
3803 et seq.; the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33 U.S.C. Section 2701 et seq.;
the Emergency Planning and the Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C.
Section 11001 et seq., the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C.
Section 1801 et seq. and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C.
Section 651 et seq. (to the extent it regulates occupational exposure to
Hazardous Materials); and any state or local counterparts or equivalents, in
each case as amended from time to time.

              "Hazardous Materials" shall mean (a) any petroleum or petroleum
products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could become
friable, urea formaldehyde foam
<PAGE>   156
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                          Page 4




insulation, transformers or other equipment that contain dielectric fluid
containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas; and (b) any
chemicals, materials or substances defined as or included in the definition of
"hazardous substances," "hazardous waste," "hazardous materials," "extremely
hazardous substances," "restricted hazardous waste," "toxic substances," "toxic
pollutants," "contaminants," or "pollutants," or words of similar import, under
any applicable Environmental Law.

              "Indemnified Matters" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.

              "Indemnified Obligations" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.

              "Indemnified Party" and "Indemnified Parties" shall have the
meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

              "Indemnitor" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.

              "Mortgaged Real Property" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

              "Other Parties" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.

              "Other Real Property" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

              "RCRA" shall mean the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as
the same may be amended from time to time, 42 U.S.C. Section  6901 et seq.

              "Real Property" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
to this Agreement.

              "Release" shall mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring,
emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping,
disposing or migration into the environment.

              2.     Representations and Warranties.  Each of the Indemnitors
hereby jointly and severally represents and warrants to the Banks that on the
date hereof and on the date of the making of each Revolving Loan and issuance
of each Letter of Credit:
<PAGE>   157
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                          Page 5




              2.1    Holdings,  the Borrower and each of their respective
Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with, and on the date of
each Credit Event will be in material compliance with, all applicable
Environmental Laws and the requirements of any permits issued under such
Environmental Laws.  There are no pending, past or threatened Environmental
Claims against Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries
or any Real Property owned or operated by Holdings, the Borrower or any of
their respective Subsidiaries.  There are no facts, circumstances, conditions
or occurrences concerning the operations of Holdings, the Borrower or any of
their Subsidiaries (including disposal or transportation of Hazardous
Substances) or concerning any Real Property owned or operated by Holdings, the
Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries or, on any property adjoining
or in the vicinity of any such Real Property that could reasonably be expected
(a) to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against Holdings, the Borrower
or any of their respective Subsidiaries or any such Real Property, or (b) to
cause any such Real Property to be subject to any restrictions on the
ownership, occupancy, use or transferability of such Real Property by Holdings,
the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries under any applicable
Environmental Law.

              2.2    Hazardous Materials have not at any time been generated,
used, treated or stored on, or transported to or from, any Real Property owned
or operated by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries
where such generation, use, treatment or storage has violated or could
reasonably be expected to violate any Environmental Law or could reasonably be
expected to result in an Environmental Claim.  Hazardous Materials have not at
any time been Released on or from any Real Property owned or operated by
Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries where such
Release has violated or could reasonably be expected to violate any applicable
Environmental Law or could reasonably be expected to result in an Environmental
Claim. Except as disclosed on Schedule 1 hereto, no underground storage tanks
are located on any Real Property owned or operated by Holdings, the Borrower or
any of their respective Subsidiaries.

              2.3    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section
2, the representations and warranties made in this Section 2 shall only be
untrue if the aggregate effect of all failures, violations and noncompliances
of the types described above could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

              3.     Covenants.  Each Indemnitor hereby jointly and severally
covenants and agrees that:

              3.1    Promptly upon, and in any event within ten (10) Business
Days after, an officer of Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
Subsidiaries obtains knowledge thereof, it
<PAGE>   158
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                          Page 6




will furnish to the Agent notice of the following environmental matters, unless
such environmental matters could not, individually or when aggregated with all
other such environmental matters, be reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect:

              (a)  any pending or threatened Environmental Claim against
       Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any Real Property owned or
       operated by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
       Subsidiaries;

              (b)  any condition or occurrence on or arising from any Real
       Property owned or operated by Holdings, the Borrower or any respective
       Subsidiaries that (i) results in noncompliance by Holdings, the Borrower
       or any of their Subsidiaries with any applicable Environmental Law or
       (ii) could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental
       Claim against Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
       Subsidiaries, any Indemnified Party or any such Real Property;

              (c)  any condition or occurrence on any Real Property owned or
       operated by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective
       Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to cause such Real
       Property to be subject to any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy,
       use or transferability by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
       respective Subsidiaries of such Real Property under any Environmental
       Law; and

              (d)  the taking of any removal or remedial action in response to
       the actual or alleged presence of any Hazardous Material on any Real
       Property owned or operated by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their
       respective Subsidiaries as required by any Environmental Law or any
       governmental or other administrative agency; provided that in any event
       Holdings, and the Borrower shall deliver to each Bank all notices
       received by it or any of their respective Subsidiaries from any
       government or governmental agency under, or pursuant to, CERCLA.

All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature of the claim,
investigation, condition, occurrence or removal or remedial action and
Holdings', the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's response thereto.  In addition,
the Borrower will provide the Banks with copies of all material communications
with any government or governmental agency relating to Environmental Laws, all
communications with any Person (other than its attorneys) relating to
Environmental Claims, and such detailed reports of any Environmental Claim as
may reasonably be requested by the Banks.
<PAGE>   159
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                          Page 7




              3.2    Holdings, and the Borrower will comply, and will cause
each of their respective Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with
all Environmental Laws applicable to the ownership or use of any or all of the
Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by Holdings, the Borrower or
any of their respective Subsidiaries, will promptly pay or cause to be paid all
costs and expenses incurred in connection with such compliance, and will keep
or cause to be kept all such Real Property free and clear of any Liens imposed
pursuant to such Environmental Laws.  None of Holdings, the Borrower or any of
their respective Subsidiaries will generate, use, treat, store, release or
dispose of, or permit the generation, use, treatment, storage, release or
disposal of Hazardous Materials on any Real Property now or hereafter owned or
operated by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries, or
transport or permit the transportation of Hazardous Materials to or from any
such Real Property except for Hazardous Materials used or stored at any such
Real Properties in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws
and reasonably required in connection with the operation, use and maintenance
of any such Real Property, and so as not to give rise to a material
Environmental Claim.

              3.3    At the written request of the Agent or the Required Banks,
at any time and from time to time, the Borrower will provide, at the Borrower's
sole cost and expense, an environmental site assessment report concerning any
Real Property now or hereafter owned or operated by Holdings, the Borrower or
any of their respective Subsidiaries, prepared by an environmental consulting
firm chosen by the Borrower and approved by the Agent provided that such
approval may not be unreasonably withheld, indicating the presence or absence
of Hazardous Materials and the potential cost of any required removal or
remedial action in connection with any Hazardous Materials on such Real
Property; provided, that such request may be made only if (a) there has
occurred and is continuing an Event of Default, (b) the Agent reasonably
believes that Holdings, the Borrower or any such Real Property is not in
material compliance with an applicable Environmental Law, or (c) circumstances
exist that reasonably could be expected to form the basis of an Environmental
Claim against Holdings, the Borrower or any such Real Property which could have
a Material Adverse Effect.  If the Borrower fails to provide the same within 90
days after such request was made, the Agent may order the same, and the
Borrower shall grant and hereby grants to the Agent and the Banks and their
agents access to such Real Property and specifically grants the Agent and the
Banks an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the rights of tenants,
to undertake such an assessment, all at the Borrower's expense.
<PAGE>   160
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                          Page 8




              3.4    Indemnitors' Remedial Action.

              (a)    The Indemnitors shall, and shall cause each of their
       Subsidiaries to, conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing,
       and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary
       to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from the Real Property in
       accordance with the requirements of all applicable Environmental Laws,
       and in accordance with the orders or directives of any governmental
       authority.

              (b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in subparagraph
       (a) hereof, the Indemnitors shall, and shall cause each of their
       Subsidiaries to, conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing,
       and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary
       to remove and clean up to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent or
       the Required Banks all Hazardous Materials from the Real Property that
       may materially adversely affect the value of the Real Property, whether
       or not such action is required by any Environmental Laws.

              (c)    In the event that any of the Real Property is now or at
       any time in the future included on any list compiled by the United
       States or any state or political subdivision of properties affected by
       (i) Hazardous Materials or (ii) other environmental hazards, the
       Indemnitors shall, and shall cause each of their Subsidiaries to, use
       their best efforts to remove the Real Property from such list.

              3.5    Use of the Real Property.  The Indemnitors shall not, and
shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, change or permit to be changed
the use of the Real Property unless (a) such change is permitted by the Credit
Documents and undertaken in accordance with the Credit Agreement and (b) the
Indemnitors shall have notified each Bank thereof in writing that such change
will not result in the presence of Hazardous Materials at or on any of the Real
Property which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on the value of the Real Property.

              4.     Indemnification.  Each Indemnitor shall, on a joint and
several basis:  (a) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the
Agent and the Banks (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees
and disbursements) in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery,
performance and enforcement of this Agreement and any amendment, and (b)
indemnify and pay and hold each of the Indemnified Parties harmless from and
against any and all liabilities, obligations (including removal or remedial
actions), losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses and disbursements (including reasonable attorneys' and consultants'
fees and disbursements) incurred by, imposed on or assessed against any of them
as a result of, or
<PAGE>   161
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                          Page 9




arising out of, or in any way related to, or by reason of, the exercise of any
of their rights or remedies provided herein, or the actual or alleged presence
of Hazardous Materials in the air, surface water or groundwater or on or under
the surface or subsurface of any Real Property, the generation, storage,
transportation, handling or disposal of Hazardous Materials by the Borrower,
Holdings or their respective Subsidiaries at any location, whether or not owned
or operated by Holdings, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries,
the non-compliance of any Real Property with federal, state and local laws,
regulations and ordinances (including applicable permits thereunder) applicable
to any Real Property, or any Environmental Claim asserted against or relating
to Holdings, the Borrower, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of their
operations or any Real Property, (collectively, "Indemnified Matters");
provided, however, that the Indemnitors shall have no obligation under this
Agreement to any Indemnitee with respect to (i) any Indemnified Matter caused
by or resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any
Indemnitee or (ii) any Hazardous Materials that are first manufactured,
emitted, generated, treated, Released, stored, or disposed on the Real
Property, or any violation of Environmental Law, that first occurred on or with
respect to the Real Property after all Loans and any Unpaid Drawings are repaid
and all Letters of Credit terminated and/or the Real Property is transferred to
the Banks or their successors by foreclosure sale, deed in lieu of foreclosure,
or similar transfer except to the extent such manufacture, emission, Release,
generation, treatment, storage or disposal or violation is actually caused by
Indemnitors.  To the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay or hold
harmless any Indemnified Party set forth in the preceding sentence may be
unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, the
Indemnitors shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction
of each of the indemnified liabilities which is permissible under applicable
law.

              5.  Rights and Remedies.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to limit any claim or right which any Indemnified Party may otherwise
have at any time against any Indemnitor or any other person or entity arising
from any source other than this Agreement, including any claim for fraud,
misrepresentation, waste, or breach of contract other than this Agreement, and
any rights of contribution or indemnity under any Environmental Laws or other
applicable law, regulation or ordinance.  All remedies of each Indemnified
Party against each Indemnitor are cumulative.

              6.  Waivers and Subrogation.

              (a)  Each Indemnitor waives any right (except as shall be
       required by applicable statute and cannot be waived) to require the
       Indemnified Parties to (i) proceed against any other person or entity,
       (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security (iii) pursue any other
       remedy in the Indemnified Parties' power whatsoever.  Each Indemnitor
       waives any defense it otherwise may have against any Indemnified Party
       based on or arising out of any defense
<PAGE>   162
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 10




       of any other person or entity other than payment in full of the
       obligations otherwise arising hereunder (the "Indemnified Obligations"),
       including, without limitation any defense based on or arising out of the
       disability of any other person, or the unenforceability of the
       Indemnified Obligations or any part thereof from any cause, or the
       cessation from any cause of the liability of any other person or entity
       other than full performance of the Indemnified Obligations.  The
       Required Banks, at their election, may foreclose on any security held by
       them by one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every
       aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable (to the extent such
       sale is permitted by applicable law), or exercise any other right or
       remedy it may have against any other person or entity, or any security,
       without affecting or impairing in any way the liability of any
       Indemnitor hereunder except to the extent the Indemnified Obligations
       have been fully performed.  Each Indemnitor waives any defense arising
       out of any such election by the Required Banks, even though such
       election operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or
       subrogation or other right or remedy of such Indemnitor against any
       other person or entity or any security.

              (b)    Each Indemnitor hereby waives all rights of subrogation
       which it may at any time otherwise have as a result of this Agreement
       (whether contractual, under Section 509 of the United States Bankruptcy
       Code, or otherwise) to the claims of any other Indemnitor (collectively,
       the "Other Parties"), all contractual, statutory or common law rights of
       reimbursement, contribution or indemnity from any Other Parties which it
       may at any time otherwise have as a result of this Agreement and all
       other rights such Indemnitor may have against any Other Parties for
       Environmental Claims until such time that the Indemnified Obligations
       and the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full.

              7.  Survival.  The indemnities and covenants hereunder shall be
continuing and shall survive as unsecured rights and obligations: (a) the
payment in full of all indebtedness and the full performance of all obligations
under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents; (b) the surrender of
any Note, the reconveyance of any Mortgage and/or the release of any other
security for any Loan; (c) the foreclosure of any other security for any Loan;
(d) the extinguishment of any Mortgage by any means, including deed or
assignment in lieu of foreclosure; (e) any election by any Indemnified Party to
purchase any Real Property by crediting all or any portion of the indebtedness
secured by any Mortgage against the purchase price therefor; (f) the
acquisition of any Real Property by any of the Indemnified Parties; and (g) the
transfer of any of the Banks' rights in the Credit Agreement and/or any Real
Property.  No assignment or transfer, in whole or in part, of all or any Real
Property or any Indemnitors' benefits, rights, duties or obligations hereunder,
shall operate to release the liability of the Indemnitors hereunder except with
an express prior written consent of the
<PAGE>   163
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 11




Required Banks.  The Indemnitors' obligations under this Agreement shall not be
diminished or affected in any respect as a result of any notice, disclosure or
knowledge, if any, to or by any of the Indemnified Parties of the Release,
presence, existence or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at, in, on,
around or affecting any Real Property.  No Indemnified Party shall be deemed to
have permitted, caused, contributed to or acquiesced in any such Release,
presence, existence or threatened Release of Hazardous Materials at, in, on,
around or affecting any Real Property solely because such Indemnified Party had
notice or knowledge thereof or because such Indemnified Party failed to
exercise any right contained in this Agreement.

              8.     Unsecured Recourse Obligations.  All rights of the
Indemnified Parties and obligations of the Indemnitors hereunder are and shall
be, and shall be deemed to be for all purposes, unsecured and shall not
constitute obligations secured by any Mortgage.  Any sums payable or recovered
hereunder by any person or entity are not intended to be, and shall not be or
be deemed to constitute, a deficiency after foreclosure or trustee's sale under
any Mortgage.

              9.     Application of Payments.  The Indemnitors hereby
acknowledge and agree that any amounts realized by any Indemnified Party by
reason of any payments made pursuant to any Credit Document, the foreclosure of
any Mortgage or other security for any Loan (including any amounts realized by
reason of any credit bid in connection with any such foreclosure), any
conveyance in lieu of foreclosure, any other realization upon any security for
any Loan, any recoveries against an Indemnitor personally (except in each case
for recoveries against an Indemnitor under this Agreement), and any recoveries
against any person or entity other than an Indemnitor (including any
guarantor), shall, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, be
applied to pay the obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit
Documents prior to being applied to pay obligations of the Indemnitors arising
under this Agreement.

              10.    Severability.  Wherever possible, each term, covenant,
condition and provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such a manner
as to be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any
term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, or the application of
any such term, covenant, condition or provision to any person, entity or
circumstance, shall, to any extent, be held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable under applicable law, the remainder of this Agreement, or the
application of such term, covenant, condition or provision to persons, entities
or circumstances other than those as to which it is invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby.

              11.    Notices.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
all notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing
(including telecopier communication)
<PAGE>   164
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 12




and mailed, telecopied or delivered:  if to Holdings, at Holdings' address
specified opposite its signature below; if to the Borrower, at the Borrower's
address specified opposite its signature below; if to any other Indemnitor
party hereto, at such Indemnitor's address specified opposite its signature
below; if to any Bank, at its address specified opposite its name on Schedule 2
below; and if to the Agent, at its Notice Office; or, as to any Credit Party or
the Agent, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice to the other parties hereto and, as to each Bank, at such other
address as shall be designated by such Bank in a written notice to the Borrower
and the Agent.  All such notices and communications shall, when mailed,
telecopied, or sent by overnight courier, be effective when deposited in the
mails, delivered to the overnight courier, or sent by telecopier, except that
notices and communications to the Agent and the Borrower shall not be effective
until received by the Agent or the Borrower, as the case may be.

              12.    GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

              13.    Section Titles.  The section titles contained in this
Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or
otherwise affect the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this
Agreement.

              14.    Counterparts; Effectiveness.  This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.  This
Agreement shall first become effective when each Indemnitor shall have executed
and delivered to the Agent an executed counterpart hereof.

              15.  Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury.  To facilitate each
party's desire to resolve disputes in an efficient and economical manner, each
party to this Agreement hereby expressly waives any right to trial by jury of
any claim, demand, action or cause of action (a) arising under this Agreement,
or (b) in any way connected with or related or incidental to the dealings of
the parties hereto or any of them with respect to this Agreement, or the
transactions related hereto or thereto, in each case whether now existing or
hereafter arising, and whether arising in contract or tort or otherwise.  Each
party hereby agrees and consents that any such claim, demand, action or cause
of action shall be decided by court trial without a jury, and that any party to
this Agreement may file an original counterpart or a copy of this Section with
any court as written evidence of the consent of the parties hereto to the
waiver of their right to trial by jury.
<PAGE>   165
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 13




              16.  Modification and Waiver.  This Agreement may not be amended,
revised, waived, discharged, released or terminated orally but only by a
written instrument or instruments executed by the party against which
enforcement of the amendment, revision, waiver, discharge, release or
termination is asserted.  Any alleged amendment, revision, waiver, discharge,
release or termination which is not so documented shall not be effective as to
any party.  No failure or delay on the part of the Banks or any other
Indemnified Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder and no
course of dealing between any Indemnitor and any Bank or any Indemnified Party
shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of
right, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

              17.    Construction.  Unless the context of this Agreement
otherwise clearly requires, references to the plural include the singular and
the singular the plural, and "or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the
phrase "and/or". The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder" and similar terms in
this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
provision of this Agreement.

              18.    Successive Actions.  Separate and successive actions may
be brought hereunder to enforce the provisions hereof at any time and from time
to time.  Each Indemnitor hereby waives any defense they may have regarding the
splitting of a cause of action or based upon the defense of res judicata, and
each indemnitor hereby jointly and severally covenants not to raise SUCH
DEFENSES.
<PAGE>   166
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 14





              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Indemnitor has caused its duly
authorized officers to execute and deliver this Agreement as of the date first
above written.


Address:
- ------- 



9001 Ambassador Row                        ATRIUM CORPORATION
Dallas, TX   75247
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                              
                                              ----------------------------- 
                                           Name:                            
                                                --------------------------- 
                                           Title:                           
                                                 -------------------------- 
with a copy to:

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas  75201
Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
       John R. Muse,
       Jack D. Furst and
       Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

        and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450
<PAGE>   167
                                                                      EXHIBIT G
                                                                        Page 15

9001 Ambassador Row                        ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
Dallas, TX   75247
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                 
                                              -----------------------------    
                                           Name:                               
                                                ---------------------------    
with a copy to:                            Title:                              
                                                 --------------------------    
Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas  75201
Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
       John R. Muse,
       Jack D. Furst and
       Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

        and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450
<PAGE>   168
                                                                     EXHIBIT H
                                                                       Page 16



9001 Ambassador Row                        H-R WINDOW SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.
Dallas, TX   75247
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                 
                                              -----------------------------    
                                           Name:                               
                                                ---------------------------    
with a copy to:                            Title:                              
                                                 --------------------------    
Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas  75201
Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
       John R. Muse,
       Jack D. Furst and
       Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

        and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450
<PAGE>   169
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 17



9001 Ambassador Row                        VINYL BUILDING SPECIALTIES
Dallas, TX   75247                            OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                 
                                              -----------------------------    
                                           Name:                               
                                                ---------------------------    
with a copy to:                            Title:                              
                                                 --------------------------    
Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas  75201
Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
       John R. Muse,
       Jack D. Furst and
       Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

        and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450
<PAGE>   170
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 18


9001 Ambassador Row                        BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO.
Dallas, TX   75247                            OF NEW YORK, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                 
                                              -----------------------------    
                                           Name:                               
                                                ---------------------------    
with a copy to:                            Title:                              
                                                 --------------------------    
Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas  75201
Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
       John R. Muse,
       Jack D. Furst and
Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

        and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450
<PAGE>   171
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 19

9001 Ambassador Row                        BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
Dallas, TX   75247
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                 
                                              -----------------------------    
                                           Name:                               
                                                ---------------------------    
with a copy to:                            Title:                              
                                                 --------------------------    
Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas  75201
Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
       John R. Muse,
       Jack D. Furst and
       Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

        and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450
<PAGE>   172
                                                                      EXHIBIT G
                                                                        Page 20


9001 Ambassador Row                        BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO.
Dallas, TX   75247                            OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                 
                                              -----------------------------    
                                           Name:                               
                                                ---------------------------    
with a copy to:                            Title:                              
                                                 --------------------------    
Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
200 Crescent Court
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas  75201
Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
       John R. Muse,
       Jack D. Furst and
       Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
Telephone: (214) 740-7300
Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

        and

Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst
 Incorporated
1325 Avenue of the Americas
25th Floor
New York, New York  10019
Attn:  Mr Charles W. Tate
Telephone: (212) 424-1400
Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450
<PAGE>   173
                                                                       EXHIBIT G
                                                                         Page 21



                                           BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                              Individually and as Agent


                                           By:                                 
                                              -----------------------------    
                                           Name:                               
                                                ---------------------------
                                           Title:                               
                                                 --------------------------    
<PAGE>   174
                                                                      SCHEDULE 1





                           UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS
<PAGE>   175
                                                                      SCHEDULE 2




                         NOTICE ADDRESSES FOR THE BANKS



BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
130 LIBERTY STREET
30TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10006
TEL: 212-250-9094
FAX: 212-250-7218
ATTENTION: MARY KAY COYLE





<PAGE>   176
                                                                       EXHIBIT H


                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT


              THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, this "Agreement"), dated as of November
__, 1996, is made by each of the undersigned (each, a "Pledgor" and,
collectively, the "Pledgors"), to BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Collateral Agent
(the "Pledgee") for the benefit of (i) the Banks and the Agent under the Credit
Agreement hereinafter referred to (such Banks and the Agent are hereinafter
called the "Bank Creditors") and (ii) if one or more Banks or any Affiliate of
a Bank enters into one or more (A) interest rate protection agreements
(including, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and
similar agreements), (B) foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements
or other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against the
fluctuations in currency values and/or (C) other types of hedging agreements
from time to time (collectively, the "Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreements"), with, or guaranteed by, a Pledgor, any such Bank or Banks or
Affiliate or Affiliates (even if the respective Bank subsequently ceases to be
a Bank under the Credit Agreement for any reason) so long as any such Bank or
Affiliate participates in the extension of such Interest Rate Protection or
Other Hedging Agreements and their subsequent assigns, if any (collectively,
the "Other Creditors" and, together with the Bank Creditors, are hereinafter
called the "Secured Creditors").  Except as otherwise defined herein, terms
used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement shall be used herein as so
defined.


                             W I T N E S S E T H :


              WHEREAS, Atrium Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"),
Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the "Borrower"), the banks (the
"Banks") from time to time party thereto, and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
(together with any successor agent, the "Agent"), have entered into a Credit
Agreement, dated as of November __, 1996, providing for the making of Loans and
the issuance of, and participation in, Letters of Credit as contemplated
therein (as used herein, the term "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement
described above in this paragraph, as the same may be amended, modified,
extended, renewed, replaced, restated or supplemented from time to time, and
including any agreement extending the maturity of, or restructuring all or any
portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any successor agreements);

              WHEREAS, pursuant to the Holdings Guaranty, Holdings has
guaranteed to the Secured Creditors the payment when due of all obligations and
liabilities of the Borrower under and in connection with (i) the Credit
Documents and (ii) each Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement
with one or more Other Creditors;

              WHEREAS, pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty, each Pledgor (other
than Holdings and the Borrower) has jointly and severally guaranteed to the
Secured Creditors the payment when
<PAGE>   177
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                          Page 2




due of all obligations and liabilities of the Borrower under and in connection
with (i) the Credit Documents and (ii) each Interest Rate Protection or Other
Hedging Agreement with one or more Other Creditors;

              WHEREAS, the Pledgors may at any time and from time to time enter
into, or guarantee obligations of their respective Subsidiaries under, one or
more Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements with one or more
Other Creditors;

              WHEREAS, it is a condition to each of the above-described
extensions of credit that each Pledgor shall have executed and delivered this
Agreement;

              WHEREAS, the Pledgor desires to enter into this Agreement in
order to satisfy the condition described in the preceding paragraph;

              NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the benefits accruing to each
Pledgor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each
Pledgor hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the
Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors and hereby covenants and
agrees with the Pledgee for the benefit of the Secured Creditors as follows:

              1.  SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS.  This Agreement is made by each
Pledgor for the benefit of the Secured Creditors to secure:

              (i)    the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the
       stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations and
       indebtedness (including, without limitation, indemnities, Fees and
       interest thereon) of such Pledgor to the Bank Creditors, whether now
       existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of, or in connection
       with the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which such
       Pledgor is a party and the due performance and compliance by such
       Pledgor with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained in
       the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents (all such principal,
       interest, obligations and liabilities described in this clause (i) being
       herein collectively called the "Credit Agreement Obligations");

          (ii)       the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the
       stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations and
       liabilities owing by such Pledgor to the Other Creditors under, or with
       respect to, any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement,
       including, in the case of Pledgors other then the Borrower, all
       obligations of such Pledgor under its Guaranty in respect of Interest
       Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement, whether such Interest Rate
       Protections or Other Hedging Agreements are now in existence or
       hereafter arising, and the due performance and compliance by such
       Pledgor with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained
       therein (all such obligations and liabilities described in this clause
       (ii) being herein collectively called the "Other Obligations");
<PAGE>   178
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                          Page 3


          (iii)      any and all sums advanced by the Pledgee in order to
       preserve the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) or preserve its
       security interest in the Collateral;

           (iv)      in the event of any proceeding for the collection or
       enforcement of any indebtedness, obligations, or liabilities referred to
       in clauses (i) , (ii) and (iii) above, after an Event of Default (as
       such term is defined in the Security Agreement) shall have occurred and
       be continuing, the reasonable expenses of retaking, holding, preparing
       for sale or lease, selling or otherwise disposing of or realizing on the
       Collateral, or of any exercise by the Pledgee of its rights hereunder,
       together with reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs; and

          (v) all amounts paid by any Secured Creditor as to which such Secured
       Creditor has the right to reimbursement under Section 11 of this
       Agreement;

all such obligations, liabilities, sums and expenses set forth in clauses (i)
through (v) of this Section 1 being herein collectively called the
"Obligations," it being acknowledged and agreed that the "Obligations" shall
include extensions of credit of the types described above, whether outstanding
on the date of this Agreement or extended from time to time after the date of
this Agreement.

              2.  DEFINITION OF STOCK, NOTES, SECURITIES, ETC.  As used herein,
(i) the term "Stock" shall mean all of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock at any time owned by any Pledgor of any corporation and (ii) the
term "Notes" shall mean (A) all Intercompany Notes at any time issued to each
Pledgor and (B) all other promissory notes from time to time issued to, or held
by, each Pledgor.  As used herein, the term "Securities" shall mean all of the
Stock and the Notes.  Each Pledgor represents and warrants, as to the stock of
corporations and promissory notes owned by such Pledgor, that on the date
hereof (a) the Stock held by such Pledgor consists of the number and type of
shares of the stock of the corporations as described in Part I of Annex A
hereto; (b) such Stock constitutes that percentage of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the issuing corporation as is set forth in Part I
of Annex A hereto; (c) the Notes held by such Pledgor consist of the promissory
notes described in Part II of Annex A hereto; and (d) such Pledgor is the
holder of record and sole beneficial owner of the Stock and the Notes held by
such Pledgor, and there exist no options or preemption rights in respect of any
of such Stock.

              3.  PLEDGE OF SECURITIES, ETC.

              3.1.  Pledge.  To secure the Obligations, and for the purposes
set forth in Section 1 hereof, each Pledgor hereby (i) grants to the Pledgee a
security interest in all of the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) owned by
such Pledgor, (ii) pledges and deposits with the Pledgee the Securities owned
by such Pledgor on the date hereof, and delivers to the Pledgee certificates or
instruments therefor, duly endorsed in blank in the case of Notes and
accompanied by undated stock powers duly executed in blank by such Pledgor (and
accompanied by any transfer tax stamps required in connection with the pledge
of such Securities) in the case of Stock, or such other instruments of transfer
as are reasonably acceptable to the Pledgee and (iii) assigns, transfers,
hypothecates mortgages,
<PAGE>   179
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                          Page 4


charges and sets over to the Pledgee all of such Pledgor's right, title and
interest in and to such Securities (and in and to all certificates or
instruments evidencing such Securities), to be held by the Pledgee as
collateral security for the Obligations, upon the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement.

              3.2.  Subsequently Acquired Securities.  If any Pledgor shall
acquire (by purchase, stock dividend or otherwise) any additional Securities at
any time or from time to time after the date hereof, such Pledgor will
forthwith pledge and deposit such Securities (or certificates or instruments
representing such Securities) as security with the Pledgee and deliver to the
Pledgee certificates or instruments therefor, duly endorsed in blank in the
case of Notes, and accompanied by undated stock powers duly executed in blank
by such Pledgor (and accompanied by any transfer tax stamps required in
connection with the pledge of such Securities) in the case of Stock, or such
other instruments of transfer as are acceptable to the Pledgee, and will
promptly thereafter deliver to the Pledgee a certificate executed by an
Authorized Officer of such Pledgor describing such Securities and certifying
that the same have been duly pledged with the Pledgee hereunder.

              3.3.  Uncertificated Securities.  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 hereof, if any Securities (whether
now owned or hereafter acquired) are uncertificated securities, the respective
Pledgor shall promptly notify the Pledgee thereof, and shall promptly take all
actions required to perfect the security interest of the Pledgee under
applicable law (including, in any event, under Sections 8-313 and 8-321 of the
New York Uniform Commercial Code if applicable).  Each Pledgor further agrees
to take such actions as the Pledgee deems necessary or desirable to effect the
foregoing and to permit the Pledgee to exercise any of its rights and remedies
hereunder, and agrees to provide an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory
to the Pledgee with respect to any such pledge of uncertificated Securities
promptly upon the reasonable request of the Pledgee.

              3.4.  Definitions of Pledged Stock; Pledged Notes; Pledged
Securities and Collateral.  All Stock at any time pledged or required to be
pledged hereunder is hereinafter called the "Pledged Stock;" all Notes at any
time pledged or required to be pledged hereunder are hereinafter called the
"Pledged Notes;" all Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes together are called the
"Pledged Securities;" and the Pledged Securities, together with all proceeds
thereof, including any securities and moneys received and at the time held by
the Pledgee hereunder, are hereinafter called the "Collateral."

              4.  APPOINTMENT OF SUB-AGENTS; ENDORSEMENTS, ETC.  The Pledgee
shall have the right to appoint one or more sub-agents for the purpose of
retaining physical possession of the Pledged Securities, which may be held (in
the discretion of the Pledgee) in the name of such Pledgor, endorsed or
assigned in blank or in favor of the Pledgee or any nominee or nominees of the
Pledgee or a sub-agent appointed by the Pledgee.

              5.  VOTING, ETC., WHILE NO EVENT OF DEFAULT.  Unless and until an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Pledgor shall be
entitled to exercise any and
<PAGE>   180
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                          Page 5


all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Securities
owned by it, and to give consents, waivers or ratifications in respect thereof,
provided that no vote shall be cast or any consent, waiver or ratification
given or any action taken which would violate, result in breach of any covenant
contained in this Agreement, the Credit Agreement, any other Credit Document or
any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement (collectively, the
"Secured Debt Agreements"), or which could reasonably be expected to have the
effect of impairing the value of the Collateral or any part thereof or the
position or interests of the Pledgee or any Secured Creditor.  All such rights
of such Pledgor to vote and to give consents, waivers and ratifications shall
cease in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, and Section 7
hereof shall become applicable.

              6.  DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS.  Unless an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all cash dividends and
distributions payable in respect of the Pledged Stock and all payments in
respect of the Pledged Notes shall be paid to the respective Pledgor which owns
such Pledged Stock or Pledged Notes; provided, that all cash dividends payable
in respect of the Pledged Stock which are determined by the Pledgee to
represent in whole or in part an extraordinary, liquidating or other
distribution in return of capital shall be paid, to the extent so determined to
represent an extraordinary, liquidating or other distribution in return of
capital, to the Pledgee and retained by it as part of the Collateral.  The
Pledgee also shall be entitled to receive directly, and to retain as part of
the Collateral:

              (a)    all other or additional stock or other securities or
       property (other than cash) paid or distributed by way of dividend or
       otherwise in respect of the Pledged Stock;

              (b)    all other or additional stock or other securities or
       property (including cash) paid or distributed in respect of the Pledged
       Stock by way of stock-split, spin-off, split-up, reclassification,
       combination of shares or similar rearrangement; and

              (c)    all other or additional stock or other securities or
       property (including cash) which may be paid in respect of the Collateral
       by reason of any consolidation, merger, exchange of stock, conveyance of
       assets, liquidation or similar corporate reorganization.

Nothing contained in this Section 6 shall limit or restrict in any way the
Pledgee's right to receive proceeds of the Collateral in any form in accordance
with Section 3 of this Agreement.  All dividends, distributions or other
payments which are received by any Pledgor contrary to the provisions of this
Section 6 and Section 7 shall be received in trust for the benefit of the
Pledgee, shall be segregated from other property or funds of such Pledgor and
shall be forthwith paid over to the Pledgee as Collateral in the same form as
so received (with any necessary endorsement).

              7.  REMEDIES IN CASE OF EVENTS OF DEFAULT.  In case and Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, then and in every such case, the
Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise all of the rights, powers and remedies
(whether vested in it by this Agreement, any other Secured Debt Agreement or by
law) for the protection and enforcement of its rights in respect of the
<PAGE>   181
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                          Page 6


Collateral, and the Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise all the rights and
remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code and also shall be
entitled, without limitation, to exercise the following rights, which each
Pledgor hereby agrees to be commercially reasonable:

              (a)    to receive all amounts payable in respect of the
       Collateral otherwise payable to such Pledgor under Section 6 hereof;

              (b)    to transfer all or any part of the Collateral into the
       Pledgee's name or the name of its nominee or nominees;

              (c)    to accelerate any Pledged Note which may be accelerated in
       accordance with its terms, and take any other lawful action to collect
       upon any Pledged Note (including, without limitation, to make any demand
       for payment thereon);

              (d)    to vote all or any part of the Pledged Stock (whether or
       not transferred into the name of the Pledgee) and give all consents,
       waivers and ratifications in respect of the Collateral and otherwise act
       with respect thereto as though it were the outright owner thereof (each
       Pledgor hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing the Pledgee the
       proxy and attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor, with full power of
       substitution to do so); and

              (e)    to sell, assign and deliver, or grant options to purchase,
       all or any part of the Collateral, or any interest therein, at any
       public or private sale, without demand of performance, advertisement or
       notice of intention to sell or of the time or place of sale or
       adjournment thereof or to redeem or otherwise (all of which are hereby
       waived by each Pledgor), for cash, on credit or for other property, for
       immediate or future delivery without any assumption of credit risk, and
       for such price or prices and on such terms as the Pledgee in its
       absolute discretion may determine, provided that at least 10 days'
       written notice of the time and place of any such sale shall be given to
       such Pledgor.  Each Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any such sale
       of Collateral regardless of whether any such notice of sale has
       theretofore been given.  Each Pledgor hereby waives and releases to the
       fullest extent permitted by law any right or equity of redemption with
       respect to the Collateral, whether before or after sale hereunder, and
       all rights, if any, of marshalling the Collateral and any other security
       for the Obligations or otherwise.  At any such sale, unless prohibited
       by applicable law, the Pledgee on behalf of the Secured Creditors may
       bid for and purchase all or any part of the Collateral so sold free from
       any such right or equity of redemption.  Neither the Pledgee nor any
       Secured Creditor shall be liable for failure to collect or realize upon
       any or all of the Collateral or for any delay in so doing nor shall any
       of them be under any obligation to take any action whatsoever with
       regard thereto.

              8.  REMEDIES, ETC., CUMULATIVE.  Each and every right, power and
remedy of the Pledgee provided for in this Agreement or any Secured Debt
Agreement, or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute shall
be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition
<PAGE>   182
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                          Page 7


to every other such right, power or remedy.  The exercise or beginning of the
exercise by the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor of any one or more of the
rights, powers or remedies provided for in this Agreement, or any other Secured
Debt Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute
or otherwise shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by the
Pledgee or any Secured Creditor of all such other rights, powers or remedies,
and no failure or delay on the part of the Pledgee or any Secured Creditor to
exercise any such right, power or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof.
Unless otherwise required by the Credit Documents, no notice to or demand on
any Pledgor in any case shall entitle it to any other or further notice or
demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of any of the
rights of the Pledgee or any Secured Creditor to any other or further action in
any circumstances without notice or demand.

              9.  APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS.

              (a)  All moneys collected by the Pledgee upon any sale or other
disposition of the Collateral, together with all other moneys received by the
Pledgee hereunder, shall be applied to the payment of the Obligations in the
manner provided in Section 7.4 of the Security Agreement;

              (b) It is understood and agreed that the Pledgors shall remain
jointly and severally liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount
of the proceeds of the Collateral hereunder and the aggregate amount of the
Obligations.

              10.  PURCHASERS OF COLLATERAL.  Upon any sale of the Collateral
by the Pledgee hereunder (whether by virtue of the power of sale herein
granted, pursuant to judicial process or otherwise), the receipt of the Pledgee
or the officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser
or purchasers of the Collateral so sold, and such purchaser or purchasers shall
not be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money
paid over to the Pledgee or such officer or be answerable in any way for the
misapplication or nonapplication thereof.

               11.  INDEMNITY.  Each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Pledgee and each Secured Creditor and their
respective successors, assigns, employees, agents and servants (individually an
"Indemnitee," and collectively the "Indemnitees") from and against any and all
claims, demands, losses, judgments and liabilities (including liabilities for
penalties) of whatsoever kind or nature, and to reimburse each Indemnitee for
all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees, growing out of or
resulting from this Agreement or the exercise by any Indemnitee of any right or
remedy granted to it hereunder or under any other Secured Debt Agreement (but
excluding any claims, demands, losses, judgments and liabilities or expenses to
the extent incurred by reason of gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Indemnitee).  If and to the extent that the obligations of the Pledgors under
this Section 11 are unenforceable for any reason, each Pledgor hereby agrees to
make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such
obligations which is permissible under applicable law.
<PAGE>   183
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                          Page 8


              12.  FURTHER ASSURANCES; POWER-OF-ATTORNEY.  (a) Each Pledgor
agrees that it will join with the Pledgee in executing and, at such Pledgor's
own expense, file and refile under the Uniform Commercial Code or other
applicable law such financing statements, continuation statements and other
documents in such offices as the Pledgee may deem necessary and wherever
required by law in order to perfect and preserve the Pledgee's security
interest in the Collateral and hereby authorizes the Pledgee to file financing
statements and amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Collateral
without the signature of such Pledgor where permitted by law, and agrees to do
such further acts and things and to execute and deliver to the Pledgee such
additional conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments as the Pledgee
may reasonably require or deem necessary to carry into effect the purposes of
this Agreement or to further assure and confirm unto the Pledgee its rights,
powers and remedies hereunder.

              (b)    Each Pledgor hereby appoints the Pledgee as such Pledgor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Pledgor
and in the name of such Pledgor or otherwise, from time to time after the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, in the Pledgee's
reasonable discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument which
the Pledgee may reasonably deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement.

              13.  THE PLEDGEE AS AGENT.  The Pledgee will hold in accordance
with this Agreement all items of the Collateral at any time received under this
Agreement.  It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties hereto and
each Secured Creditor, by accepting the benefits of this Agreement that each
acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the Pledgee as holder of the
Collateral and interests therein and with respect to the disposition thereof,
and otherwise under this Agreement, are only those expressly set forth in this
Agreement.  The Pledgee shall act hereunder on the terms and conditions set
forth herein and in Section 12 of the Credit Agreement.

              14.  TRANSFER BY PLEDGORS.  No Pledgor will sell or otherwise
dispose of, grant any option with respect to, or mortgage, pledge or otherwise
encumber any of the Collateral or any interest therein (except as may be
permitted in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement).

              15.  REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE PLEDGORS.
Each Pledgor represents and warrants and covenants that (a) it is, or at the
time when pledged hereunder will be, the legal, record and beneficial owner of,
and has (or will have) good title to, all Securities pledged by it hereunder,
subject to no Lien (except the Lien created by this Agreement); (b) it has full
corporate power, authority and legal right to pledge all the Securities pledged
by it pursuant to this Agreement; (c) this Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by such Pledgor and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of such Pledgor enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that the enforceability hereof may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar
laws generally affecting creditors' rights and by equitable principles
(regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law); (d) except
to the extent already obtained or made, no consent of any
<PAGE>   184
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                          Page 9


other party (including, without limitation, any stockholder or creditor of such
Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries) and no consent, license, permit, approval
or authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing
or declaration with, any governmental authority is required to be obtained by
such Pledgor in connection with (i) the execution, delivery or performance of
this Agreement, (ii) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement, (iii)
the perfection or enforceability of the Pledgee's security interest in the
Collateral or (iv) except for compliance with or as may be required by
applicable securities laws, the exercise by the Pledgee of any of its rights or
remedies provided herein; (e) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by such Pledgor does not violate any provision of any applicable law
or regulation or of any order, judgment, writ, award or decree of any court,
arbitrator or governmental authority, domestic or foreign or of the certificate
of incorporation or by-laws of such Pledgor, or of any securities issued by
such Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries, or of any material mortgage,
indenture, lease, deed of trust, loan agreement, credit agreement or other
contract, agreement or instrument or undertaking to which the Pledgor or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or which purports to be binding upon the Pledgor or
any of its Subsidiaries or upon any of their respective assets and will not
result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose)
any lien or encumbrance on any of the assets of such Pledgor or any of its
Subsidiaries except as contemplated by this Agreement; (f) all the shares of
the Stock have been duly and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable
and are subject to no options to purchase or similar rights; (g) each of the
Pledged Notes to the extent issued by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries
constitutes, or when executed by the obligor thereof will constitute, the
legal, valid and binding obligation of such obligor, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws generally affecting creditors' rights and by equitable
principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);
and (h) the pledge, collateral assignment and delivery to the Pledgee of the
Securities (other than uncertificated securities) pursuant to this Agreement
creates a valid and perfected first priority Lien in the Securities, and the
proceeds thereof, subject to no other Lien or to any agreement purporting to
grant to any third party a Lien on the property or assets of such Pledgor which
would include the Securities.  Each Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will
defend the Pledgee's right, title and security interest in and to the
Securities and the proceeds thereof against the claims and demands of all
persons whomsoever; and such Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will have
like title to and right to pledge any other property at any time hereafter
pledged to the Pledgee as Collateral hereunder and will likewise defend the
right thereto and security interest therein of the Pledgee and the Secured
Creditors.

               16.  PLEDGORS' OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE, ETC.  The obligations of
each Pledgor under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released,
suspended, discharged, terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or
occurrence whatsoever, including, without limitation:  (a) any renewal,
extension, amendment or modification of or addition or supplement to or
deletion from any Secured Debt Agreement or any other instrument or agreement
referred to therein, or any assignment or transfer of any thereof; (b)  any
waiver, consent, extension, indulgence or other action or inaction under or in
respect of any such agreement or instrument including, without limitation, this
<PAGE>   185
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                         Page 10


Agreement; (c)  any furnishing of any additional security to the Pledgee or its
assignee or any acceptance thereof or any release of any security by the
Pledgee or its assignee; (d) any limitation on any party's liability or
obligations under any such instrument or agreement or any invalidity or
unenforceability, in whole or in part, of any such instrument or agreement or
any term thereof; or (e) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
composition, adjustment, dissolution, liquidation or other like proceeding
relating to such Pledgor or any Subsidiary of such Pledgor, or any action taken
with respect to this Agreement by any trustee or receiver, or by any court, in
any such proceeding, whether or not such Pledgor shall have notice or knowledge
of any of the foregoing.

               17.  REGISTRATION, ETC.  (a)  If there shall have occurred and
be continuing an Event of Default and acceleration of the Notes then, and in
every such case, upon receipt by any Pledgor from the Pledgee of a written
request or requests that such Pledgor cause any registration, qualification or
compliance under any Federal or state  securities law or laws to be effected
with respect to all or any part of the Pledged Stock, such Pledgor as soon as
practicable and at its expense will use its commercially reasonable efforts to
cause such registration to be effected (and be kept effective) and will use its
commercially reasonable efforts to cause such qualification and compliance to
be declared effected (and be kept effective) as may be so requested and as
would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of such Pledged Stock,
including, without limitation, registration under the Securities Act of 1933,
as then in effect (or any similar statute then in effect), appropriate
qualifications under applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and
appropriate compliance with any other government requirements, provided that
the Pledgee shall furnish to such Pledgor such information regarding the
Pledgee as such Pledgor may request in writing and as shall be required in
connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance.  Such
Pledgor will cause the Pledgee to be kept advised in writing as to the progress
of each such registration, qualification or compliance and as to the completion
thereof, will furnish to the Pledgee such number of prospectuses, offering
circulars or other documents incident thereto as the Pledgee from time to time
may reasonably request, and will indemnify the Pledgee, each Secured Creditor
and all others participating in the distribution of such Pledged Stock against
all claims, losses, damages and liabilities caused by any untrue statement (or
alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained therein (or in any
related registration statement, notification or the like) or by any omission
(or alleged omission) to state therein (or in any related registration
statement, notification or the like) a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except
insofar as the same may have been caused by an untrue statement or omission
based upon information furnished in writing to such Pledgor by the Pledgee or
such other Secured Creditor expressly for use therein.

              (b)    If at any time when the Pledgee shall determine to
exercise its right to sell all or any part of the Pledged Securities pursuant
to Section 7 hereof, and such Pledged Securities or the part thereof to be sold
shall not, for any reason whatsoever, be effectively registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as then in effect, the Pledgee may, in its sole and
absolute discretion, sell such Pledged Securities or part thereof by private
sale in such manner and under such circumstances as the Pledgee may deem
reasonably necessary or advisable in order that such sale may legally be
<PAGE>   186
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                         Page 11


effected without such registration.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, in any such event the Pledgee, in its sole and absolute discretion
(i) may proceed to make such private sale notwithstanding that a registration
statement for the purpose of registering such Pledged Securities or part
thereof shall have been filed under such Securities Act, (ii) may approach and
negotiate with a single possible purchaser to effect such sale, and (iii) may
restrict such sale to a purchaser who will represent and agree that such
purchaser is purchasing for its own account, for investment, and not with a
view to the distribution or sale of such Pledged Securities or part thereof.
In the event of any such sale, the Pledgee shall incur no responsibility or
liability for selling all or any part of the Pledged Securities at a price
which the Pledgee, in its sole and absolute discretion, in good faith deems
reasonable under the circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a
substantially higher price might be realized if the sale were deferred until
after registration as aforesaid.

              18.  TERMINATION; RELEASE.  (a)  After the Termination Date (as
defined below), this Agreement and the security interest created hereby shall
terminate (provided that all indemnities set forth in Section 11 hereof shall
survive any such termination), and the Pledgee, at the request and expense of
the respective Pledgor, will execute and deliver to such Pledgor a proper
instrument or instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of
this Agreement, and will duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Pledgor
(without recourse and without any representation or warranty) such of the
Collateral as has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released
pursuant to this Agreement, together with any moneys at the time held by the
Pledgee or any of its sub-agents hereunder.  As used in this Agreement,
"Termination Date" shall mean the date upon which the Total Commitment and all
Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements have been terminated, no
Note under the Credit Agreement is outstanding (and all Loans have been repaid
in full), all Letters of Credit have been terminated and all Obligations then
owing have been paid in full.

              (b)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above,
upon the presentment of satisfactory evidence to the Pledgee in its sole
discretion that all obligations evidenced by any Pledged Note have been repaid
in full, and that any payments received by the respective Pledgor were
permitted to be received by such Pledgor pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the
Pledgee shall, upon the request and at the expense of such Pledgor, duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such Pledgor (without recourse and without any
representation or warranty) such Pledged Note if same has not theretofore been
sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to this Agreement.

              (c)    In the event that any part of the Collateral is sold in
connection with a sale permitted by Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement or
otherwise released at the direction of the Required Banks (or all Banks if
required by Section 13.12 of the Credit Agreement) and the proceeds of such
sale or sales or from such release are applied in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.02 of the Credit Agreement, to the extent required to
be so applied, the Pledgee, at the request and expense of the respective
Pledgor, will duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Pledgor (without
recourse and without any representation or warranty) such of the Collateral as
is then being (or has been) so sold or released and has not theretofore been
released pursuant to this Agreement.
<PAGE>   187
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                         Page 12


              (d)    At any time that the respective Pledgor desires that
Collateral be released as provided in the foregoing sub-section (a), (b) or
(c), as the case may be, it shall deliver to the Pledgee a certificate signed
by an Authorized Officer stating that the release of the respective Collateral
is permitted pursuant to such subsection (a), (b) or (c), as the case may be.

              (e)    The Pledgee shall have no liability whatsoever to any
Secured Creditor as the result of any release of Collateral by it in accordance
with this Section 18.

              19.  NOTICES ETC.  All such notices and communications hereunder
shall be sent or delivered by mail, telecopy or overnight courier service and
all such notices and communications shall, when mailed, telecopied, or sent by
overnight courier, be effective when delivered to the overnight courier or sent
by telecopier and when mailed shall be effective three Business Days following
deposit in the mail with proper postage, except that notices and communications
to the Collateral Agent shall not be effective until received by the Collateral
Agent.  All notices and other communications shall be in writing and addressed
as follows:

              (a)    if to any Pledgor, at its address set forth opposite its
       signature below:


                     with a copy to:

                     Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated
                     200 Crescent Court
                     Suite 1600
                     Dallas, Texas  75201
                     Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
                            John R. Muse,
                            Jack D. Furst and
                            Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
                     Telephone: (214) 740-7300
                     Telecopy:  (214) 740-7313

                               and

                     Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated
                     1325 Avenue of the Americas
                     25th Floor
                     New York, New York  10019
                     Attn:  Charles W. Tate
                     Telephone: (212) 424-1400
                     Telecopy:  (212) 424-1450
<PAGE>   188
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                         Page 13


              (b)    if to the Pledgee, at:

                     Bankers Trust Company
                     130 Liberty Street
                     30th Floor
                     New York, New York  10006
                     Attn: Mary Kay Coyle
                     Telephone: (212) 250-9094
                     Telecopy:  (212) 250-7218

              (c)    if to any Bank Creditor, either (x) to the Agent, at the
       address of the Agent specified in the Credit Agreement or (y) at such
       address as such Bank Creditor shall have specified in the Credit
       Agreement;

              (d)    if to any Other Creditor at such address as such Other
       Creditor shall have specified in writing to the Pledgor and the Pledgee;

or at such other address as shall have been furnished in writing by any Person
described above to the party required to give notice hereunder.

              20.  WAIVER; AMENDMENT.  None of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever
unless in writing duly signed by each Pledgor directly affected thereby and the
Pledgee (with the written consent of the Required Banks or, to the extent
required by Section 13.12 of the Credit Agreement with the consent of each of
the Banks); provided, however, that any change, waiver, modification or
variance affecting the rights and benefits of a single Class (as defined below)
of Secured Creditors (and not all Secured Creditors in a like or similar
manner) shall require the written consent of the Requisite Creditors (as
defined below) of such affected Class.  For the purpose of this Agreement, the
term "Class" shall mean each class of Secured Creditors, i.e., whether (i) the
Bank Creditors as holders of the Credit Agreement Obligations or (ii) the Other
Creditors as the holders of the Other Obligations.  For the purpose of this
Agreement, the term "Requisite Creditors" of any Class shall mean each of (A)
with respect to the Credit Agreement Obligations, the Required Banks and (B)
with respect to the Other Obligations, the holders of 51% of all obligations
outstanding from time to time under the Interest Rate Protection Agreements or
Other Hedging Agreements.

              21.  MISCELLANEOUS.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by each of the parties hereto and its
successors and assigns.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  The headings
in this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or
define the meaning hereof.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which shall
constitute one
<PAGE>   189
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                         Page 14


instrument.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall prove to
be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed to be severable
from the other provisions of this Agreement which shall remain binding on all
parties hereto.

              22.    RECOURSE.  This Agreement is made with full recourse to
each Pledgor and pursuant to and upon all the representations, warranties,
covenants and agreements on the part of each Pledgor contained herein, in the
other Credit Documents, in the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreements and otherwise in writing in connection herewith or therewith.
<PAGE>   190
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                         Page 15


              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Pledgor and the Pledgee have caused this
Agreement to be executed by their duly elected officers duly authorized as of
the date first above written.


Addresses
- ---------

9001 Ambassador Row               ATRIUM CORPORATION
Dallas, TX   75247                as a Pledgor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone: (214) 634-0836
Telecopy: (214) 631-4231          By:                                           
                                     -----------------------------------------  
                                  Name:                                         
                                       ---------------------------------------  
                                  Title :                                       
                                         -------------------------------------  

9001 Ambassador Row               ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
Dallas, TX   75247                as a Pledgor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231
                                  By:                                           
                                     -----------------------------------------  
                                  Name:                                         
                                       ---------------------------------------  
                                  Title :                                       
                                         -------------------------------------  

9001 Ambassador Row               H-R WINDOW SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.
Dallas, TX   75247                as a Pledgor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231
                                  By:                                           
                                     -----------------------------------------  
                                  Name:                                         
                                       ---------------------------------------  
                                  Title :                                       
                                         -------------------------------------  

9001 Ambassador Row               VINYL BUILDING SPECIALTIES
Dallas, TX   75247                   OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek            as a Pledgor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231


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



<PAGE>   191
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                         Page 16


9001 Ambassador Row               BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO.
Dallas, TX   75247                   OF NEW YORK, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek            as a Pledgor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231      By:                                           
                                     -----------------------------------------  
                                  Name:                                         
                                       ---------------------------------------  
                                  Title :                                       
                                         -------------------------------------  



9001 Ambassador Row               BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
Dallas, TX   75247                as a Pledgor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231      By:                                           
                                     -----------------------------------------  
                                  Name:                                         
                                       ---------------------------------------  
                                  Title :                                       
                                         -------------------------------------  

9001 Ambassador Row               BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO.
Dallas, TX   75247                   OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek            as a Pledgor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231      By:                                           
                                     -----------------------------------------  
                                  Name:                                         
                                       ---------------------------------------  
                                  Title :                                       
                                         -------------------------------------  


<PAGE>   192
                                                                       EXHIBIT H
                                                                         Page 17


                                  BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
                                  as Collateral Agent


                                  By:                                           
                                     -----------------------------------------  
                                  Name:                                         
                                       ---------------------------------------  
                                  Title :                                       
                                         -------------------------------------  
<PAGE>   193

                                                              ANNEX A
                                                                to
                                                          Pledge Agreement



Part I.  Pledged Stock

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Percentage
                                                                                     of
                                                                                 Outstanding
            Name of                                                  Share        Shares of
 Name of    Issuing                               Number of       Certificate     Capital
 Pledgor    Corporation      Type of Shares       Shares            Number         Stock  
 -------    -----------      --------------       ---------       ----------      --------
<S>         <C>              <C>                  <C>             <C>             <C>
            




</TABLE>
<PAGE>   194
                                                                         ANNEX A
                                                                          Page 2





Part .  Pledged Notes


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Principal
 Pledgor          Lender           Borrower                     Amount 
 -------          ------           --------                   ---------
<C>               <C>              <C>                        <C>
                                                              



</TABLE>

<PAGE>   195
                                                                       EXHIBIT I





                               SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                     among

                              ATRIUM CORPORATION,


                            ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.,


              CERTAIN OTHER SUBSIDIARIES OF ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.

                                      and

                             BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                              as Collateral Agent


                         Dated as of November __, 1996
<PAGE>   196

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                          <C>
ARTICLE I

       SECURITY INTERESTS   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
       1.1.  Grant of Security Interests  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
       1.2.  Power of Attorney  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

ARTICLE II

       GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS  . . . . . . . . . .  3
       2.1.  Necessary Filings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
       2.2.  No Liens   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
       2.3.  Other Financing Statements   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3
       2.4.  Chief Executive Office; Records  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2.5.  Location of Inventory and Equipment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
       2.6.  Recourse   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
       2.7.  Trade Names; Change of Name  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5

ARTICLE III

       SPECIAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING
       RECEIVABLES; CONTRACT RIGHTS; INSTRUMENTS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
       3.1.  Additional Representations and Warranties  . . . . . . . . . . .  5
       3.2.  Maintenance of Records   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
       3.3.  Direction to Account Debtors; Contracting Parties; etc.  . . . .  6
       3.4.  Modification of Terms; etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
       3.5.  Collection   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       3.6.  Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       3.7.  Further Actions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7

ARTICLE IV

       SPECIAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       4.1.  Additional Representations and Warranties  . . . . . . . . . . .  7
       4.2.  Licenses and Assignments   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
       4.3.  Infringements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
       4.4.  Preservation of Marks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
</TABLE>




                                     (i)
<PAGE>   197
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                          <C>
       4.5.  Maintenance of Registration  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
       4.6.  Future Registered Marks  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
       4.7.  Remedies   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9

ARTICLE V

       SPECIAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING
       PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE SECRETS   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
       5.1.  Additional Representations and Warranties  . . . . . . . . . . .  9
       5.2.  Licenses and Assignments   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
       5.3.  Infringements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
       5.4.  Maintenance of Patents   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
       5.5.  Prosecution of Patent Application  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
       5.6.  Other Patents and Copyrights   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
       5.7.  Remedies   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

ARTICLE VI

       PROVISIONS CONCERNING ALL COLLATERAL   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       6.1.  Protection of Collateral Agent's Security  . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       6.2.  Warehouse Receipts Non-Negotiable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       6.3.  Further Actions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
       6.4.  Financing Statements   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

ARTICLE VII

       REMEDIES UPON OCCURRENCE OF EVENT OF DEFAULT   . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
       7.1.  Remedies; Obtaining the Collateral Upon Default  . . . . . . . . 12
       7.2.  Remedies; Disposition of the Collateral  . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
       7.3.  Waiver of Claims   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       7.4.  Application of Proceeds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
       7.5.  Remedies Cumulative  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
       7.6.  Discontinuance of Proceedings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

ARTICLE VIII

       INDEMNITY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
       8.1.  Indemnity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
       8.2.  Indemnity Obligations Secured by Collateral; Survival  . . . . . 18
</TABLE>




                                     (ii)
<PAGE>   198
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                          <C>
ARTICLE IX

       DEFINITIONS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

ARTICLE X

       MISCELLANEOUS  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       10.1.  Notices   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
       10.2.  Waiver; Amendment   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       10.3.  Obligations Absolute  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       10.4.  Successors and Assigns  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
       10.5.  Headings Descriptive  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       10.6.  Severability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       10.7.  Governing Law   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       10.8.  Assignor's Duties   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       10.9.  Termination; Release  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
       10.10.  Counterparts   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
       10.11.  The Collateral Agent   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

ANNEX A       Schedule of Permitted Filings
ANNEX B       Schedule of Record Locations
ANNEX C       Schedule of Inventory and Equipment Locations
ANNEX D       Schedule of Trade, Fictitious and Other Names
ANNEX E       Schedule of Marks
ANNEX F       Schedule of License Agreements and Assignments
ANNEX G       Schedule of Patents and Applications
ANNEX H       Schedule of Copyrights and Applications
ANNEX I       Assignment of Security Interest in U.S.
               Trademarks and Patents
ANNEX J       Assignment of Security Interest in U.S.
               Copyrights
</TABLE>




                                    (iii)
<PAGE>   199
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 1




                               SECURITY AGREEMENT


              THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of November __, 1996, is by and
among each of the undersigned (each, an "Assignor" and, collectively, the
"Assignors") and BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Collateral Agent (the "Collateral
Agent") for the benefit of (i) the Banks and the Agent under the Credit
Agreement hereinafter referred to (such Banks and the Agent are hereinafter
called the "Bank Creditors") and (ii) if one or more Banks (or any Affiliate
thereof) enter into one or more (A) interest rate protection agreements
(including, without limitation, interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and
similar agreements), (B) foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements
or other similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against the
fluctuations in currency values and/or (C) other types of hedging agreements
from time to time (collectively, the "Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreements") with, or guaranteed by, an Assignor, any such Bank or Banks or any
Affiliate of such Bank or Banks (even if the respective Bank subsequently
ceases to be a Bank under the Credit Agreement for any reason) so long as any
such Bank or Affiliate participates in the extension of such Interest Rate
Protection or Other Hedging Agreements and their subsequent assigns, if any
(collectively, the "Other Creditors" and, together with the Bank Creditors,
hereinafter called the "Secured Creditors").  Except as otherwise defined
herein, terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement shall be used
herein as so defined.

                             W I T N E S S E T H :


              WHEREAS, Atrium Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"),
Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), the banks (the
"Banks") from time to time party thereto and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
(together with any successor agent, the "Agent"), have entered into a Credit
Agreement, dated as of November __, 1996, providing for the making of Loans and
the issuance of, and participation in, Letters of Credit as contemplated
therein (as used herein, the term "Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement
described above in this paragraph, as the same may be amended, modified,
extended, renewed, replaced, restated or supplemented from time to time, and
including any agreement extending the maturity of or restructuring of all or
any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or any successor
agreements;

              WHEREAS, the Assignors may at any time and from time to time
enter into, or guarantee, one or more Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreements with one or more Other Creditors;
<PAGE>   200
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 2


              WHEREAS, pursuant to the Holdings Guaranty, Holdings has
guaranteed to the Secured Creditors the payment when due of all obligations and
liabilities of the Borrower under or with respect to the Credit Documents and
the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements;

              WHEREAS, pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty, each Assignor
(other than Holdings and the Borrower) has jointly and severally guaranteed to
the Secured Creditors the payment when due of all obligations of the Borrower
under or with respect to the Credit Documents and the Interest Rate Protection
or Other Hedging Agreements;

              WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to each of the above-
described extensions of credit that each Assignor shall have executed and
delivered this Agreement;

              WHEREAS, each Assignor desires to enter into this Agreement in
order to satisfy the condition described in the preceding paragraph;

              NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the extensions of credit to
be made to each Assignor and other benefits accruing to each Assignor, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Assignor hereby
makes the following representations and warranties to the Collateral Agent for
the benefit of the Secured Creditors and hereby covenants and agrees with the
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

                               SECURITY INTERESTS

              1.1.  Grant of Security Interests.  (a)  As security for the
prompt and complete payment and performance when due of all of the Obligations,
each Assignor does hereby collaterally assign and transfer unto the Collateral
Agent, and does hereby pledge and grant to the Collateral Agent for the benefit
of the Secured Creditors, a continuing security interest of first priority
(subject to Liens evidenced by Permitted Filings and other Permitted Liens) in,
all of the right, title and interest of such Assignor in, to and under all of
the following, whether now existing or hereafter from time to time acquired:
(i) each and every Receivable, (ii) all Contracts, together with all Contract
Rights arising thereunder, (iii) all Inventory, (iv) the Cash Collateral
Account established for such Assignor and all moneys, securities and
instruments deposited or required to be deposited in such Cash Collateral
Account, (v) all Equipment, (vi) all Marks, together with the registrations and
right to all renewals thereof, and the goodwill of the business of such
Assignor symbolized by the Marks, (vii) all Patents and Copyrights, and all
reissues, renewals or extensions thereof, (viii) all computer programs of such
Assignor and all intellectual property rights therein and all other proprietary
information of such Assignor, including, but not limited to, Trade Secrets,
(ix) all other Goods, General Intangibles, Chattel Paper, Documents and
Instruments (other than the Pledged
<PAGE>   201
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 3


Securities), and (x) all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing
(all of the above, collectively, the "Collateral").

              (b)  The security interests of the Collateral Agent under this
Agreement extend to all Collateral of the kind which is the subject of this
Agreement which any Assignor may acquire at any time during the continuation of
this Agreement.

              1.2.  Power of Attorney.  Each Assignor hereby constitutes and
appoints the Collateral Agent its true and lawful attorney, irrevocably, with
full power after the occurrence of and during the continuance of an Event of
Default (in the name of such Assignor or otherwise), in the Collateral Agent's
reasonable discretion, to take any action and to execute any instrument which
the Collateral Agent may reasonably deem necessary or advisable to accomplish
the purposes of this Agreement, which appointment as attorney is coupled with
an interest.


                                   ARTICLE II

               GENERAL REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS

              Each Assignor represents, warrants and covenants, which
representations, warranties and covenants shall survive execution and delivery
of this Agreement, as follows:

              2.1.  Necessary Filings.  All filings, registrations and
recordings necessary or appropriate to create, preserve, protect and perfect
the security interest granted by such Assignor to the Collateral Agent hereby
in respect of the Collateral have been filed or concurrently herewith are being
filed and the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent pursuant to
this Agreement in and to the Collateral constitutes or shall constitute upon
such filing a perfected security interest therein prior to the rights of all
other Persons therein and subject to no other Liens, except that the Collateral
may be subject to the security interests evidenced by the financing statements
disclosed on Annex A hereto, but only to the respective date, if any, set forth
on Annex A (the "Permitted Filings") and to any other Permitted Liens and is or
shall be entitled to all the rights, priorities and benefits afforded by the
Uniform Commercial Code or other relevant law as enacted in any relevant
jurisdiction to perfected security interests.

              2.2.  No Liens.  Such Assignor is, and as to Collateral acquired
by it from time to time after the date hereof such Assignor will be, the owner
of all Collateral free from any Lien, security interest, encumbrance or other
right, title or interest of any Person (other than Liens created hereby,
Permitted Liens or Liens evidenced by the Permitted Filings), and such Assignor
shall defend the Collateral against all claims and demands of all Persons at
any time claiming the same or any interest therein adverse to the Collateral
Agent.
<PAGE>   202
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 4


              2.3.  Other Financing Statements.  As of the date hereof, there
is no financing statement (or similar statement or instrument of registration
under the law of any jurisdiction) on file or of record in any relevant
jurisdiction covering or purporting to cover any interest of any kind in the
Collateral except as disclosed in Annex A hereto and as may be filed in
connection with Permitted Liens and so long as the Total Commitment has been
terminated or any Letter of Credit or Note remains outstanding or any of the
Obligations remain unpaid or any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreement remains in effect or any Obligations are owed with respect thereto,
such Assignor will not execute or authorize to be filed in any public office
any financing statement (or similar statement or instrument of registration
under the law of any jurisdiction) or statements relating to the Collateral,
except financing statements filed or to be filed in respect of and covering the
security interests granted hereby by such Assignor or in respect of the
Permitted Liens.

              2.4.  Chief Executive Office; Records.  The chief executive
office of each Assignor is located at the address indicated on Annex B hereto
for such Assignor.  Such Assignor will not move its chief executive office
except to such new location as such Assignor may establish in accordance with
the last sentence of this Section 2.4.  The originals of all documents
evidencing all Receivables and Contract Rights and Trade Secrets of such
Assignor and the only original books of account and records of such Assignor
relating thereto are, and will continue to be, kept at such chief executive
office, at such other locations shown on Annex B hereto or at such new
locations as such Assignor may establish in accordance with the last sentence
of this Section 2.4.  All Receivables and Contract Rights of such Assignor are,
and will continue to be, maintained at, and controlled and directed (including,
without limitation, for general accounting purposes) from, the office locations
described above.  No Assignor shall establish new locations for such offices
until (i) it shall have given to the Collateral Agent not less than 30 days'
prior written notice of its intention to do so, clearly describing such new
location and providing such other information in connection therewith as the
Collateral Agent may reasonably request, (ii) with respect to such new
location, it shall have taken all action, reasonably satisfactory  to the
Collateral Agent, to maintain the security interest of the Collateral Agent in
the Collateral intended to be granted and perfected hereby at all times fully
perfected and in full force and effect, (iii) at the reasonable request of the
Collateral Agent, it shall have furnished an opinion of counsel acceptable to
the Collateral Agent to the effect that all financing or continuation
statements and amendments or supplements thereto have been filed in the
appropriate filing office or offices, and all other actions (including, without
limitation, the payment of all filing fees and taxes, if any, payable in
connection with such filings) have been taken, in order to perfect (and
maintain the perfection and priority of) the security interest granted hereby
and (iv) the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence that all other
actions (including, without limitation, the payment of all filing fees and
taxes, if any, payable in connection with such filings) have been taken, in
order to perfect (and maintain the perfection and priority of) the security
interest granted hereby.

              2.5.  Location of Inventory and Equipment.  All Inventory and
Equipment held on the date hereof by each Assignor is located at one of the
locations shown on Annex C hereto.  Each Assignor agrees that all Inventory and
Equipment now held or subsequently acquired by it (other
<PAGE>   203
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 5


than (i) immaterial Inventory and (ii) Inventory and Equipment in transit in
the ordinary course of business) shall be kept at (or shall be in transport to)
any one of the locations shown on Annex C hereto or such new location as such
Assignor may establish in accordance with the last sentence of this Section
2.5.  Any Assignor may establish a new location for Inventory and Equipment
only if (i) it shall have given to the Collateral Agent not less than 15 days
prior written notice of its intention so to do, clearly describing such new
location and providing such other information in connection therewith as the
Collateral Agent may request, (ii) with respect to such new location, it shall
have taken all action satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to maintain the
security interest of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral intended to be
granted hereby at all times fully perfected and in full force and effect, (iii)
at the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, it shall have furnished an
opinion of counsel acceptable to the Collateral Agent to the effect that all
financing or continuation statements and amendments or supplements thereto have
been filed in the appropriate filing office or offices, and (iv) the Collateral
Agent shall have received evidence that all other actions (including, without
limitation, the payment of all filing fees and taxes, if any, payable in
connection with such filings) have been taken, in order to perfect (and
maintain the perfection and priority of) the security interest granted hereby.

              2.6.  Recourse.  This Agreement is made with full recourse to
each Assignor and pursuant to and upon all the warranties, representations,
covenants and agreements on the part of such Assignor contained herein, in the
other Credit Documents, in the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreements and otherwise in writing in connection herewith or therewith.

              2.7.  Trade Names; Change of Name.  No Assignor has or operates
in any jurisdiction under, or in the preceding 12 months has had or has
operated in any jurisdiction under, any trade names, fictitious names or other
names (including, without limitation, any names of divisions or operations)
except its legal name and such other trade, fictitious or other names as are
listed on Annex D hereto.  No Assignor shall change its legal name or assume or
operate in any jurisdiction under any trade, fictitious or other name in any
manner which might make any financing statement or continuation statement filed
in connection therewith seriously misleading within the meaning of Section 9-
402(7) of the UCC except those names listed on Annex D hereto and new names
(including, without limitation, any names of divisions or operations)
established in accordance with the last sentence of this Section 2.8.  No
Assignor shall assume or operate in any jurisdiction under any new trade,
fictitious or other name that would make any financing statement or
continuation statement filed in connection therewith, seriously misleading
within the meaning of Section 9-402(7) of the UCC until (i) it shall have given
to the Collateral Agent not less than 30 days' prior written notice of its
intention so to do, clearly describing such new name and the jurisdictions in
which such new name shall be used and providing such other information in
connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, (ii) with
respect to such new name, it shall have taken all action to maintain the
security interest of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral intended to be
granted hereby at all times fully perfected and in full force and effect and
(iii) at the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, it shall have
furnished an opinion of counsel acceptable to the Collateral Agent to the
effect that all financing or continuation statements and amendments or
supplements thereto
<PAGE>   204
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 6


have been filed in the appropriate filing office or offices, and all other
actions (including, without limitation, the payment of all filing fees and
taxes, if any, payable in connection with such filings) have been taken, in
order to perfect (and maintain the perfection and priority of) the security
interest granted hereby.


                                  ARTICLE III

                         SPECIAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING
                   RECEIVABLES; CONTRACT RIGHTS; INSTRUMENTS

              3.1.  Additional Representations and Warranties.  As of the time
when each of its Receivables arises, each Assignor shall be deemed to have
represented and warranted that such Receivable, and all records, papers and
documents relating thereto (if any) are genuine and in all respects what they
purport to be, and that all papers and documents (if any) relating thereto to
the best knowledge of such Assignor (i) will represent the genuine, legal,
valid and binding obligation of the account debtor evidencing indebtedness
unpaid and owed by the respective account debtor arising out of the performance
of labor or services or the sale or lease and delivery of the merchandise
listed therein, or both, (ii) will be the only original writings evidencing and
embodying such obligation of the account debtor named therein (other than
copies created for general accounting purposes), (iii) will evidence true and
valid obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms and
(iv) will be in compliance and will conform in all material respects with all
applicable federal, state and local laws and applicable laws of any relevant
foreign jurisdiction.

              3.2.  Maintenance of Records.  Each Assignor will keep and
maintain at its own cost and expense satisfactory and complete records of its
Receivables and Contracts, including, but not limited to, the originals of all
documentation (including each Contract) with respect thereto, records of all
payments received, all credits granted thereon, all merchandise returned and
all other dealings therewith, and such Assignor will make the same available on
such Assignor's premises to the Collateral Agent for inspection, at such
Assignor's own cost and expense, at any and all reasonable times and intervals
and to such reasonable extent as the Collateral Agent may request; provided,
however, if no Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the
Collateral Agent shall give such Assignor prior written notice of any such
inspection.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default and upon the request of the Collateral Agent, such Assignor shall, at
its own cost and expense, deliver all tangible evidence of its Receivables and
Contract Rights (including, without limitation, all documents evidencing the
Receivables and all Contracts) and such books and records to the Collateral
Agent or to its representatives (copies of which evidence and books and records
may be retained by such Assignor).  Upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, if the Collateral Agent so directs, such
Assignor shall legend, in form and manner reasonably satisfactory to the
Collateral Agent, the Receivables and the Contracts, as well as books, records
and documents of such Assignor evidencing or pertaining to such Receivables and
Contracts with an appropriate reference to the fact that such Receivables and
<PAGE>   205
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 7


Contracts have been assigned to the Collateral Agent and that the Collateral
Agent has a security interest therein.

              3.3.  Direction to Account Debtors; Contracting Parties; etc.
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, and if
the Collateral Agent so directs any Assignor, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, such Assignor agrees (i) to cause all payments on account of
the Receivables and Contracts to be made directly to the Cash Collateral
Account, (ii) that the Collateral Agent may, at its option, directly notify the
obligors with respect to any Receivables and/or under any Contracts to make
payments with respect thereto as provided in the preceding clause (i) and (ii)
that the Collateral Agent may enforce collection of any such Receivables and
Contracts and may adjust, settle or compromise the amount of payment thereof,
in the same manner and to the same extent as such Assignor.  Without notice to
or assent by any Assignor, the Collateral Agent may apply any or all amounts
then in, or thereafter deposited in, the Cash Collateral Account which
application shall be effected in the manner provided in Section 7.4 of this
Agreement.  The costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) of
collection, whether incurred by the relevant Assignor or the Collateral Agent,
shall be borne by the relevant Assignor.

              3.4.  Modification of Terms; etc.  No Assignor shall rescind or
cancel any indebtedness evidenced by any Receivable or under any Contract, or
modify any term relating to such indebtedness or make any adjustment with
respect thereto, or extend or renew the same, or compromise or settle any
material dispute, claim, suit or legal proceeding relating thereto, or sell any
Receivable or Contract, or interest therein, without the prior written consent
of the Collateral Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld), except as permitted
by Section 3.5 hereof.  Each Assignor will duly fulfill all obligations on its
part to be fulfilled under or in connection with the Receivables and Contracts
and will do nothing to impair the rights of the Collateral Agent in the
Receivables or Contracts.

              3.5.  Collection.  Each Assignor shall endeavor to cause to be
collected from the account debtor named in each of its Receivables or obligor
under any Contract, as and when due (including, without limitation, amounts
which are delinquent, such amounts to be collected in accordance with generally
accepted lawful collection procedures) any and all amounts owing under or on
account of such Receivable or Contract, and apply forthwith upon receipt
thereof all such amounts as are so collected to the outstanding balance of such
Receivable or under such Contract, except that, unless an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, any Assignor may allow in the ordinary course of
business as adjustments to amounts owing under its Receivables and Contracts
(i) an extension or renewal of the time or times of payment, or settlement for
less than the total unpaid balance, which such Assignor finds appropriate in
accordance with sound business judgment and (ii) a refund or credit due as a
result of returned or damaged merchandise or improperly performed services.
The reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees) of collection, whether incurred by an Assignor or the
Collateral Agent, shall be borne by the relevant Assignor.
<PAGE>   206
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 8


              3.6.  Instruments.  If any Assignor owns or acquires any
Instrument constituting Collateral, such Assignor will within 15 days notify
the Collateral Agent thereof, and upon request by the Collateral Agent will
promptly deliver such Instrument to the Collateral Agent appropriately endorsed
to the order of the Collateral Agent as further security hereunder.

              3.7.  Further Actions.  Each Assignor will, at its own expense,
make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file and/or deliver to the Collateral
Agent from time to time such vouchers, invoices, schedules, confirmatory
assignments, conveyances, financing statements, transfer endorsements, powers
of attorney, certificates, reports and other assurances or instruments and take
such further steps relating to its Receivables, Contracts, Instruments and
other property or rights covered by the security interest hereby granted, as
the Collateral Agent may reasonably require.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                      SPECIAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING MARKS

              4.1.  Additional Representations and Warranties.  Each Assignor
represents and warrants that it is the true and lawful exclusive owner of the
Marks listed in Annex E hereto for such Assignor and that said listed Marks
include all the United States federal registrations or applications registered
in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  Each Assignor represents and
warrants that it owns or is licensed to use or is not prohibited from using all
Marks that it uses.  Each Assignor further warrants that it is aware of no
third party claim that any aspect of such Assignor's present or contemplated
business operations infringes or will infringe any Mark.  Each Assignor
represents and warrants that it is the owner of record of all United States
registrations and applications listed in Annex E hereto and that said
registrations are valid, subsisting, have not been canceled and that such
Assignor is not aware of any third-party claim that any of said registrations
is invalid or unenforceable.  Each Assignor hereby grants to the Collateral
Agent an absolute power of attorney to sign, upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, any document which may be required by the
United States Patent and Trademark Office in order to effect an absolute
assignment of all right, title and interest in each Mark and associated
goodwill, and record the same.

              4.2.  Licenses and Assignments.  Other than the license
agreements listed on Annex F hereto and any extensions or renewals thereof,
each Assignor hereby agrees not to divest itself of any right under any
Significant Mark absent prior written approval of the Collateral Agent, except
that such Assignor may license such a Mark in the ordinary course of business
provided that such license does not materially interfere with the business of
the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

              4.3.  Infringements.  Each Assignor agrees, promptly upon
learning thereof, to notify the Collateral Agent in writing of the name and
address of, and to furnish such pertinent information that may be available
with respect to, any party who may be infringing or otherwise violating any of
such Assignor's rights in and to any Significant Mark, or with respect to any
party claiming that
<PAGE>   207
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                          Page 9


such Assignor's use of any Significant Mark violates any property right of that
party, in each case to the extent that such Assignor reasonably believes that
such infringement or violation is material to its business.  Each Assignor
further agrees, if consistent with good business practice and unless otherwise
agreed by the Collateral Agent, to diligently prosecute any Person infringing
any Significant Mark to the extent that such Assignor reasonably believes that
such infringement is material to its business.

              4.4.  Preservation of Marks.  Each Assignor agrees to use its
Significant Marks in interstate commerce during the time in which this
Agreement is in effect, sufficiently to preserve such Significant Marks as
trademarks or service marks registered under the laws of the United States.

              4.5.  Maintenance of Registration.  Each Assignor shall, at its
own expense, diligently process all documents required by the Trademark Act of
1946, 15 U.S.C. Sections  1051 et seq. to maintain trademark registrations,
including but not limited to affidavits of use and applications for renewals of
registration in the United States Patent and Trademark Office for all of its
Significant Marks pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Sections  1058(a), 1059 and 1065, and
shall pay all fees and disbursements in connection therewith and shall not
abandon any such filing of affidavit of use or any such application of renewal
prior to the exhaustion of all reasonable administrative and judicial remedies
without prior written consent of the Collateral Agent.

              4.6.  Future Registered Marks.  If any Mark registration issues
hereafter to any Assignor as a result of any application now or hereafter
pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office, within 30 days of
receipt of such certificate, such Assignor shall deliver to the Collateral
Agent a copy of such certificate, and a grant of security in such Mark to the
Collateral Agent, confirming the grant thereof hereunder, the form of such
confirmatory grant to be substantially the same as the form hereof.

              4.7.  Remedies.  If an Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, the Collateral Agent may, by written notice to the relevant
Assignor, take any or all of the following actions:  (i) declare the entire
right, title and interest of such Assignor in and to each of its Marks and the
goodwill of the business associated therewith, together with all trademark
rights and rights of protection to the same, vested in the Collateral Agent for
the benefit of the Secured Creditors, in which event such rights, title and
interest shall immediately vest, in the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Creditors, in which case the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to
exercise the power of attorney referred to in Section 4.1 to execute, cause to
be acknowledged and notarized and record said absolute assignment with the
applicable agency; (ii) take and use or sell the Marks and the goodwill of such
Assignor's business symbolized by the Marks and the right to carry on the
business and use the assets of such Assignor in connection with which the Marks
have been used; and (iii) direct such Assignor to refrain, in which event such
Assignor shall refrain, from using the Marks in any manner whatsoever, directly
or indirectly, and, if requested by the Collateral Agent, change such
Assignor's corporate name to eliminate therefrom any use of any Mark and
execute such other and further documents that the Collateral Agent may request
to further confirm this and to
<PAGE>   208
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 10


transfer ownership of the Marks and registrations and any pending trademark
application in the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any equivalent
government agency or office in any foreign jurisdiction to the Collateral
Agent.


                                   ARTICLE V

                         SPECIAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING
                    PATENTS AND COPYRIGHTS AND TRADE SECRETS

              5.1.  Additional Representations and Warranties.  Each Assignor
represents and warrants that it is the true and lawful exclusive owner of all
rights in (i) all material Trade Secrets necessary to operate the business of
such Assignor, (ii) the Patents listed in Annex G hereto for such Assignor and
(iii) the Copyrights listed in Annex H hereto for such Assignor, that to the
best of its knowledge said Patents include all the United States patents and
applications for United States patents that such Assignor now owns and that
said Copyrights constitute all the United States copyrights registered with the
United States Copyright Office and applications for United States copyrights
that such Assignor now owns and that are necessary in the conduct of the
business of such Assignor.  Each Assignor represents and warrants that it owns
or is licensed to practice under all Patents and Copyrights that it now uses or
practices under.  Each Assignor further warrants that it is aware of no third
party claim that any aspect of such Assignor's present or contemplated business
operations infringes or will infringe any patent or any copyright or such
Assignor has misappropriated any Trade Secrets or proprietary information.
Each Assignor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent an absolute power of
attorney to sign, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event
of Default, any document which may be required by the United States Patent and
Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office in order to effect an
absolute assignment of all right, title and interest in each Patent and
Copyright, and record the same.

              5.2.  Licenses and Assignments.  Other than the license
agreements listed on Annex F hereto and any extensions or renewals thereof,
each Assignor hereby agrees not to divest itself of any right under any
Significant Patent or Significant Copyright absent prior written approval of
the Collateral Agent.

              5.3.  Infringements.  Each Assignor agrees, promptly upon
learning thereof, to furnish the Collateral Agent in writing with all pertinent
information available to such Assignor with respect to any infringement or
other violation of such Assignor's rights in and to any Significant Patent or
Significant Copyright, or with respect to any claim that practice of any
Significant Patent or Significant Copyright violates any property right of that
party, or with respect to any misappropriation of any Trade Secret or any claim
that such Assignor's practice of any Trade Secret relates any property right of
a third party, in each case to the extent that such Assignor reasonably
believes that such infringement or violation is material to its business.  Each
Assignor further agrees, consistent with good business practice and absent
direction of the Collateral Agent to the contrary,
<PAGE>   209
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 11


diligently to prosecute any Person infringing any Significant Patent or
Significant Copyright or any Person misappropriating any of such Assignor's
Trade Secrets to the extent that such Assignor reasonably believes that such
infringement or misappropriation is material to its business.

              5.4.  Maintenance of Patents.  At its own expense, each Assignor
shall make timely payment of all post-issuance fees required pursuant to 35
U.S.C. Section  41 to maintain in force rights under each Significant Patent.

              5.5.  Prosecution of Patent Application.  At its own expense,
each Assignor shall diligently prosecute all applications for Significant
Patents listed in Annex G hereto for such Assignor and shall not abandon any
such application prior to exhaustion of all reasonable administrative and
judicial remedies, absent written consent of the Collateral Agent.

              5.6.  Other Patents and Copyrights.  Within 30 days of its
acquisition of a Patent or Copyright, or of its filing of an application for a
Patent or Copyright, each Assignor shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a copy
of said Patent or Copyright or such application, as the case may be, with a
grant of security as to such Patent or Copyright, as the case may be,
confirming the grant thereof hereunder, the form of such confirmatory grant to
be substantially the same as the form hereof.

              5.7.  Remedies.  If an Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing, the Collateral Agent may by written notice to the relevant
Assignor, take any or all of the following actions:  (i) declare the entire
right, title, and interest of such Assignor in each of the Patents and
Copyrights vested in the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Creditors, in which event such right, title, and interest shall immediately
vest in the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors, in which
case the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to exercise the power of attorney
referred to in Section 5.1 hereof to execute, cause to be acknowledged and
notarized and record said absolute assignment with the applicable agency; (ii)
take and practice or sell the Patents and Copyrights; and (iii) direct such
Assignor to refrain, in which event such Assignor shall refrain, from
practicing the Patents and using the Copyrights directly or indirectly, and
such Assignor shall execute such other and further documents as the Collateral
Agent may request further to confirm this and to transfer ownership of the
Patents and Copyrights to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Creditors.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                      PROVISIONS CONCERNING ALL COLLATERAL

              6.1.  Protection of Collateral Agent's Security.  Each Assignor
will do nothing to impair the rights of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral.
Each Assignor will at all times keep its Inventory and Equipment insured in
favor of the Collateral Agent, at such Assignor's own expense to the extent and
in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.  If any Assignor shall fail to
insure
<PAGE>   210
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 12


its Inventory and Equipment in accordance with the preceding sentence, or if
any Assignor shall fail to so endorse and deposit all policies or certificates
with respect thereto to the extent required by the Credit Agreement, the
Collateral Agent shall have the right (but shall be under no obligation) to
procure such insurance and such Assignor agrees to promptly reimburse the
Collateral Agent for all costs and expenses of procuring such insurance.  The
Collateral Agent shall, at the time such proceeds of such insurance are
distributed to the Secured Creditors, apply such proceeds in accordance with
Section 7.4 hereof or as otherwise provided in the Credit Agreement.  Each
Assignor assumes all liability and responsibility in connection with the
Collateral acquired by it and the liability of such Assignor to pay the
Obligations shall in no way be affected or diminished by reason of the fact
that such Collateral may be lost, destroyed, stolen, damaged or for any reason
whatsoever unavailable to such Assignor.

              6.2.  Warehouse Receipts Non-Negotiable.  Each Assignor agrees
that if any warehouse receipt or receipt in the nature of a warehouse receipt
is issued with respect to any of its Inventory, such warehouse receipt or
receipt in the nature thereof shall not be "negotiable" (as such term is used
in Section 7-104 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant
jurisdiction or under other relevant law).

              6.3.  Further Actions.  Each Assignor will, at its own expense,
make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file and/or deliver to the Collateral
Agent from time to time such lists, descriptions and designations of its
Collateral, warehouse receipts, receipts in the nature of warehouse receipts,
bills of lading, documents of title, vouchers, invoices, schedules,
confirmatory assignments, conveyances, financing statements, transfer
endorsements, powers of attorney, certificates, reports and other assurances or
instruments and take such further steps relating to the Collateral and other
property or rights covered by the security interest hereby granted, which the
Collateral Agent deems reasonably appropriate or advisable to perfect, preserve
or protect its security interest in the Collateral.

              6.4.  Financing Statements.  Each Assignor agrees to execute and
deliver to the Collateral Agent such financing statements, in form acceptable
to the Collateral Agent, as the Collateral Agent may from time to time request
or as are necessary or desirable in the opinion of the Collateral Agent to
establish and maintain a valid, enforceable, first priority perfected security
interest in the Collateral as provided herein and the other rights and security
contemplated hereby all in accordance with the Uniform Commercial Code as
enacted in any and all relevant jurisdictions or any other relevant law.  Each
Assignor will pay any applicable filing fees, recordation taxes and related
expenses relating to its Collateral.  Each Assignor hereby authorizes the
Collateral Agent to file any such financing statements without the signature of
such Assignor where permitted by law.
<PAGE>   211
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 13



                                  ARTICLE VII

                  REMEDIES UPON OCCURRENCE OF EVENT OF DEFAULT

              7.1.  Remedies; Obtaining the Collateral Upon Default.  Each
Assignor agrees that, if any Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, then and in every such case, subject to any mandatory requirements
of applicable law then in effect, the Collateral Agent, in addition to any
rights now or hereafter existing under applicable law, shall have all rights as
a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code in all relevant
jurisdictions and may:

              (a)    personally, or by agents or attorneys, immediately take
       possession of the Collateral or any part thereof, from such Assignor or
       any other Person who then has possession of any part thereof with or
       without notice or process of law, and for that purpose may enter upon
       such Assignor's premises where any of the Collateral is located and
       remove the same and use in connection with such removal any and all
       services, supplies, aids and other facilities of such Assignor; and

              (b)    instruct the obligor or obligors on any agreement,
       instrument or other obligation (including, without limitation, the
       Receivables and the Contracts) constituting the Collateral to make any
       payment required by the terms of such agreement, instrument or other
       obligation directly to the Collateral Agent and may exercise any and all
       remedies of such Assignor in respect of such Collateral; and

              (c)  withdraw all moneys, securities and instruments in the Cash
       Collateral Account for application to the Obligations in accordance with
       Section 7.4 hereof; and

              (d)  sell, assign or otherwise liquidate, or direct such Assignor
       to sell, assign or otherwise liquidate, any or all of the Collateral or
       any part thereof, and take possession of the proceeds of any such sale
       or liquidation; and

              (e)  take possession of the Collateral or any part thereof, by
       directing the relevant Assignor in writing to deliver the same to the
       Collateral Agent at any place or places designated by the Collateral
       Agent, in which event such Assignor shall at its own expense:

              (i)    forthwith cause the same to be moved to the place or
              places so designated by the Collateral Agent and there delivered
              to the Collateral Agent, and

              (ii)   store and keep any Collateral so delivered to the
              Collateral Agent at such place or places pending further action
              by the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 7.2 hereof, and
<PAGE>   212
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 14


              (iii)  while the Collateral shall be so stored and kept, provide
              such guards and maintenance services as shall be necessary to
              protect the same and to preserve and maintain them in good
              condition; and

              (f)    license or sublicense (to the extent not in violation of
       the license), whether on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis, any Marks,
       Patents or Copyrights included in the Collateral for such term and on
       such conditions and in such manner as the Collateral Agent shall in its
       sole judgment determine;

it being understood that each Assignor's obligation so to deliver the
Collateral is of the essence of this Agreement and that, accordingly, upon
application to a court of equity having jurisdiction, the Collateral Agent
shall be entitled to a decree requiring specific performance by such Assignor
of said obligation.

              7.2.  Remedies; Disposition of the Collateral.  Any Collateral
repossessed by the Collateral Agent under or pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof and
any other Collateral whether or not so repossessed by the Collateral Agent, may
be sold, assigned, leased or otherwise disposed of under one or more contracts
or as an entirety, and without the necessity of gathering at the place of sale
the property to be sold, and in general in such manner, at such time or times,
at such place or places and on such terms as the Collateral Agent may, in
compliance with any mandatory requirements of applicable law, determine to be
commercially reasonable.  Any of the Collateral may be sold, leased or
otherwise disposed of, in the condition in which the same existed when taken by
the Collateral Agent or after any overhaul or repair at the expense of the
relevant Assignor which the Collateral Agent shall determine to be commercially
reasonable.  Any such disposition which shall be a private sale or other
private proceedings permitted by such requirements shall be made upon not less
than 10 days' written notice to the relevant Assignor specifying the time at
which such disposition is to be made and the intended sale price or other
consideration therefor, and shall be subject, for the 10 days after the giving
of such notice, to the right of the relevant Assignor or any nominee of such
Assignor to acquire the Collateral involved at a price or for such other
consideration at least equal to the intended sale price or other consideration
so specified.  Any such disposition which shall be a public sale permitted by
such requirements shall be made upon not less than 10 days' written notice to
the relevant Assignor specifying the time and place of such sale and, in the
absence of applicable requirements of law, shall be by public auction (which
may, at the Collateral Agent's option, be subject to reserve), after
publication of notice of such auction not less than 10 days prior thereto in
two newspapers in general circulation in the City of New York.  To the extent
permitted by any such requirement of law, the Collateral Agent and the Secured
Creditors may bid for and become the purchaser of the Collateral or any item
thereof, offered for sale in accordance with this Section without
accountability to the relevant Assignor.  If, under mandatory requirements of
applicable law, the Collateral Agent shall be required to make disposition of
the Collateral within a period of time which does not permit the giving of
notice to the relevant Assignor as hereinabove specified, the Collateral Agent
need give such Assignor only such notice of disposition as shall be reasonably
practicable in view of such mandatory requirements of applicable law.  Each
Assignor agrees to do or cause to be
<PAGE>   213
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 15


done all such other acts and things as may be reasonably necessary to make such
sale or sales of all or any portion of the Collateral valid and binding and in
compliance with any and all applicable laws, regulations, orders, writs,
injunctions, decrees or awards of any and all courts, arbitrators or
governmental instrumentalities, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over
any such sale or sales, all at such Assignor's expense.

              7.3.  Waiver of Claims.  Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, EACH ASSIGNOR HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, NOTICE AND JUDICIAL HEARING IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLATERAL AGENT'S
TAKING POSSESSION OR THE COLLATERAL AGENT'S DISPOSITION OF ANY OF THE
COLLATERAL, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY AND ALL PRIOR NOTICE AND HEARING
FOR ANY PREJUDGMENT REMEDY OR REMEDIES AND ANY SUCH RIGHT WHICH SUCH ASSIGNOR
WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OR ANY STATUTE OF THE UNITED STATES
OR OF ANY STATE, and each Assignor hereby further waives, to the extent
permitted by law:

              (a)    all damages occasioned by such taking of possession except
       any damages which are the direct result of the Collateral Agent's gross
       negligence or willful misconduct;

              (b)    all other requirements as to the time, place and terms of
       sale or other requirements with respect to the enforcement of the
       Collateral Agent's rights hereunder; and

              (c)    all rights of redemption, appraisement, valuation, stay,
       extension or moratorium now or hereafter in force under any applicable
       law in order to prevent or delay the enforcement of this Agreement or
       the absolute sale of the Collateral or any portion thereof, and each
       Assignor, for itself and all who may claim under it, insofar as it or
       they now or hereafter lawfully may, hereby waives the benefit of all
       such laws.

Any sale of, or the grant of options to purchase, or any other realization
upon, any Collateral shall operate to divest all right, title, interest, claim
and demand, either at law or in equity, of the relevant Assignor therein and
thereto, and shall be a perpetual bar both at law and in equity against such
Assignor and against any and all Persons claiming or attempting to claim the
Collateral so sold, optioned or realized upon, or any part thereof, from,
through and under such Assignor.

              7.4.  Application of Proceeds.  (a)  All moneys collected by the
Collateral Agent (or, to the extent the Pledge Agreement or any Mortgage to
which any Assignor is a party requires proceeds of Collateral under such
agreement to be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement,
the Pledgee or Mortgagee under such other agreement) upon any sale or other
disposition of the Collateral, together with all other moneys received by the
Collateral Agent hereunder, shall be applied as follows:
<PAGE>   214
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 16


       (i)    first, to the payment of all amounts owing the Collateral Agent
       of the type described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of the definition of
       "Obligations";

       (ii)   second, to the extent proceeds remain after the application
       pursuant to the preceding clause (i), an amount equal to the outstanding
       Primary Obligations shall be paid to the Secured Creditors as provided
       in Section 7.4(e) hereof, with each Secured Creditor receiving an amount
       equal to such outstanding Primary Obligations or, if the proceeds are
       insufficient to pay in full all such Primary Obligations, its Pro Rata
       Share of the amount remaining to be distributed;

       (iii)  third, to the extent proceeds remain after the application
       pursuant to the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), an amount equal to the
       outstanding Secondary Obligations shall be paid to the Secured Creditors
       as provided in Section 7.4(e), with each Secured Creditor receiving an
       amount equal to its outstanding Secondary Obligations or, if the
       proceeds are insufficient to pay in full all such Secondary Obligations,
       its Pro Rata Share of the amount remaining to be distributed; and

       (iv)   fourth, to the extent proceeds remain after the application
       pursuant to the preceding clauses (i) through (iii), inclusive, and
       following the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.9(a)
       hereof, to the relevant Assignor or to whomever may be lawfully entitled
       to receive such surplus.

              (b)    For purposes of this Agreement (i) "Pro Rata Share" shall
mean, when calculating a Secured Creditor's portion of any distribution or
amount, that amount (expressed as a percentage) equal to a fraction the
numerator of which is the then unpaid amount of such Secured Creditor's Primary
Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, and the denominator
of which is the then outstanding amount of all Primary Obligations or Secondary
Obligations, as the case may be, (ii) "Primary Obligations" shall mean (A) in
the case of the Credit Agreement Obligations, all principal of, and interest
on, all Loans, all Unpaid Drawings theretofore made (together with all interest
accrued thereon), and the aggregate Stated Amounts of all Letters of Credit
issued (or deemed issued) under the Credit Agreement, and all Fees and (B) in
the case of the Other Obligations, all amounts due under the Interest Rate
Protection or Other Hedging Agreements (other than indemnities, fees
(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees) and similar obligations and
liabilities) and (iii) "Secondary Obligations" shall mean all Obligations other
than Primary Obligations.

              (c)    When payments to Secured Creditors are based upon their
respective Pro Rata Shares, the amounts received by such Secured Creditors
hereunder shall be applied (for purposes of making determinations under this
Section 7.4 only) (i) first, to their Primary Obligations and (ii) second, to
their Secondary Obligations.  If any payment to any Secured Creditor of its Pro
Rata Share of any distribution would result in overpayment to such Secured
Creditor, such excess amount shall instead be distributed in respect of the
unpaid Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of the
other Secured Creditors, with each Secured Creditor whose Primary Obligations
or Secondary Obligations, as the
<PAGE>   215
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 17


case may be, have not been paid in full to receive an amount equal to such
excess amount multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the unpaid
Primary Obligations or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of such
Secured Creditor and the denominator of which is the unpaid Primary Obligations
or Secondary Obligations, as the case may be, of all Secured Creditors entitled
to such distribution.

              (d)    Each of the Secured Creditors agrees and acknowledges that
if the Bank Creditors are to receive a distribution on account of undrawn
amounts with respect to Letters of Credit issued (or deemed issued) under the
Credit Agreement (which shall only occur after all outstanding Loans and Unpaid
Drawings with respect to such Letters of Credit have been paid in full), such
amounts shall be paid to the Agent under the Credit Agreement and held by it,
for the equal and ratable benefit of the Bank Creditors, as cash security for
the repayment of Obligations owing to the Bank Creditors as such.  If any
amounts are held as cash security pursuant to the immediately preceding
sentence, then upon the termination of all outstanding Letters of Credit, and
after the application of all such cash security to the repayment of all
Obligations owing to the Bank Creditors after giving effect to the termination
of all such Letters of Credit, if there remains any excess cash, such excess
cash shall be returned by the Agent to the Collateral Agent for distribution in
accordance with Section 7.4(a) hereof.

              (e)    Except as set forth in Section 7.4(d), all payments
required to be made hereunder shall be made (i) if to the Bank Creditors, to
the Agent under the Credit Agreement for the account of the Bank Creditors, and
(ii) if to the Other Creditors, to the trustee, paying agent or other similar
representative (each a "Representative") for the Other Creditors or, in the
absence of such a Representative, directly to the Other Creditors.

              (f)    For purposes of applying payments received in accordance
with this Section 7.4, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely upon (i)
the Agent under the Credit Agreement and (ii) the Representative for the Other
Creditors or, in the absence of such a Representative, upon the Other Creditors
for a determination (which the Agent, each Representative for any Secured
Creditors and the Secured Creditors agree (or shall agree) to provide upon
request of the Collateral Agent) of the outstanding Primary Obligations and
Secondary Obligations owed to the Bank Creditors or the Other Creditors, as the
case may be.  Unless it has actual knowledge (including by way of written
notice from a Bank Creditor or an Other Creditor) to the contrary, the Agent
and each Representative, in furnishing information pursuant to the preceding
sentence, and the Collateral Agent, in acting hereunder, shall be entitled to
assume that no Secondary Obligations are outstanding.  Unless it has actual
knowledge (including by way of written notice from an Other Creditor) to the
contrary, the Collateral Agent, in acting hereunder, shall be entitled to
assume that no Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements are in
existence.

              (g)    It is understood and agreed that the Assignors shall
remain jointly and severally liable to the extent of any deficiency between the
amount of the proceeds of the Collateral
<PAGE>   216
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 18


hereunder and the aggregate amount of the sums referred to in clauses (i)
through (iii), inclusive, of Section 7.4(a).

              7.5.  Remedies Cumulative.  Each and every right, power and
remedy hereby specifically given to the Collateral Agent shall be in addition
to every other right, power and remedy specifically given under this Agreement,
the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements, the other Credit
Documents or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity, or by statute and
each and every right, power and remedy whether specifically herein given or
otherwise existing may be exercised from time to time or simultaneously and as
often and in such order as may be deemed expedient by the Collateral Agent.
All such rights, powers and remedies shall be cumulative and the exercise or
the beginning of the exercise of one shall not be deemed a waiver of the right
to exercise any other or others.  No delay or omission of the Collateral Agent
in the exercise of any such right, power or remedy and no renewal or extension
of any of the Obligations and no course of dealing between the relevant
Assignor and the Collateral Agent or any holder of any of the Obligations shall
impair any such right, power or remedy or shall be construed to be a waiver of
any Default or Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  No notice to or
demand on any Assignor in any case shall entitle it to any other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of
any of the rights of the Collateral Agent to any other or further action in any
circumstances without notice or demand.  In the event that the Collateral Agent
shall bring any suit to enforce any of its rights hereunder and shall be
entitled to judgment, then in such suit the Collateral Agent may recover
expenses, including attorneys' fees, and the amounts thereof shall be included
in such judgment.

              7.6.  Discontinuance of Proceedings.  In case the Collateral
Agent shall have instituted any proceeding to enforce any right, power or
remedy under this Agreement by foreclosure, sale, entry or otherwise, and such
proceeding shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall
have been determined adversely to the Collateral Agent, then and in every such
case the relevant Assignor, the Collateral Agent and each holder of any of the
Obligations shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder
with respect to the Collateral subject to the security interest created under
this Agreement, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Collateral Agent
shall continue as if no such proceeding had been instituted.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   INDEMNITY

              8.1.  Indemnity.  (a)  Each Assignor jointly and severally agrees
to indemnify, reimburse and hold the Collateral Agent, each Secured Creditor
and their respective successors, assigns, employees, agents and servants
(hereinafter in this Section 8.1 referred to individually as "Indemnitee," and
collectively as "Indemnitees") harmless from any and all liabilities,
obligations, damages, injuries, penalties, claims, demands, actions, suits,
judgments and any and all costs,
<PAGE>   217
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 19


expenses or disbursements (including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses)
(for the purposes of this Section 8.1 the foregoing are collectively called
"expenses") of whatsoever kind and nature imposed on, asserted against or
incurred by any of the Indemnitees in any way relating to or arising out of
this Agreement, any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement, any
other Credit Document or any other document executed in connection herewith or
therewith or in any other way connected with the administration of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the enforcement of any of the
terms of, or the preservation of any rights under any thereof, or in any way
relating to or arising out of the manufacture, ownership, ordering, purchase,
delivery, control, acceptance, lease, financing, possession, operation,
condition, sale, return or other disposition, or use of the Collateral
(including, without limitation, latent or other defects, whether or not
discoverable), any contract claim or, to the maximum extent permitted under
applicable law, the violation of the laws of any country, state or other
governmental body or unit, or any tort (including, without limitation, claims
arising or imposed under the doctrine of strict liability, or for or on account
of injury to or the death of any Person (including any Indemnitee), or property
damage); provided that no Indemnitee shall be indemnified pursuant to this
Section 8.1(a) for expenses to the extent caused by the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.  Each Assignor agrees that upon written
notice by any Indemnitee of the assertion of such a liability, obligation,
damage, injury, penalty, claim, demand, action, suit or judgment, the relevant
Assignor shall assume full responsibility for the defense thereof.  Each
Indemnitee agrees to use its best efforts to promptly notify the relevant
Assignor of any such assertion of which such Indemnitee has knowledge.

              (b)    Without limiting the application of Section 8.1(a) hereof,
each Assignor agrees, jointly and severally, to pay, or reimburse the
Collateral Agent for any and all reasonable fees, costs and expenses of
whatever kind or nature incurred in connection with the creation, preservation
or protection of the Collateral Agent's Liens on, and security interest in, the
Collateral, including, without limitation, all reasonable fees and taxes in
connection with the recording or filing of instruments and documents in public
offices, payment or discharge of any taxes or Liens upon or in respect of the
Collateral, premiums for insurance with respect to the Collateral and all other
reasonable fees, costs and expenses in connection with protecting, maintaining
or preserving the Collateral and the Collateral Agent's interest therein,
whether through judicial proceedings or otherwise, or in defending or
prosecuting any actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or relating to the
Collateral.

              (c)    Without limiting the application of Section 8.1(a) or (b)
hereof, each Assignor agrees, jointly and severally, to pay, indemnify and hold
each Indemnitee harmless from and against any loss, costs, damages and expenses
which such Indemnitee may suffer, expend or incur in consequence of or growing
out of any misrepresentation by any Assignor in this Agreement, any Interest
Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement, any other Credit Document or in any
writing contemplated by or made or delivered pursuant to or in connection with
this Agreement, any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement or any
other Credit Document.
<PAGE>   218
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 20


              (d)    If and to the extent that the obligations of any Assignor
under this Section 8.1 are unenforceable for any reason, such Assignor hereby
agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such
obligations which is permissible under applicable law.

              8.2.  Indemnity Obligations Secured by Collateral; Survival.  Any
amounts paid by any Indemnitee as to which such Indemnitee has the right to
reimbursement shall constitute Obligations secured by the Collateral.  The
indemnity obligations of each Assignor contained in this Article VIII shall
continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the full payment of all the
Notes issued under the Credit Agreement, the termination of all Interest Rate
Protection or Other Hedging Agreements and the payment of all other Obligations
and notwithstanding the discharge thereof.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  DEFINITIONS

              The following terms shall have the meanings herein specified.
Such definitions shall be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms
of the terms defined.

              "Agent" shall have the meaning provided in the first WHEREAS
clause of this Agreement.

              "Agreement" shall mean this Security Agreement as the same may be
modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, replaced, restated or amended from
time to time in accordance with its terms.

              "Assignor" shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph
of this Agreement.

              "Bank Creditor" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.

              "Banks" shall have the meaning provided in the Credit Agreement.

              "Borrower" shall have the meaning provided in the first WHEREAS
clause of this Agreement.

              "Cash Collateral Account" shall mean a non-interest bearing cash
collateral account maintained with the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Creditors.

              "Chattel Paper" shall have the meaning provided in the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New York.
<PAGE>   219
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 21


              "Class" shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.2 of this
Agreement.

              "Collateral" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.1(a) of
this Agreement.

              "Collateral Agent" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.

              "Contract Rights" shall mean all rights of any Assignor
(including, without limitation, all rights to payment) under each Contract.

              "Contracts" shall mean all contracts between any Assignor and one
or more additional parties (including, without limitation, (i) each partnership
agreement to which such Assignor is a party and (ii) any Interest Rate
Protection or Other Hedging Agreements), but excluding licenses, agreements and
leases, which are immaterial to the operations of the Assignor, to the extent
that the terms thereof prohibit the assignment of, or granting of a security
interest in, such licenses, agreements or leases.

              "Copyrights" shall mean any United States copyright which any
Assignor now owns or hereafter acquires, including any registrations of any
Copyrights in the United States Copyright Office, as well as any application
for a United States copyright registration now or hereafter made with the
United States Copyright Office by any Assignor.

              "Credit Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in the first
WHEREAS clause of this Agreement.

              "Credit Agreement Obligations" shall have the meaning provided in
the definition of "Obligations" in this Article IX.

              "Default" shall mean any event which, with notice or lapse of
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

              "Documents" shall have the meaning provided in the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New York.

              "Equipment" shall mean any "equipment," as such term is defined
in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date hereof in the State of
New York, now or hereafter owned by any Assignor and, in any event, shall
include, but shall not be limited to, all machinery, equipment, furnishings and
movable trade fixtures now or hereafter owned by any Assignor and any and all
additions, substitutions and replacements of any of the foregoing, wherever
located, together with all attachments, components, parts, equipment and
accessories installed thereon or affixed thereto.
<PAGE>   220
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 22


              "Event of Default" shall mean any Event of Default under, and as
defined in, the Credit Agreement and shall in any event, without limitation,
include any payment default on any of the Obligations after the expiration of
any applicable grace period.

              "General Intangibles" shall have the meaning provided in the
Uniform Commercial Code (other than with respect to leases that are immaterial
to the operations of any Assignor) as in effect on the date hereof in the State
of New York and shall in any event include all of any Assignor's claims,
rights, powers, privileges, authority, options, security interests, liens and
remedies under any partnership agreement to which such Assignor is a party or
with respect to any partnership of which such Assignor is a partner.

              "Goods" shall have the meaning provided in the Uniform Commercial
Code as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New York.

              "Holdings" shall have the meaning provided in the first WHEREAS
clause of this Agreement.

              "Indemnitee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.1 of
this Agreement.

              "Instrument" shall have the meaning provided in Article 9 of the
Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New
York.

              "Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements" shall have
the meaning provided in the first paragraph of this Agreement.

              "Inventory" shall mean merchandise, inventory and goods, and all
additions, substitutions and replacements thereof, wherever located, together
with all goods, supplies, incidentals, packaging materials, labels, materials
and any other items used or usable in manufacturing, processing, packaging or
shipping same; in all stages of production -- from raw materials through work-
in-process to finished goods -- and all products and proceeds of whatever sort
and wherever located and any portion thereof which may be returned, rejected,
reclaimed or repossessed by the Collateral Agent from any Assignor's customers,
and shall specifically include all "inventory" as such term is defined in the
Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New
York, now or hereafter owned by any Assignor.

              "Marks" shall mean all right, title and interest in and to any
trademarks and service marks and trade names now held or hereafter acquired by
any Assignor, which are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark
Office or in any similar office or agency of the United States or any state
thereof or any political subdivision thereof and any application for such
trademarks and service marks, as well as any unregistered marks used by any
Assignor in the United States and trade dress including logos, designs, trade
names, company names, business names, fictitious business
<PAGE>   221
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 23


names and other business identifiers in connection with which any of these
registered or unregistered marks are used in the United States.

              "Obligations" shall mean (i) (A) the principal of and interest on
the Notes issued, and Loans made, under the Credit Agreement, and all
reimbursement obligations and Unpaid Drawings with respect to the Letters of
Credit under the Credit Agreement and (B) all other obligations and
indebtedness (including, without limitation, indemnities, Fees and interest
thereon) of any Assignor to the Bank Creditors now existing or hereafter
incurred under, arising out of, or in connection with the Credit Agreement and
the other Credit Documents and the due performance and compliance by each
Assignor with all of the terms, conditions and agreements contained in the
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents (all such principal, interest,
obligations and liabilities being herein collectively called the "Credit
Agreement Obligations"); (ii) all obligations and liabilities owing by each
Assignor to the Other Creditors under, or with respect to, any Interest Rate
Protection or Other Hedging Agreement, whether such Interest Rate Protection or
Other Hedging Agreement is now in existence or hereafter arising, and the due
performance and compliance by each Assignor with all of the terms, conditions
and agreements contained therein (all such obligations and liabilities
described in this clause (ii) being herein collectively called the "Other
Obligations"); (iii) any and all sums advanced by the Collateral Agent in order
to preserve the Collateral or preserve its security interest in the Collateral;
(iv) in the event of any proceeding for the collection or enforcement of any
indebtedness, obligations, or liabilities of any Assignor referred to in
clauses (i) and (ii), after an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the reasonable expenses of taking, holding, preparing for sale or
lease, selling or otherwise disposing of or realizing on the Collateral, or of
any exercise by the Collateral Agent of its rights hereunder, together with
reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs; and (v) all amounts paid by any
Indemnitee as to which such Indemnitee has the right to reimbursement under
Section 8.1 of this Agreement.  It is acknowledged and agreed that the
"Obligations" shall include extensions of credit of the types described above,
whether outstanding on the date of this Agreement or extended from time to time
after the date of this Agreement.

              "Other Creditors" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.

              "Other Obligations" shall have the meaning provided in the
definition of "Obligations" in this Article IX.

              "Patents" shall mean any United States patent now or hereafter
owned by any Assignor, as well as any application for a United States patent
now or hereafter owned by any Assignor.

              "Permitted Filings" shall have the meaning provided in Section
2.1 of this Agreement.

              "Primary Obligations" shall have the meaning provided in Section
7.4(b) of this Agreement.
<PAGE>   222
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 24


              "Pro Rata Share" shall have the meaning provided in Section
7.4(b) of this Agreement.

              "Proceeds" shall have the meaning provided in the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York on the date hereof or
under other relevant law and, in any event, shall include, but not be limited
to, (i) any and all proceeds of any insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty
payable to the Collateral Agent or any Assignor from time to time with respect
to any of the Collateral, (ii) any and all payments (in any form whatsoever)
made or due and payable to any Assignor from time to time in connection with
any requisition, confiscation, condemnation, seizure or forfeiture of all or
any part of the Collateral by any governmental authority (or any person acting
under color of governmental authority) and (iii) any and all other amounts from
time to time paid or payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral.

              "Receivables" shall mean any "account" as such term is defined in
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect on the date hereof in the State of New
York, now or hereafter owned by any Assignor and, in any event, shall include,
but shall not be limited to, all of such Assignor's rights to payment for goods
sold or leased or services performed by such Assignor, whether now in existence
or arising from time to time hereafter, including, without limitation, rights
evidenced by an account, note, contract, security agreement, chattel paper, or
other evidence of indebtedness or security, together with (i) all security
pledged, assigned, hypothecated or granted to or held by such Assignor to
secure the foregoing, (ii) all of such Assignor's right, title and interest in
and to any goods, the sale of which gave rise thereto, (iii) all guarantees,
endorsements and indemnifications on, or of, any of the foregoing, (iv) all
powers of attorney for the execution of any evidence of indebtedness or
security or other writing in connection therewith, (v) all books, records,
ledger cards, and invoices relating thereto, (vi) all evidences of the filing
of financing statements and other statements and the registration of other
instruments in connection therewith and amendments thereto, notices to other
creditors or secured parties, and certificates from filing or other
registration officers, (vii) all credit information, reports and memoranda
relating thereto, and (viii) all other writings related in any way to the
foregoing.

              "Representative" shall have the meaning provided in Section
7.4(e) of this Agreement.

              "Required Secured Creditors" shall mean (i) the Required Banks
(or, to the extent required by Section 13.12 of the Credit Agreement, all of
the Banks) under the Credit Agreement so long as any Credit Agreement
Obligations remain outstanding and (ii) in any situation not covered by
preceding clause (i), the holders of a majority of the outstanding principal
amount of the Other Obligations.

              "Requisite Creditors" shall have the meaning provided in Section
10.2 of this Agreement.
<PAGE>   223
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 25



              "Secondary Obligations" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 7.4(b) of this Agreement.

              "Secured Creditors" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.

              "Significant Copyrights" shall mean those Copyrights which the
relevant Assignor believes in its reasonable judgment to be material to its
business.

              "Significant Marks" shall mean those Marks which the relevant
Assignor believes in its reasonable judgment to be material to its business.

              "Significant Patents" shall mean those Patents which the relevant
Assignor believes in its reasonable judgment to be material to its business.

              "Termination Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section
10.9 of this Agreement.

              "Trade Secrets" shall mean any know-how, technology, product
formulations, procedures and product and manufacturing specifications or
standards now or hereafter utilized in the relevant Assignor's business.




                                   ARTICLE X

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

              10.1.  Notices.  All such notices and communications hereunder
shall be sent or delivered by mail, telecopier or overnight courier service and
all such notices and communications shall, when mailed, telecopied, or sent by
overnight courier, be effective when delivered to the overnight courier, or
sent by telecopier and when mailed shall be effective three Business Days
following deposit in the mail with proper postage, except that notices and
communications to the Collateral Agent shall not be effective until received by
the Collateral Agent.  All notices, requests, demands or other communications
shall be in writing and addressed as follows:

              (a)    if to any Assignor, at the address set forth opposite its
                     signature below;

                     with a copy to:

                     Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated
<PAGE>   224
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 26


                     200 Crescent Court
                     Suite 1600
                     Dallas, Texas  75201
                     Attn:  Thomas O. Hicks,
                            John R. Muse,
                            Jack D. Furst and
                            Lawrence D. Stuart, Jr.
                     Telephone: (214) 740-7300
                     Telecopy: (214) 740-7313

                               and

                     Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated
                     1325 Avenue of the Americas
                     25th Floor
                     New York, New York  10019
                     Attn:  Charles W. Tate
                     Telephone: (212) 424-1400
                     Telecopy: (212) 424-1450

              (b)    if to the Collateral Agent:

                     Bankers Trust Company
                     130 Liberty Street
                     30th Floor
                     New York, New York  10006
                     Attention: Mary Kay Coyle
                     Telephone: 212-250-9094
                     Telecopy: 212-250-7218

              (c)    if to any Bank Creditor, either (A) to the Agent, at the
       address of the Agent specified in the Credit Agreement or (B) at such
       address as such Bank Creditor shall have specified in the Credit
       Agreement;

              (d)    if to any Other Creditor, either (A) to the Representative
       for the Other Creditors, at such address as such Representative may have
       provided to the Assignors and the Collateral Agent from time to time, or
       (B) directly to the Other Creditors at such address as the Other
       Creditors shall have specified in writing to the Assignors and the
       Collateral Agent;

or at such other address as shall have been furnished in writing by any Person
described above to the party required to give notice hereunder.
<PAGE>   225
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 27


              10.2.  Waiver; Amendment.  None of the terms and conditions of
this Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner
whatsoever unless in writing duly signed by each Assignor directly affected
thereby and the Collateral Agent (with the written consent of the Required
Banks, or to the extent required by Section 13.12 of the Credit Agreement, all
the Banks); provided, however, that any change, waiver, modification or
variance affecting the rights and benefits of a single Class of Secured
Creditors (and not all Secured Creditors in a like or similar manner) shall
require the written consent of the Requisite Creditors of such affected Class.
For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "Class" shall mean each class of
Secured Creditors, i.e., whether (i) the Bank Creditors as holders of the
Credit Agreement Obligations or (ii) the Other Creditors as the holders of the
Other Obligations; and the term "Requisite Creditors" of any Class shall mean
each of (A) with respect to the Credit Agreement Obligations, the Required
Banks and (B) with respect to the Other Obligations, the holders of at least a
majority of all obligations outstanding from time to time under the Interest
Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements.

              10.3.  Obligations Absolute.  The obligations of each Assignor
hereunder shall remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall
not be impaired by, (a) any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
arrangement, readjustment, composition, liquidation or the like of such
Assignor; (b) any exercise or non-exercise, or any waiver of, any right,
remedy, power or privilege under or in respect of this Agreement, any other
Credit Document or any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement
except as specifically set forth in a waiver granted pursuant to Section 10.2
hereof; or (c) any amendment to or modification of any Credit Document or any
Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement or any security for any of
the Obligations; whether or not any Assignor shall have notice or knowledge of
any of the foregoing.

              10.4.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall
inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent, each Secured Creditor and each
Assignor and their respective successors and assigns, provided that no Assignor
may transfer or assign any or all of its rights or obligations hereunder
without the written consent of the Required Secured Creditors.  All agreements,
statements, representations and warranties made by each Assignor herein or in
any certificate or other instrument delivered by such Assignor or on its behalf
under this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the
Secured Creditors and shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the other Credit Documents and the Interest Rate Protection or Other
Hedging Agreements regardless of any investigation made by the Secured
Creditors or on their behalf.

              10.5.  Headings Descriptive.  The headings of the several
sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in
any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

              10.6.  Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is
prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction,
be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without
invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such
<PAGE>   226
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 28


prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

              10.7.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND
BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

              10.8.  Assignor's Duties.  It is expressly agreed, anything
herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, that each Assignor shall
remain liable to perform all of the obligations, if any, assumed by it with
respect to the Collateral and the Collateral Agent shall not have any
obligations or liabilities with respect to any Collateral by reason of or
arising out of this Agreement, nor shall the Collateral Agent be required or
obligated in any manner to perform or fulfill any of the obligations of any
Assignor under or with respect to any Collateral.

              10.9.  Termination; Release.  (a)  After the Termination Date,
this Agreement shall terminate (provided that all indemnities set forth herein
including, without limitation, in Section 8.1 hereof shall survive such
termination) and the Collateral Agent, at the request and expense of the
relevant Assignor, will execute and deliver to such Assignor a proper
instrument or instruments (including Uniform Commercial Code termination
statements on form UCC-3) acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of
this Agreement, and will duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Assignor
(without recourse and without any representation or warranty) such of the
Collateral of such Assignor and as has not theretofore been sold or otherwise
applied or released pursuant to this Agreement.  As used in this Agreement,
"Termination Date" shall mean the date upon which the Total Commitment and all
Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements have been terminated, no
Note under the Credit Agreement is outstanding (and all Loans have been repaid
in full), all Letters of Credit have been terminated and all Obligations then
owing have been paid in full.

              (b)    In the event that any part of the Collateral is sold or
otherwise disposed of in connection with a sale or other disposition permitted
by Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement or is otherwise released at the
direction of the Required Banks (or all the Banks if required by Section 13.12
of the Credit Agreement) and the proceeds of such sale or sales or from such
release are applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02 of the
Credit Agreement, to the extent required to be so applied, such Collateral will
be sold free and clear of the Liens created by this Agreement and the
Collateral Agent, at the request and expense of the relevant Assignor, will
duly assign, transfer and deliver to such Assignor (without recourse and
without any representation or warranty) such of the Collateral as is then being
(or has been) so sold or released and has not theretofore been released
pursuant to this Agreement.

              (c)    At any time that the relevant Assignor desires that the
Collateral Agent take any action to acknowledge or give effect to any release
of Collateral pursuant to the foregoing
<PAGE>   227
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 29


Section 10.9(a) or (b), as the case may be, it shall deliver to the Collateral
Agent a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer stating that the release of
the respective Collateral is permitted pursuant to Section 10.9(a) or (b), as
the case may be.

              (d)  The Collateral Agent shall have no liability whatsoever to
any Secured Creditor as a result of any release of Collateral by it in
accordance with this Section 10.9.

              10.10.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same
instrument.  A set of counterparts executed by all the parties hereto shall be
lodged with the Borrower and the Collateral Agent.

              10.11.  The Collateral Agent.  The Collateral Agent will hold in
accordance with this Agreement all items of the Collateral at any time received
under this Agreement.  It is expressly understood and agreed by the parties
hereto and each Secured Creditor, by accepting the benefits of this Agreement,
acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of the Collateral Agent as holder
of the Collateral and interests therein and with respect to the disposition
thereof, and otherwise under this Agreement, are only those expressly set forth
in this Agreement.  The Collateral Agent shall act hereunder on the terms and
conditions set forth in Section 12 of the Credit Agreement.
<PAGE>   228
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 30


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


ADDRESSES
- ---------

9001 Ambassador Row                ATRIUM CORPORATION
Dallas, TX   75247                 as an Assignor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone: (214) 634-0836
Telecopy: (214) 631-4231           By:                                          
                                      ---------------------------------------- 
                                   Name:                                       
                                        -------------------------------------- 
                                   Title:                                      
                                         ------------------------------------- 

9001 Ambassador Row                ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
Dallas, TX   75247                 as an Assignor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231       By:                                         
                                      ---------------------------------------- 
                                   Name:                                       
                                        -------------------------------------- 
                                   Title:                                      
                                         ------------------------------------- 


9001 Ambassador Row                H-R WINDOW SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.
Dallas, TX   75247                 as an Assignor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836       By:                                         
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231          ---------------------------------------- 
                                   Name:                                       
                                        -------------------------------------- 
                                   Title:                                      
                                         ------------------------------------- 

<PAGE>   229
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 31



9001 Ambassador Row                VINYL BUILDING SPECIALTIES
Dallas, TX   75247                    OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek             as an Assignor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231       By:                                         
                                      ---------------------------------------- 
                                   Name:                                       
                                        -------------------------------------- 
                                   Title:                                      
                                         ------------------------------------- 


<PAGE>   230
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 32


9001 Ambassador Row                BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO.
Dallas, TX   75247                    OF NEW YORK, INC.
Attn:                              as an Assignor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231       By:                                         
                                      ---------------------------------------- 
                                   Name:                                       
                                        -------------------------------------- 
                                   Title:                                      
                                         ------------------------------------- 

9001 Ambassador Row                BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
Dallas, TX   75247                 as an Assignor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231       By:                                         
                                      ---------------------------------------- 
                                   Name:                                       
                                        -------------------------------------- 
                                   Title:                                      
                                         ------------------------------------- 


9001 Ambassador Row                BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO.
Dallas, TX   75247                    OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek             as an Assignor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231       By:                                         
                                      ---------------------------------------- 
                                   Name:                                       
                                        -------------------------------------- 
                                   Title:                                      
                                         ------------------------------------- 





<PAGE>   231
                                                                       EXHIBIT I
                                                                         Page 33



                                   BANKERS TRUST COMPANY
                                      as Collateral Agent

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


<PAGE>   232
                                                                    ANNEX A
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement


                         SCHEDULE OF PERMITTED FILINGS


                             [Borrower to provide]





<PAGE>   233
                                                                    ANNEX B
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                      SCHEDULE OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICES
                           AND OTHER RECORD LOCATIONS

(a) Chief Executive Office

                             [Borrower to provide]





(b) Other records locations

                             [Borrower to provide]





<PAGE>   234
                                                                    ANNEX C
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                             SCHEDULE OF INVENTORY
                            AND EQUIPMENT LOCATIONS


                             [Borrower to provide]





<PAGE>   235
                                                                    ANNEX D
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                 SCHEDULE OF TRADE, FICTITIOUS AND OTHER NAMES

                             [Borrower to provide]





<PAGE>   236
                                                                    ANNEX E
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                  I.  SCHEDULE OF U.S. TRADEMARK REGISTRATIONS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Registered Mark           Registration No.               Registration Date
- ---------------           ----------------               -----------------
<S>                       <C>                            <C>




[Borrower to provide]




</TABLE>


<PAGE>   237
                                                                         ANNEX E
                                                                          Page 2




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Registered Mark                 Registration No.              Registration Date
- ---------------                 ----------------              -----------------
<S>                             <C>                            <C>

</TABLE>





<PAGE>   238
                                                                         ANNEX E
                                                                          Page 3




            II.  SCHEDULE OF PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR U.S. TRADEMARK
                 REGISTRATIONS ON THE BASIS OF USE IN COMMERCE
                          UNDER 17 USC Section 1051(a)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Mark                           Serial              Filing Date
              ----                           ------              -----------
               <S>                          <C>                  <C>

</TABLE>




                             [Borrower to provide]





<PAGE>   239
                                                                         ANNEX E
                                                                          Page 4




           III.  SCHEDULE OF PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR U.S. TRADEMARK
                 REGISTRATION ON THE BASIS OF INTENT TO USE THE
                 MARK IN COMMERCE UNDER 17 USC Section 1051(b)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Mark                      Serial                        Filing Date
         ----                      ------                        -----------
         <S>                       <C>                            <C>
</TABLE>



                             [Borrower to provide]





<PAGE>   240




                                                                    ANNEX F
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                 SCHEDULE OF LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           COMPANY                  SUBJECT                      REMARKS
           -------                  -------                      -------
           <S>                       <C>                            <C>
</TABLE>

                             [Borrower to provide]





<PAGE>   241
                                                                    ANNEX G
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                      SCHEDULE OF PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Patent Number             Date Issued                    Title
- -------------             -----------                    -----
<S>                       <C>                            <C>
</TABLE>


                             [Borrower to provide]





<PAGE>   242
                                                                    ANNEX H
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                      SCHEDULE OF UNITED STATES COPYRIGHTS


              Any United States copyright which Assignor now or hereafter
acquires, including any copyright registration or applications.





<PAGE>   243
                                                                    ANNEX I
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                       ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN
                      UNITED STATES TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS


              FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, [NAME OF ASSIGNOR], a __________ corporation
(the "Assignor") with principal offices at ____________________________, hereby
assigns and grants to Bankers Trust Company, as Collateral Agent, with
principal offices at 130 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10006 (the
"Assignee"), a security interest in (i) all of the Assignor's right, title and
interest in and to the United States trademarks, trademark registrations and
trademark applications (the "Marks") set forth on Schedule A attached hereto,
(ii) all of the Assignor's right, title and interest in and to the United
States patents (the "Patents") set forth on Schedule B attached hereto, in each
case together with (iii) all Proceeds (as such term is defined in the Security
Agreement referred to below) and products of the Marks and Patents, (iv) the
goodwill of the businesses symbolized by the Marks and (v) all causes of action
arising prior to or after the date hereof for infringement of any of the Marks
and Patents or unfair competition regarding the same.

              THIS ASSIGNMENT is made to secure the full and prompt performance
and payment of all the Obligations of the Assignor, as such term is defined in
the Security Agreement between the Assignor, the other assignors party thereto
and the Assignee, dated





<PAGE>   244
                                                                         ANNEX I
                                                                          Page 2




as of November __, 1996 (as amended from time to time, the "Security
Agreement").  Upon the occurrence of the Termination Date (as defined in the
Security Agreement), the Assignee shall, upon such satisfaction, execute,
acknowledge, and deliver to the Assignor an instrument in writing releasing the
security interest in and re-assigning the Marks and Patents acquired under this
Assignment.

              This Assignment has been granted in conjunction with the security
interest granted to the Assignee under the Security Agreement.  The rights and
remedies of the Assignee with respect to the security interest granted herein
are without prejudice to, and are in addition to those set forth in the
Security Agreement, all terms and provisions of which are incorporated herein
by reference.  In the event that any provisions of this Assignment are deemed
to conflict with the Security Agreement, the provisions of the Security
Agreement shall govern.





<PAGE>   245
                                                                         ANNEX I
                                                                          Page 3




              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Assignment
of Security Interest as of the ____ day of November, 1996.



                                              [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
                                                as Assignor


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



                                              BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
                                                as Collateral Agent Assignee


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





<PAGE>   246





STATE OF ____________              )
                                   ) ss.:
COUNTY OF ___________              )


              On this ____day of November, 1996 before me personally came
_______________, who being duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
___________________ of [Name of Assignor], that he is authorized to execute the
foregoing Assignment of Security Interest on behalf of said corporation and
that he did so by authority of the Board of Directors of said Corporation.


                                         -----------------------------
                                                 Notary Public





<PAGE>   247





STATE OF ___________ )
                            )  ss.:
COUNTY OF __________ )


              On this ____ day of November, 1996 before me personally came
_________________ who, being by me duly sworn, did state as follows:  that he
is ________________ of Bankers Trust Company, that he is authorized to execute
the foregoing Assignment of Security Interest on behalf of said corporation and
that he did so by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation.


                                         -----------------------------
                                                 Notary Public





<PAGE>   248
                                                                      SCHEDULE A




                          U.S. Trademark Registration


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Mark                    Registration No.                 Registration Date
      ----                    ----------------                 -----------------
<S>                           <C>                              <C>


                             [Borrower to provide]


</TABLE>



<PAGE>   249
                                                                      SCHEDULE A
                                                                          Page 2



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Mark                    Registration No.                 Registration Date
      ----                    ----------------                 -----------------
<S>                           <C>                              <C>


[Borrower to provide]

</TABLE>








<PAGE>   250
                                                                      SCHEDULE A
                                                                          Page 3




                           U.S. Trademarks - Pending


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       Mark                     Serial                    Filing Date
       ----                     ------                    -----------
<S>                             <C>                       <C>



[Borrower to provide]

</TABLE>



<PAGE>   251
                                                                      SCHEDULE B





<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PATENT                         PATENT NO.                        ISSUE DATE
- ------                         ----------                        ----------
<S>                            <C>                               <C>

                             [Borrower to provide]
</TABLE>






<PAGE>   252





                                                                    ANNEX J
                                                                      to
                                                              Security Agreement



                        ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST
                          IN UNITED STATES COPYRIGHTS  


              WHEREAS, [NAME OF ASSIGNOR], a _________ corporation (the
"Assignor"), having its chief executive office at _________________________, is
the owner of all right, title and interest in and to the United States
copyrights and associated United States copyright registrations and
applications for registration set forth in Schedule A attached hereto;

              WHEREAS, BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Collateral Agent, having its
principal offices at 130 Liberty Plaza, New York, NY 10006 (the "Assignee"),
desires to acquire a security interest in, and lien on, all of Assignor's
right, title and interest in and to Assignor's copyrights and copyright
registrations and applications therefor; and

              WHEREAS, the Assignor is willing to assign to the Assignee, and
to grant to the Assignee a security interest in and lien upon the copyrights
and copyright registrations and applications therefor described above;

              NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt
of which is hereby acknowledged, and subject to the terms and conditions of the
Security Agreement, dated as of November __, 1996, between the Assignor, the
other assignors from time to time party thereto and the Assignee (as amended
from time to time, the "Security Agreement"), the Assignor hereby assigns to
the Assignee, and grants to the Assignee a security interest in and a lien
upon, all of Assignor's right, title
<PAGE>   253
                                                                         ANNEX J
                                                                          Page 2




and interest in and to Assignor's copyrights and copyright registrations and
applications more particularly set forth on Schedule A attached hereto, (the
"Copyrights") together with (i) all Proceeds (as such term is defined in the
Security Agreement referred to below) of the Copyrights, and (ii) all causes of
action arising prior to or after the date hereof for infringement of any
Copyright.

              This ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST is made to secure the
satisfactory performance and payment of all the Obligations (as such term is
defined in the Security Agreement) of the Assignor and shall be effective as of
the date of the Security Agreement.  Upon the occurrence of the Termination
Date (as defined in the Security Agreement), the Assignee shall, upon such
satisfaction, execute, acknowledge, and deliver to Assignor an instrument in
writing releasing the security interest in the Copyrights acquired under this
Assignment of Security Interest.

              This Assignment of Security Interest has been granted in
conjunction with the security interest granted to Assignee under the Security
Agreement.  The rights and remedies of the Assignee with respect to the
security interest granted herein are without prejudice to, and are in addition
to those set forth in the Security Agreement, all terms and provisions of which
are incorporated herein by reference.  In the event that any provisions of this
Assignment of Security Interest are deemed to conflict with the Security
Agreement, the provisions of the Security Agreement shall govern.





<PAGE>   254
                                                                         ANNEX J
                                                                          Page 3




              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Assignment
as of the _____ day of November, 1996.




                                              [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
                                                as Assignor


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



                                              BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as
                                              Assignee
                                                Collateral Agent


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





<PAGE>   255





STATE OF ___________ )
                            )  ss.:
COUNTY OF ___________       )


              On this ____ day of November, 1996, before me personally came
_________________ who, being by me duly sworn, did state as follows:  that he
is _______________ of [Name of Assignor], that he is authorized to execute the
foregoing Assignment of Security Interest on behalf of said corporation and
that he did so by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation.


                                       ------------------------------------
                                                   Notary Public





<PAGE>   256





STATE OF ___________ )
                            )  ss.:
COUNTY OF ___________       )


              On this____ day of November, 1996, before me personally came
____________________ who, being by me duly sworn, did state as follows:  that
he is ______________ of Bankers Trust Company, that he is authorized to execute
the foregoing Assignment of Security Interest on behalf of said corporation and
that he did so by authority of the Board of Directors of said corporation.



                                       ------------------------------------
                                                   Notary Public





<PAGE>   257
                                                                      SCHEDULE A



                            UNITED STATES COPYRIGHTS



              Any copyrights which Assignor now owns or hereafter acquires,
including any copyright registration or application.





<PAGE>   258
                                                                       EXHIBIT J



                          FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY


              THIS GUARANTY, dated as of November ___, 1996 (as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this
"Guaranty"), made by each of the undersigned (each, a "Guarantor" and,
collectively, the "Guarantors").  Except as otherwise defined herein, terms
used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement (as defined below) shall be
used herein as therein defined.


                             W I T N E S S E T H :


              WHEREAS, Atrium Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"),
Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), various banks
from time to time party thereto (the "Banks"), and Bankers Trust Company, as
Agent (the "Agent"), have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of November
__, 1996 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"), providing for the making of Loans to the
Borrower and the issuance of, and participation in, Letters of Credit for the
account of the Borrower, all as contemplated therein (the Banks, the Agent and
the Collateral Agent are herein called the "Bank Creditors");

              WHEREAS, the Borrower may from time to time be party to one or
more (i) interest rate agreements, interest rate cap agreements, interest rate
collar agreements or other similar agreements or arrangements, (ii) foreign
exchange contracts, currency swap agreements or similar agreements or
arrangements designed to protect against the fluctuations in currency values
and or (iii) other types of hedging agreements from time to time (each such
agreement or arrangement with an Other Creditor (as hereinafter defined), an
"Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreement"), with a Bank or an
affiliate of a Bank (each such Bank or affiliate, even if the respective Bank
subsequently ceases to be a Bank under the Credit Agreement for any reason,
together with such Bank's or affiliate's successors and assigns, collectively,
the "Other Creditors," and together with the Bank Creditors, are herein called
the "Creditors");

              WHEREAS, the Borrower is a Subsidiary of Holdings;

              WHEREAS, each Guarantor is also a Subsidiary of Holdings;
<PAGE>   259
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                          Page 2



              WHEREAS, it is a condition to the making of Loans under the
Credit Agreement that each Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this
Guaranty; and

              WHEREAS, each Guarantor will obtain benefits from the incurrence
of Loans by the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the entering into of
Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements and, accordingly, desires
to execute this Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described in the
preceding paragraph and to induce the Banks to make Loans to the Borrower and
Other Creditors to enter into Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreements with the Borrower;

              NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other
benefits accruing to each Guarantor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, each Guarantor hereby makes the following representations
and warranties to the Creditors and hereby covenants and agrees with each
Creditor as follows:

              1.     Each Guarantor, jointly and severally, irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantees: (i) to the Bank Creditors the full and prompt
payment when due (whether at the stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
of (A) the principal of and interest on the Notes issued by, and the Loans made
to, the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and all reimbursement obligations
and Unpaid Drawings with respect to Letters of Credit and (B) all other
obligations and liabilities owing by the Borrower to the Bank Creditors under
the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, indemnities, Fees and
interest thereon) and the other Credit Documents to which the Borrower is a
party, whether now existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in
connection with the Credit Agreement or any such other Credit Document and the
due performance and compliance with the terms of the Credit Documents by the
Borrower (all such principal, interest, liabilities and obligations under this
clause (i), except to the extent consisting of obligations or liabilities with
respect to Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements, being herein
collectively called the "Credit Document Obligations"); and (ii) to each Other
Creditor the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated maturity,
by acceleration or otherwise) of  all obligations and liabilities owing by the
Borrower under any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements,
whether now in existence or hereafter arising, and the due performance and
compliance by the Borrower with all terms, conditions and agreements contained
therein (all such obligations and liabilities being herein collectively called
the "Other Obligations", and together with the Credit Document Obligations are
herein collectively called the "Guaranteed Obligations"), provided that the
maximum amount payable by each Guarantor hereunder shall at no time exceed the
Maximum Amount (as hereinafter defined) of such Guarantor.  As used herein,
"Maximum
<PAGE>   260
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                          Page 3




Amount" of any Guarantor means an amount equal to 95% of the amount by which
(i) the present fair saleable value of such Guarantor's assets exceeds (ii) the
amount reasonably expected to come due in respect of all liabilities
(including, without limitation, contingent liabilities), other than liabilities
(contingent or otherwise) of such Guarantor hereunder, in each case determined
on the Initial Borrowing Date or on the day any demand is made under this
Guaranty, whichever date results in a higher Maximum Amount.  Subject to the
proviso in the second preceding sentence, each Guarantor understands, agrees
and confirms that the Creditors may enforce this Guaranty up to the full amount
of the Guaranteed Obligations against each Guarantor without proceeding against
any other Guarantor, Holdings or the Borrower, or against any security for the
Guaranteed Obligations, or under any other guaranty covering all or a portion
of the Guaranteed Obligations.  All payments by each Guarantor under this
Guaranty shall be made on the same basis as payments by the Borrower are made
under Sections 4.03 and 4.04 of the Credit Agreement.

              2.     Additionally, each Guarantor, jointly and severally,
unconditionally and irrevocably, guarantees the payment of any and all
Guaranteed Obligations of the Borrower to the Creditors whether or not due or
payable by the Borrower upon the occurrence in respect of the Borrower of any
of the events specified in Section 10 of the Credit Agreement, and
unconditionally and irrevocably, jointly and severally, promises to pay such
Guaranteed Obligations to the Creditors, or order, on demand, in lawful money
of the United States.

              3.     The liability of each Guarantor hereunder is exclusive and
independent of any security for or other guaranty of the Guaranteed Obligations
of the Borrower whether executed by such Guarantor, any other Guarantor, any
other guarantor or by any other party, and the liability of each Guarantor
hereunder shall not be affected or impaired by (i) any direction as to
application of payment by the Borrower or by any other party, (ii) any other
continuing or other guaranty, undertaking or maximum liability of a guarantor
or of any other party as to the Guaranteed Obligations of the Borrower, (iii)
any payment on or in reduction of any such other guaranty or undertaking, (iv)
any dissolution, termination or increase, decrease or change in personnel by
the Borrower or (v) any payment made to any Creditor on the Guaranteed
Obligations which any Creditor repays the Borrower pursuant to court order in
any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other debtor relief
proceeding, and each Guarantor waives any right to the deferral or modification
of its obligations hereunder by reason of any such proceeding.

              4.     The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are
independent of the obligations of any other Guarantor, any other guarantor or
the Borrower, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted
against each Guarantor whether or not action is brought
<PAGE>   261
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                          Page 4




against any other Guarantor, any other guarantor or the Borrower and whether or
not any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of the Borrower or the Borrower be
joined in any such action or actions.  Each Guarantor waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting
its liability hereunder or the enforcement thereof.  Any payment by the
Borrower or other circumstance which operates to toll any statute of
limitations as to the Borrower shall operate to toll the statute of limitations
as to each Guarantor.

              5.     Each Guarantor hereby waives (to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law) notice of acceptance of this Guaranty and notice
of any liability to which it may apply, and waives promptness, diligence,
presentment, demand of payment, protest, notice of dishonor or nonpayment of
any such liabilities, suit or taking of other action by the Agent or any other
Creditor against, and any other notice to, any party liable thereon (including
such Guarantor or any other guarantor or the Borrower).

              6.     Any Creditor may (except as shall be required by
applicable statute and cannot be waived) at any time and from time to time
without the consent of, or notice to, any Guarantor, without incurring
responsibility to such Guarantor, without impairing or releasing the
obligations of such Guarantor hereunder, upon or without any terms or
conditions and in whole or in part:

              (a)    change the manner, place or terms of payment of, and/or
       change or extend the time of payment of, renew, increase, accelerate or
       alter, any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any security therefor, or any
       liability incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof, and the
       guaranty herein made shall apply to the Guaranteed Obligations as so
       changed, extended, renewed or altered;

              (b)    sell, exchange, release, surrender, realize upon or
       otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property by
       whomsoever at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever
       securing, the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities (including any
       of those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof
       or hereof, and/or any offset thereagainst;

              (c)    exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the
       Borrower or others or otherwise act or refrain from acting;

              (d)    settle or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations,
       any security therefor or any liability (including any of those
       hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect
<PAGE>   262
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                          Page 5




       thereof or hereof, and may subordinate the payment of all or any part
       thereof to the payment of any liability (whether due or not) of the
       Borrower to creditors of the Borrower;

              (e)    apply any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to
       any liability or liabilities of the Borrower to the Creditors regardless
       of what liabilities of the Borrower remain unpaid;

              (f)    consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or
       default under, any of the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
       Agreements, the Credit Documents or any of the instruments or agreements
       referred to therein, or otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the
       Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements, the Credit
       Documents or any of such other instruments or agreements; and/or

              (g)    act or fail to act in any manner referred to in this
       Guaranty which may deprive such Guarantor of its right to subrogation
       against the Borrower to recover full indemnity for any payments made
       pursuant to this Guaranty.

       7.     No invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of all or any
part of the Guaranteed Obligations or of any security therefor shall affect,
impair or be a defense to this Guaranty, and this Guaranty shall be primary,
absolute and unconditional notwithstanding the occurrence of any event or the
existence of any other circumstances which might constitute a legal or
equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor except payment in full of the
Guaranteed Obligations.

       8.     This Guaranty is a continuing one and all liabilities to which it
applies or may apply under the terms hereof shall be conclusively presumed to
have been created in reliance hereon.  No failure or delay on the part of any
Creditor in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as
a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power
or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies
herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or
remedies which any Creditor would otherwise have.  No notice to or demand on
any Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Guarantor to any other further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of
the rights of any Creditor to any other or further action in any circumstances
without notice or demand.  It is not necessary for any Creditor to inquire into
the capacity or powers of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the
officers, directors, partners or agents acting or purporting to act on its
behalf, and any indebtedness made or created in reliance upon the professed
exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed hereunder.
<PAGE>   263
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                          Page 6





       9.     Any indebtedness of the Borrower now or hereafter held by any
Guarantor is hereby subordinated to the indebtedness of the Borrower to the
Creditors; and such indebtedness of the Borrower to any Guarantor, if the
Agent, after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, so requests,
shall be collected, enforced and received by such Guarantor as trustee for the
Creditors and be paid over to the Creditors on account of the indebtedness of
the Borrower to the Creditors, but without affecting or impairing in any manner
the liability of such Guarantor under the other provisions of this Guaranty.
Prior to the transfer by any Guarantor of any note or negotiable instrument
evidencing any indebtedness of the Borrower to such Guarantor, such Guarantor
shall mark such note or negotiable instrument with a legend that the same is
subject to this subordination.  Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, each Guarantor hereby agrees with the Guaranteed Creditors that it
will not exercise any right of subrogation which it may at any time otherwise
have as a result of this Guaranty (whether contractual, under Section 509 of
the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise) until all Guaranteed Obligations have been
irrevocably paid in full in cash.

       10.   (a)  Each Guarantor waives any right (except as shall be required
by applicable statute or law and cannot be waived) to require the Creditors to:
(i) proceed against the Borrower, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of
the Borrower or any other party; (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security
held from the Borrower, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of the
Borrower or any other party; or (iii) pursue any other remedy in the Creditors'
power whatsoever.  Each Guarantor waives any (to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable law) defense based on or arising out of any defense of the
Borrower, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of the Borrower or any other
party other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations, including,
without limitation, any defense based on or arising out of the disability of
the Borrower, any other Guarantor, any other guarantor of the Borrower or any
other party, or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part
thereof from any cause, or the cessation from any cause of the liability of the
Borrower other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations.  The
Creditors may, at their election, foreclose on any security held by the Agent,
the Collateral Agent or the other Creditors by one or more judicial or
nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially
reasonable (to the extent such sale is permitted by applicable law), or
exercise any other right or remedy the Creditors may have against the Borrower
or any other party, or any security, without affecting or impairing in any way
the liability of any Guarantor hereunder except to the extent the Guaranteed
Obligations have been paid in full.  Each Guarantor waives any defense arising
out of any such election by the Creditors, even though such election operates
to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other
right or remedy of such Guarantor against the Borrower or any other party or
any security.
<PAGE>   264
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                          Page 7




       (b)    Each Guarantor waives all presentments, demands for performance,
protests and notices, including, without limitation, notices of nonperformance,
notices of protest, notices of dishonor, notices of acceptance of this
Guaranty, and notices of the existence, creation or incurring of new or
additional indebtedness.  Each Guarantor assumes all responsibility for being
and keeping itself informed of the Borrower's financial condition and assets,
and of all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the
Guaranteed Obligations and the nature, scope and extent of the risks which such
Guarantor assumes and incurs hereunder, and agrees that the Creditors shall
have no duty to advise any Guarantor of information known to them regarding
such circumstances or risks.

       11.    The Creditors agree that this Guaranty may be enforced only by
the action of the Agent or the Collateral Agent, in each case acting upon the
instructions of the Required Banks (or, after the date on which all Credit
Document Obligations have been paid in full, the holders of at least a majority
of the outstanding Other Obligations) and that no other Creditor shall have any
right individually to seek to enforce or to enforce this Guaranty or to realize
upon the security to be granted by the Security Documents, it being understood
and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised by the Agent or the
Collateral Agent or the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Other
Obligations, as the case may be, for the benefit of the Creditors upon the
terms of this Guaranty and the Security Documents.  The Creditors further agree
that this Guaranty may not be enforced against any director, officer, employee,
or stockholder of any Guarantor (except to the extent such stockholder is also
a Guarantor hereunder).

       12.    In order to induce the Banks to make Loans and issue Letters of
Credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and in order to induce the Other
Creditors to execute, deliver and perform the Interest Rate Protection or Other
Hedging Agreements, each Guarantor represents, warrants and covenants that:

              (a)    Such Guarantor (i) is a duly organized and validly
       existing corporation and is in good standing under the laws of the
       jurisdiction of its organization, and has the corporate power and
       authority to own its property and assets and to transact the business in
       which it is engaged and presently proposes to engage and (ii) is duly
       qualified and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in
       each jurisdiction where the conduct of its business requires such
       qualification except for failures to be so qualified which, individually
       or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
       Adverse Effect.
<PAGE>   265
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                          Page 8




              (b)    Such Guarantor has the corporate power and authority to
       execute, deliver and perform the terms and provisions of this Guaranty
       and each other Credit Document to which it is a party and has taken all
       necessary corporate action to authorize the execution, delivery and
       performance by it of each such Credit Document.  Such Guarantor has duly
       executed and delivered this Guaranty and each other Credit Document to
       which it is a party and each such Credit Document constitutes the legal,
       valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor enforceable in accordance
       with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability hereof or
       thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
       reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors'
       rights generally and by equitable principles (regardless of whether
       enforcement is sought in equity or at law).

              (c)    Neither the execution, delivery or performance by such
       Guarantor of this Guaranty or any other Credit Document to which it is a
       party, nor compliance by it with the terms and provisions hereof or
       thereof (i) will contravene any applicable provision of any law,
       statute, rule or regulation, or any applicable order, writ, injunction
       or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will
       conflict with or result in any breach of, any of the terms, covenants,
       conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in
       the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose)
       any Lien (other than pursuant to the Security Documents) upon any of the
       material property or assets of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries
       pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
       agreement or any other material agreement, contract or instrument to
       which such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
       it or any of its property or assets is bound or to which it may be
       subject or (iii) will violate any provision of the certificate of
       incorporation or by-laws of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.

              (d)    No order, consent, approval, license, authorization or
       validation of, or filing, recording or registration with (except as have
       been obtained or made prior to the Initial Borrowing Date), or exemption
       by, any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision
       thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with,
       (i) the execution, delivery and performance in any material respect of
       this Guaranty or any other Credit Document to which such Guarantor is a
       party, or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability
       of this Guaranty or any other Credit Document to which such Guarantor is
       a party.

              (e)    There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to
       the best knowledge of such Guarantor, threatened with respect to such
       Guarantor (i) that could reasonably be
<PAGE>   266
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                          Page 9




       expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that could reasonably
       be expected to have a material adverse effect on the rights or remedies
       of the Creditors or on the ability of such Guarantor to perform its
       respective obligations to the Creditors hereunder and under the other
       Credit Documents to which it is a party.

              13.    Each Guarantor covenants and agrees that on and after the
date hereof and until the termination of the Total Commitment and all Interest
Rate Protection or Other Hedging Agreements and when no Note or Letter of
Credit remains outstanding (other than Letters of Credit, together with all
Fees that have accrued and will accrue thereon through the stated termination
date of such Letters of Credit, which have been supported in a manner
satisfactory to the Letter of Credit Issuer in its sole and absolute
discretion) and all Guaranteed Obligations have been paid in full (other than
indemnities described in Section 12.06 of the Credit Agreement and analogous
provisions in the Security Documents which are not then due and payable), such
Guarantor shall take, or will refrain from taking, as the case may be, all
actions that are necessary to be taken or not taken so that no violation of any
provision, covenant or agreement contained in Section 8 or 9 of the Credit
Agreement, and so that no Default or Event of Default, is caused by the actions
of such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.

              14.    The Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree to pay
all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of each Creditor in connection
with the enforcement of this Guaranty and any amendment, waiver or consent
relating hereto (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel (including in-house counsel) employed by any of the
Creditors).

              15.    This Guaranty shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its
successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the Creditors and
their successors and assigns.

              16.    Neither this Guaranty nor any provision hereof may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated except with the written consent of
each Guarantor directly affected thereby and either (i) the Required Banks (or
to the extent required by Section 13.12 of the Credit Agreement, with the
written consent of each Bank) at all times prior to the time on which all
Credit Document Obligations have been paid in full or (ii) the holders of at
least a majority of the outstanding Other Obligations at all times after the
time on which all Credit Document Obligations have been paid in full; provided,
however, that any change, waiver, modification or variance affecting the rights
and benefits of a single Class (as defined below) of Creditors (and not all
Creditors in a like or similar manner) shall require the written consent of the
Requisite Creditors (as defined below) of such Class of Creditors (it being
understood that the addition or release of any
<PAGE>   267
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                         Page 10




Guarantor hereunder shall not constitute a change, waiver, discharge or
termination affecting any Guarantor other than the Guarantor so added or
released).  For the purpose of this Guaranty the term "Class" shall mean each
class of Creditors, i.e., whether (A) the Bank Creditors as holders of the
Credit Document Obligations or (B) the Other Creditors as the holders of the
Other Obligations.  For the purpose of this Guaranty, the term "Requisite
Creditors" of any Class shall mean each of (i) with respect to the Credit
Document Obligations, the Required Banks and (ii) with respect to the Other
Obligations, the holders of at least a majority of all obligations outstanding
from time to time under the Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreements.

              17.    Each Guarantor acknowledges that an executed (or
conformed) copy of each of the Credit Documents and Interest Rate Protection or
Other Hedging Agreements has been made available to its principal executive
officers and such officers are familiar with the contents thereof.

              18.    In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under
applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 151 of the New York
Debtor and Creditor Law) and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default (such term to
mean and include any "Event of Default" as defined in the Credit Agreement or
any payment default under any Interest Rate Protection or Other Hedging
Agreement continuing after any applicable grace period), each Creditor is
hereby authorized at any time or from time to time, without notice to any
Guarantor or to any other Person, any such notice being expressly waived, to
set off and to appropriate and apply any and all deposits (general or special)
and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Creditor to or for
the credit or the account of such Guarantor, against and on account of the
obligations and liabilities of such Guarantor to such Creditor under this
Guaranty, irrespective of whether or not such Creditor shall have made any
demand hereunder and although said obligations, liabilities, deposits or
claims, or any of them, shall be contingent or unmatured.

              19.    All notices, requests, demands or other communications
pursuant hereto shall be deemed to have been duly given or made when delivered
to the Person to which such notice, request, demand or other communication is
required or permitted to be given or made under this Guaranty, addressed to
such party at (i) in the case of any Bank Creditor, as provided in the Credit
Agreement, (ii) in the case of any Guarantor, at its address set forth opposite
its signature below and (iii) in the case of any Other Creditor, at such
address as such Other Creditor shall have specified in writing to the
Guarantor; or in any case at such other address as any of the Persons listed
above may hereafter notify the others in writing.
<PAGE>   268
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                         Page 11




              20.    If claim is ever made upon any Creditor for repayment or
recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment or on account of any of
the Guaranteed Obligations and any of the aforesaid payees repays all or part
of said amount by reason of (i) any judgment, decree or order of any court or
administrative body having jurisdiction over such payee or any of its property
or (ii) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected by such payee
with any such claimant (including the Borrower), then and in such event each
Guarantor agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or
compromise shall be binding upon such Guarantor, notwithstanding any revocation
hereof or other instrument evidencing any liability of the Borrower, and such
Guarantor shall be and remain liable to the aforesaid payees hereunder for the
amount so repaid or recovered to the same extent as if such amount had never
originally been received by any such payee.

              21.  (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND THE
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL, EXCEPT AS
OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN CERTAIN OF THE MORTGAGES, BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  ANY LEGAL ACTION OR
PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT MAY BE
BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS
AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE GUARANTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN
RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE
AFORESAID COURTS.  EACH OF THE GUARANTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES,
APPOINTS AND EMPOWERS CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, WITH OFFICES ON THE DATE HEREOF AT
1633 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10019 AS ITS DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT TO
RECEIVE, ACCEPT AND ACKNOWLEDGE FOR AND ON ITS BEHALF, AND IN RESPECT OF ITS
PROPERTY, SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS
WHICH MAY BE SERVED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING.  IF FOR ANY REASON SUCH
DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT SHALL CEASE TO BE AVAILABLE TO ACT AS SUCH, EACH
SUCH GUARANTOR AGREES TO DESIGNATE A NEW DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT IN NEW
YORK CITY ON THE TERMS AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION SATISFACTORY TO
THE AGENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT.  EACH OF THE GUARANTORS FURTHER IRREVOCABLY
CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS
<PAGE>   269
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                         Page 12




IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED
OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO ANY GUARANTOR AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH
OPPOSITE ITS SIGNATURE BELOW, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER
SUCH MAILING.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE AGENT UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT, ANY BANK OR THE HOLDER OF ANY NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER
MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED
AGAINST ANY GUARANTOR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

              (b)    EACH OF THE GUARANTORS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY OF
THE AFORESAID ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN
CLAUSE (A) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD
OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY
SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

              (c)    EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

              22.    In the event that all of the capital stock of one or more
Guarantors is sold or otherwise disposed of or liquidated in compliance with
the requirements of Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement (or such sale or other
disposition or liquidation has been approved in writing by the Required Banks
(or all Banks if required by Section 13.12 of the Credit Agreement)) and the
proceeds of such sale, disposition or liquidation are applied in accordance
with the provisions of the Credit Agreement, to the extent applicable, such
Guarantor shall be released from this Guaranty and this Guaranty shall, as to
each such Guarantor or Guarantors, terminate, and have no further force or
effect (it being understood and agreed that the sale of one or more Persons
that own, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or partnership
interests of any Guarantor shall be deemed to be a sale of such Guarantor for
the purposes of this Section 22).
<PAGE>   270
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                         Page 13





              23.    This Guaranty may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  A set of counterparts
executed by all the parties hereto shall be lodged with the Borrower and the
Agent.

              24.    EACH GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHTS TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY, THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

              25.    All payments made by any Guarantor hereunder will be made
without setoff, counterclaim or other defense.


                                  *    *    *
<PAGE>   271
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                         Page 14




              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be
executed and delivered as of the date first above written.



9001 Ambassador Row                        H-R WINDOW SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.
Dallas, TX   75247                         as a Guarantor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                
                                              --------------------------------
                                           Name:                              
                                                ------------------------------
                                           Title:                             
                                                 -----------------------------


9001 Ambassador Row                        VINYL BUILDING SPECIALTIES
Dallas, TX   75247                           OF CONNECTICUT, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek                           as a Guarantor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                
                                              --------------------------------
                                           Name:                              
                                                ------------------------------
                                           Title:                             
                                                 -----------------------------

9001 Ambassador Row                        BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO.
Dallas, TX   75247                            OF NEW YORK, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek                            as a Guarantor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                 
                                              -------------------------------- 
                                           Name:                               
                                                ------------------------------ 
                                           Title:                              
                                                 ----------------------------- 

9001 Ambassador Row                        BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
Dallas, TX   75247                         as a Guarantor
Attn: Randall Fojtasek
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                
                                              --------------------------------
                                           Name:                              
                                                ------------------------------
                                           Title:                             
                                                 -----------------------------

<PAGE>   272
                                                                       EXHIBIT J
                                                                         Page 15





9001 Ambassador Row                        BISHOP MANUFACTURING CO.
Dallas, TX   75247                            OF NEW ENGLAND, INC.
Attn: Randall Fojtasek                            as a Guarantor
Telephone:    (214) 634-0836
Telecopy:     (214) 631-4231               By:                                 
                                              -------------------------------- 
                                           Name:                               
                                                ------------------------------ 
                                           Title:                              
                                                 ----------------------------- 


Accepted and Agreed to:

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Agent for the Banks


By:
   ---------------------------
      Title:
<PAGE>   273
                                                                       EXHIBIT K




                             FORM OF CONSENT LETTER


                  [LETTERHEAD OF AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS]


                                                                          [Date]


To the Agent and the
Banks party to the
Credit Agreement referred
to below:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

              Reference is made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of November
__, 1996, among Atrium Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), Atrium
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation  (the "Borrower"), the banks (the
"Banks") from time to time party thereto and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent
(the "Agent") (as such Credit Agreement may be amended, restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified, from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") and the
Subsidiary Guaranty made by each of the guarantors party thereto (as such
Subsidiary Guaranty may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified, from time to time, the "Subsidiary Guaranty").

              Each of Holdings and the Borrower, pursuant to Section 13.08 of
the Credit Agreement, and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, pursuant to
Section 21 of the Subsidiary Guaranty has irrevocably designated, appointed and
empowered the undersigned, CT Corporation System, with offices currently
located at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York  10019, as its authorized
designee, appointee and agent to receive, accept and acknowledge for and on its
behalf, and in respect of its property, service of any and all legal process,
summons, notices and documents which may be served in any such legal action or
proceeding with respect to the Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) in the courts of the State of New York or
of the United States of America for the Southern District of New York.

              The undersigned hereby informs you that it irrevocably accepts
such appointment as agent as set forth in Section 13.08 of the Credit Agreement
or Section 21 of the Subsidiary Guaranty, as the case may be, and agrees with
you that the undersigned (i) shall inform the Agent promptly in
<PAGE>   274
                                                                       EXHIBIT K
                                                                          Page 2


writing of any change of its address in New York City, (ii) shall perform its
obligations as such process agent in accordance with the provisions of Section
13.08 of the Credit Agreement or Section 21 of the Subsidiary Guaranty, as the
case may be, and (iii) shall forward promptly to Holdings or the Borrower or
the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor any legal process received by the undersigned
in its capacity as process agent.

              As process agent, the undersigned, and its successor or
successors, agree to discharge the above-mentioned obligations and will not
refuse fulfillment of such obligations under Section 13.08 of the Credit
Agreement or Section 21 of the Subsidiary Guaranty.



                                              Very truly yours,

                                              CT CORPORATION SYSTEM


                                              By                                
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title:
<PAGE>   275
                                                                       EXHIBIT L




                     FORM OF OFFICER'S SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE



To the Agents and each of the Banks party to
the Credit Agreement referred to below:


              I, the undersigned, the Chief Executive Officer of Atrium
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower"), does hereby certify
on behalf of the Borrower that:

              1.  This Certificate is furnished to the Banks pursuant to
Section 5.16 of the Credit Agreement, dated as of November __, 1996, among
Atrium Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Holdings"), the Borrower, various
banks from time to time party thereto (the "Banks") and Bankers Trust Company,
as Agent (such Credit Agreement, as in effect on the date of this Certificate,
being herein called the "Credit Agreement").  Unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms used in this Certificate shall have the meanings set forth in
the Credit Agreement.

              2.  For purposes of this Certificate, the terms below shall have
the following definitions:

       (a)    "Fair Value"

              The amount at which the assets, in their entirety, of each of
              Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and of the
              Borrower on a stand-alone basis, as the case may be, would change
              hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, within a
              commercially reasonable period of time, each having reasonable
              knowledge of the relevant facts, with neither being under any
              compulsion to act.

       (b)    "Present Fair Salable Value"

              The amount that could be obtained by an independent willing
              seller from an independent willing buyer if the assets of each of
              Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and of the
              Borrower on a stand-alone basis, as the case may be, are sold
              with reasonable promptness in an arm's-length transaction under
              present conditions for the sale of comparable business
              enterprises.
<PAGE>   276





       (c)    "New Financing"

              The Indebtedness incurred or to be incurred by Holdings, the
              Borrower and their respective Subsidiaries under the Credit
              Documents (assuming the full utilization by the Borrower of the
              Commitments under the Credit Agreement) and all other financings
              contemplated by the Documents in each case after giving effect to
              the Transaction and the incurrence of all financings in
              connection therewith.

       (d)    "Stated Liabilities"

              The recorded liabilities (including contingent liabilities that
              would be recorded in accordance with generally accepted
              accounting principles ("GAAP")) of each of Holdings and its
              Subsidiaries taken as a whole and of the Borrower on a stand-
              alone basis, as the case may be, as of the date hereof after
              giving effect to the consummation of the Transaction, determined
              in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, together with the
              amount of all New Financing.

       (e)    "Identified Contingent Liabilities"

              The maximum estimated amount of liabilities reasonably likely to
              result from pending litigation, asserted claims and assessments,
              guaranties, uninsured risks and other contingent liabilities of
              each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and of the
              Borrower on a stand-alone basis, as the case may be, after giving
              effect to the Transaction (including all fees and expenses
              related thereto but exclusive of such contingent liabilities to
              the extent reflected in Stated Liabilities), as identified and
              explained in terms of their nature and estimated magnitude by
              responsible officers of the Borrower or that have been identified
              as such by an officer of the Borrower.

       (f)    "Will be able to pay its Stated Liabilities, including Identified
              Contingent Liabilities, as they mature"

              For the period from the date hereof through the stated maturity
              of all New Financing, each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken
              as a whole and of the Borrower on a stand-alone basis, as the
              case may be, will have sufficient assets and cash flow to pay
              their respective Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent
              Liabilities as those liabilities mature or otherwise become
              payable.

       (g)    "Does not have Unreasonably Small Capital"

              For the period from the date hereof through the stated maturity
              of all New Financing, each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken
              as a whole and of the Borrower on a stand-alone basis, as the
              case may be, after consummation of the Transaction and all
<PAGE>   277


              Indebtedness (including the Loans and Letters of Credit) being
              incurred or assumed and Liens created by Holdings, the Borrower
              and their respective Subsidiaries in connection therewith, is a
              going concern and has sufficient capital to ensure that it will
              continue to be a going concern for such period and to remain a
              going concern.

              3.  For purposes of this Certificate, I, or officers of the
Borrower or of Holdings under my direction and supervision, have performed the
following procedures as of and for the periods set forth below:

       (a)    have reviewed the financial statements of Holdings and its
              Subsidiaries referred to in Section 7.05(a) of the Credit
              Agreement.

       (b)    have reviewed the unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheets
              of Holdings and its Subsidiaries referred to in Section 5.17(a)
              of the Credit Agreement.

       (c)    have made inquiries of certain officials of Holdings and its
              Subsidiaries who have responsibility for financial and accounting
              matters regarding (i) the existence and amount of Identified
              Contingent Liabilities associated with the business of Holdings
              and its Subsidiaries, (ii) whether the unaudited pro forma
              consolidated balance sheets referred to in paragraph (b) above
              are in conformity with GAAP consistently applied and (iii)
              whether omitted notes to the unaudited consolidated financial
              statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.05(a) of the Credit
              Agreement would have disclosed any new information, except to
              update amounts included in the notes to the December 31, 1995
              audited consolidated financial statements.

       (d)    have knowledge of and have reviewed to my satisfaction the Credit
              Documents and the other Documents, and the respective Schedules
              and Exhibits thereto.

       (e)    With respect to Identified Contingent Liabilities, have:

              1.     inquired of certain officials of Holdings and its
                     Subsidiaries who have responsibility for legal, financial
                     and accounting matters as to the existence and estimated
                     liability with respect to all contingent liabilities
                     associated with the business of Holdings and its
                     Subsidiaries;

              2.     confirmed with officers of Holdings and its Subsidiaries
                     that, to the best of such officers' knowledge, (i) all
                     appropriate items were included in Stated Liabilities or
                     Identified Contingent Liabilities and that (ii) the
                     amounts relating thereto were the maximum estimated amount
                     of liabilities reasonably likely to result therefrom as of
                     the date hereof; and
<PAGE>   278



              3.     to the best of my knowledge, all material Identified
                     Contingent Liabilities that may arise from any pending
                     litigation, asserted claims and assessments, guarantees,
                     uninsured risks and other Identified Contingent
                     Liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (exclusive of
                     such Identified Contingent Liabilities to the extent
                     reflected in Stated Liabilities) (after giving effect to
                     the Transaction) have been considered in making the
                     certification set forth in paragraph 4 below, and with
                     respect to each such Identified Contingent Liability the
                     estimable maximum amount of liability with respect thereto
                     was used in making such certification.

       (f)    have had the Projections relating to Holdings and its
              Subsidiaries which have been previously delivered to the Banks,
              prepared under my direction, and have re-examined the Projections
              on the date hereof and considered the effect thereon of any
              changes since the date of the preparation thereof on the results
              projected therein.  After such review, I hereby certify that in
              my opinion the Projections are reasonable and attainable and the
              Projections support the conclusions contained in paragraph 4
              below.

       (g)    have made inquiries of certain officers of Holdings and its
              Subsidiaries who have responsibility for financial reporting and
              accounting matters regarding whether they were aware of any
              events or conditions that, as of the date hereof, would cause
              Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or the Borrower on
              a stand-alone basis, as the case may be, after giving effect to
              the consummation of the Transaction and the related financing
              transactions (including the incurrence of the New Financing), to
              (i) have assets with a Fair Value or Present Fair Salable Value
              that are less than the sum of Stated Liabilities and Identified
              Contingent Liabilities; (ii) have Unreasonably Small Capital; or
              (iii) not be able to pay their respective Stated Liabilities and
              Identified Contingent Liabilities as they mature or otherwise
              become payable.

              4.  Based on and subject to the foregoing, I hereby certify on
behalf of the Borrower that, after giving effect to the consummation of the
Transaction and the related financing transactions (including the incurrence of
the New Financing), it is my opinion that (i) the Fair Value and Present Fair
Salable Value of the assets of each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole and of the Borrower on a stand-alone basis, as the case may be, exceed
their respective Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities; (ii)
each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and of the Borrower on a
stand-alone basis, as the case may be, does not have Unreasonably Small
Capital; and (iii) each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and
of the Borrower on a stand-alone basis, as the case may be, will be able to pay
their respective Stated Liabilities and Identified Contingent Liabilities as
they mature or otherwise become payable.
<PAGE>   279



              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand this ___ day of
November, 1996.



                                   ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.


                                   -----------------------------------------
                                   Name:
                                   Title:  Chief Executive Officer
<PAGE>   280
                                                                       EXHIBIT M




                           FORM OF INTERCOMPANY NOTE


                                                              New York, New York
                                                            ___________ __, 19__


              FOR VALUE RECEIVED, [NAME OF PAYOR] (the "Borrower"), hereby
promises to pay on demand to the order of [NAME OF PAYEE] or its assigns (the
"Payee"), in lawful money of the United States of America in immediately
available funds, at such location in the United States of America as the Payee
shall from time to time designate, the unpaid principal amount of all loans and
advances made by the Payee to the Borrower.

              The Borrower promises also to pay interest on the unpaid
principal amount hereof in like money at said office from the date hereof until
paid at such rate per annum as shall be agreed upon from time to time by the
Borrower and Payee.

              Upon the commencement of any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or
liquidation or similar proceeding of any jurisdiction relating to the Borrower,
the unpaid principal amount hereof shall become immediately due and payable
without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind in connection with
the Intercompany Note.

              This Intercompany Note evidences certain permitted intercompany
Indebtedness referred to in Section 9.05(v) of the Credit Agreement, dated as
of November __, 1996 among Atrium Corporation, Atrium Companies, Inc., various
Banks and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent (as amended, restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified or  from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") and is
subject to the terms thereof, and shall be pledged by the Payee pursuant to the
Security Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  The Borrower hereby
acknowledges and agrees that the Collateral Agent pursuant to and as defined in
the Security Documents, as in effect from time to time, may exercise all rights
provided therein with respect to this Note.

              The Payee is hereby authorized to record all loans and advances
made by it to the Borrower (all of which shall be evidenced by this
Intercompany Note), and all repayments or prepayments thereof, in its books and
records, such books and records constituting prima facie evidence of the
accuracy of the information contained therein.
<PAGE>   281
                                                                       EXHIBIT M
                                                                          Page 2




              All payments under this Note shall be made without offset,
counterclaim or deduction of any kind.

              The Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or notice
of any kind in connection with this Intercompany Note.

              THIS INTERCOMPANY NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND
GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.



                                           [NAME OF PAYOR]


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


[NAME OF PAYEE]


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



Pay to the order of


- --------------------------------
<PAGE>   282
                                                                       EXHIBIT N




                  FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT




                                                           Date __________, 19__


              Reference is made to the Credit Agreement described in Item 2 of
Annex I hereto (as such Credit Agreement may hereafter be amended, modified,
extended, renewed, replaced, restated or supplemented from time to time, the
"Credit Agreement").  Unless defined in Annex I hereto, terms defined in the
Credit Agreement are used herein as therein defined.  ___________ (the
"Assignor") and __________ (the "Assignee") hereby agree as follows:

              1.  The Assignor hereby sells and assigns to the Assignee without
recourse and without representation or warranty (other than as expressly
provided herein), and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from the
Assignor, that interest in and to all of the Assignor's rights and obligations
under the Credit Agreement as of the date hereof which represents the
percentage interest specified in Item 4 of Annex I hereto (the "Assigned
Share") of all of the outstanding rights and obligations under the Credit
Agreement relating to the Assigned Share of the Total Revolving Loan Commitment
and of any outstanding Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit.  After giving
effect to such sale and assignment, the Assignee's Revolving Loan Commitment
will be as set forth in Item 4 of Annex I hereto.

              2.  The Assignor (i) represents and warrants that it is the legal
and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that
such interest is free and clear of any adverse claim; (ii) makes no
representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the
Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the execution, legality,
validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit
Agreement or the other Credit Documents or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant thereto; and (iii) makes no representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the performance or observance by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any of their obligations under the
Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents to which they are a party or any
other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto.

              3.  The Assignee (i) confirms that it has received a copy of the
Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with copies of the
financial statements referred to therein and
<PAGE>   283
                                                                       EXHIBIT N
                                                                          Page 2




such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its
own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption
Agreement; (ii) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon
the Agent, the Assignor or any other Bank and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own
credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement;
(iii) confirms that it is an Eligible Transferee under Section 13.04(b) of the
Credit Agreement; (iv) appoints and authorizes the Agent and the Collateral
Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers
under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents as are delegated to
the Agent and the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, by the terms thereof,
together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto; [and] (v)
agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the
obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be
performed by it as a Bank[; and (vi) to the extent legally entitled to do so,
attaches the forms described in Section 13.04(b) of the Credit Agreement](1/).

              4.  Following the execution of this Assignment and Assumption
Agreement by the Assignor and the Assignee, an executed original hereof
(together with all attachments) will be delivered to the Agent.  The effective
date of this Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall be the date of execution
hereof by the Assignor and the Assignee and the receipt of the consent of the
Agent and the Borrower to the extent required by Section 13.04(b) of the Credit
Agreement and receipt by the Agent of the administrative fee referred to in
such Section 13.04(b), unless otherwise specified in Item 5 of Annex I hereto
(the "Settlement Date").

              5.  Upon the delivery of a fully executed original hereof to the
Agent, as of the Settlement Date, (i) the Assignee shall be a party to the
Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, have the rights and obligations of a Bank thereunder and under the
other Credit Documents and (ii) the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in
this Assignment and Assumption Agreement, relinquish its rights and be released
from its obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

              6.  It is agreed that the Assignee shall be entitled to (i) all
interest on the Assigned Share of the Loans at the rates specified in Item 6 of
Annex I; (ii) all Commitment Commission (if applicable) on the Assigned Share
of the Total Revolving Loan Commitment (if not theretofore terminated) at the
rate specified in Item 7 of Annex I hereto; and (iii) all Letter of Credit Fees
(if applicable) on the Assignee's participation in all Letters of Credit at the
rate specified in Item 8 of Annex I hereto, which, in each case, accrue on and
after the Settlement Date, such interest and, if





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

(1/)  Include if the Assignee is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction
outside of the United States.
<PAGE>   284
                                                                       EXHIBIT N
                                                                          Page 3




applicable, Commitment Commission and Letter of Credit Fees to be paid by the
Agent directly to the Assignee.  It is further agreed that all payments of
principal made on the Assigned Share of the Loans which occur on and after the
Settlement Date will be paid directly by the Agent to the Assignee.  Upon the
Settlement Date, the Assignee shall pay to the Assignor an amount specified by
the Assignor in writing which represents the Assigned Share of the principal
amount of the respective Loans made by the Assignor pursuant to the Credit
Agreement which are outstanding on the Settlement Date, net of any closing
costs, and which are being assigned hereunder.  The Assignor and the Assignee
shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments under the Credit Agreement
for periods prior to the Settlement Date directly between themselves.

              7.  THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
<PAGE>   285
                                                                       EXHIBIT N
                                                                          Page 4




              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly
authorized officers to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption
Agreement, as of the date first above written, such execution also being made
on Annex I hereto.


Accepted this _____ day                   [NAME OF ASSIGNOR],
of _______, 19__                             as Assignor


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


                                          [NAME OF ASSIGNEE],
                                            as Assignee


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


Acknowledged and Agreed:

BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Agent


By
  --------------------------------
   Title:(2/)





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

(2/)  The consent of Bankers Trust Company is required for assignments pursuant
to Section 13.04(b)(ii) of the Credit Agreement.
<PAGE>   286
                 ANNEX FOR ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

                                    ANNEX I


1.     Borrower: Atrium Companies, Inc.


2.     Name and Date of Credit Agreement:

       Credit Agreement, dated as of November __, 1996, among Atrium
       Corporation, Atrium Companies, Inc., various Banks party thereto from
       time to time and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent, as amended to the date
       hereof.


3.     Date of Assignment Agreement:


4.     Amounts (as of date of Item #3 above):




<TABLE>
=====================================
                     Revolving Loan
                     Commitment
- -------------------------------------
  <S>  <C>           <C>
  a.   Aggregate     $___________
       Amount for
       all Banks
- -------------------------------------
  b.   Assigned      _______%
       Share
- -------------------------------------
  c.   Amount of     $__________
       Assigned
       Share
=====================================
</TABLE>


5.     Settlement Date:


6.     Rate of Interest            As set forth in Section 1.08





<PAGE>   287
                                                                         Annex I
                                                                          Page 2




       to the Assignee:            of the Credit Agreement (unless otherwise
                                   agreed to by the Assignor and the
                                   Assignee)(3/)

7.     Commitment Commission:      As set forth in Sections 3.01(a) (unless
                                   otherwise agreed to by the Assignor and the
                                   Assignee)(4/)

8.     Letter of Credit Fees       As set forth in Section 3.01(b) 
       to the Assignee:            of the Credit Agreement (unless otherwise
                                   agreed to by the Assignor and the
                                   Assignee)(5/)

9.     Notice:

          ASSIGNOR:


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

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

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

             ---------------------
             Attention:
             Telephone:
             Telecopier:
             Reference:




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

(3/)   Atrium Companies, Inc. and the Agent shall direct the entire amount of
the interest to the Assignee at the rate set forth in Section 1.08 of the
Credit Agreement, with the Assignor and Assignee effecting the agreed upon
sharing of the interest through payments by the Assignee to the Assignor.

(4/)  Atrium Companies, Inc. and the Agent shall direct the entire amount of
the Commitment Commission to the Assignee at the rate set forth in Section
3.01(a) of the Credit Agreement, with the Assignor and the Assignee effecting
the agreed upon sharing of Commitment Commission through payment by the
Assignee to the Assignor.

(5/)  Atrium Companies, Inc. and the Agent shall direct the entire amount of
the Letter of Credit Fees to the Assignee at the rate set forth in Section
3.01(b) of the Credit Agreement, with the Assignor and the Assignee effecting
the agreed upon sharing of Letter of Credit Fees through payment by the
Assignee to the Assignor.


<PAGE>   288
                                                                         Annex I
                                                                          Page 3





          ASSIGNEE:

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

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

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

             ---------------------
             Attention:
             Telephone:
             Telecopier:
             Reference:

       Payment Instructions:

          ASSIGNOR:

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

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

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

             ---------------------
             Attention:
             Reference:

          ASSIGNEE:

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

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

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

             ---------------------
             Attention:
             Reference:


Accepted and Agreed:

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]                         [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]


By                                         By                          
  -----------------------------              -----------------------------


  -----------------------------              -----------------------------
  (Print Name and Title)                     (Print Name and Title)






<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15
                                ESCROW AGREEMENT

       This ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of July 3, 1995, is among (i)
Fojtasek/Heritage Acquisition Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Buyer"),
(ii) the shareholders of Fojtasek Companies, Inc., a Texas corporation
("Fojtasek") listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively, the
"Sellers"), (iii) Randall Fojtasek, in his capacity as Seller Representative
(Randall Fojtasek or his successor, hereinafter, the "Seller Representative")
and (iv) The First National Bank of Boston, a national banking association, as
Escrow Agent only.

       WHEREAS, the Buyer and the Sellers have entered into a Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of July 3, 1995 (the "Stock Purchase Agreement"), pursuant
to which the Buyer has agreed to purchase all of the outstanding capital stock
of Fojtasek for the purchase price specified therein (the "Purchase Price");

       WHEREAS, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Buyer has agreed
to deposit $1,500,000 of the Purchase Price in escrow with the Escrow Agent to
be held as security for payment of (i) certain indemnification obligations of
the Sellers described in Section 10 of the Stock Purchase Agreement and (ii)
the Adjustment (as defined in Section 3 of the Stock Purchase Agreement), if
any due from the Sellers to the Buyer pursuant to such Section 3 and
distributed by the Escrow Agent on the terms and conditions set forth herein;
and

       WHEREAS, the Sellers have appointed a Seller Representative as their
representative to act hereunder pursuant to Section 13.9 of the Stock Purchase
Agreement;

       NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto hereby agrees as follows:

       1.     DEPOSIT OF ESCROWED FUNDS.  The Buyer hereby deposits with the
Escrow Agent, and the Escrow Agent hereby acknowledges receipt of, the sum of
$1,500,000 (the "Escrow Amount").  The Escrow Amount, together with any
interest earned thereon from any investment thereof hereunder, is hereinafter
referred to as the "Escrowed Funds".

       2.     INVESTMENT OF ESCROWED FUNDS.  Until the release of the Escrowed
Funds pursuant to Section 3 hereof, the Escrow Agent shall, at the written
direction of the Seller Representative and the Buyer, invest and reinvest the
Escrowed Funds solely in (a) marketable obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States of America, (b) U.S. Money Market Funds (as
defined below) and/or (c) other mutually agreed upon investments.  The initial
written direction of the Seller Representative and the Buyer is attached hereto
as Schedule 1.  In the event that the Buyer and the Seller Representative do
not give written directions to the Escrow Agent in a timely manner, the Escrow
Agent shall invest and reinvest the Escrowed Funds in instruments of the type
set forth above in clauses (a) or (b) of the first sentence of this Section 2.
The Escrow Agent
<PAGE>   2
shall be entitled to make such investments in its discretion and shall have no
liability to the Sellers or the Buyer arising, directly or indirectly, from any
investment made pursuant to this Section 2.  As used herein, the term "U.S.
Money Market Funds" means interests in any open-end or closed-end management
type investment company or investment trust registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, (as from time to time amended, the "Investment Company
Act"), the portfolio of which is limited to obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States or any agency thereof ("Federal Obligations")
and to agreements to repurchase Federal Obligations that are at least 100%
collateralized by Federal Obligations marked to market on a daily basis.

       3.     RELEASE OF ESCROWED FUNDS.  (a)  Subject to paragraphs (b) and
(c) below, on July 3, 1997, the Escrow Agent shall release the remaining
Escrowed Funds, if any, to the Sellers pro rata in accordance with the attached
Exhibit A.

       (b)    From time to time prior to July 3, 1997, the Buyer may deliver to
the Escrow Agent a written notice (a "Claim") requesting distribution to the
Buyer of a specified amount of the Escrowed Funds in full or partial payment of
(i) the indemnification obligations of the Sellers to the Buyer with respect to
Environmental Claims and Damages (as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement)
related to or arising directly or indirectly out of any breach by the Sellers
of the representations or warranties contained in Section 4.12 thereof or
payable with respect to claims for indemnification made pursuant to Sections
10.1(v) and (vi) thereof or (ii) the Adjustment owing from the Sellers to the
Buyer pursuant to Section 3(c) of the Stock Purchase Agreement, along with a
delivery receipt or other appropriate proof of delivery to the Seller
Representative of a copy of such Claim.  If the Escrow Agent is not in actual
receipt of a written objection from the Seller Representative to such Claim
within 10 days following the date of the Escrow Agent's actual receipt of such
Claim then on, then on the 11th day following such actual receipt (or if the
11th day is not a business day for the Escrow Agent, then on the first business
day after the 11th day), the Escrow Agent shall pay to the Buyer the amount of
the Escrowed Funds specified in the Claim.

       (c)    If the Escrow Agent is in actual receipt of a written objection
from the Seller Representative to a Claim within 10 days following the date of
the Escrow Agent's actual receipt of such Claim (or if the 10th day is not a
business day for the Escrow Agent, then on the first business day after the
10th day), the Escrow Agent shall withhold from the amount otherwise
distributable hereunder pursuant to paragraph (a) above an amount of Escrowed
Funds sufficient to satisfy such Claim until it shall have received either (i)
non-conflicting written instructions from the Seller Representative and the
Buyer as to the disposition of the portion of the Escrowed Funds in question,
or (ii) an order of an arbitrator or court having jurisdiction over the matter
which is final and not subject to further court proceedings or appeal along
with a certificate from either counsel to the Sellers or counsel to the Buyer
that such order is final.  Upon receipt of any such written instructions or
order, the Escrow Agent shall distribute such Escrowed Funds in accordance
therewith.  If the Seller Representative's objection to payment of a Claim
shall prevent timely payment to the Buyer of any amount which is ultimately
determined to be distributable to the Buyer in satisfaction of such Claim, the
Buyer shall be entitled to all interest which shall have accrued on such amount
by its investment hereunder from and after the 11th day following the Escrow
Agent's receipt of the Claim until distribution of such amount to the Buyer in
payment thereof, and the determination




                                     -2-
<PAGE>   3
by the Escrow Agent of such interest amount to which the Buyer is entitled
shall be binding upon both the Sellers and the Buyer.

       (d)    Liquidation of Investments.  If necessary to satisfy any
distributions under this Agreement, including distributions for the Escrow
Agent's fees and expenses, the Escrow Agent may sell or liquidate, in its sole
discretion, any one or more investments prior to maturity and the Escrow Agent
shall not be liable to the Sellers or to the Buyer for any loss or penalties
resulting from or relating to such sale or liquidation, however the Buyer and
the Seller Representative may extend any payment period in Section 3 hereof in
order to avoid any loss of income or principal from a premature liquidation of
an escrow investment.  All releases of Escrowed Funds shall be made by delivery
to the appropriate party at the address set forth for such party in Section 6
hereof of a bank check in the amount of such release, or in such other manner
as agreed to between the appropriate party and the Escrow Agent.

       4.     RESPONSIBILITY OF ESCROW AGENT.  The Escrow Agent shall not be
responsible for the genuineness of any signature or document presented to it
pursuant to this Agreement and may rely conclusively upon and shall be
protected in acting upon any judicial order or decree, certificate, notice,
request, consent, statement, instruction or other instrument believed by it in
good faith to be genuine or to be signed or presented by the proper person
hereunder, or duly authorized by such person or properly made.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, prior to taking any action
hereunder, the Escrow Agent may, if in doubt regarding its duties and
obligations, seek instructions from the Buyer and the Seller Representative, and
if such instructions are in conflict, the Escrow Agent may seek instructions or
other relief (including but not limited to interpleader) from a court of
competent jurisdiction, and further may request such evidence, documents,
certificates or opinions as it may deem appropriate.  The Escrow Agent shall be
entitled to retain counsel both to advise it and in connection with any court
action, and such counsel's reasonable attorneys' fees shall be charged to the
Escrowed Funds.  The Escrow Agent shall be entitled to act in reliance upon the
advice of counsel in all matters pertaining to this Agreement, and shall not be
liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in accordance with
such advice.  The Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for any of the
agreements contained herein except the performance of its duties as expressly
set forth herein.  The duties and obligations of the Escrow Agent hereunder
shall be governed solely by the provisions of this Agreement, and the Escrow
Agent shall have no duties other than the duties expressly imposed herein and
shall not be required to take any action other than in accordance with the
terms hereof.  The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice of, or demand
with respect to, any waiver, modification, amendment, termination,
cancellation, rescission or supersession of this Agreement, unless in writing
and signed by the Buyer, the Seller Representative and the Escrow Agent.  In
the event of any controversy or dispute hereunder or with respect to any
question as to the construction of this Agreement, or any action to be taken or
suffered in good faith, its liability hereunder to be limited solely to gross
negligence or willful misconduct on its part.  The Buyer and the Sellers
jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold the Escrow Agent harmless,
and further to protect and defend the Escrow Agent (with counsel selected by
the Escrow Agent) against any losses, liabilities and damages incurred by the
Escrow Agent as a consequence of any action taken or omitted to be taken by it
in the performance of its obligations hereunder (including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel), with the exception of any
losses, liabilities and damages arising from the Escrow Agent's





                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The representations and obligations of
the Sellers and the Buyer to the Escrow Agent in this Agreement shall survive
the termination of this Agreement and shall be applicable whether or not The
First National Bank of Boston is serving as Escrow Agent.

       5.     FEES OF ESCROW AGENT.  The Escrow Agent's fees for its services
hereunder shall be at the rate specified on Schedule 2 attached hereto, for so
long as any portion of the Escrowed Funds are held by the Escrow Agent
hereunder.  The fees and expenses of the Escrow Agent (including the Escrow
Agent's reasonable attorney's fees) shall be paid out of the Escrowed Funds and
shall constitute a priority over amounts due the Sellers or the Buyer from the
Escrowed Funds.  Although not a matter of concern to the Escrow Agent, the
Buyer and the Sellers agree that such fees and expenses shall be borne equally
by each (i.e., the Buyer on the one hand and the Sellers on the other hand).
To the extent that either the Buyer or the Sellers pay more than half of the
fees and expenses of the Escrow Agent (including fees and disbursements of
counsel) for any reason, including without limitation because all of such fees
and expenses are paid out of the Escrow Funds prior to any return of such
Escrowed Funds to the Sellers pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, the
other party hereto shall promptly reimburse such party for its share of such
fees and expenses.

       6.     NOTICES AND COMMUNICATIONS.  All notices, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing or by written telecommunication,
and shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt if delivered
personally or by overnight courier or if mailed by certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, or sent by written telecommunication, as
follows:

       If to the Sellers or the Seller Representative, to:

              9001 Ambassador Row
              Dallas, Texas  75247

              Attention:  Randall S. Fojtasek

       with a copy sent contemporaneously to:

              O. Haynes Morris, Jr.
              Adair, Morris & Osborn, P.C.
              1201 Main Street, Suite 835
              Dallas, Texas  75202

              and

              Joe Fojtasek
              P.O. Box 226957
              Dallas, Texas  75222-6957





                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
       If to the Buyer, to:

              Fojtasek/Heritage Acquisition Company
              c/o Heritage Partners, Inc.
              30 Rowes Wharf
              Suite 300
              Boston, Massachusetts  02110
              Attention:  T. Brook Parker

       with a copy sent contemporaneously to:

              Robert M. Wolf, Esq.
              Bingham, Dana & Gould
              150 Federal Street
              Boston, Massachusetts  02110

       If to the Escrow Agent, to:

              The First National Bank of Boston
              150 Royall Street
              Canton, Massachusetts  02021
              M.S. 45-02-15
              Attention:  Brian Fitzgerald

or to such other address as such party shall designate by written notice to the
other parties hereto.

       7.     TERM; AMENDMENTS; SUCCESSORS.  Except as otherwise provided
herein, this Agreement shall continue until the date on which all of the
Escrowed Funds have been distributed as provided in Section 3 hereof, may be
amended only as provided in Section 4 hereof and shall be binding upon and
shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns.

       8.     COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  In making proof of this
Agreement it shall be necessary to produce or account for only one such
counterpart signed by or on behalf of the party sought to be charged herewith.

       9.     SUCCESSOR ESCROW AGENT.  The Escrow Agent may resign on 30 days
written notice to the Buyer and the Seller Representative.  Upon the
resignation of the Escrow Agent, the Buyer and the Sellers shall appoint a
successor escrow agent or otherwise provide for the disposition of funds held
by the Escrow Agent by notice in writing to the Escrow Agent.  The Escrow Agent
shall pay over the Escrowed Funds, less its unpaid fees and expenses, as
provided in said notice.  If a successor escrow agent has not been appointed or
the Escrow Agent has not received notice providing for the disposition of funds
held by the Escrow Agent within 60 days after delivering its





                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6
resignation notice to the Buyer and the Seller Representative, the Escrow Agent
may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint such a successor
escrow agent.

       10.    ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement, except with respect to the
Buyer, the Sellers and the Seller Representative, in such capacity, contains
the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby.  No prior agreement, either written or oral,
shall be construed to change, amend, alter, repeal or invalidate this
Agreement.

       11.    REPRESENTATIONS OF THE BUYER AND THE SELLERS.  Each of the Buyer,
the Sellers and the Seller Representative, in such capacity, represents and
warrants to the Escrow Agent that it has the power and authority to enter into
this Agreement and to carry out its obligations hereunder, that it has duly
authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement is its
valid and binding obligation.

       12.    GOVERNING LAW.  The validity, enforceability and construction of
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware (without
giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws).





                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7
       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as an
instrument under seal as of the day and year first written above.




                                        BUYER:

                                        FOJTASEK/HERITAGE ACQUISITION
                                        COMPANY


                                        By:  /s/ Michael F. Gilligan            
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Title: Secretary


                                        SELLERS:


                                          /s/ Joe Fojtasek                      
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Joe Fojtasek



                                          /s/ Randall S. Fojtasek               
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Randall S. Fojtasek



                                          /s/ Russell S. Fojtasek               
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Russell S. Fojtasek



                                          /s/ Norman Lee Fojtasek               
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Norman Lee Fojtasek



                                          /s/ Richard Wayne Fojtasek            
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Richard Wayne Fojtasek



                                          /s/ Joe Ed Fojtasek                   
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Joe Ed Fojtasek





                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8
                                        SELLER REPRESENTATIVE:



                                          /s/ Randall Fojtasek                  
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Randall Fojtasek, in his capacity as
                                        Seller Representative


                                        ESCROW AGENT:

                                        The First National Bank of Boston, as
                                        Escrow Agent



                                        By:  /s/                                
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Title: Administration Manager





                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9
                       Schedule 1 to the Escrow Agreement


                            U.S. Money Market Funds





                                       -9-
<PAGE>   10
                       Schedule 2 to the Escrow Agreement


                              FEES OF ESCROW AGENT


<TABLE>
       <S>                                            <C>
       Acceptance Fee                                 $1,250
       (one-time charge)                              
                                                      
       Administration Fee                             $1,750
                                                      
       Out-of-Pocket Expenses                         Billed as Incurred
</TABLE>                                              





                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11
                                    Exhibit A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Sellers          Percentage of Escrow Amount
                     -------          ---------------------------
                <S>                               <C>
                  Joe Fojtasek                    49.99%

                 Norman Fojtasek                  10.57%

                Richard Fojtasek                  10.57%

                 Joe Ed Fojtasek                  10.57%

                Russell Fojtasek                  09.15%

                 Randal Fojtasek                  09.15%
                                                  ------
                                                  100.00%
</TABLE>





                                      -11-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1


                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.

               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                           Pro Forma                  
                                                                                          -----------
                                                                                                      
                                                    Year Ended December 31,               Year Ended  
                                    ----------------------------------------------------  December 31,
                                      1992       1993       1994       1995       1996       1996     
                                    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------   -----------  
<S>                                     <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>      
FIXED CHARGES:                                                                                        
    Interest expense ...............$   512    $   377    $   355    $ 2,615    $ 4,507     $10,361   
    Implicit interest in rent ......    334        367        500      1,052        670         746   
    Amortization of deferred                                                                          
        financing costs.............     --         --         --        138        279         603   
                                    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------     -------   
        Total Fixed Charges ........    846        744        855      3,805      5,456      11,710   
                                                                                                      
Earnings before provision for income                                                                  
        taxes ......................  8,452     10,246      9,795      3,393      8,078       9,597   
Fixed charges ......................    846        744        855      3,805      5,456      11,710   
                                    -------    -------    -------    -------    -------     -------   
        EARNINGS, AS DEFINED .......  9,298     10,990     10,650      7,198     13,534      21,307   
                                                                                                      
Ratio of earnings to fixed                                                                            
    charges ........................   11.0x      14.8x      12.5x       1.9x       2.5x        1.8x   
</TABLE>
    


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 16.1
                                     Arthur
                                    Andersen


                                                           Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                           Suite 5600
                                                           901 Main Street
                                                           Dallas, TX 75202-3799
                                                           214 741 8300


March 12, 1997


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, D.C.  20549

Dear Sirs:

        We have read the Change in Accountant paragraph included in the First
Amendment to the Form S-4 filed on Registration Statement Number 333-20095
dated March 12, 1997, of Atrium Companies, Inc. filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained therein.
           

                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP






<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

    We consent to the inclusion in this registration statement on Form S-4 (File
No. 333-20095) of our report dated March 7, 1997, on our audits of the
consolidated financial statements of Atrium Companies, Inc.  We also consent to
the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts."



COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.

Dallas, Texas
March 11, 1997



<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.2



March 12, 1997



As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report
(and to all references to our Firm) included in or made a part of this
registration statement.

                                          ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP






<PAGE>   1


                                                                 EXHIBIT 25.1


                              AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

                                    FORM T-1

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

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                    UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF
                   A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                      CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                      ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
                           SECTION 305(B)(2) ____   


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

                    UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


           New York                                              13-3818954
(Jurisdiction of incorporation                                (I.R.S. employer
 if not a U.S. national bank)                                identification No.)
                                                
                                                
     114 West 47th Street                                        10036-1532
         New York, NY                                            (Zip Code)
    (Address of principal                       
      executive offices)                        

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

                   UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                              114 W. 47th Street
                           New York, NY 10036-1532
                       Telephone Number (212) 852-1000
          (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                            Atrium Companies, Inc.
             (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

                Delaware                                         75-2642488
    (State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. employer
     incorporation or organization)                          identification No.)
                                                      
                                                      
          9001 Ambassador Row                         
               Dallas, TX                                           75247
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)


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


                       10-1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes
                               Due 2006, Series B
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

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




<PAGE>   2
                                     -2-

                                    GENERAL


1.  GENERAL INFORMATION

    Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

    (a)    Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which
           it is subject.
 
           Federal Reserve Bank of New York (2nd District), New York, New York
               (Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System)
           Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
           New York State Banking Department, Albany, New York

    (b)    Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

           The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR

    If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such
    affiliation.

           None

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15:

    Atrium Companies, Inc. currently is not in default under any of its
    outstanding securities for which United States Trust Company of New York is
    Trustee.  Accordingly, responses to Items 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
    13, 14 and 15 of Form T-1 are not required under General Instruction B.


16.     LIST OF EXHIBITS

    T-1.1  --  Organization Certificate, as amended, issued by the State of New
               York Banking Department to transact business as a Trust Company,
               is incorporated by reference to Exhibit T-1.1 to Form T-1 filed
               on September 15, 1995 with the Commission pursuant to the Trust
               Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform
               Act of 1990 (Registration No. 33-97056).

    T-1.2  --  Included in Exhibit T-1.1.

    T-1.3  --  Included in Exhibit T-1.1.





<PAGE>   3

                                     -3-


16. LIST OF EXHIBITS
    (cont'd)

    T-1.4  --  The By-Laws of United States Trust Company of New York, as
               amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit T-1.4 to Form
               T-1 filed on September 15, 1995 with the Commission pursuant to
               the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust
               Indenture Reform Act of 1990 (Registration No.  33-97056).

    T-1.6  --  The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
               Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture
               Reform Act of 1990.

    T-1.7  --  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee pursuant
               to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining
               authority.


NOTE

As of January 17, 1997, the trustee had 2,999,020 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, all of which are owned by its parent company, U.S. Trust
Corporation.  The term "trustee" in Item 2, refers to each of United States
Trust Company of New York and its parent company, U. S. Trust Corporation.

In answering Item 2 in this statement of eligibility as to matters peculiarly
within the knowledge of the obligor or its directors, the trustee has relied
upon information furnished to it by the obligor and will rely on information to
be furnished by the obligor and the trustee disclaims responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.

                              __________________

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the trustee,
United States Trust Company of New York, a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of
eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in the City of New York, and State of New York, on the 17th day
of January, 1997.

UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY
    OF NEW YORK, Trustee

By: /s/ MARGARET CIESMELEWSKI
    --------------------------
    Margaret Ciesmelewski
    Assistant Vice President





<PAGE>   4


                                                                   EXHIBIT T-1.6

       The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

                    United States Trust Company of New York
                              114 West 47th Street
                              New York, NY  10036


September 1, 1995



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 5th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC  20549

Gentlemen:

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990, and subject to the
limitations set forth therein, United States Trust Company of New York ("U.S.
Trust") hereby consents that reports of examinations of U.S. Trust by Federal,
State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities
to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request therefor.




Very truly yours,


UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY
    OF NEW YORK


    ---------------------------------
By: S/Gerard F. Ganey
    Senior Vice President





<PAGE>   5
                                                                   EXHIBIT T-1.7

                    UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CONDITION
                               SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>        
ASSETS
Cash and Due from Banks                                             $    38,257

Short-Term Investments                                                   82,377

Securities, Available for Sale                                          861,975

Loans                                                                 1,404,930
Less:  Allowance for Credit Losses                                       13,048
 Net Loans                                                            1,391,882
Premises and Equipment                                                   60,012
Other Assets                                                            133,673
 TOTAL ASSETS                                                       $ 2,568,176
                                                                    ===========

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
 Non-Interest Bearing                                               $   466,849
 Interest Bearing                                                     1,433,894
    Total Deposits                                                    1,900,743

Short-Term Credit Facilities                                            369,045
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities                                143,604
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                  $ 2,413,392
                                                                    ===========

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common Stock                                                             14,995
Capital Surplus                                                          42,394
Retained Earnings                                                        98,402
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Securities
     Available for Sale, Net of Taxes                                    (1,007)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                                              154,784
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
     STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                                           $ 2,568,176
                                                                    ===========
</TABLE>


I, Richard E. Brinkmann, Senior Vice President & Comptroller of the named bank
do hereby declare that this Statement of Condition has been prepared in
conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate regulatory
authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.


Richard E. Brinkman, SVP & Controller

October 24, 1996






<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK>        0001029336   
<NAME>       ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                             617
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   23,472
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,497
<INVENTORY>                                     13,475
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                40,386
<PP&E>                                          20,496
<DEPRECIATION>                                   6,526
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  74,750
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           15,108
<BONDS>                                        100,000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             1
<OTHER-SE>                                    (41,176)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    74,750
<SALES>                                        156,269
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               156,269
<CGS>                                          102,341
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  102,341
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   182
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                49,274
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               4,507
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  8,078
<INCOME-TAX>                                     2,699
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,379
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                  1,176
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     4,203
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1



                             LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
                                   TO TENDER
             OUTSTANDING 10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
                                       of
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
     PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND PROSPECTUS DATED ___________, 1997


  THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK
  CITY TIME, ON _______________, 1997  (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"), UNLESS THE
  EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY.

                 THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:

                    UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                        By Registered or Certified Mail,
                        by Overnight Courier or by Hand:

                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  P.O. Box 844
                         Attn: Corporate Trust Services
                                 Cooper Station
                         New York, New York  10276-0844

                                    By Hand:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  111 Broadway
                                  Lower Level
                         Attn: Corporate Trust Services
                            New York, New York 10006

                             By Overnight Courier:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                            770 Broadway, 13th Floor
                            New York, New York 10003
                        Attn:  Corporate Trust Services

                                 By Facsimile:
                                 (212) 420-6152

                             Confirm by Telephone:
                                 (800) 548-6565

  (Originals of all documents sent by facsimile should be sent promptly by
  registered or certified mail, by hand, or by overnight delivery service.)

    DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OR TRANSMISSION OF
INSTRUCTIONS VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A
VALID DELIVERY.

    IF YOU WISH TO EXCHANGE CURRENTLY OUTSTANDING 10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED
NOTES DUE 2006 (THE "OLD NOTES") FOR AN EQUAL AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NEW
10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006 PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, YOU
MUST VALIDLY TENDER (AND NOT WITHDRAW) OLD NOTES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO
THE EXPIRATION DATE.

                          SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED
              PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.
<PAGE>   2
                       DESCRIPTION OF TENDERED OLD NOTES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================================
                                                                                                      Aggregate
                   Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Owner(s)                 Certificate     Principal Amount
                             (Please fill in, if blank)                            Number(s)          Tendered
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>

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

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

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

                                                                                ----------------------------------
                                                                                Total Principal
                                                                                Amount of Notes
                                                                                    Tendered
==================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


                                      2
<PAGE>   3
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

    1.   The undersigned hereby tenders to Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), the Old Notes described above pursuant to the
Company's offer of $1,000 principal amount of 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2006 (the "New Notes") in exchange for each $1,000 principal amount of the
Old Notes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the
Prospectus dated ____________, 1997 (the "Prospectus"), receipt of which is
hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which together
constitute the "Exchange Offer").

    2.   The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that it has full
authority to tender the Old Notes described above.  The undersigned will, upon
request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company to
be necessary or desirable to complete the tender of Old Notes.

    3.   The undersigned understands that the tender of the Old Notes pursuant
to all of the procedures set forth in the Prospectus will constitute an
agreement between the undersigned and the Company as to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Prospectus.

    4.   The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that:

          (a)    the New Notes acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer are
                 being obtained in the ordinary course of business of the
                 undersigned, whether or not the undersigned is the holder;

          (b)    neither the undersigned nor any such other person is engaging
                 in or intends to engage in a distribution of such New Notes;

          (c)    neither the undersigned nor any such other person has an
                 arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in
                 the distribution of such New Notes; and

          (d)    neither the holder nor any such other person is an
                 "affiliate," as such term is defined under Rule 405
                 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
                 "Securities Act"), of the Company.

    5.   If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents
that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of
Exchange Securities.  If the undersigned is a broker-dealer, the undersigned
represents that it acquired the Old Notes for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities.  If the undersigned is a
broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in
exchange for Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities, it acknowledges that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Securities; however,
by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act.

    6.   Any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the
successors, assigns, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and
legal and personal representatives of the undersigned.

    7.   Unless otherwise indicated herein under "Special Delivery
Instructions," please issue the certificates for the New Notes in the name of
the undersigned.





                                       3
<PAGE>   4
================================================================================

                         SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
                              (See Instruction 1)

        To be completed ONLY IF the New Notes are to be issued or sent to
someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other
than that provided above.

        Mail [ ]   Issue [ ]   (check appropriate boxes) certificates to:

        Name:                                                                  
                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                     (PLEASE PRINT)                             
        Address:
                ---------------------------------------------------------------

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

                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

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



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

                       SPECIAL BROKER-DEALER INSTRUCTIONS
                                  (See Item 5)

        [ ]  Check here if you are a broker-dealer and wish to receive 10
additional copies of the Prospectus and 10 copies of any amendments or
supplements thereto.

        Name:                                                                  
                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                     (PLEASE PRINT)                             
        Address:
                ---------------------------------------------------------------

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

                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                   (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

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




                                       4
<PAGE>   5
================================================================================

                                   SIGNATURE

To be completed by all exchanging noteholders.  Must be signed by the registered
holder exactly as its name appears on the Old Notes.  If signature is by
trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney- in-fact, officer of a
corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity,
please set forth full title.  See Instruction 3.


    X                                                                          
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               
    X                                                                          
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------
            SIGNATURE(S) OF REGISTERED HOLDER(S) OR AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE       
    Dated:
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    Name(s):
            -------------------------------------------------------------------

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT)
    Capacity:                                                                  
             ------------------------------------------------------------------
    Address:                                                                   
            -------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              (INCLUDING ZIP CODE)

    Area Code and Telephone No.:                                               
                                -----------------------------------------------


               SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (IF REQUIRED BY INSTRUCTION 1)

        Certain Signatures Must be Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (NAME OF ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION GUARANTEEING SIGNATURES)

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (ADDRESS (INCLUDING ZIP CODE) AND TELEPHONE NUMBER
                        (INCLUDING AREA CODE) OF FIRM)

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             (AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE)

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (PRINTED NAME)

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (TITLE)

    Dated:                                                                     
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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

              PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE,
                WHICH FORM A PART OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.





                                       5
<PAGE>   6
                                  INSTRUCTIONS

         1.      GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURES.  Signatures on this Letter of
Transmittal must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution that is a
member of or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program,
the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the Stock Exchange
Medallion Program, or by an "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning
of Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (an "Eligible Institution"), unless the box titled "Special Delivery
Instructions" above has not been completed or the Old Notes described above are
tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution.

         2.      DELIVERY OF LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OLD NOTES.  The Old
Notes, together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of
Transmittal (or copy thereof), should be mailed or delivered to the Exchange
Agent at the address set forth above.

         THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OLD NOTES AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND
ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK
OF THE HOLDER.  INSTEAD OF DELIVERY BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOLDERS USE
AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE.  IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE
ALLOWED TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE.
NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMPANY.  HOLDERS
MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS, DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST
COMPANIES, OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS FOR SUCH HOLDERS.

         3.      SIGNATURE ON LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, BOND POWERS AND
ENDORSEMENTS.  If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than a
registered holder of any Old Notes, such Old Notes must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate bond powers, signed by such registered holder
exactly as such registered holder's name appears on such Old Notes.

         If this Letter of Transmittal or any Old Notes or bond powers are
signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and, unless waived by
the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to
so act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.

         4.      TAX INFORMATION.  Please complete the attached Substitute Form
W-9.  See "Tax Information and Guidelines."

         5.      MISCELLANEOUS.  All questions as to the validity, form,
eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance, and withdrawal of tendered
Old Notes will be resolved by the Company in its sole discretion, which
determination will be final and binding.  The Company reserves the absolute
right to reject any or all Old Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes the
Company's acceptance of which would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company,
be unlawful.  The Company also reserves the right to waive any defects,
irregularities, or conditions of tender as to particular Old Notes.  The
Company's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer
(including the instructions in this Letter of Transmittal) will be final and
binding.  Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with
tenders of Old Notes must be cured within such time as the Company shall
determine.  Neither the Company, the Exchange Agent, nor any other person shall
be under any duty to give notification of defects in such tenders or shall
incur any liability for failure to give such notification.  Tenders of Old
Notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities
have been cured or waived.  Any Old Notes received by the Exchange Agent that
are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have
not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the
tendering holder thereof as soon as practicable following the Expiration Date.





                                       6
<PAGE>   7

                         TAX INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

         You must provide the Exchange Agent with your correct Taxpayer
Identification Number ("TIN") on the Substitute Form W-9 set forth below.  If
you are an individual, your TIN is your social security number.

         On the Substitute Form W-9, you must certify under penalties of
perjury that:  (a) your TIN is correct, and (b) you are not subject to backup
withholding, either because the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has not
notified you that you are subject to backup withholding as a result of a
failure to report interest or dividends or because the IRS has notified you
that you are no longer subject to backup withholding.  If the IRS has notified
you that you are subject to backup withholding because of under reporting of
interest or dividends, you must cross out item (2) in the "Certification"
section of the Substitute Form W-9.  If subsequently, however, the IRS notifies
you that you are not longer subject to backup withholding, you should not cross
out item (2).

         Exempt persons, which include all corporations and certain foreign
individuals, are not subject to the backup withholding and reporting
requirements.  An exempt person should furnish its TIN, write "Exempt" on the
face of the Substitute Form W-9, and sign and date the form.  To satisfy the
Exchange Agent that a foreign person qualifies as an exempt recipient, such
person must also submit to the Exchange Agent with this Letter of Transmittal a
Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status, signed under penalties of perjury,
attesting to such person's foreign status.

         If you are required to provide a TIN, but have not been issued a TIN
and have applied for one, or intend to apply for one in the near future, you
should write "Applied For" on the line of the Substitute Form W-9 requiring a
TIN.  Generally, you will then have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the
Exchange Agent.  If the Exchange Agent does not receive your TIN within 60
days, backup withholding, if applicable, will begin.

         If you do not provide the Exchange Agent with your correct TIN, you
may be subject to a $50 penalty that the IRS imposes.  Failure to comply
truthfully with the backup withholding certification requirements may also
result in the imposition of criminal and civil fines and penalties.





                                       7
<PAGE>   8
<TABLE>
 <S>                              <C>                                    <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SUBSTITUTE                       PART I - PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR               Social Security Number
 Form W-9                         TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER IN
- -------------------------------   THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY        ------------------------------
                                  SIGNING AND DATING BELOW.
                                                                         Employer Identification Number
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY,      PART II - FOR PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING, SEE "TAX
 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE         INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES" ABOVE FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
 PAYER'S REQUEST FOR TAXPAYER     IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND
 IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (TIN)      COMPLETE AS INSTRUCTED THEREIN.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 CERTIFICATION - Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

    (1)  The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number or a taxpayer
         identification number has not been issued to me and either:  (a) I have mailed or delivered an
         application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue
         Service Center or Social Security Administration office, or (b) I intend to mail or deliver an
         application in the near future.  I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification
         number within 60 days, 31% of all reportable payments made to me thereafter will be withheld
         until I provide a number.

    (2)  I am not subject to backup withholding because I am exempt from backup withholding, I have not
         been notified by the Service that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to
         report all interest or dividends or the Service has notified me that I am no longer subject to
         backup withholding.

 CERTIFICATION INSTRUCTION - You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the Service
 that you are subject to backup withholding because of under reporting interest or dividends on your tax
 return unless you received a subsequent notification from the Service stating that you are no longer
 subject to backup withholding.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 SIGNATURE:                                                         DATE:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NAME:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 ADDRESS:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>



                                      8

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99.2



                         NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY
                                   TO TENDER
             OUTSTANDING 10 1/2% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2006
                                       OF
                             ATRIUM COMPANIES, INC.
     PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND PROSPECTUS DATED ___________, 1996

         As set forth in the Exchange Offer (as defined in the Prospectus (as
defined below)), this form or one substantially equivalent hereto must be used
to accept the Exchange Offer if certificates for outstanding 10 1/2% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "Old Notes") of International Home Foods, Inc.
are not immediately available or time will not permit a holder's Old Notes or
other required documents to reach the Exchange Agent on or prior to the
Expiration Date (as defined), or the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot
be completed on a timely basis.  This form may be delivered by facsimile
transmission, by registered or certified mail, by hand, or by overnight
delivery service to the Exchange Agent.  See "The Exchange Offer -- Procedures
for Tendering" in the Prospectus.

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

  THE EXCHANGE  OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS  WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M.,  NEW
  YORK CITY TIME,  ON _________________, 1997 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"), UNLESS
  THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS EXTENDED BY THE COMPANY.

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

                 THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS:

                    UNITED STATES TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                        By Registered or Certified Mail,
                        by Overnight Courier or by Hand:

                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  P.O. Box 844
                         Attn: Corporate Trust Services
                                 Cooper Station
                         New York, New York  10276-0844

                                    By Hand:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                                  111 Broadway
                                  Lower Level
                         Attn: Corporate Trust Services
                            New York, New York 10006

                             By Overnight Courier:
                    United States Trust Company of New York
                            770 Broadway, 13th Floor
                            New York, New York 10003
                        Attn:  Corporate Trust Services
                                 By Facsimile:

                                 (212) 420-6152
                             Confirm by Telephone:
                                 (800) 548-6565

  (Originals of all documents sent by facsimile should be sent promptly by
  registered or certified mail, by hand, or by overnight delivery service.)

         DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE TO AN ADDRESS OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS
VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID
DELIVERY.
<PAGE>   2
Ladies and Gentlemen:

         The undersigned hereby tenders to Atrium Companies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), in accordance with the Company's offer, upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated
________________, 1996 (the "Prospectus"), and in the accompanying Letter of
Transmittal, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged,
$__________________________ in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes pursuant
to the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Prospectus.

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

Name(s) of Registered Holder(s):
                                -----------------------------------------------
                                            (Please Type or Print)

Address:
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------

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


Area Code & Telephone No.:
                          -----------------------------------------------------

Certificate Number(s) for
Old Notes (if available):
                         ------------------------------------------------------

Total Principal Amount
Tendered and Represented
by Certificate(s): $
                    -----------------------------------------------------------


Signature of Registered Holder(s):
                                  ---------------------------------------------

Dated:
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ ]   The Depository Trust Company
      (Check if Old Notes will be tendered
      by book-entry transfer)


Account Number:
               ----------------------------------------------------------------

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

             THE GUARANTEE ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE MUST BE COMPLETED


                                      2
<PAGE>   3
                                   GUARANTEE
                    (Not to be used for signature guarantee)


         The undersigned, being a member firm of a registered national
securities exchange, a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company having an office in the
United States, hereby guarantees (a) that the above named person(s) "own(s)"
the Old Notes tendered hereby within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 ("Rule 14e-4")
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (b) that such tender of
such Old Notes complies with Rule 14e-4, and (c) to deliver to the Exchange
Agent the certificates representing the Old Notes tendered hereby or
confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange Agent's
account at The Depository Trust Company, in proper form for transfer, together
with the Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and
duly executed, with any required signature guarantees and any other required
documents, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the
Expiration Date.


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

Name of Firm:
             ------------------------------------------------------------------
Address:
        -----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Air Code and Telephone No.:
                           ----------------------------------------------------

Authorized Signature:
                     ----------------------------------------------------------
Name:
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title:
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dated:
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

NOTE:    DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES OF OLD NOTES WITH THIS FORM.  CERTIFICATES OF
         OLD NOTES SHOULD BE SENT ONLY WITH A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.





                                       3


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